New Laptop

[TMAdidas]

Hi all, I'm currently a student looking to purchase a laptop. My biggest priority is school related things, but I also want something that can run music editing software (currently running Ableton Live) and basic video editing software as well. Also, I'm on the internet quite often (specifically forums, email, and ebay for the most part), so it needs to be rather quick for loading web pages. as well. I've narrowed it down to these three, two of which are "older" (2011's I think) upgraded MacBook Pros on eBay, the other being an HP Pavilion at BestBuy. I'm more of a guitarist than I am audio engineer/ computer technician, so I'm not very hip as to what to look for, what laptops are good or bad, etc. so I was hoping you wiser ones could help me. From a specs perspective it looks like the HP is the winner, but I've heard that the MBP is the best computer for basically everything, so I was looking for more opinions. Due to being a student, I am rather low on spending cash, so I'd rather not spend more than these. Please have a look at each and tell me which one looks best for my purposes: Thanks

Apple MacBook Pro 15 4" Laptop 2010 2 4GHz i5 4GB 500GB Yosemite | eBay

Apple MacBook Pro 13 3 i5 MD313LL A 2 4GHz 8GB 250GB SSD DVD CD 49207 885909531653 | eBay

HP Pavilion 15.6" Laptop Intel Core i7 6GB Memory 750GB Hard Drive 15-p100dx - Best Buy

 

[LPSGME]

If 2010 or newer I'd go with a 13" as I think there were issues with the larger screen models. I'd think a 2011 or newer 13" would be OK.
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) intermittent black screen or loss of video Quality Program has ended - Apple Support

 

[KP11520]

If you want to record seriously with it, make sure it has whatever port required for whatever Audio Interface you are/will be using. Also make sure it has an additional port for a Fast second HDD and the Internal HDD is 7200 rpm's. As much RAM as you can get if you want to go 64 bit OS and Recording DAW. Serious recording never uses the OS and APP HDD to be the Recording medium. Contention between reading and writing through one head can result in a loss of audio. Always a dedicated audio HDD.

Something else to consider is if the Laptop PS makes noise when you have it plugged into the wall while recording. Many do. Crude P/S's. Fine for everything else but when recording. some are Unusable. Battery alone is a mistake. It will die when you're nailing your best take.

Maybe this will help you shape your decision.

 

[jaycoyoyo]

KP pretty much nailed it. I would lean towards something with Firewire for external HDD recording. I imagine the new Thunderbolt interface would be good also, but newer is always more expensive. I have had good experience with Firewire. Also for internal hard drives I would go SSD.

 

[needlespauls]

Ohhhh my god....my head is exploding reading this stuff....soooo overwhelming��

 

[LPSGME]

KP pretty much nailed it. I would lean towards something with Firewire for external HDD recording. I imagine the new Thunderbolt interface would be good also, but newer is always more expensive. I have had good experience with Firewire. Also for internal hard drives I would go SSD.

Thunderbolt can convert to firewire with an inexpensive cable adapter.