Low-cost Laptop just for music production?

[Fozzer]

Hello Chums... ...!

Any recommendations for a simple, low-cost 14/15 inch Laptop, suitable just for music production and playing, using Software Programs for sequencers, General MIDI Voices, and Drum Machines, etc, via MIDI/USB connection to various Digital Piano/Programmable Synthesizer Keyboards.

Fitted with an AMD  Processor(?), a reasonable Graphics Card/Chip and Sound Card/Chip with stereo audio outputs.

....and fitted with MIDI (in/out), and/or USB sockets.

....and using Windows XP Pro installed. (NOT VISTA/DX10!).

At the moment it's much too bulky/complicated using my Desktop Computer/LCD monitor, etc, to perform this simple, live, MIDI music function... ...!

I am thinking of a small, general purpose, sub

[ATI_7500]

Under 350 pounds...err...umm....might do for a Pentium 3M or 4M (~1Ghz) with 512 Meg Ram (if you're lucky 1GB) and maybe even an ATI Mobility Radeon.

EBay has those things en masse.

[Fozzer]

Under 350 pounds...err...umm....might do for a Pentium 3M or 4M (~1Ghz) with 512 Meg Ram (if you're lucky 1GB) and maybe even an ATI Mobility Radeon.

EBay has those things en masse.

...a typical example, Bjorn?...>>>>

http://www.shopacer.co.uk/scp/Acer_Aspi ... eries.html

Paul...sitting in your Lap(top)... ...!

P.S. I worry about getting anything from E-Bay!... ...LOL...!

[ATI_7500]

Yeah, well...get what you want but just don't expect it to be FS-ready.

[Fozzer]

Yeah, well...get what you want but just don't expect it to be FS-ready.

..there is another World outside of Flight Simulation, Bjorn!... ....LOL... ...!

Paul....Wanted: A Computer/Laptop specifically for Music Software....with not a single aircraft in sight!... ...!

[dcunning30]

For music production?  I can't believe I'm even saying this, but have you considered Apple?

[GunnerMan]

Check out finding a barebone from somewhere, then you can plop in a cheap cpu,ram of your choice

[Fozzer]

Check out finding a barebone from somewhere, then you can plop in a cheap cpu,ram of your choice

..surely you can't build/modify "Laptops"...?

Note that Musicians performing live nowadays use small Laptops to run their Programmable Music software, sequencers, voice selection, mixers, etc.
Large computers with separate monitors are much too bulky, and are now replaced by Laptops.

At present I have all my Programmable music software running on my Desktop Computer, but it's much too inconvenient to use when playing live in conjunction with all my Keyboards!

A small Laptop mounted on the keyboards stands is what is required to make changes "on the fly" in real-time.

Paul......... 8-)...!

[dcunning30]

So that's the rub, you wanna leverage all your existing software?  Well, as Bjorn mentioned, head on over to ebay.  There's plenty usb -> MIDI adaptors, so you can easily get your needs met.  BTW, as you may already know, more memory and a large, fast HD is more valuable than a fast processor.

[MWISimmer]

A quick visit to ebuyer found this:

Dell with XP pro

Most come preinstalled with Vista these days, Have a look at PC world website, at their "refurbished"

[Fozzer]

This is an example of some of the music software which I presently use on my Desktop computer....>>>

http://www.maudio.co.uk/index.php?do=pr ... D=software

I merely wish to install them on a Laptop instead of my large, unwieldy, desktop/separate monitor, and run all my keyboards from there using my existing MIDI/USB cables.

Nothing fancy required, just a bit of memory, a half-decent processor and graphics doobry, a sound card/chip, and a  small hard drive.

All my other program installations, (Flight Sims, etc), will remain where they are, on my desktop computer......!

Paul...Musician/Programmer/Electronics Engineer.

...I will have a peek at the re-furbished "stuff"......!
Failing that, I may be very brave and join "E-Bay"...for the first time!... ...!

[ctjoyce]

Fozz, look at one of the new Mac Books, or an older Mac Book Pro G4. Apple has by far the best music creation of any OS. So my choice would be them.

Cheers
Cameron

[Fozzer]

Fozz, look at one of the new Mac Books, or an older Mac Book Pro G4. Apple has by far the best music creation of any OS. So my choice would be them.

Cheers
Cameron

Ta Cameron, for the heads-up....>>>>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerBook_G4

Interesting read....Apple....

...but..... $1500 to $2000....WOW-ZE-FLIIPIN'-WOWZERS!.... ...!

I'm looking for something more in the

[ctjoyce]

Paul,

A Used G4 off eBay will run you about $400 which is perfectly in your budget.

Perfect example http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-PowerBook-G4- ... dZViewItem

Cheers
Cameron

[Fozzer]

Paul,

A Used G4 off eBay will run you about $400 which is perfectly in your budget.

Perfect example http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-PowerBook-G4- ... dZViewItem

Cheers
Cameron

Thanks, Cameron...

Looks like I will finally have to dive into this E-Bay/Paypal malarkey.... ...!

...I've been avoiding it, so far....The ever-cautious Fozzer!... ...!

Paul... ...!

Up to now, my "laptop" has only been used for the purpose of pretty young ladies to sit upon... ... ...!