[AdamZuf]

let's start by saying: i don't know nothing about laptops!
i'm trying to see if it would be a good solution for a transportable setup with the ART dac, instead of a flat DVD player.

are there SC's for laptops with coaxial outs? (+optical would be nice, but not a must) i don't even need a good lineout. but the coax out has to be well made, as i understand that jitter might be an issue.

i need to play redbooks, mp3, and to have a cd-writer and maybe a wireless connection to the internet (hey, even in new-zealand, i'll be a head-fier

).
it doesn't have to be a strong computer, just reliable.
if a laptop as such is an option, should i consider used?
what are the price ranges for laptops in my demands?

thanks again!

 

[Wodgy]

The Xitel Hi-Fi Link Pro and the M-Audio Audiophile USB both have coaxial outputs. In general, a laptop will make a fine source, though the amount of jitter might be higher than a pure dedicated transport.

 

[AdamZuf]

i am willing to do what i can with that laptop to reduce that!
(CPU? RAM? OS? SC?)
well it will cost a lot more then just a flat DVD transport, but it would be much smaller (and determine the suitcase size), and probably more reliable then DVD, that is not suited for abuse, plus i'll have a computer (i'm going abroad to start a new life, and i guess that i'll have to have a computer sometime), and head-fi!!

(oh i forgot connection to the family and friends

)

 

[D-EJ915]

The best laptop that you can get right now is the IBM T40

 

[AdamZuf]

D-EJ915,
ahhhh big bucks!
i don't even need a DVD player, i need a CD-Writer.
also, i didn't find a word about the SC.
i don't really need something advanced. if a wireless connection to the net is what makes the leap a must, i'll pass. i just need to know i did what i could to reduce jitter.
if a used laptop can fit my needs, i would like to know what are the prices, more or less.

 

[D-EJ915]

The apple iBook would probably be good for you then, they are about 1200 dollars for the cd-rw version, cheap, good, and nice looking (although extremely pathetic compared to the T40), just be aware that apple's touchpads are notoriously crappy

 

[AdamZuf]

D-EJ915,
please, say something about the soundcards!
if this thread would only refer to the laptop, i'd put it in "General disccution"..
will jitter specs get better with a more stable OS like mac?
which part of the computer affect jitter the most, anyway?

 

[D-EJ915]

If you play from the HDD you shouldn't have any jitter (!?!?), but the macs sound fine, never heard the T40, but you could always get the Extigy, or something to that effect...sorry, don't know anything about laptop audio

 

[lan]

Since the audio from the CD/DVD-ROM is buffered by the computer, there's no jitter from there. Jitter should appear during transmission to the DAC and in the DAC. I wouldn't worry about it because you make jitter sound like it's worst than it actually is.

There's nothing you can do in the laptop to change it. Doesn't matter if it's a Mac or PC, or if you're hooked up via PCMCIA, USB, or firewire. You could choose a "better" soundcard and add some jitter fixer device if you want which is an extra added cost.

You could get an M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 USB. It has coax out to go directly to the ART D/IO.

 

[AdamZuf]

lan,
aren't there laptops with built in coax output?
and jitter might happen in the coax output itself...if it's low grade..as much as it can happen from the cable itself, am i right?

makes me wonder.. will the ART be better then the DAC in the M-Audio Audiophile? (or, did i buy the ART for nothing?)

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by D-EJ915 The apple iBook would probably be good for you then, they are about 1200 dollars for the cd-rw version, cheap, good, and nice looking (although extremely pathetic compared to the T40)

You've already admitted to having never used the T40, yet, as you have in other threads, you once again make sweeping, uninformed judgments about products

Let's take a step back and look at your assertion objectively:

For $1700, the T40 gets you a 6-pound laptop with a larger (but not as bright) 14" screen, 256MB RAM, 20GB HD, a Mobile Radeon card with 16MB DDR, a DVD-only drive, built-in modem, built-in 10/100 Ethernet, and 3-hour battery life. You also get an Infrared port and PC card slot (mainly for WiFi, since modem/network are built-in). For software, you get, um, Acrobat Reader. Warranty: three years.

For around $1300, the iBook gets you a 5-pound laptop with a superior-quality 12" screen, 640MB RAM, 40GB HD, a Mobile Radeon card with 32MB DDR, a CD-RW/DVD drive, built-in modem, built-in 10/100 Ethernet, and 5-hour battery life. You also get an AirPort/WiFi card slot, and a great software package (AppleWorks, Quicken, World Book, some very good games, iTunes, iMovie, iPhoto, etc.). Warranty: one year.

Someone will surely bring up processor speed, but the truth is that whereas the desktop AMD/Intel chips are clearly faster than desktop PowerPC chips, laptops are a whole 'nother story. The Mobile Pentium used in the T40 is a crippled version of a real Pentium, and in real-world use, there isn't going to be a major difference between the performance of these two laptops. I say that as someone who has actually used the iBook and a few different Mobile Pentium laptops.

"extremely pathetic compared to the T40"? Some might prefer the T40 for the larger screen, PC card slot, longer warranty, and/or because they need a Windows laptop. Some might prefer the iBook for its significantly lower price, rewritable optical drive, larger hard drive, more RAM, better video card, better quality screen, better battery life, lighter weight, and/or superior software bundle. Both are very good computers that will more than fulfill the needs of most users.

Sorry for the tangent, but D-EJ915, you really gotta stop making such uninformed statements. (In fact, I wouldn't even say that the T40 is the best Windows-based laptop right now.)


Quote:

just be aware that apple's touchpads are notoriously crappy

Apple's trackpads (not touchpads) are among the best in the industry. Anyone who's actually used them, and used the trackpads found on many IBM, Toshiba, Sony, Dell, etc. laptops, can attest to that.

 

[AdamZuf]

thanks, MacDEF, for the other option.

but what about a built in coax out???

 

[hempcamp]

Quote:

Originally posted by AdamZuf thanks, MacDEF, for the other option. but what about a built in coax out???

I've never seen a notebook with built in coax out.

There are several inexpensive options for adding digital output, though. The M-Audio Sonica is a great choice -- a simple USB audio device with one analog (line level) and one digital optical output. Street price: $55.

I also recommend the iBook, not as a Mac zealot but as someone who has owned several IBMs, an HP, and a Compaq notebook computer also. The iBook's greatest feature is its durability, and only my IBM notebooks stood up to years of dorm rooms, labs, libraries, and heavy travel as well as the iBook. It's just a good value, simple and elegant, but all the power under the hood you could ever need (BSD-based OS X).

You can get a refurb from Apple with the following specs: iBook 800Mhz/128MB/30GB/Combo/E/56K/12.1" TFT for $1049, but you'll want to invest $90 for a 512MB stick of memory and perhaps $70 for an Airport card if you need WiFi. Add a Sonica and you're looking at less than $1300 total for a great machine (rivals what I bought new 8 months ago for $1700!). Refurb models carry the same full warranty as all other Apple products, and are in perfect original condition (not lemons!).

That said, you can't go wrong with an IBM ThinkPad either, in my experience. But I'm not as knowledgable about current IBM pricing, so I can't comment on value-dollar ratio there. The Sonica would work with both.

Happy shopping! I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you finally choose.

--Chris

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally posted by AdamZuf lan, aren't there laptops with built in coax output? and jitter might happen in the coax output itself...if it's low grade..as much as it can happen from the cable itself, am i right? makes me wonder.. will the ART be better then the DAC in the M-Audio Audiophile? (or, did i buy the ART for nothing?)

I don't know of any laptops with coax digital out.

The M-Audio Sonica is optical so that's why I didn't recommend it. Jitter could happen from a coax cable (impedance mismatch, electromagnetic interference) but at this level of performance, I don't think it's that big of a difference.

I like the ART DI/O output better than M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 (the PCI card not the USB one).

I would recomment a PC laptop so you can use foobar2000 as song player program. I'm not sure how iTunes quality stacks up.

 

[Kermy]

Quote:

Originally posted by MacDEF For $1700, the T40 gets you a 6-pound laptop with a larger (but not as bright) 14" screen, 256MB RAM, 20GB HD, a Mobile Radeon card with 16MB DDR, a DVD-only drive, built-in modem, built-in 10/100 Ethernet, and 3-hour battery life. You also get an Infrared port and PC card slot (mainly for WiFi, since modem/network are built-in). For software, you get, um, Acrobat Reader. Warranty: three years. For around $1300, the iBook gets you a 5-pound laptop with a superior-quality 12" screen, 640MB RAM, 40GB HD, a Mobile Radeon card with 32MB DDR, a CD-RW/DVD drive, built-in modem, built-in 10/100 Ethernet, and 5-hour battery life. You also get an AirPort/WiFi card slot, and a great software package (AppleWorks, Quicken, World Book, some very good games, iTunes, iMovie, iPhoto, etc.). Warranty: one year. Someone will surely bring up processor speed, but the truth is that whereas the desktop AMD/Intel chips are clearly faster than desktop PowerPC chips, laptops are a whole 'nother story. The Mobile Pentium used in the T40 is a crippled version of a real Pentium, and in real-world use, there isn't going to be a major difference between the performance of these two laptops. I say that as someone who has actually used the iBook and a few different Mobile Pentium laptops.

OR go Dell.
Dell Inspiron 5100:
For $1,450 you get a Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz (Non-Mobile), 15 inch, 384MB Ram, 40GB HD, 24x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive, 32 MB Ati Mobility Radeon Video Card, built in modem/network card, internal 802.11b AND g wireless card. 3+ hours of battery life and optical out. Warranty 3 years. And pretty good software bundle which includes Windows XP Home, WordPerfect with Quicken, Musicmatch Jukebox, Dell Picture Studio, 6 months of Earthlink or AOL free, and some demo software.

Oh BTW MacDef, how are you getting an iBook for $1,300 with those specs? I'm very interested as my sister would like a new laptop.