What laptop should I get for audio editing and some video game performance for US$1100?
December 30th, 2008
Hello! I am planning to study sound engineering and I need a laptop that I can use for my school (and hopefully in the future, work) projects. Since this is my first laptop purchase ever, and I'm selling my desktop to help fund for it, I want it to have some desktop-replacement quality.
I don't really need a souped-up video game machine (for US$1100, who am I kidding anyway), but I want it to be able to keep up with current and near-future video game hardware requirements. The audio editing part is most important though. Do I need a separate sound card to do audio work, like midi sequencing, basic recording and the like?
I'm currently torn between the Dual-core incarnations of the HP Pavilion and the Gateway MX. Which is better? Do you suggest any other laptop out there?
Thanks! 
Here is a great laptop from Compusa.com, they are almost sold out! A great price too, except I would upgrade the Video Card and RAM (double it at least).
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=BROWSE&N=200334+502365&Ne=502360&product_code=329133&Pn=Pavilion_zd8220us_Notebook#ts
Compare this laptop (Pavilion zd8220us Notebook) to these other ones (Pavilion dv6113us Notebook, Pavilion dv8408us Notebook, Pavilion dv2130us Notebook). These last three almost don't compare except for dv6113us which has twice the Bus Speed than the zd8220us (1.6 GHz vs. 800 MHz). But 800 MHz is better than 667 MHz or 533 MHz. But you should notice that even though the dv6113us has 1.6 GHz Bus Speed, it only has 2 x 256 KB L2 Cache Size. Once again, going back to the processor, it is a single core, but with HT, and it's twice as fast as the other two, bigger screen, and Bluetooth capability as well. So with the one this one's priced, you can upgrade it, and get yourself some accessories, as well! Hard Drive speed is kinda slow, but you can get that upgraded as well. Anyhow make up your mind fast. Read the reviews, don't blame me if I didn't point somethings out. And oh yea, I win! Again!
Posted in sound engineering schools
Just a little input, I don't know a whole lot of the line up of laptops out there but, I would definitely go with the core 2 Duo or even upgrade to the extreme version. I have owned gateway desktops before, and overall they are good pcs, they don't come with a lot of extra programs though. HP just recently bumped up their status by acquiring VoodooPC (gaming rigs) but not sure if they have been together long enough to make a difference. You would be surprised what you can build for 1100 bucks though. To keep up with video games now and near future, you will want at least and nVidia 7900 or higher or ATI X1800 or higher, try to make sure it is SLI or Crossfire capable and the mobo is capable of this also. As for your most important part, not sure really. Anyone else got anything to add>>>??
References :
Here is a great laptop from Compusa.com, they are almost sold out! A great price too, except I would upgrade the Video Card and RAM (double it at least).
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=BROWSE&N=200334+502365&Ne=502360&product_code=329133&Pn=Pavilion_zd8220us_Notebook#ts
Compare this laptop (Pavilion zd8220us Notebook) to these other ones (Pavilion dv6113us Notebook, Pavilion dv8408us Notebook, Pavilion dv2130us Notebook). These last three almost don't compare except for dv6113us which has twice the Bus Speed than the zd8220us (1.6 GHz vs. 800 MHz). But 800 MHz is better than 667 MHz or 533 MHz. But you should notice that even though the dv6113us has 1.6 GHz Bus Speed, it only has 2 x 256 KB L2 Cache Size. Once again, going back to the processor, it is a single core, but with HT, and it's twice as fast as the other two, bigger screen, and Bluetooth capability as well. So with the one this one's priced, you can upgrade it, and get yourself some accessories, as well! Hard Drive speed is kinda slow, but you can get that upgraded as well. Anyhow make up your mind fast. Read the reviews, don't blame me if I didn't point somethings out. And oh yea, I win! Again!
References :