If I were in your situation, I’d stick with a Thinkpad. They are expensive, but 
IMHO worth the price as they are rugged, reliable, and repairable. In general, 
Linux distress run well on their hardware. Another good option is a Panasonic 
Toughbook which are admittedly bulkier and expensive but you can get one with a 
built-in handle so you look like you work for the CIA/NSA and use it as a 
blunt-force protection device (I’m sure Katja knows).

Examples of both can be found used with decent prices (US vendor, but gives you 
an idea of institutional refurbished market):

* Newegg refurbished Lenovo Thinkpad 
<https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=lenovo%20thinkpad&Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=50010418%204016>
* Newegg refurbished Panasonic Toughbook 
<https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=panasonic+toughbook&N=4016&isNodeId=1>

As for audio interfaces, I agree with those that say stick with a USB-compliant 
device. I am still using aRoland UA-25 which is from mid-2000s and is USB 1.0 
compliant. It works full stereo duplex with everything, included iOS, without 
drivers etc. In fact, I bought a UA-25ex used for $100 as a backup a coulee 
years ago.

Fancy stuff like MOTUs are really *nice* but far too reliant on proprietary 
drivers. I believe USB 2.0 should have enough bandwidth for 8 channel output. 
Unlike Firewire, we can be pretty sure USB will be supported for the 
foreseeable future, albeit through probably 10 different dongles/adapters. 
Plus, you’ll know if you want to work with other Ohs in the future, the device 
will probably keep working.

> On Mar 23, 2017, at 2:24 AM, [email protected] wrote:
> 
> From: João Pais <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>
> Subject: [PD] Laptop + interface suggestion
> Date: March 23, 2017 at 1:51:36 AM MDT
> To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
> 
> 
> Dear list,
> 
> I'm looking to buy new laptop and a matching audio interface for daily use + 
> audio performance/programming (not video). I would be interested to know what 
> are the current trends nowadays, and what experiences you have.
> 
> My current setup is:
> - windows 10 (won't change)
> - Lenovo X61s (I'm a bit of a fanboy for ibm/lenovo)
> - RME multiface (still with pcmcia card)
> 
> I would be looking for a similar setup:
> - a robust laptop where to run w10. The less weight the better, even if it 
> sacrifices some performance.
> - which audio interfaces are used nowadays, compared with the multiface? E.g. 
> with at least 8 analog outlets (I don't need that many inlets), and also a 
> digital outlet. Also the less weight and size the better - a half-case size 
> such as the multiface is quite convenient.
> - the computer will be used for day-to-day activities: office, notation 
> (sibelius/finale), and Pd audio programming. No games or too taxing 
> environments, so some features such as a high-power graphics card or the 
> latest ssd disk should be necessary.
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Joao

--------
Dan Wilcox
@danomatika <http://twitter.com/danomatika>
danomatika.com <http://danomatika.com/>
robotcowboy.com <http://robotcowboy.com/>



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