I was looking at Microcenter and saw lots of laptops under $300 with good specs for general use. So what are the minimum basics I need to look for in general? I'd prefer Windows.
Micro Center Products -
those two i5 laptops with some extra mem would be ok'ish, was it not for the tiny screen.
Here's a query that'll get you started. 4 gig is the bare minimum i'd go on for production, everything you're willing to spend more on extra ram is good up till 16gb. 8 would probably get you going without worrying too much. 16 would be best.
Core i7 : Core i5 : 17" to 17.9" : 15" to 15.9" : Intel : Laptops/Notebooks : Laptops, Netbooks : Computers : Micro Center
Further, Wallengard has pretty much summed it up. What you could do to save you some money is buy a laptop that you can choose what parts go in. Like Clevo/Bto have those in europe. Don't know the equivalent for the US.
If you hook up a monitor, keyboard and mouse to your laptop, you'd almost have the exact same thing as a desktop. Only difference being that it's harder to upgrade certain hardware in your laptop.
Depending on what you're looking for in a computer, desktop or laptop may fulfill all your needs.
I'm running a Dell laptop with an i3 processor and 12gb of ram... I only use it for music production and have no problems.
it runs Maschine, Studio One and Cubase with a shedload of plugs with no issue.
Among others.It's been about 4 years when I bought the laptop so I doubt any warranty applies here. where do I buy this HDD? Newegg? TigerDirect? Microcenter? etc.?
I'd recommend runnin chkdsk first to see if that's the case, if no sectors get fixed or if it acts up even if no bad sectors found then you might want to either install windows to an external drive or replace the current one if it is allowed by the company hou bought it from.
Replacing a harddisk is not that hard. You do have to have a bit of know how on 'what next'. Those you can obtain through some reading , maybe a youtube.
The story that an i7 laptop cpu is the same as an i3 desktop cpu, is partly true, if you stay in the same model number. You can buy a higher model number.
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Usually, replacing a HD is allowed under warrantee, differs per company. That it is allowed by some shows you how easy it should be.
If you're gonna let it be done by your reseller, check the pricing on their harddisks. Compare it to what you can find on the net. Sometimes it saves a lot of money.
Also, I'd advice on an SSD. They're not that expensive anymore.
I usually pick a HD from the leaderbord of StorageReview.com - Storage Reviews . Pick a HD for what I need it for. SSD for OS and program running, 7200 rpm (less battery) or hybrid for data storage (might even be worth considering a green or blue disk). Could also go with an external disk for data storage.
Among others.
Did you go through what KonKossKang suggested to see if it really is broken?
If your laptop can handle the higher speed (Sata III connection), the Samsung Evo would be such an improvement on loading times, write times.
Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com
Then you could get an external disk for data storage. Or , if you have more then one slot for HDs in your laptop, you can get an internal as well.
Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com
Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com
7200 rpm is faster then 5400 rpm but it takes more battery power.
Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com
Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com
Just check out the hds from storagereview , pick one, see what it costs on different sites.
I suppose since you're here that you need a laptop that can handle processing power for music production?
Sorry for telling this but you'll waste your money ... Better get a desktop to do your job, it's well worth the investment