Laptop for Music Production [PC] (Why does this seem so impossible?)

[lbascian]

Hi, so I've been searching around for a few days for a new laptop to travel with me when I can't use my desktop. I can't seem to find one that suits my needs that doesn't have some major downfalls

Looking for:

- An i7 quad-core processor
- 8, or 12, or 16 GB RAM
- Preferably SSD or Hybrid SSHD, but a HDD is fine
- 13" or 14" or a small 15" laptop
- One that does a good job staying cool and not overheating
- less than $1200

That's all! Why can't I find one?

Any suggestions would be great thank you!

 

[ronintexas]

Do you need a mobile GPU or is intel hd graphics ok?

 

[lbascian]

Do you need a mobile GPU or is intel hd graphics ok?

Probably fine with basic graphics as long as it doesn't affect FL Studio or Ableton performance

 

[ronintexas]

I have the 17" version of this one: https/www.cdw.com/shop/products/ASUS-N551JQ-DS71-15.6in-Core-i7-4710HQ-Windows-8.1-64-bit-16-GB-RAM/3538074.aspx

I purchased a Samsung 840 EVO 256GB SSD - replaced the HDD with the SSD and put the HDD in an external enclosure (USB-3). The computer runs dual-boot Windows 8.1 and 10 preview without any issues....audio is fairly good (built in speaker suck as with all laptops), but headphones are great with it (I listen to a lot of music).

 

[i7Baby]

You should check the software system requirements. Music production is not really demanding like videos.

Try - http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834318071

 

[ronintexas]

Laptop is less than $1,000, SSD is $100-$150. My only complaint - I should have purchased the 15" model like I gave you the link to....the extra size makes it difficult to use on a plane or traveling sometimes.

 

[lbascian]

You should check the software system requirements. Music production is not really demanding like videos.

Try - http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834318071

Are the track pads on the Lenovo Y-series as bad as some of the reviews say?

 

[lbascian]

I have the 17" version of this one: https/www.cdw.com/shop/products/ASUS-N551JQ-DS71-15.6in-Core-i7-4710HQ-Windows-8.1-64-bit-16-GB-RAM/3538074.aspx

I purchased a Samsung 840 EVO 256GB SSD - replaced the HDD with the SSD and put the HDD in an external enclosure (USB-3). The computer runs dual-boot Windows 8.1 and 10 preview without any issues....audio is fairly good (built in speaker suck as with all laptops), but headphones are great with it (I listen to a lot of music).

Thanks for your input man! And yeah 15" seems to be the best for me.. 17" would for sure be too big

 

[ronintexas]

I have never met a track pad that I liked.... I purchased a Logitech M320 bluetooth mouse - once in a great while I will use the touchpad....but very rarely.

 

[lbascian]

Yeah I'll mostly use a mouse but sometimes I'll have to use the trackpad and I've read some awful reviews of the Y-series track pads

 

[ronintexas]

I have used quite a few different brand names of laptops over the years. If you have oily hands, your hands sweat or you use any kind of lotion (or similar product), you will find that it leaves "tracks" behind you, and the mouse operation on the trackpad stinks....all of them are this way for me....

BTW - any hand sanitizer or that "squirt liquid" in public restrooms will case the problems with most trackpads as well.....

Ok....enough bitching about the trackpads.

 

[i7Baby]

No reviews at all on Newegg. I gather its too new.

http/www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-Y70-Notebook-Review.128841.0.html seems to think its not a problem.

 

[ronintexas]

I have recommended both the Lenovo models and ASUS models to friends recently. Both are excellent choices.