Advice on computers and such needed

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Frisco's Most Underrated
Member Since: Jan 28, 2003

Ok, so I'm not sure if I mentioned it, but I've been going to community college here in San Francisco for the past 2 years to get an engineering degree (mechanical). In September, I will be transferring to UC Davis and moving there.

Now, I have my music computer which I got in around 2003 or so, and it works well for what I need it to do (sequencing in Reason, record one track at a time, mix at most 25 tracks in Audition). But I've been using a seperate computer (my mother's desktop) for any internet usage or school work. Now, I really don't want to add any internet to my music computer, and prefer not to add any "office" type applications to it either. So, it seems I will need a second computer when I move. The question is what should I get. I've been thinking of leaving my current music computer setup the same and then just buying a laptop for school stuff... but then I think a new computer for music would be awesome (more speed!) and just transition my current music computer to a general use computer. The other issue is space will be quite limited, so a laptop would probably work best...but I hate typing on laptop keyboards...

Anyways, anybody have an ideas? Maybe someone could see it from an angle I'm not already thinking about.

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 03, 2010 03:37 pm

I just recently saw decent powered laptops for around $300-$400 at big box stores...they obviously aren't the best you can get, but perfectly usable for internet, email, document creation and such...then buy any ol' USB keyboard to use with.

I will say though, as much as I used to hate laptop keyboards, I've gotten used to it...and the 17" screen laptops, while being more expensive, have vastly more "natural" keyboards that one can adapt to easier.

If you will need to run any CAD or CAM software, those cheap one's may not have the juice, those things can be VERY resource heavy.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Aug 03, 2010 05:12 pm

Second DB, if you need to do engineering work on said computer you may need something little beefier. If not, and space is limited then I would just go cheap laptop for school and wait on that DAW upgrade.

My solution, get a decent desktop that can handle your DAW and everything else. I know some people like to keep things seperated (I would too with a PC from 2003 to keep it lean) but I have been gaming/word processing/video editing/e-mailing/facebooking and recording on the same PC for a long time now with no issues. With Quad cores and so much available ram in new machines I just don't think it would cause you any grief.

I figure for a little more money you could have a killer rig vs. an old one and a low end laptop.

Last but not least, you never mentioned budget.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Aug 04, 2010 12:34 am

Good point dB, I hadn't even thought about running CAD type software... but I'll probably want that capability...

I don't have a strict budget, but obviously I'd prefer to spend less than more. I guess my absolute top limit is $600, but would prefer to keep it as low as possible.... Hmmm, maybe a new/second desktop...

Another issue I'm concerned about... all my music software is some years old... runs on XP. All the new comps come with Windows 7... will I be able to run an older version of Reason and Audition on Windows 7? Can I install my old version of XP on the new computer and still have it work (I don't know all the details about 32 bit/64 bit, does cores matter, etc....). I definitely don't have the budget to upgrade all my music software.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Aug 04, 2010 02:03 pm

Audition will run Win 7 no problem. I think you'll find most software won't have an issue running on 7. The only program that did not run for me was an old *** DVD codec. Audition 3.0 also has multi-core support that kicks in more so when your buffers are high and you are at the mixing stage, requires alot less bouncing and freezing of tracks.

That being said, going 64bit windows will allow you a much higher RAM usage and is a pretty smooth experience overall.

I would definitely try everything out before downgrading back to XP if you do go the new desktop route.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Aug 04, 2010 02:50 pm

Hmmm, well my audition is version 1.3 I think... wonder if that makes a difference?

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Aug 05, 2010 01:40 pm

Hmmm, I switched from CEP at Audition 1.5 sooooo I am not 100% sure. Might have to google that one but I see no reason why it would not.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Aug 05, 2010 09:31 pm

Sorry, I couldn't remember, but it is 1.5.

But you are right, google is my friend.

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