MY REQUEST for input:
What laptops are Cantabile users having great luck with? I’ve used a NUC before, but it adds complexity over just the laptop.
My budget is @$1500 USD (and this means I won’t be able to buy another keyboard like I wanted - ugh… the choices I have to make )
In some cases my sets have >25 plug ins pre-loaded, so memory is important (and I’m amazed I’ve gotten by with 16 GB so far).
Ideally it would have multiple USB ports onboard, but if I have to use a dongle I will (though I HATE the USB connectors for these as they wear out or loosen up over time).
BACKGROUND
After 5.5 years with my Lenovo ThinkPad, it’s time to upgrade my laptop for live use.
With Black Friday coming up, and a need to manage some tax advantages, I’m looking to get started.
I’ve had great luck with Lenovo, however they frustrate me in part you can’t update the memory on most of the appealing models for me (most of their laptops have soldered memory).
Note that the only hardware issues I have had running Cantabile live have been when I either:
a. Don’t turn off wifi (sonivox orchestral strings hates wifi I’m finding)
b. The power supply comes loose and I don’t notice it until I get chattering audio
I understand the simplicity of the laptop approach, and we all have preferences. So this is merely another viewpoint:
I switched to NUC12 a year ago and love it. Yes, I do have to use a GE Chic touchscreen. And a keyboard and mouse are in the gig bag, just in case, but I haven’t needed them. But for me, there are distinct benefits:
The NUC and Ge Chic were about $1100, with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, i7-1260p, several USB 3.1 ports, 2 HDMI and 2 TB ports. I couldn’t find an equivalent laptop at that price. Plus I needed TB.
It was so cost-effective I bought a 2nd NUC for backup and a 2nd Ge Chic, now in a tiny case. Haven’t needed them.
I easily added an additional fan for the NUC. Pretty hard to do for a laptop.
That said, you can pick up a new Lenovo Legion Pro with 32GB RAM for about $1500. As you probably already know, look for high base frequency and single core performance. And 32GB RAM.
Best of luck in your search. Not a bad time to buy with Black Friday deals.
Tom
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Maybe I will go with a NUC and screen. It may be better (and I’ll continue to use my current laptop for other stuff ). I have plenty of empty cases, and having this dedicated to music might be a benefit (as opposed to using the laptop for multiple purposes). It an stay in the studio / rehearsal space, and I can prewire everything in a loom and make setup easier.
Also, having the extra USB ports would be very helpful (I HATE dongles- especially USB-C dongles).
I have used a NUC before, and it was very performant and stable.
Before going down the NUC route, you might also want to take a look at the small form factor PC space. I’m very happy with my two LiveCubes based on the ASRock DeskMini platform. These are essentially PC motherboards / chipsets (instead of laptop chipsets in NUCs), and these mini-PCs typically can deal with higher thermal load - which means more CPU utilization without throttling.
And typically you can get similar or better performance compared to a NUC for a lower price.
I decided to go with an Lenovo i9 with 32gb laptop on Black Friday for under $1400 USD. While I like the idea of a NUC, I decided to stay with the laptop because:
a. It’s an “all in one” solution
b. It’s more portable for me (don’t have to lug around a rack)
c. I don’t have to worry about a UPS for the computer
Thanks again to everyone for their feedback and ideas.
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). I have plenty of empty cases, and having this dedicated to music might be a benefit (as opposed to using the laptop for multiple purposes). It an stay in the studio / rehearsal space, and I can prewire everything in a loom and make setup easier.