I need to get a more modern computer, my aging win7 laptop isn’t really suitable for a few things that I need to do, I will not be using it for a DAW but I do want to have reasonable basic audio capabilities, mainly audio editing and possibly Overbridge and Zenology, stuff like that.
I want to stick to windows and I don’t want a big tower or a laptop, ideally I want one of those small form factor PCs like Lenovo thinkcentre or similar.
I’m thinking a 500gb SSD, 16gb ram, core i7 but not really too sure, don’t really know about graphics cards etc, probably want about 4-8 USB ports and preferably a SD card reader built in but not essential as I have a USB multicard reader which works ok.
Any recommendations or things I should be looking at/avoiding, what kind of resolution is current, 1080p? Or should I look beyond that? I seem to notice a trend that the vast majority of software isn’t laptop friendly, so I’ll get a monitor and wall mount it, can’t go too big but any things here to consider?
Many thanks for any tips/insight/advice. Budget is about £300 for the computer, I don’t need an audio interface or other peripherals.
Look into the Intel NUC Extreme series which was released earlier this year. Their NUC line is usually very small form factor pc’s, low powered for all sorts of use cases. The Extreme takes it up a notch. Maybe a bit more than your budget?
The whole Small Form Factor (SFF) scene is pretty cool if you were interested in going down the build route, but that new NUC extreme really is tiny, can fit a full size GPU and is a nice build-to-order option if u can’t be bothered building.
Yeah man Ive got a lenovo thinkpad something or other. Solid state. 3 USB sockets, card reader. I dont use it much, but its lightning fast. Just a shame about windows 10.
It depends, really. AMD are stepping up their game with their latest Ryzen chips, but you would need an AMD compatible motherboard for that. Model numbers tend to be 3000 series, 4000 in mobile and 5000 are the latest ones just announced.
As for Intel - i3, i5, i7 and i9 are still regular models, all with higher clock speeds each year. i3 is barebones obviously, i9’s are the higher spec models but you obviously want some nice cooling if going that route.
Just look around for a while, tonnes of YouTube channels, or pop into an actual computer parts store and chew the fat with an employee, sometimes getting a full parts and price list can help get a sense of what your looking for.
It’s doable, I don’t know how many tracks you plan to use or if you plan to stream multiple Overbridge units. (Sorry thought that first link was i3)
You can hit CPU max out issues in a DAW. I probably wouldn’t recommend anything lower than an i5 for audio work to give yourself some headroom, but your mileage may vary.
Also they look like mobile chips, so the i7 in this case ends up being branding more so I guess.
It’d be nice if you can find a deal that has a return policy, so if u find it doesn’t cut the mustard you can get a replacement.
All CPUs used in such small cases are mobile chips. Buying a 3gen mobile CPU (~8 years old) today? I would highly recommend against. If the budget is really that tight, I would check the 2nd hand market instead for something not that outdated.
What are you using for a DAW? You can probably get by easily with a lower spec unit if you’re using Reaper to record, for example. I’ve never seen anything so memory and CPU efficient as Reaper.
Also, that Lenovo has display port and VGA out, worth mentioning if for some reason your current monitor is HDMI only.
No DAW, I have Ableton lite that I just use for running a VST (Roland Zenology) that works ok on my old win7 laptop but I don’t use it for a DAW just to host the VST.
I am happy enough with Audacity and Wavosaur for audio stuff, nothing fancy just editing smallish files.
Good points @tnussb and @konputa I am pretty out of the loop with computers if wasn’t already obvious, I tend to just use them until they stop working, so my current laptop is about 8 years old, and due to retire, I like these small cases as it means it won’t take much space in my tiny already cramped room. Ha, looks like I need to rethink.
i’d go for desktop components packed in a small form factor case. (mini itx form factor).
this way if you can replace stuff in case of failure or problematic device regarding realtime audio or midi.
i have a silverstone case ml06, this fits in a standard backpack.
edit : i would try to go with the gpus integrated in the recent cpus but choose a setup that would give me the option to add a dedicated gpu later in case of audio problems related to the integrated gpu
You can check the excellent and free VSTHost VSTHost
He also have MidiTrix, a midi routing software very usefull.
For computer spec, you can buy an used LGA1155 core i5 with a compatible motherboard (like Gigabyte GA-Z68AP). Put 2x4GB of DDR3 1600Mhz (Crucial Ballistix), a Seasonic power supply (500W is enought), and any SSD.
If you have a version of CPU that don’t have GPU inside, go for an used graphic card like nVidia GTX 460, 560, etc (should be x60) or a GTX 1050 (maybe more expensive)
Ok well thanks everybody for the advice, I decided against the ultra small Lenovo but found a unbeatable deal (£540 with discount) on a larger SFF Lenovo Thinkcentre:
Intel Core i5-9400 2.9GHz
16GB DDR4 + 512GB SSD
DVD Writer
Windows 10 Pro Interfaces
Front
USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (with up to 5 Gbps data transfer)
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (with up to 10 Gbps data transfer)
Combo + mic
Rear
4 x USB 2.0
1 x VGA
2 x DisplayPort
1 x LAN
Expansion
PCIe x 16
PCIe x 1
PCIe x 1
M.2
M.2 SSD or Intel® Optane™
M.2 WiFi
Warranty
3 Year Onsite Warranty
Possibly a bit overkill for my needs and a little over my initial budget, but it has plenty of USB ports and a SD card slot and apparently they run pretty quietly, so should be ok.
I, like yourself, will run a computer into the ground before I replace it. I got a pretty powerful windows laptop on sale recently to replace a 2010 MBP. Upgraded to 64GB of ram for under $75. I have not been able to phase this laptop in any way whatsoever. I am certain with your use, the hardware itself will fail long before you begin to push its limits. Thats what I call techno.
considering your choice is done , can i hijack the thread???
did someone as an advice on the cheap honor magic book 14??? need a new laptop, and it seem to got raving review, is there reason to put more money, for basic all usage???
thanks for eventual advices… i am witing for an eventual offer on black friday…
things have moved on a bit in 15 years…