Laptop vs PC

[lmcmains]

I agree with Dale, I use two small factor Shuttle Computers. If you are using a laptop and you have problem with the video card or sound you have to replace the motherboard. With a PC you can just replace the card.

[horseshoe]

I currently have two laptop P4s and a Shuttle AMD64 in my system. I have the shuttle as a backup, but have not had one second's trouble out of the laptops in over three years of use. I use a pcmcia Echo Indigo soundcard in them to get the best sound, and they sound great.

Like some of you, I have two video cards and two sound cards in my Shuttle, but since I don't often use it, I keep it at home.

I also have a cheaper laptop to use in a emergency. It does not have the external sound card, but can be used if I need it. This stays with the karaoke stuff when we are setting up for the night.

I really prefer the Shuttle, but it means more cables and an extra monitor, and that takes up quite a bit of space on the tables I use. Some places don't have the room to use it, so my karaoke ladies prefer the laptops. They are also quite a bit easier to set up and use without the monitor and keyboard to worry about.

I also have a three disc player and a karaoke machine, but that is another story.

[ddouglass]

I can see that space may be a problem in some places, but I have always carried my own foldup table. My mixer/equalizer /amp rack sits on one end and computer with a 15" LCD monitor sitting on top set at the other end with mouse and keyboard in front. Fits nicely. I also found and use a flat, flexible (I can roll it up for storage) silicon keyboard with backlight that works great. The table I use is only 2'x4'.

[admin]

We have sold Laptops for several years now, and we haven't had any problems reported. Yes, if an audio or video section fails on a "all in one" board, such as on laptops. it will require a factory replacement. Never happened once so far to our customers. Also, you can use and external audio pcmcia card if you want.

As has been said here, the Laptop is much, much easier to set up, and requires less support "boxes" and cables around it. Since Hoster 3.316 uses most CD/DVD drives now, you don't have to have an external USB Plextor drive with a Laptop any more. That... was a major improvement we worked hard to obtain.