Slightly OT: Windows notebook recommendation for audio.

[hcruz]

Can anyone recommend a windows based laptop that can be suitable for audio stuff like measuring, music/video playback, etc.

I have a Toshiba satellite and a Dell Inspiron and they are both noisy when using analog audio especially when the processor fan kicks in or when the hard drive spins.

Thanks

Cruz.

[dcibel]

If you want something with no fan noise, get an Atom based computer, or AMD E-350/450 based. I don't know about the larger notebooks, but I'm pretty sure the netbooks don't even have a fan. It won't be as fast as the latest whiz-bang computers, but low power consumption will have long lasting batteries and no fan noise.

I have an Atom based HTPC, with nVidia ION graphics, it has enough power to play 1080p video, so other words anything I can throw at it.

[hcruz]

If you want something with no fan noise, get an Atom based computer, or AMD E-350/450 based....

I used to have a cheap Acer Aspire One netbook about 3 years ago and it was good for audio but was painfully slow with a tiny screen that will skip when playing videos.

Nonetheless that's a good suggestion. I'll go to the store tonight to see the current netbook offerings. Hopefully they can perform as well as your HTPC .

My budget is set between $400 and $500.

[MagicO309d]

My HP Mini netbook has a fan so double check before you buy.

[spasticteapot]

If you're having electrical noise issues, an external USB soundcard makes a big improvement. M-Audio makes a few that are very nice.

[hcruz]

If you're having electrical noise issues, an external USB soundcard makes a big improvement. M-Audio makes a few that are very nice.

I use a Tascam US-144MkII that plays perfect when using the digital interface and is a big improvement comparing to the internal sound card but it still has the noise problems when using the analog output.

Would be nice if audio on a laptop was treated same as video where there are choices to get decent hardware.

[hcruz]

My HP Mini netbook has a fan so double check before you buy.

I really don't mind a fan if is quiet enough, the big problem I have is electrical noise as spasticteapot suggests, probably caused by the fan or other hardware components.

[dcibel]

If you find a computer with optical output, you can wire directly into a nice DAC and be cruisin'. Otherwise there are several external soundcard options that will do just fine.

[greywarden]

I have a HRT Usb DAC, the red one, when I had it plugged in, I loved it, much fuller bottom end, and the SNR was extremely noticeable.

[dcibel]

I use one of these exotic devices, highly hacked up by myself, plugged into my headphones. It sounds fantastic!

changes made to this unit:
-re-placed volume control with Kookaburra kit from TwistedPearAudio
-re-designed output filter and installed LM4562 op-amps
-re-routed ground connections (atrocious board layout on the analog side)
-re-capped

The newer Zhaolu units have USB input so you don't even need the soundcard!

[GranteedEV]

My Lenovo V570 is quiet.

[hcruz]

My Lenovo V570 is quiet.

Really like your suggestion, Bestbuy has the V570 it for $529 with an i5 processor, I'll go check it out at lunch.

Lenovo is high on my list, they make quality stuff.

[andy19191]

Really like your suggestion, Bestbuy has the V570 it for $529 with an i5 processor, I'll go check it out at lunch.

Lenovo is high on my list, they make quality stuff.

My i5 HP ProBook is noisy when idling to the extent I put it to sleep whenever I move away to do something else for a while (and shutting the lid does not put it to sleep). I would not recommend one for this reason.

The early Apple powerbook it replaced was quiet enough when idling but spun up noisy fans when number crunching. This was rarely an issue since it was quiet when writing or composing thoughts. It also went to sleep when the lid was closed.

[LouC]

Been using a refurbed ThinkPad with a USB sound card. No complaints at all (other than weight) built like tanks. Can't recall the fan ever coming on (if there is one) There are some metal "heat sinks" for putting under your laptop that help considerably. Mechanical stuff (CD drives, hard disks) create most of the noise.

[jclin4]

My wife has a Lenovo X100e notebook. The fan is noisy, so there is no way I would use it for audio. Also there is a problem with the screen going blank at some tilt angles and coming back on at others. It is past warranty and Lenovo only offered expensive options for addressing the issue for a low cost notebook.

The V570 is probably a lot better, noise and quality wise, I would hope.

[MagicO309d]

I really don't mind a fan if is quiet enough, the big problem I have is electrical noise as spasticteapot suggests, probably caused by the fan or other hardware components.

Okay, I understand. The Mini's fan only really spins up if anti virus check fires up in the background.

That being said, the analog output from it's modular mic/earphone output is terrible even with the associated driver upgrade that was supposed to fix the problem. Instead, I use an old USB soundcard dongle that came with a logitec USB headset and it sounds great with no noise.

[killa]

Been using a refurbed ThinkPad with a USB sound card. No complaints at all (other than weight) built like tanks. Can't recall the fan ever coming on (if there is one) There are some metal "heat sinks" for putting under your laptop that help considerably. Mechanical stuff (CD drives, hard disks) create most of the noise.

+1 You suggested one to me a while back so I got a t60. Fan is quiet and parts are cheap. My motherboard is going bad but I found a new in box one for 80$. I'll have to check out those heat sinks. mine gets quite warm on the bottom.

[marvin]

Our Dell laptop audio is electrically noisy with the power supply plugged in...much better on battery.

Marv

[benchtester]

Been using a refurbed ThinkPad with a USB sound card. No complaints at all (other than weight) built like tanks. Can't recall the fan ever coming on (if there is one) There are some metal "heat sinks" for putting under your laptop that help considerably. Mechanical stuff (CD drives, hard disks) create most of the noise.

I too got a T61 after your recommendation (cheap on ebay). Like you said: "built like a tank"; I am very happy with it. I just got a M-Audio Firewire 410. Will keep everyone posted if this works well.

(Apparently SB Audigy PCMCIA card is not compatible with the T61.)

I put a Solid-State drive in it. Perked it up, and it's acoustically silent.