Elantric's Computer

Started by Elantric, May 25, 2012, 07:39:08 AM

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Elantric

I ordered one of these last week.


Google's Chromecast A Brilliant Play For The Living Room -- Especially With $35 Price Tag
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2013/07/24/googles-chromecast-a-brilliant-play-for-the-living-room-especially-with-35-price-tag/


http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrymagid/2013/07/25/chromecast-could-be-the-beginning-of-googles-domination-of-tv-delivery/




http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottallison/2013/07/28/my-experience-with-google-chromecast/



My Experience With Google Chromecast

A benefit of living a few miles from an Amazon distribution centre: my Google GOOG -0.26% Chromecast arrived on Friday night, just a day after the product was announced. (That in itself is amazing, keeping a new product launch so secret is something usually only Apple has been able to do.)

The Problem with computers and TVs:

For years I've messed around with connecting my laptop to the big screen in the living room, and yes, it works, but it's always been a lot more fiddly than I'd like. Whether it's the inconvenience of cables (which are never long enough), getting the screen resolution set right, making the audio come through TV's speakers instead of the computer's, or just lack of a remote control, it's a never-ending world of hassle connecting the computer to the television.

So, $35 to solve even some of this, is money well spent in my opinion.

Installation:

Installation was a breeze. Plug into the TV, connect the USB cord for power, either to the supplied power adaptor or a spare USB port on your TV. Then switch on the TV, and follow the on screen instructions from the Chromecast itself, which directs you to the setup website from your computer, phone or tablet. That did two things: installed the Chromecast application on my computer (to configure the device) and then installed the Chrome browser extension required for casting from the computer to TV. All of this was really easy and took just a few minutes.

In Use:

Now I can cast any tab from my computer's Chrome browser, whether on a PC or a Mac. And it works! The picture and sound quality is great so whether it's a regular web page, or an online video site, I can stream it to the TV. I can even run Spotify's web app and play music easily through the TV. I frequently sit on the couch using my laptop but wanting to use the home cinema speakers instead of the tinny (and tiny) speakers on the Macbook Air.

I've not tested the Chromecast with services like Netflix NFLX -0.14%, Amazon Instant Video and Hulu as my TV already has those apps built in; sorry, but it's still much more convenient to use a single device, or an optimised device like a Roku. But while Netflix, Amazon and Hulu are an awesome way to watch stuff on demand through my TV their coverage isn't complete. I've been missing an easily watch content from networks like CBS CBS +1.92% and PBS, both of whom restrict a lot of their content to their own websites or apps. So if I want to watch Craig Ferguson on the TV, the Chromecast gives me an easy way to do so. Same with Mr Selfridge, Endaevour, Downtown Abbey or other British shows on PBS. Result!

My TV also has a YouTube app but it's a bit more fiddly to search for content via the TV's remote control when you're only watching a 60 second video of lolcats. With the Chromecast I can now use YouTube from my computer, iPad or phone and press the button to play through the Chromecast on the TV. Very convenient.

Buying a Chromecast was an easy decision to make. For $35 I get a wireless dongle that plugs into a spare HDMI port on my TV, and allows me to simply "cast" video and audio to it. That has "impulse-buy" written all over it!

The Problem with computers and TVs:

Some other reviewers have noticed problems with delays or glitches with picture and audio reaching the Chromecast, but in my setup the computer, TV and router are all in the same room which I think overcomes the main culprit, a poor wifi signal.

Conclusion:

It's $35, and delivers HD video and audio to my TV, direct from my browser and some apps too. It doesn't do everything, but value for money wise, this is a bargain and I'm sure it's only going to get more useful as more apps start supporting it.

tekrytor

And if you like that, check out the FREE CheapCast app at the Google Play store that does much the same thing to any android device. I can now stream from my phone to the big screen with a Rikomagic or to my 10 in tab, etc. Anywhere to anywhere, Android that is. Pretty cool!

Sent from my TAB-1030 using Tapatalk 2
SY-300/BeatBuddy/VoiceLive 3/GR-55(v1.50)/33/1/50/700/VGA-7/V-Bass, Yam-G10, GPK-4, DIY X-Bee HighlyLiquidCPU "Cozy-Lil-Footie", FCB-1010, other MIDI stuff, Godin Freeway SA and various other GK equipped controllers, Sonar X1, Audacity, KXstudio, Misc devices

musicman65

"CheapCast"....lol. That's pretty cool. I'll check it out. Thanks.

bd

Elantric

#103
I suggest read this site for answers on Apple IOS / OSX 10.9 Mavericks

http://www.imore.com/

and I'm very happy using this alternative to MS Office / iWork on both Win /OSX
http://www.libreoffice.org/

http://opensourcemac.org/


I took the plunge - 3 weeks ago i purchased a slightly used 2012 15" Macbook Pro Retina (8GB Ram, 256GB SSD) for $1400

Last week I purchased a 768GB SSD from Sputnik systems on ebay for $730, and did my own SSD swap today. Works great
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281175879186?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649



I also got a  Macbook pro 2012 Mid retina SSD to sata3 Enclosure Case for $23 -


and installed the old SSD in a Seagate GoFlex Thunderbolt Sled $87
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=925738&is=REG&Q=&A=details

So now i use the original Apple drive as  an external 256GB Thunderbolt drive


Elantric

#104
I'm updating my 2011 Mac Mini Server This model has a Quad core I7, and Dual 500GB Mechanical HDDs.

I will update the Boot drive to a 1TB SSD  - Most Mac Mini SSD Upgrade kits include a Drive cable and mounting hardware, - but my 2011 Server came from the factory with dual drives already - so I will swap the boot drive, and use the factory cables and mounting hardware   
Tools needed
http://www.amazon.com/iFixit-54-Bit-Driver-Kit/dp/B008KOTNVA/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3JGOE00MHF9QZ



This is the drive
SAMSUNG 840 EVO 1TB 2.5" SATA III TLC Solid State Drive (MZ-7TE1T0BW)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261426110310?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

And here are "How To" videos I found on YouTube :





Elantric

Originally posted by elantric View Post
http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/Forums_General/acapella-50/31197851-anyone-here-using-the-new-r2d2-mac-pro-or-mac-mini/page2


I suggest head to the Apple online store and look at "refurb"

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

I have Mac Mini Server - I highly recommend

Still has Firewire 800 and Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 - a good mix for supporting legacy gear
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD...th-oS-X-Server


Get third party 16GB DDR3 RAM upgrade ($140 Amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-12...dr3+sdram+16gb

the Apple Thunderbolt to Firewire Adapter works great - allows me to use my old MOTU 828MK2 Firewire with my MacbookPro (Retina)

But not needed since this MacMini has Firwire800 and (Firewire 800>400 adapters are cheap.


Last edited by gdoubleyou; 07-07-2014, 07:41 PM

Currently the quad i7 Mini is the best bang for the buck, from Apple.

Kits are available for adding a second drive.

It's the last Mac that is user upgradeable.
Still contains FW800, Ethernet, room for a second hard drive.

Some who have large orchestral templates are using multiple minis and VEP5 for hosting plugins.

Two maxed out Minis cost less than a quad i7 iMac, and a system with eight cores for a higher plugin count.
.

aliensporebomb

Thanks for the info on that toolset - very nice.  I should mention one of the reasons I was scarce around here recently was my i7 16 gig iMac was down in the repair shop..  They basically replaced the power supply for about $100 and I was back online.  So my machine is good for at least a few more years and I'll likely look at replacing the internal boot drive with a SSD at some point. 
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

Elantric

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2014/08/apple-macbook-refresh-makes-13-retina-great-sweet-spot-music/#more-34299

Apple MacBook Refresh Makes 13? Retina a Great Sweet Spot for Music
BY PETER KIRN
macbooks
The laptop is such an obvious part of music making today, it's almost easy to understate its importance. But here's the bottom line: for many musicians, it's the most important gadget they'll haul around with them. The glowing Apple logo may be the butt of some jokes, but it's there for a reason. It's tough to beat the versatility of a laptop for music making – and it's tough to beat Apple on value.
No, I really said that. On paper, Apple's machines are pricey. But while OS X, like any OS, is a complex beast and far from perfect, it's still in my experience the easiest to maintain for music making. (And I've spent a lot of time with Linux and Windows, too, and I know many developers working cross-platform who tend to agree.) And so you buy this hardware to run that OS. Now, that said, Apple's value equation isn't so hot when it comes to desktops. The Mac Pro bests machines configured similarly, but Apple doesn't have desktop offerings across the whole range of what you can build in a full-sized enclosure on the PC. (Let's leave iMacs out of it for the moment.) I think there's a reason some have turned to "Hackintosh" solutions when it comes to desktop builds.
But when it comes to the slim, battery-conscious confines of the laptop, it's another story. What Apple gives you for that premium price is excellent support for high-speed devices (FireWire and Thunderbolt), a ridiculously fast SSD, great-feeling, thin hardware, long battery life, and a ridiculously nice display.
I'll admit, when it came time to replace a MacBook Pro, I gulped a bit at pricing – especially here in Europe, where we pay both an import premium and added tax. MacBooks' internal storage is especially pricey; sure, you can use external drives, but you don't want to run out of internal space.
After a few weeks with a 13? Retina MacBook Pro, I've changed my mind. The SSDs from Apple are so expensive partly because they're high-end spec drives. Macworld's benchmarks have consistently shown that (and likewise showed when Apple skimped on the MacBook Air); you can even read those benchmarks alongside PC World benchmarks and determine that, Mac or PC, you want a fast drive. Fortunately, this isn't just a benchmark thing – the difference in real-world usage is astounding. Apps are responsive. Sample-heavy music apps (including clips, as in Ableton Live) purr. Multitrack audio is never an issue. The machine boots faster, loads software faster.
Recent CPU changes make a huge difference, too. Forget what people have told you about the end of the CPU: just a difference of a couple of years in Apple models has an enormous impact on CPU load using modern synths and other processor-intensive music tools.
Performance makes a difference in creativity. It means not having to worry about running out of horsepower, not losing the flow as you wait for your machine to start up or your music tool to load or a plug-in to start responding.
And then there's the display. It's been over a decade since I used a 13? display in day-to-day work, and the Retina Display on the 13? MacBook Pro makes it all possible. Unfortunately, most music apps haven't caught up yet: Ableton Live and most of my plug-ins actually look blurry, and it took some time before I could actually feel comfortable using them. But they'll get there soon, partly because all these new Retina machines (and similar PCs) are making their way onto the desks of developers, who are just as appalled at what they see as you are.
Battery life and mobility matters, too. Carrying a MacBook Pro around is now as easy as bringing an iPad – you get the same forget-about-it battery life and thinness and lightness that's reminiscent of a tablet. (The MacBook Air would be even better, but it's not as good a buy, because of an inferior display, one fewer USB port, and a slower CPU, at roughly the same price. Just get the Pro; you won't regret it.)
I'm not going to say here get a Mac and not a PC, only that if you have been on OS X, there's reason to feel comfortable about the price. A MacBook Pro is still a great machine to run Windows (though spend extra to make space on your internal drive to dual boot). The PC laptops wading into the same territory tend to cost the same or, most often, slightly more, if you want extended battery performance and a great display. One exception is if you want a powerful GPU; there, Apple's premium is fairly painful, and there are fewer options. But that's a niche application even for people doing live visuals; you have to have really intensive 3D needs (or an addiction to gaming, which doesn't matter much at CDM) to want that GPU.
Why does this week's "speed bump" refresh matter? Well, I was already set to recommend the 13? Retina Pro machine as the best bang for your buck. But I was going to have to point out that you absolutely wanted 8GB RAM and not 4GB, and the bigger SSD. Now, Apple's made that job a little easier. New this week:
1. If you're on a budget, and mostly use your laptop with an external display attached, the non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro is just US$1099. It still has 4GB of RAM (ugh), but you could spend all the money on the upgrade.
2. The Retina 13? machines all have marginally faster processors and come standard with 8GB of RAM. You should still have a look at refurbished computers or open box units of the most recent generation – that's how I managed to afford my machine. But otherwise, US$1499 gets you the 256GB internal drive I'd consider a minimum, and represents the best price.
3. If you do have a little extra to spend, you can now get a quad-core i7 and up to 16GB of RAM in the 15? models.
In my studio, I've opted for the 13?. Even without 16GB of RAM or an i7, it's plenty fast – I've been editing HD videos in Final Cut on it with no issue, and it's tough to max out the processor with music apps. But at least the 15? does also give you some power for your added cash investment. And with both, refurbished models can get you a bargain.
Also, Thunderbolt is a revelation. Well, it's first a painful revelation when you realize how much cables will cost you. (Fortunately, your existing video adapters from the previous generations of Mac will plug right into the same port; the connector is the same.)
But then, you use something like Universal Audio's Apollo Twin, and you have a compact, rock-solid audio box that can add DSP with zero latency and stream audio from the computer with low latency. Or you try out one of the excellent new video capture tools for this bus. (This is really a topic for another article, so I don't mean to gloss over the potential of USB and FireWire for similar applications. But in the meantime, there are certainly plenty of uses for this connection. And I will say this: even if Thunderbolt performs exactly the same as USB does, you don't have a dedicated USB bus for each USB device. Just being able to move to that separate bus is already an advantage.)
Yes, you'll need to buy a USB hub. But all in all, these are great machines.
On the PC side, honestly, I'm less sure of what to recommend than I was fairly recently – I haven't been as impressed with Lenovo as I once was, for instance. I'd be curious to know what you're using. But even for Windows, if we're talking a laptop (key word, not desktop), I think the Mac is an easy box to recommend, and you have the option of running another OS if you need.
Now, there's just one problem: we need a better way of masking out that Apple logo so it doesn't distract when we play. Until then, I'm sticking with the 13? MBP and a roll of gaffer tape. Done.
I realize I've opened a potential platform war on a weekend, but I am curious what people think. I'll stay out of it; I'm reasonably confident in my experience with different platforms. Do have at it.

Elantric

#108
For expanding my latest Macs - I'm awaiting the release of this Caldigit Thunderbolt Station 2

Specifically for its eSATA ports

http://www.caldigit.com/thunderboltstation2/

2 x Thunderbolt™ 2 Ports
1 x HDMI Out ( 4K Compatible)
1 x Gigabit Ethernet
3 x USB 3.0 (1x Front, 2x Rear)
2 x eSATA 6G Ports
1 x Headphone Out
1 x Microphone In





aliensporebomb

That TS2 looks awesome.  I definitely need a TB compatible Mac first though!
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

Elantric

#110
I posted this before

But I see the 768GB SSD upgrade price has dropped to $450 - this is for 2012 Macbook Pro Retina http://www.ebay.com/itm/281563602737

1TB SSD is now $565
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OWC-OWCSSDA12R960-1TB-Aura-6G-SSD-for-2012-Early-2013-MacBook-Pro-with-Retina/161509861455?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27673%26meid%3Da557150ff6364e6ab782eb7c3ee80cc6%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D281563602737&rt=nc



---------------
I took the plunge - 3 weeks ago i purchased a slightly used 2012 15" Macbook Pro Retina (8GB Ram, 256GB SSD)

Last week I purchased a 768GB SSD from Sputnik systems on ebay for $730, and did my own SSD swap today. Works great
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281563602737

I also got a  Macbook pro 2012 Mid retina SSD to sata3 Enclosure Case for $23 -


and installed the old SSD in a Seagate GoFlex Thunderbolt Sled $87
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=925738&is=REG&Q=&A=details

So now i use the original Apple drive as  an external 256GB Thunderbolt drive

Elantric

The new USB Type-C connector standard promises to revolutionize many types of equipment, and industry leaders are releasing the first products that utilize this technology in mid-2015. This new standard enables:

Up to 100W of power for faster charging and support of new devices
Small reversible connector that improves ease of use
Blazing fast 10Gbits+ of bandwidth and the flexibility of video alternate modes

Elantric

#112
I'm exploring Touch Screens for live use at gigs

I will test several options

* Run Audio apps on a recent MS Windows Touch OS

* Run Audio Apps on Mac OSX, but remote controlled by a Windows Touch interface, using a Remote desktop, VNC connection


Win 10 is way too premature for real Audio work - since zero Win 10 WHQL USB drivers exist for the gear i intend to use
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff553976%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

QuoteThe GeChic On-Lap 1502i is the Touchscreen monitor I selected. It's a full 1980 x 1080 IPS projected capacitive touch screen unit, usb powered, vesa mountable, and weighing just 3 lbs. It wasn't exactly cheap at $399
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GeChic-ON-LAP-1502i-15-6-IPS-LCD-16-9-1920-x-1080-Touch-Screen-Monitor-/271649024624?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item3f3f8b2a70



I located a used Acer R7 ( i5 CPU for $420 on Ebay

I'm upgrading the Acer R7 with:
* $49 8GB SODRAM stick for 12 GB Ram total
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006YG8X9Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

* $25  INTEL-7260-AC-DUAL-BAND-WIRELESS-AC-MINI-CARD-7260HMW-AC-WIFI-BT-4-0-COMBO - solves the poor WiFi connection, allows Intel  and improves BlueTooth 4.0 LE Performance
http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/product-briefs/wireless-n-7260-bluetooth-brief.pdf


Plan on installing above upgrades, upgrade the OS to Win8.1, install SensoMusic Hollyhock and ASIO USB drivers for my audio interfaces - plan on my own "Windows Audio Interface latency Shootout" as I test my MOTU 828MKII, Focusrite 2i4, 18i20, Boss GT-100, GP-10

Then upgrade the boot drive to * Samsung 840 SSD



At work we use Dell Inspiron One 2330 23" Touchscreen All -in-One "PC
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Inspiron-One-2330-AiO-Core-i5-2-7GHz-8GB-1TB-23-Touch-IO2330-5911BK-/111454948891?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f33b8e1b

Chumly

#113
Very interesting, I use an HP Envy Touchsmart, Model: M7-J178CA for my home studio. I've installed two internal 1 TB SSD's in addition to the existing internal 1 TB HD. I added two external monitors, one of them is a touch-screen monitor (in addition to the existing HP Envy Touchsmart monitor of course) and one is a conventional monitor.  All is well.
I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. - Richard P. Feynman

Elantric

#114
For Thunderbolt Mac users

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TB2DOCK12P/
OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock $249
Thunderbolt 2  | USB 3.0 | FireWire 800 | HDMI | Gigabit Ethernet | Audio In & Out
Unite Your Peripherals. Plug in to Your Possibilities.
12 Ports of incredible connectivity
Dual Thunderbolt 2 ports for daisy-chain support
Ultra-HD 4K and multiple display support
Five USB 3.0 ports, including two high-powered charging ports
FireWire 800 for connecting external storage and legacy devices





OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock
Thunderbolt 2  | USB 3.0 | FireWire 800 | HDMI 
Gigabit Ethernet | Audio In & Out
12 Ports of incredible connectivity
Dual Thunderbolt 2 ports for daisy-chain support
Ultra-HD 4K and multiple display support
Five USB 3.0 ports, including two high-powered charging ports
FireWire 800 for connecting external storage and legacy devices
Finally, a Thunderbolt Dock Done Right
12 Ports of phenomenal flexibility, all united to your Mac with just one lightning-fast Thunderbolt 2 cable. OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock is the new foundation for your perfect workspace. Awesome performance meets incredible connectivity, the OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock offers the ultimate in convenience and flexibility to streamline any workflow. With just one Thunderbolt cable, connect up to five USB 3.0 devices, Gigabit Ethernet, a FireWire device, HDMI, audio in, and audio out.
The Amazing Performance of Thunderbolt 2
Capable of an astounding 20 Gbps of throughput, the OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock utilizes this phenomenal bandwidth to eliminate data bottlenecks, and effortlessly supports direct connection of up to ten devices, as well as daisy-chaining five additional Thunderbolt devices.
Thunderbolt 2 Dock
Gallery Pic 1Gallery Pic 2Gallery Pic 3Gallery Pic 4
Connect More Displays
Configure the ultimate display setup to meet the needs of your workflow. Add a dazzling ultra HD 4K display, two high definition displays, or one 4K display and one high definition display. Even connect a VGA, DVI, or DisplayPort monitor utilizing the Thunderbolt 2 Dock's built-in HDMI and Thunderbolt ports.*
More Power to Work
The Thunderbolt 2 Dock's side-mounted, high-powered USB 3.0 ports provide up to 1.5 amps of power and are perfect for charging iPhone, iPad, tablets, smartphones, and other USB-charged devices, as well as powering bus-powered hard drives, SSDs, or optical drives.
Everything You Need in a Dock. And More.
The OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock is the unmatched expansion platform for your Thunderbolt-equipped Mac, with exceptional connectivity, and dependable performance. Whether adding USB 3.0 to an older Mac, Gigabit Ethernet to a newer MacBook Pro, or ensuring backwards compatibility with your existing FireWire 800 peripherals, the Thunderbolt 2 Dock keeps you connected.

*Dual monitor support requires the use of at least one Thunderbolt display. DVI, VGA, DisplayPort, or other connection requires the use of a mini DisplayPort adapter.

Elantric

eSATA to USB 3.0 Adapter $19


http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/ADESATA6USB3/

Already have an external drive with an eSATA port? Take advantage of high-bandwidth USB 3.0 performance and experience data rates up to 5Gb/s from your external drive with the NewerTech eSATA to USB 3.0 Adapter. It's Plug and Play easy to add...simply connect your eSATA drive enclosure to the adapter and then plug the adapter into your computer's USB 3.0 port. No drivers, no hassle, just maximum performance and ultimate use of your existing eSATA equipped external storage units.

Easy Three Step Set-Up
Power on your eSATA equipped external drive.
Connect the NewerTech Adapter to the external drive via a standard eSATA cable.
Connect the NewerTech Adapter to the USB 3.0 port on your computer via included USB 3.0 cable. USB 2.0 also supported.
Once you're set up, use your drive like any other external storage device but now with the speed advantage of USB 3!

Elantric

Just took delivery of one of these to allow my 2011 iMac 27" and 2011 Macmini Server (via Thunderbolt) to access all my USB 3.0 drives and E-SATA drives ( with a cheap adapter cable)

And it has the best mix of features for my needs  - just needs OSX 10.9.4


http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TB2DOCK12P/
OWC Thunderbolt 2 Dock $249

Elantric

#117
I get PMed frequently on what is the best Windows laptop for music?

(Myself - I'm currently getting very good results from my Acer R7 15" Touchscreen (intel i5, 12GB RAM) Win8.1 laptop)  - runs rings around my Lenovo W520

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8917.msg64020#msg64020

Its a bit like recommending what type fish to buy this Friday? ( its  a moving target) 

I typically Do a google search  on:
"RECOMMENDED WINDOWS COMPUTER FOR DAW" (DAW = Digital Audio Workstation)

- but then restrict the search results to the past year



http://techtipsinfo.com/top-spec-daw-workstation-pc-build-for-recording-musicians/

http://www.quora.com/What-is-the-best-computer-platform-to-run-audio-and-midi-DAW-programs-like-Pro-Tools-and-Digital-Performer-Mac-or-PC

http://thehub.musiciansfriend.com/tech-tips/tech-tip-optimizing-windows-for-daws

http://mscgr.com/best-windows-recording-laptop-211414220


===
http://mscgr.com/best-windows-recording-laptop-211414220

The Best Windows Recording Laptop
ASUS Zenbook UX303LA-DB51T

DON MAKOVINEY  LAST UPDATED: APRIL 14, 2015
After 20-plus hours of research, user feedback, and hands-on testing we were blown away by the ASUS Zenbook. While it may not have the simple elegance of the MacBook Pro, the Zenbook takes many design cues from it, and is a workhorse that will be hard to beat for the price.

The Best Windows Recording Laptop
ASUS Zenbook UX303LA-DB51T

The Best Windows Recording Laptop
Important Specs

Display   13.3" FHD touchscreen (1920 x 1080)
SSD Drive   128GB Solid State Storage
RAM   8 GB DDR3L SDRAM
USB Ports   3 (QTY)
Processor   1.7 GHz Intel Core i5
View Activity Log    more specs
Synopsis:

After 20-plus hours of research, user feedback, and hands-on testing we were blown away by the ASUS Zenbook. While it may not have the simple elegance of the MacBook Pro, the Zenbook takes many design cues from it, and is a workhorse that will be hard to beat for the price.

Where To Buy:

Buy from Amazon $849.99
Who Should Buy This?
Musicians, songwriters, and producers shopping for a dedicated laptop to record that won't stutter, pause or crash from a large audio workload should use this. If that is you, the ASUS Zenbook is the one to get.

What Makes A Good Recording Laptop?
A good laptop for recording will be powerful enough to run just any Digital Audio Workstation. The two biggest things you should keep in mind are RAM and hard drive disk speed. Processor speed is also important, but even most budget laptops have plenty of processing power these days. The audio card doesn't really matter, as you will be using the sound drivers that come with your audio interface.

Choosing Which Laptops To Test
As you can imagine, the list of contenders for best windows-based recording laptop could end up being pretty long. So we narrowed down the field using the following criteria:

15? or larger display.
Anything smaller can make it difficult to view your project. Even 15? is pushing it, but we want to be mobile and lightweight, so we'll allow 15? contenders.
More than 4GB RAM
4GB will work just fine, and is the minimum requirement for most DAWs currently. If you are plugin, VST, and/or synth-heavy you should consider more. To give musicians more headroom, we are only evaluating laptops with 6-8GB RAM out of the box. If you are looking for the bare minimum, buy something from the Best Budget Windows Recording Laptop options.
Solid State Drive.
Most DAWs will handle recording flawlessly at a lower speed, like 5400/7200 RPM, but getting SSD will ensure your laptop will grow with your studio. My current recording laptop is a 5400 RPM drive, and handles multiple audio inputs, monitoring and all the FX plugins I need without batting an eye. If you need to go faster, SSD is an option, but you should read this first.
The processor should not conflict with any of the major DAWs.
Sometimes a computers processor (i.e. Intel, AMD, etc.) has issues with certain DAWs. This is becoming less of a problem in recent years, but something we have taken into consideration for our recommendations to save you headaches.
It needs to be generally available with plenty of inventory.
What would be the point of recommending a laptop you should get for audio production if you can't get one?
How Did We Choose?
One of the first places we stopped was DAW companies. We wanted to make sure the models we review have some manufacturer support.

Avid, the maker of Pro Tools has a list of recommended laptops from early 2014, which are compatible with the new Pro Tools 10.
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/compatibility/en422315
Problem is, they're almost all generally unavailable. The specs, however, are a good place to start, as Pro Tools – especially version 10 – is one of the most resource intensive DAWs on the market.

Next, I hit the online forums for recommendations and tales of real world experience. There are numerous music gear forums and groups online, and even more dedicated solely to professional and home recording. Navigating these forums can be tricky. While there are plenty of recommendations, there is a often plenty of contradictory information and anecdotal evidence. This can make getting definitive answers a bit challenging.

After that, I gathered various reviews from CNET, Engadget, Gizmodo, and most importantly, some of the premiere recording forums like HomeRecording.com and Recording Review. Then I looked at the major DAW manufacturers to see if there were any known incompatibilities with our finalists. Finally I looked at general availability, and found plenty in stock at Amazon and the manufacturer.

Contenders
Readers recommended the ASUS X750JB-DB71. We were initially impressed, but noticed quickly there were many concerns about the display, battery life, and we were unable to find a SSD option. In fact, we couldn't even find a generally available version with a 7200RPM HDD.

The Lenovo Thinkpad W540 was another finalist – but the really bad touchpad and a few other hiccups. Complaints about build quality. We would like to recommend this laptop but we can't.

We really liked the Toshiba Tecra Z50-A1503, but it's not available anymore.

After all that research, easily the laptop I would get for home recording is the ASUS Zenbook UX303LA.

The Zenbook also sports a large number of USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, has a SSD drive that will appeal to high performance recording.

If you need more USB ports, check out our picks for best USB hub for audio production,

http://mscgr.com/best-powered-usb-hub-16100128

our favorite $100 studio headphones, and digital audio workstations.

http://mscgr.com/best-usb-digital-audio-interface-28154722

Elantric

#118
If you need a decent touch screen Windows computer for Audio Editor / DAW for $350
http://discounts.aarp.org/bestbuy/item/id/2121011/tab/reviews

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/desktops/lenovo/b-series/b50-30/
Drivers
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/desktops-and-all-in-ones/lenovo-b-series-all-in-ones/lenovo-b50-30-touch-all-in-one




has HDMI In and HDMI Out! (Works as a 10 point multi touch HDMI Monitor too)



CowBoom has the pre-owned Lenovo B50 (F0AU008FUS) 4th Generation Core i5 Quad-Core Full HD 23.8" Touchscreen All-in-One Desktop (Black) for $475 - $125 off with code Lenovo10115 [Exp 10/1] = $350 with free shipping.

Intel Core i5-4460S 2.9GHz Quad, 8GB DDR3L, 1TB 8GB SSHD
23.8" touch (1920x1080), 2GB NVIDIA GeForce 840A, 802.11ac


http://www.cowboom.com/product/1620233?utm_campaign=LS&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=isIkAyUyNbM&siteID=isIkAyUyNbM-Dwt9lkI9tJ5xVoSi4M.uMw
QuoteLenovo B50 F0AU008FUS 23.8" Touch-Screen All-In-One Desktop i5 2.9GHz 8GB 1TB   8GB SSDDVDRW WiFi - Black



Experience games, movies and streaming media in 1920 x 1080 resolution with this Lenovo B50 - F0AU008FUS all-in-one computer, which features a 23.8" high-definition touch screen for sharp images. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you access online content.

Product Features
4th Gen Intel Core i5-4460S processor
Features an 8MB cache and 2.9GHz processor speed with Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz.
Intel Core i5 processor
Features smart 4-way processing performance with a speed boost.
Intel Turbo Boost Technology
Delivers extra performance when you need it and increased energy efficiency when you don't.
23.8" LED-backlit high-definition 10-point multitouch display
With IPS technology, 250 cd/m brightness and 1920 x 1080 resolution showcases media in brilliant clarity and makes navigation simple.
All-in-one design
Features 2 JBL stereo speakers and Dolby Home Theater v4 for crisp, detailed sound.
8GB DDR3L memory
For multitasking power, expandable to 16GB.
Multiformat DVDRW/CD-RW drive
Create custom DVDs and CDs.
1TB hybrid hard drive (7200 rpm)
Incorporates an 8GB solid state drive as a cache to offer fast start-up times plus plenty of room to store pictures, videos, music and other important files.
Nuance Dragon Voice Assistant voice recognition software
Allows you to control the all-in-one by simply speaking commands.
NVIDIA GeForce 840A graphics
Feature 2GB dedicated video memory for lush images with rich, lifelike detail. HDMI output enables simple connectivity.
Built-in 1080p webcam
Makes it easy to video chat with loved ones in high-definition.
Digital media reader
Supports select card formats.
2 USB 3.0 and 3 USB 2.0 ports
For fast digital video, audio and data transfer.
Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11ac)
Connect to the Internet without wires.
Bluetooth 4.0 interface
Easily link with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as a cell phone or MP3 player. NFC (near-field communication) technology simplifies wireless pairing.
Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN
For quick and easy wired Web connection.

MFG: LENOVO
MFG Part: B50 - F0AU008FUS


Review
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2477729,00.asp
QuotePROS
Speedy day-to-day performance. HDMI-in and -out. Discrete 3D graphics. 12GB of memory. 2TB 8GB solid-state hybrid drive (SSHD). 802.11ac Wi-Fi. In-Plane Switching (IPS) display.
CONS
Some bloatware. Wired keyboard and mouse.
BOTTOM LINE
The Lenovo B50 is a midrange all-in-one desktop PC that's made to keep even enthusiast-level users happy for a few years. If you've been waiting to buy a Windows 8.1 PC to replace that aging Windows XP system, look at this one.

Easy access rear door for hardware upgrades ( RAM  / SSD)
http://ws.cnetcontent.com/afe75039/page/chp/CCProductExplore/?mf=Lenovo&pn=F0AU008FUS&lang=EN&market=US&host=localhost&mode=inline


Elantric

I got my tracking number today for above computer

This Hardware is  a basis for a Touchscreen controlled Music Controller, with enough horespower for a full DAW  - its upgradable to 16GB DDR3

Not bad for $350 

mbenigni

Quote from: Elantric on September 28, 2015, 12:07:26 PM
I got my tracking number today for above computer

This Hardware is  a basis for a Touchscreen controlled Music Controller, with enough horespower for a full DAW  - its upgradable to 16GB DDR3

Not bad for $350

Not sure how long that deal will last, but please post again to let us know what kind of condition it's in when it arrives.  I've been looking for a computer like that for a while now (I use a very similar Dell at work) and $350 is an amazing price, but the "Fair" condition description kind of scared me off.  Thanks!

Elantric

#121
This will be used for music and I will put these scratches on it myself in the 1st month of use

Because I got in early - I had my choice of 6 available - and I ordered one with a minor screen scratch in upper left corner of display

the remaining ones have scratches in the middle of the screen

These were Best Buy floor stock 2 months ago, and pulled when Win 10 was released 

and they are now sold out
http://www.cowboom.com/product/1620233?utm_campaign=LS&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=isIkAyUyNbM&siteID=isIkAyUyNbM-Dwt9lkI9tJ5xVoSi4M.uMw

Some are un-aware how valuable and hard to locate  any "new" Windows computer in 2015 that still has older USB-2.0 port ! (required for most "pro" windows USB Audio Interfaces!
and the Lenovo B50-30 Service Manual reveals this can be user updated to a Quadcore i7 and 16GB RAM

https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/desktop_pub/lenovo_b50-30_hmm_20141202.pdf

Drivers
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/desktops-and-all-in-ones/lenovo-b-series-all-in-ones/lenovo-b50-30-touch-all-in-one

Kenmac

Elantric, seeing as how this is a touch screen computer I thought I'd give you a heads up on a DAW that is specially designed for touch screens. It's called "Stagelight" and it's available for Windows and Android. I've been trying it out for the past few days. It's pretty intuitive and normally it costs $9.99 but the great thing is you can get the Windows version free if you go to this website:  https://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/open-labs-stagelight-sample-competition/details 

Scroll down a bit to this part where it says: "Click HERE to download a FREE copy of Stagelight ($9.99/USD Value). Not required for contest participation." then enter the promo code and your e-mail address. If you do download it and install it on your touchscreen computer let us know what you think of it. If you'd rather stick with another DAW that's fine as well but I just thought I'd pass this along.
"Let them brush your rock and roll hair."

Elantric

#123

mbenigni

Quote from: Kenmac on September 29, 2015, 08:25:15 AM
Elantric, seeing as how this is a touch screen computer I thought I'd give you a heads up on a DAW that is specially designed for touch screens. It's called "Stagelight" and it's available for Windows and Android. I've been trying it out for the past few days. It's pretty intuitive and normally it costs $9.99 but the great thing is you can get the Windows version free if you go to this website:  https://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/open-labs-stagelight-sample-competition/details 

Scroll down a bit to this part where it says: "Click HERE to download a FREE copy of Stagelight ($9.99/USD Value). Not required for contest participation." then enter the promo code and your e-mail address. If you do download it and install it on your touchscreen computer let us know what you think of it. If you'd rather stick with another DAW that's fine as well but I just thought I'd pass this along.

Woah - where was this when I was trying to find something useful to do with my Surface Pro??  (Long gone now...)  :)