Being a hopeless luddite, I am clueless about the last 10 years of development in windows hardware and software.
I am looking to buy a reasonable 2nd hand laptop to do audio measurements as mentioned in the title. Otherwise i will use it mainly for web/email/officeapps.
I have an ancient digidesign mbox 2 that i would like to use for acoustic measurements, if possible. What's going on with audio drivers these days in windoze land? Asio4all still a thing? 😅
Was thinking about a second hand Lenovo, maybe a T480.
Here are links to a couple of local vendors:
https://tkvfinland.fi/product-category/tietokoneet/kannettava-tietokone/
https://www.teraset.net/product_catalog.php?c=105
any opinions, advice, warnings, insights highly welcome!
Best regards,
Bob
I am looking to buy a reasonable 2nd hand laptop to do audio measurements as mentioned in the title. Otherwise i will use it mainly for web/email/officeapps.
I have an ancient digidesign mbox 2 that i would like to use for acoustic measurements, if possible. What's going on with audio drivers these days in windoze land? Asio4all still a thing? 😅
Was thinking about a second hand Lenovo, maybe a T480.
Here are links to a couple of local vendors:
https://tkvfinland.fi/product-category/tietokoneet/kannettava-tietokone/
https://www.teraset.net/product_catalog.php?c=105
any opinions, advice, warnings, insights highly welcome!
Best regards,
Bob
Bought a used T570 (15" screen + numerical keyboard) for exactly that purpose a couple of months ago. I don't use it much, but it seems to work well and as an otherwise committed Mac-user I just want something that runs when I need it.
At least 5 of those don't need much computer power, REW might (but I haven't seen it do so), and I haven't used vituixcad. So you don't need a whooper of a machine, but you are right to be concerned about drivers.
Does the digidesign have recent drivers? I have been able to use MAudio Windows Vista drivers under Win7-8 and Win10. The digidesign old version drivers might work under Win10, or maybe find a computer still running Win7.
Will be interesting to read what other users have to say.
Does the digidesign have recent drivers? I have been able to use MAudio Windows Vista drivers under Win7-8 and Win10. The digidesign old version drivers might work under Win10, or maybe find a computer still running Win7.
Will be interesting to read what other users have to say.
Browsing duc, it seems with win10 there should be a fair chance to get the mbox2 up and running. Win11 would be more of a gamble. Apparently Win10 will be supported until 2025 by MS.
I have a old Lenovo laptop originaly with win 7 now win10 that run DATS, Omnimic HornResp winISD no problems. So as long as you stay away from pentium IV and windows XP you should be fine. They are all light weight applications.
I have a 5 year old Lenovo X1 Carbon - core i5 7200 2.5Ghz, 8GB ram. Which is still good enough for general apps, including all aforementioned software.
Running Win10 pro on a thinkpad x230 with 8GB ram and a 500GB SSD. All drivers were available for it apart from the fingerprint reader. Quick enough for me.
I have 2 Dell Latitude E6410 laptops for just that application. The Latitude was the enterprise laptop line and they are sturdier and more powerful than the inspirons. Both have I7's, both run Win10 with no issues even though Dell doesn't want you to. There are 2 on eBay with no drive for $30 ea. Get a new SSD, DO NOT waste time with a spinning disk. Install Win 10 pro from a USB stick. It should automatically get a license.
There is a version with an NVIDIA GPU. Its higher performance but some had problems with failing solder bonds. You will need to get a new battery but those are cheap. They have expresscard slots and you can get sound cards and other interfaces that work with the port for expansion.
For audio development its quite adequate. Not for big complex circuit simulations but thats what the desktop is for.
There is a version with an NVIDIA GPU. Its higher performance but some had problems with failing solder bonds. You will need to get a new battery but those are cheap. They have expresscard slots and you can get sound cards and other interfaces that work with the port for expansion.
For audio development its quite adequate. Not for big complex circuit simulations but thats what the desktop is for.
I have been using a Lenovo W520 since it was released its now 10+ years old and still going strong.
Its performed / survived on the hotest and worst race tracks across India. Used in oily and dirty workshops.
Its an i7. With 32 GB RAM and a 250 GB SSD in the CDROM Bay.
Ive had to change the laptop keyboard a few times but other than that it just keeps on running.
I use it for my ECU Tuning software. My Engine sims. My Electronic Sims.
It has a dedicated GPU and a decent DAC. Not as good as my Note 9 DAC but still good.
If you do got a Lenovo or Thinkpad laptop download TP Fan and configure it to keep temps low. Esp if you run simulation s/w.
Which maxes out the CPU load at 100% for a few hours. TP Fan allows you to max out the CPU Fan and keep things cool.
Dont go over 5000 RPM or the bearing in your fan will fail.
The W stands for Workstation Class. I see these going for real cheap in the US. Was never a big fan of the T series.
Its performed / survived on the hotest and worst race tracks across India. Used in oily and dirty workshops.
Its an i7. With 32 GB RAM and a 250 GB SSD in the CDROM Bay.
Ive had to change the laptop keyboard a few times but other than that it just keeps on running.
I use it for my ECU Tuning software. My Engine sims. My Electronic Sims.
It has a dedicated GPU and a decent DAC. Not as good as my Note 9 DAC but still good.
If you do got a Lenovo or Thinkpad laptop download TP Fan and configure it to keep temps low. Esp if you run simulation s/w.
Which maxes out the CPU load at 100% for a few hours. TP Fan allows you to max out the CPU Fan and keep things cool.
Dont go over 5000 RPM or the bearing in your fan will fail.
The W stands for Workstation Class. I see these going for real cheap in the US. Was never a big fan of the T series.