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Micro ATX / Small Form Factor Computers for Live Use
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Dharma Lab
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
342
Posted : Jun 15, 2007 22:27
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Wondering if anyone has had experience using any of the micro ATX (also known as small form factor) machines, particularly for live use when gigging out?
Here's a picture of one, the fragbox by Falcon Northwest
http://gearmedia.ign.com/gear/image/fragbox_prev_glow_big.jpg
http://www.falcon-nw.com
I'm thinking of replacing my laptop with this, for more power, flexibility, and configuration options. (Not to mention it's easier & cheaper to repair)
  Keep The Faith,
Christian K. |
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diskonekt
Fat Data
Started Topics :
37
Posts :
1112
Posted : Jun 16, 2007 02:18
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No way, I wouldn't choose something like that to use on stage. It can weight up to 20 lbs and you also need to carry a monitor - midi controller - soundcard - cables with you...
Imho in cases like a live gig portability comes first and power comes second.
Cheers!
Peace, Love, Death metal |
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Spindrift
Spindrift
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
1560
Posted : Jun 16, 2007 02:33
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I agree...sucks having a setup you hardly can carry yourself.
And one shouldn't need so much power...running many heavy plugins when doing live is better avoided no matter if you do have a bit more power at your disposal.
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http://www.myspace.com/spindriftsounds
http://www.myspace.com/resonantearth |
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bilbobagginz
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
399
Posted : Jun 19, 2007 23:19
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If you're not into laptop, you can always use this one:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=9BF2D40D&node=home/desktop/mac_mini
you can put 2GB of RAM into it, you can have a 160GB 7200RPM disk, I think this is enough for a gig. this one costs in USA 1250$.
If you go crazier, and invest another 300-400$ for CPU upgrade ( inofficial, you lose warranty ), you can have it with a 2.18GHz CPU.
it has:
Four USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400, WiFi... etc.
this is a killer bee 
And maybe if you're a student you can get discounts.
P.S. if you're a pervert, you CAN install Windows on it.
P.P.S. there's NOTHING smaller than MacMini now at the same price. There's barebone machines of ~same size ( a bit bigger though), but they cost 500-600$ only the box, with no CPU,Mem,HDD, DVD.
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Dharma Lab
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
342
Posted : Jun 20, 2007 06:33
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It's honestly not really much about a faster processor. The setup doesn't bother me as much, and may even be easier if I modify a custom carrying case to leave some things plugged in. Likewise, bringing an LCD monitor, I can attach it to my multi-tier stand. I'm not the type of person who plugs in a laptop and fiddles with a mouse. I have several midi controllers, my own mixer, midi keyboard, and sometimes even bring outboard effects units. As is, my setup time generally take 20-30 minutes to unpack, setup & patch in.
I've gigged with a laptop many times, and here are the problems I've run into & things I worry about:
1) Heat- yes, even with a fan blowing directly at it I had a laptop freeze up, and I'm not talking about some hot P4 in a laptop, but an efficient Core Duo. The room was insanely hot, and I had to ditch my laptop & grab some CD to spin. With a micro-atx, I can customize heat solutions.
2) Hard Drives- Big issue is drives skipping from vibrations. Hasn't happened to me, but have seen it happen to others. I have an external drive, which is nice since I can use a long cord to place it someplace more stable/with foam, but I have audio card thru firewire as well, and so wouldn't want to tax the bandwidth too much. I can dampen a SATA drive better in a micro-ATX case. Added bonus is internal SATA drive will be 2-3X's larger than anything i can get ni 2.5" form.
3) Flimsy 4-pin firewire. Sure, I can get a firewire express PC card, but those too get get loose with use. right now I am taping my firewire cable to my laptop each time so that it doesn't fall out. With a micro-atx, I could even use PCI cards instead of something external.
4) Damage / wear & tear- being more modular, any damage to the micro-atx can be replaced. I've repaired laptops myself before, and its tough to even find a used motherboard or lcd monitor for less than $200 US. I could buy a brand new micro-atx board or 19" LCD monitor for less than $200.
I've given this one quite a bit of thought, and find some of these reasons to be very compelling. Simplicity of a laptop is great, but my laptop setup isn't so simple. Keep The Faith,
Christian K. |
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