Suggested PC laptop models for computer audio


I am looking for advice directing me towards an inexpensive, simple Windows based laptop - used or new - to which I will add an external solid state hard drive to use as a server for a computer audio front end at home.

I currently use a one year old Dell Latitude at work with a WD external hard drive running iTunes and JRiver Media Center 21, and it sounds remarkably good (although music software programs not ideal companions within enterprise networked office environment:\). Given my current budget and space constraints, the advantage of having the screen, keyboard processor and I/Os all in one chassis, combined with my familiarity with PC systems and software, I would probably not consider a Mac Mini at this time.

Music file procurement, storage, handling and reproduction would be the sole purpose of the laptop. Currently running FLAC, AIFF and mp4 files at resolutions up to 24/96, with capacity to handle higher res files in future. Lots of ripped redbook files. DAC will be Arcam irdac for the time being. No DSD files for now.

Your PC laptop suggestions very much appreciated.

kn
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Showing 1 response by lewinskih01

As others have said, a screenless desktop would be best, but a laptop will certainly work.

If your DAC connects through USB, try to connect the external hard drive with something other than USB. USB works in series, so real time transfer of music to the DAC and data exchange with the hard drive will go though the same pipe. Avoid if you can.

As far as software, I found a very significant improvement by using Windows Server 2012 in core mode and using AudioPhil's Audio Optimizer (which only works in WS2012). Very, very significant.

Other than that, the cheapest laptop will do. You don't need much processing power or RAM for this, and you should shut down all hardware bells and whistles to minimize electrical noise as Kinjanki mentioned, so why pay for that? You need minimal processing power.

If going WS2012, however, it needs to be a 64-bit machine (any new machine will be, but you could even get a used one).

I think optimizing hrdware on a laptop is a bit of a waste of time. This, coming from a guy with a heavily optimized headless server.