<pre><code> Ok, so I have decided to atend NEC in the fall… and now I need to decide on a lap top. I will be needing it for normal word processing and internet surfing and all that jazz, but i also need it for music stuff- like comp, and music theory programs and all that. also, my parents said that they don’t want to spend more than $1000. So… what are your sugestions.
</code></pre>
<p>Also, do you know of any good midi keyboards, or deals on any computers or exteras that I may need. thanks :)</p>
<p>With $1000 you can get a very decent laptop nowaday. But depend on what kind of music comp or theory program you might need to use (I know practically nothing about what kind of processor would be optimal for those programs), $1000 might not get you the best laptop. There are games, graphical design softwares, etc. that just don’t work well on the $1000 computers, and I don’t know if music programs is in this group or not. </p>
<p>Why don’t you also look at desktop? They are upgradable, and not too expensive if you are looking for high-powered computer processor.</p>
<p>You should check with NEC. Most schools have specific suggestions. Most students bring Dells to school, but music students mostly bring Macs because of specific programs. If you are using your computer for music, buy as much RAM as you can afford. You’ll also need an audio/MIDI interface (probably firewire is easiest with a laptop). Check M-Audio for both an interface and a midi keyboard controller. They make the best inexpensive stuff. They also have really nice speakers, which are a necessity to use in your dorm room with a laptop. Unfortunately, all of this will cost considerably more than 1K.</p>
<p>My son has a Dell 610, bought through his college, which he likes. He has Finale installed on it, and it works fine, and he uses it for all his music classes. He also got an external hard drive since he records and keeps so much music, but the newer ones probably have more hard drive space than his. (He only has 30 gigs.)</p>
<p>D didn’t want one for school this year because she’ll be carting clarinets on her back and couldn’t handle a laptop in the book bag too. She realized the most of her computer work would be in her dorm room so a laptop wouldn’t make much sense. If you’re going to take a laptop around and work on it, then fine, but if 90% of the use will be in your room, I’d dump the laptop idea. Laptops afford you 1/2 the computer at twice the price. If you buy a desktop, you can have all the trimmings including larger, second HDDs (at least 250 GB, but more is better), more RAM (at least 512 MB, but 1 GB better), a flat panel display, a DVD burner, etc., and still have trouble breaking the $1000 mark.</p>
<p>Dell, schmell. In case you haven’t noticed it, Dell isn’t boasting about their “award winning” service anymore in their ads. They have been getting raked over the coals on service as of late. Look into Sony, HP, and Compaq as possible alternative.</p>
<p>If size is an issue, look for small form factor boxes; these are smaller than a shoe box. I think Shuttle makes a complete small form factor computer; they are a leading manufacturer for these small cases for those of us that like to build their own.</p>
<p>great! thanks so much. I was wondering what you have heard about the sony vaio. I can get one with 1024 mb DDR2 memory and 100 gb of hd. It is preety light weight too (about 5 lbs). </p>
<p>I was also wondering if you knew of any sights or stores to get good music softwhere and supplies (midi keyboards and the like).</p>
<p>gaaalindafied: what is the processor? - don’t miss that, never get a Celeron. It would be nice if you get a Duo Processor, but that is expensive right now.</p>
<p>Celeron is not bad if it’s a year or two before, but now so many programs are designed to work on Pentium (if I’m not mistaken, Windows XP works optimally with Pentium too) that Celeron, especially if you are planning to keep your laptop for a few years, won’t work any more. Soon or later you will need to change it, and it just doesn’t worth it.</p>
<p>gaaalinda, don’t buy music software until you get to NEC. Depending on what you need and what you plan to use it for, you may be able to buy it cheaper through the school than on your own. DS uses Rhapsody for his compositions, and he was able to get the “school price” when he bought it on campus. When he needed to upgrade it this year, I thought I’d have a heart attack until he was able to work out a deal to get the ungrade at the reduced price as well. Some of this software is horrendously expensive, so if you can get it at a reduced rate you’ll want to do so. Also, if you’re buying software for a specific class, say Comp., the prof may want you to use Finale as opposed to Rhapsody or something else. You’re better off waiting until you hit campus so you can find out what everyone else is using.</p>
<p>thanks so much again for all of your help… I was wondering what you have heard about Toshibas? Also, Will a Centrino Duo last for at least four years? </p>
<p>I was talking to a teacher at school who had done a ouble degree program with music and history, and he said that pcs freeze all the time when running music softwhere. What has your experience been? thank you all again… you have been great!</p>
<p>I’ve had Finale running on 3 desktops, all home made, with no problems. Now these are higher-end machines, two have an Athlon64 with 1 GB RAM and the other is a dual-core Athlon with 2 GB RAM. Two systems are Nforce chipsets and the third has an ATI chipset. Two systems have higher end ATI AGP video cards and the third is an integrated ATI PCI video system. Besides processor and RAM, you should also consider OS. I wouldn’t even consider using anything other than WinXP, preferrably PRO, which is what I run.</p>
<p>Bottom line is that in my experience, Finale is far from “finicky,” at least on “manly” machines. On a laptop, you’ll have a slower and smaller HDD, less RAM and much less power available. These are the kind of things that could impair stability. A computer is like anything else, if the task is close to its limit of ability, it will crash more frequently. It the task is minor relative to the ability of the system, crashes are less likely.</p>
<p>Another reason to take your budget $1000 and use it to buy a real computer (desktop) instead of a toy (laptop)…</p>
<p>the problem is for me at least is that i really do need the mobility of a lap top. When i go home, or to the library and class i will need to be able to bring it with me. I know that desk tops are a better machine for less money, but i would not be at all fesable to have to lug it to class and on trians and plains. i am also one of those people who likes to study and do work out side, or in a starbucks or dunkin donughts… and unfortunatly i can only accomplish all of this with a lap top. So, I am trying to get the best lap top i can that will work the best for me for the best price. I know that i am asking a lot, and all of you have been so helpful. so thaknk you again. If you have any more advice on brands, or guidlines… like how many usb plugs or how much memore or hd or ne thing that can help me make a decision i would be most appreciative. Thank you again!</p>
<p>Don’t buy anything until after Tuesday. That is when Apple is supposed to announce a new laptop geared for education and college students. Check their website Tuesday afternoon. Their latest computers have been very competitive price-wise, and most music students use macs. (It’s possible the announcement might get delayed a few days more): </p>
<p>Get as large a hd and as much ram as you can afford. Then get a firewire audio/midi interface. Check out MOTU and M-Audio products, and possibly Edirol.</p>
<p>I would get the new macbook if I were you (I think I’m probably going to myself). Super fast and improvements over the Powerbook and Ibook and they are good for music production and come with wireless. Just my suggestion.</p>