Requirements for decent laptop recording

Te eF Kay · 10-28-2009, 06:22 PM

I'm looking at getting a Dell D530 for home recording.
It has 2GB RAM, 2Ghz processing speed, has Intel Core 2 Duo and I wouldn't know what other specs would matter.

Bottom line is, would this do the job?
I'd like to overdub when recording so would this have any latency issues or will it be fast enough?

Cheers,

Te eF Kay

**Gustin** · 11-02-2009, 09:13 PM

Looks like it should do it just fine. Most modern computers will have no problem running/processing audio programs. Your weakest points will be audio interface (recommend a Firewire or USB 2.0 device for most things... you'll probably need a specific 6pin to 4pin firewire connector for the laptop though) and hard drive (laptop hard drives run at 5400 rpms.. consider getting an external hard drive for the sole purpose of recording to), but you should have no problems if you're not doing any large settings.

AdamAPHC · 11-14-2009, 01:45 AM

The computer is fast enough but my concern is, at least looking around online, that it doesn't have a firewire port. I would strongly recommend firewire for your interface and external drive to record to.

**Gustin** · 11-14-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamAPHC

The computer is fast enough but my concern is, at least looking around online, that it doesn't have a firewire port. I would strongly recommend firewire for your interface and external drive to record to.

Actually... it does:

Quote:

I/O Ports:
Serial, docking connector, S-Video, IEEE-1394, 4 USB, VGA, headphone/speaker out, infrared port, RJ-11, RJ-45, AC power, integrated microphone

On windows laptops they're called 1394 (They're technical name...or iLink sometimes). Confusing I know. It's actually a 4 pin port instead of a 6 pin. The speed is the same, but it will not pass power. (here's a picture of the two different firewire400 ports: Images)

For instance, when I use my MOTU Traveler on my macbook, I don't need a separate power cable, the laptop actually powers it. However if I use it on my Toshiba Satellite with a 4pin connector, the speed is the same, but I have to use a separate power cable (and a special 6pin to 4pin cable).

As best I can tell, this has something to do with Apple's licensing of the 6pin port. It would end up adding significant costs to a laptop, so most laptop makers go with the Sony developed (or at least I think they developed it..) 4pin.

***Art*** · 11-14-2009, 12:13 PM

My laptop has similar specs...4 GB ram, otherwise about the same. I can record without much problem at all.

**Gustin** · 11-14-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustin

Actually... it does:

On windows laptops they're called 1394 (They're technical name...or iLink sometimes). Confusing I know. It's actually a 4 pin port instead of a 6 pin. The speed is the same, but it will not pass power. (here's a picture of the two different firewire400 ports: Images)

For instance, when I use my MOTU Traveler on my macbook, I don't need a separate power cable, the laptop actually powers it. However if I use it on my Toshiba Satellite with a 4pin connector, the speed is the same, but I have to use a separate power cable (and a special 6pin to 4pin cable).

As best I can tell, this has something to do with Apple's licensing of the 6pin port. It would end up adding significant costs to a laptop, so most laptop makers go with the Sony developed (or at least I think they developed it..) 4pin.

It's also worth mentioning that most firewire devices need their own power any ways. Only the smaller ones (or those designed for mobile recording like the traveler) can be bus-powered, so chances are you won't even notice the difference.

DropKick74 · 11-24-2009, 11:03 AM

I have a laptop like this one but i can't record worth jack. It will randomly cut out. I think this is a problem with vista though instead of my hardware.

AdamAPHC · 11-25-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustin

Actually... it does:

On windows laptops they're called 1394 (They're technical name...or iLink sometimes). Confusing I know. It's actually a 4 pin port instead of a 6 pin. The speed is the same, but it will not pass power. (here's a picture of the two different firewire400 ports: Images)

For instance, when I use my MOTU Traveler on my macbook, I don't need a separate power cable, the laptop actually powers it. However if I use it on my Toshiba Satellite with a 4pin connector, the speed is the same, but I have to use a separate power cable (and a special 6pin to 4pin cable).

As best I can tell, this has something to do with Apple's licensing of the 6pin port. It would end up adding significant costs to a laptop, so most laptop makers go with the Sony developed (or at least I think they developed it..) 4pin.

Thank you for this excellent bit of info.

**Gustin** · 11-27-2009, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropKick74

I have a laptop like this one but i can't record worth jack. It will randomly cut out. I think this is a problem with vista though instead of my hardware.

The specs on the laptop should have no problem handling it. The problem you mention can come from a number of places, but the laptop is not one of them in this case. Software (Operating system, drivers etc) and soundcard (or interface) are the most likely cause of drop outs, and usually one can be improved by fixing the other.. A standard USB device can have no problem with lots of audio processing if the operating system is tuned and the drivers are good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamAPHC

Thank you for this excellent bit of info.

No problem

The 4pin firewire thing is something most people have no clue about, so it's time to spread the word!