I'm considering getting an Acer Aspire 1710 laptop for use as a music
computer. My applications will be synthesizer control and audio recording.

I'm currently using an old Dell Latitude for synthesizer control, and it has
a flaw but an accompanying saving grace. When it's connected to its power
supply, all sorts of digital noise cones through teh various port (USB to my
new synth, RS-232 to my older synth, and of course the audio ports.) However,
on batteries it's nice and quite, and with two installed battery packs I can
get 6 hours out of it.. so when I play live or record I just disconnect the
power supply.

However, the Acer only gets about an hour off a single battery, and as far as
I can tell it's not possible to install a second battery. Does anyone know if
this is true?

I fully expect that any laptop will be noiser (in the elctrical sense of the
word) than it will be when running off batteries. This is inherent in the use
of cheap and lightweight switching power supplies.

Any other comments on the use of a 1710 as a portable recording system are
welcome.



--
Jim Johnson

I use 1703, but for graphics and more as a desktop.

I dont think so it is good idea to use 1710 as "a portable recording
system". Why?

To do this what you need is:

1. Low energy cpu and long battery life
2. You dont need big, bright screen, propably 14-15'' is enough in this case
3. Low weight what you cannot say about Aspire. I assume that you will carry
it a lot and with Aspire you dont need to go gym afterward ;-)

I recommend this laptop as a desktop replecement with possibility to carry
sometimes, but in your case I would find something more suitable.

Regard,

K.Polak

And one more thing, but important. How about a quality of sound card? I use
with this laptop Senheisser HD 580 and it sounds good to me (maybe not as
good as with McIntosh cd player ;-), but is it enough quality for recording
for you? I dont know. You should check it.

Regards,

K.Polak

there, if I can find a way to keep the power supply noise down.



--
Jim Johnson

I would of course never consider using the internal sound system for
recording.

--
Jim Johnson