#102

Have you used this for any music stuff, by any chance?

EDIT: Sorry, just read your post properly. How does it run for music stuff - I’m thinking of replacing my aging i5 with something similar.

#103

Only recording hardware synths into Ableton via Focusrite soundcard and ORCA sequencing OP-Z , I’ll try softsynths soon.

#104

Ah, cool. Yeah, I’d be interested to hear how you get on.

Was initially looking for something with the 4800H processor, but if the 4600 does the job…

#105

Ok , will update thread.

1 Like
#106

How’s the fan noise on that? It’s one of the most appealing “gaming” laptops for sure, especially considering its size. Only missing Thunderbolt - which is something I’ve gotten used to with macs/intel now - but that’s an easy sacrifice.

#107

Don’t get a ROG. They are loud as fuck in my experience.

@t3h

I thought the T series was still good. For mac depends on the model. The early touchbar sucked (bugs etc), the early retina sucked (underpowered integrated graphics), the early thin iMac sucked (burning LCDs from GPU heat).

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#108

Can get loud playing games , though has settings for performance , silent and Windows.

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#109

Just wanted to share my experience with computer as my last laptop died and i decided to go back to having a desktop computer and my experience has been hugely positive toads working on computers…less issues…faster…less noise…cheaper…way bigger screen…no need to feel with usb dongles…and over all attitude for my self has been improved. I recommend thinking about your need for a laptop vs your wanting of a laptop when going into this thread.

#110

Sure, but it’s nowhere near of the quality of IBM thinkpads. The metal case is replaced by the composite materials, the latching is removed, overall building quality is rather average. There are also design flaws like recent thunderbolt 3 error.

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#111

I think I get where you’re coming from, but I also appreciate that the thinkpads are much less a closed system compared to mbps, though I don’t want to start a “this vs that” discussion so much. You can get a second hand x1 think pad for ~$350 and have a daily workhorse for most computing tasks which I think is stellar given it’s form factor.

I think it’s reasonable to say that the quality of laptops and electronic devices in general has diminished greatly in the past decade or so. I feel like there isn’t a single manufacturer that I can unequivocally say is like… good? It’s at a point where when deciding what to use you have to pick the thing that sucks the least.

2 Likes
#112

Anyone using one of the new AMD T14? It’s the first laptop that’s powerful enough to tempt me away from my W520, which is still going strong but running a little hot and heavy as it approaches its 10th birthday.

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#113

Anyone have any experience with Razer laptops for a/v stuff?

#114

I’ve seen this recommendation elsewhere on the forum, but I’ve been unable to figure out what generation it applies to. What should one look for? (‘cause when I search for “thinkpad x1,” results tend to be all the modern carbon models for ~$1000+.)

#115

i was basing my price off of 3rd gens, i’ve been using one for the past 3 yrs without any problems. i’m sure the newer models have a nicer screen, but i never really do any majorly intense computing things it can’t handle.

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#116

Yes, I got the Japanese version.

The screen is quite nice, 1080p for 15 inches is a good resolution I think and it goes up to 144hz.

And the keyboard is actually quite good, optical/mechanical.

Overall I’m quite happy with it but I haven’t used it fir audio too much. When I did the DPC latency was not great but the latrst BIOS apparently fixes that (I haven’t tested it yet).

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#117

Right on. Thanks a ton.

#118

Maybe someone here can give me some tips or help me decide:

At the moment i’m on a mid 2014 15" Macbook pro with batteries that are dying quickly.
I recently installed a new 29" inch 4k monitor in my studio. Cubase is my main audio tool and not so friendly on screen space so this is great. The downside is: My macbook pro 2014 turns into a jet engine noise machine with the 4k screen on it.
The 2014 macbook pro is otherwise still running great and has enough power for me. I could do a DIY battery replacement. Should be able to pull it off but i’m bit reluctant. It’s supposedly a very difficult repair https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb2vv97KzD0

I’m thinking about getting a mac mini specific for in the studio. But I also work a lot on site with audio on my laptop. I’m a bit afraid of working on 2 computers that i will have files or projects in different places and that my work gets scattered on 2 machines. The studio is a kind of remote place without internet so i can’t access my files there from outside.
So that makes me think of replacing my 2014 laptop with a new 16" macbook pro. This is in a totally different price range of course. On the other hand i’ll probably have to retire my 2014 laptop in one or 2 years so why not do it now. Bad thing is I see also bad reviews about fan noise from the 2020 macbook pro with a 4k screen.
Is anybody using a 16" Macbook pro with a 4k screen for audio here?
Maybe someone has some other tips or considerations?
Thanks!

#119

If I were to get a computer for audio work now it would likely be a Mac Mini. Price-value is just not there with the laptops in my opinion. Especially since common issues like battery needing a replacement, are getting harder and harder to sort out without sending it in for repairs.
The only reason I see getting a laptop as the main machine is if you mostly have to work outside of the studio.
If your concern is keeping files in sync, maybe take a look at this first: https://syncthing.net/
It runs on the local network (no intenet needed) and automatically syncs folders for you in the background. I’m using this to keep 3 computers in sync and it’s been working really well so far!

5 Likes
#120

Thanks! I’ll look into this. This could be a solution indeed.
I do have to work outside the studio a lot. That makes me both want to have a 13" or even an Air for i have to carry it around a lot of the time. And at the same time i want to have a big screen.

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#121

What’s the reasoning for going with a Mac mini over a mini-itx desktop? If value for money is a concern then the Mac mini is pretty overpriced for the specs, and it’s not like you can justify it with build quality or longevity like you can with their laptops.