R52 - Suitable for my needs?

[aztechnician]

Hi..

Im looking to purchase a Laptop for Music Production, Sample Recording, Web Development & Graphic Design. I cannot afford a really High End Laptop, I dont want to spend more than $2000 AUS. I currently use a 5year old Desktop PC, Athlon 1000, 512 MB Ram and I think most laptops I can get these days will easily surpase my old desktop.

Just wondering if anyone has used the Thinkpad R52 for music production, I would like to hear peoples experiences or opinions on this laptop.

These are the Specs.
Intel Pentium-M Centrino Processor 750 Technology 1.86GHz
1GB DDRII SDRAM
60GB Hard Drive
DVDRW Multi Drive - To read DVDs and CDs and write CDs and DVD+, DVD- and DVD-Ram
15" SXGA+ TFT Screen (1400 x )
ATI Mobility X300 PCI-E 64MB dedicated graphics
Integrated gigabit LAN and 56k v.90 data fax modem
Integrated wireless 802.11a/b/g - Call for advice on Wireless networking
Integrated Bluetooth
2 USB 2.0 Sockets
4-pin Firewire (IEEE 1394) Port
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition Pre Loaded
3.3-hour Battery Life
Weight 2.8kg
1 year warranty - upgradeable to 3 years

And I will get an external soundcard to overcome the Line In Mono Problem and get good quality recording..

it has firewire yeah? Is it possible to get a fast RPM HDD?? what are the speakers on the laptop like? obviously I will use a stereo and headphones but just wondering..

Do you think this will suit my needs? will this be heaps better than my current desktop PC?

thanks

[brainpicker]

While I've never done music production I can offer some advice on your search for a laptop.

- Not all R5x models have Firewire so make sure the model you choose has this option should it be important to you.

- Speakers are OK, but not anything I'd want to llisten critcally to or produce music through (though I think most of the current producers of popular music must not be using speakers better than these based on the results I'm hearing these days!).

- If you choose to upgrade from the R52's stock 4200rpm 60GB drive you will need to buy an IBM/Lenovo branded drive (more $$$) or possibly perform a firmware change to the new drive. R51's don't have that problem.

- Also, a better choice for SXGA+ on a 15" Thinkpad may be an R51, not an R52. The R51 was the last R-series to use IPS 15" SXGA+ screens (otherwise known as "Flexview"). Much better screen and vertical clarity (I don't have to constantly adjust my screen back-and-forth as my position changes). OK, the R51 only uses an ATI 9000 chip while the R52 uses an ATI X300 on the better models, but that's video and not audio where your importance lies (and remember that many T42 users were happy running ATI 7500 graphics). I currently have an R51 SXGA+ with the ATI 9000 and I don't find it lacking, but I'm not much of a gamer. As far as the other specs listed on your R52 they can be closely duplicated on an R51 to your satisfaction.

- Don't expect to duplicate on a laptop what you can obtain on a desktop for the same money. The advantage you will have with your 15" R5x would be portability, which no desktop can match. One can come close using one of those small form factor cases but carrying any monitor is a hassel.

Who knows, I might be upgrading from one of my 15" SXGA+ R51's soon, so check one out and let me know down the road if you'd rather go that way instead of an R52. The R52 is a fine machine by the way. We have a few of those too that my wife uses and would not part with.

-Yak

[abvc]

most likely the harddrive is 5400 rpm.

[brainpicker]

most likely the harddrive is 5400 rpm.

Actually, most definitely the hard drive is 4200rpm!!!

[aztechnician]

yeah the HDD is only 42 000 RPM..

so the 15" SXGA screen on the R52 is not as good at the 15" SXGA on the R51 ??

are there any other differences between the 2?

[brainpicker]

yeah the HDD is only 42 000 RPM..

so the 15" SXGA screen on the R52 is not as good at the 15" SXGA on the R51 ??

are there any other differences between the 2?

Nothing significant to ME. The R52 shares the same basic innerds as the T43 and the R51 with the T42. Of course the R52/T43 have newer tech like faster RAM & graphics, and a PCI-Express slot (which may actually have a use years down the road), but as far as usability today they are similar. Again, I find the screen is the deal-breaker for me if you want a 15" model. You will be far happier with the R51's screen for sure! I am.

Remember to check one out first, then give me an e-mail if you might be interested in my slightly used one. By that time I mightbe willing to sell it.

-Yak