laptop for music storage

[Dude#1279435]

I have had numerous Lenovo Laptops since 2005. My last one was in January 2021.

Lenovo is a Chinese company that bought IBM's Thinkpad lineup in 2005, when IBM decided to exit that business as it wasn't profitable enough for them. I've taken apart many Lenovos (just not too many in the last year) but they were no more durable nor had any "industrial" construction than other OEMs have produced. I remember the last one had a Hitachi Hard Drive, so they too are buying components from others. I took apart a Panasonic Toughbook and although the case was more durable, the insides were still the same as everyone else. The current LG Gram's case is made out of magnesium alloy but doesn't feel like metal. Lots of OEMs advertise there stuff is Tough but they don't guarantee it against perils at all - just manufacturing defects for a year. Extended warranties can be obtained, usually for a premium. You don't buy a Laptop because it's built like a Tank and heavy, you buy it because it's light & portable. That makes it subject to damage.

I've seen many Lenovo Laptops (and a few Desktops) die in the workplace as they are extremely common in business. Screen failures, Hinge failures, Hard Drives, power supplies, charging circuits, motherboards, etc. Just like all the others. Those are the ones that companies change out at 3 years. They get huge discounts and buy them corporatewide because they are cheap.

My comment still stands: I'd never buy, nor recommend a Laptop (or a Desktop) that's 9+ years old. To buy one would be foolhardy.

What do you recommend then. No CD, 2 USB 3.0s, but how am I transferring CDs then without losing more generations? Sorry but really dumb when it comes to tech.

 

[highfigh]

This is right in my wheelhouse. I've been Ripping Tunes since the technology was first developed, and have thousands and thousands of Albums converted to various File Formats. (For example I have over 4000 Albums in FLAC format on this PC. 1.6 TB consisting of over 60,000 tunes. I strongly recommend FLAC to anyone just starting out.) I also have a hobby of building and repairing Computers (Windows PCs only - no Apple) including some Laptops for Close Friends and Family.

My suggestion is to go for an LG if you can afford it, but Dell is about the same reliability, as is HP, at the same price point. You really do get what you pay for these days. All OEMs are using components from everyone else. If you've ever dismantled a Laptop it's quite obvious. Dell & HP don't really manufacture anything. There are assemblers of the efforts of others. They source motherboards, Hard & Optical Drives, Power Supplies, Screens, RAM, etc., from various OEMS. They just design the package. I doubt they make their own plastic / metal cases but I have no documentation on that. (I'm just speculating.)

As for storage, as a NAS seems undesirable - which I understand as I've avoided them as well => I'd go for two USB-3 portable Hard Drives. Everything would be ripped to one and then copied to the Back-up. There is far too much effort required to re-rip a whole CD Library if you lose it when a drive fails. And they all fail - it's just a matter of when. I tend to buy Seagate or Western Digital (WD). Don’t bother with the software that comes with your external hard drive. Buy 2 drives as large as you can, as you'll be amazed how fast you'll fill it up.

I hope this is helpful.

Why is a NAS undesirable?

I think SSD is the way to go- no big problems with heat or vibration and there are no moving parts (other than the electrons and other tiny bits).

WRT hard drives with moving parts, I think it would be best to go with the ones used in surveillance DVRs, like Western Digital Purple or some equivalent because they're made to be more robust.

 

[lovinthehd]

What do you recommend then. No CD, 2 USB 3.0s, but how am I transferring CDs then without losing more generations? Sorry but really dumb when it comes to tech.

This time around laptop shopping getting a dvd-rw drive was harder to find, didn't see much with just a player either. Then again you can get an external usb optical drive easily enough.

 

[-Jim-]

Why is a NAS undesirable?

I think SSD is the way to go- no big problems with heat or vibration and there are no moving parts (other than the electrons and other tiny bits).

The OP advised no interest in NAS. I don't set it up as it's not needed and would be another piece of gear for me to keep up. In my Main computer (I've got a few) I have drawers to swap raw drives in and out.

While I agree portable SSDs are preferred, they are an expensive option. Data retrieval, when just Audio Files, doesn't need to be that speedy; so the old standard rotating Hard Drive will work just fine. A 6TB SSD is 7.8 times the price of a conventional HD in my market. (I just bought a WD Blue 6TB drive for $140 CAN - $113 USD this week.) My only caveat is to replace the drive every 5 years if the Data is important to you.

 

[-Jim-]

What do you recommend then. No CD, 2 USB 3.0s, but how am I transferring CDs then without losing more generations? Sorry but really dumb when it comes to tech.

Of course you'll either need a Laptop with a DVD/CD or Blu-Ray/DVD/CD CD Drive. Or a stand alone unit that connects via USB. I've a couple portable DVD/CD USB drives that I use mostly for fixing up Laptops for Friends and Family. My Ripping was done in my Main PC which is a Desktop with a Blu-Ray/DVD/CD CD Drive that will read or write all of those disk types. Portable Optical Drives are easily purchased on-line ($32 CAN on Amazon.ca) or at your local Computer /Electronics store. (Best Buy $40 CAN)

Welcome to the digital world Dude. Generational losses are a thing of the past. Think back in the days of Tapes and Tape to Tape copying! Copying a FLAC File can be done an infinite number of times with no degradation. With today's software you can just pop in a CD, the program will identify the disk, go out and grab the Titles & Cover Art, and Rip it to FLAC (or many other available codecs you may choose). Even Windows 10

Even Media Player in Windows 10 will natively Rip FLAC Files:

How to rip a CD to FLAC in Windows 10 without extra software

 

[highfigh]

The OP advised no interest in NAS. I don't set it up as it's not needed and would be another piece of gear for me to keep up. In my Main computer (I've got a few) I have drawers to swap raw drives in and out.

While I agree portable SSDs are preferred, they are an expensive option. Data retrieval, when just Audio Files, doesn't need to be that speedy; so the old standard rotating Hard Drive will work just fine. A 6TB SSD is 7.8 times the price of a conventional HD in my market. (I just bought a WD Blue 6TB drive for $140 CAN - $113 USD this week.) My only caveat is to replace the drive every 5 years if the Data is important to you.

I was responding to your comment "As for storage, as a NAS seems undesirable - which I understand as I've avoided them as well". May not need to be speedy, but reliable is good. I guess, if it's not dropped, a rotating drive should be fine.

 

[Bucknekked]

I was responding to your comment "As for storage, as a NAS seems undesirable - which I understand as I've avoided them as well". May not need to be speedy, but reliable is good. I guess, if it's not dropped, a rotating drive should be fine.

@highfigh
A couple of years ago I opted for a Synology NAS to be the backstop for all my storage, music library included. At the time it checked all the boxes and in my storage plan it still checks all the boxes. I completely understand why someone would avoid a NAS and for the average non-computer savvy person I would not recommend a NAS.

In todays landscape, it is getting to the point where any specialized hardware (a NAS is just that) just doesn't make a lot of sense for a wide spectrum of users. Dedicated music servers, like a Bluesound, cost a bunch and fall in to that category. For most users, generic hardware and simple software will get the music library ripped, saved and played.

There was a comment in this thread about not recommending a 9 year old PC. I have been in the hardware business my entire adult life. Using and keeping a computer for 9 years plus is possible and I have a couple running at my house (Apple). But would I recommend for someone to go out and spend good money on acquiring a 9 year old box to start a project? Probably not. I don't care what the bargain price might be. I understand old stuff still runs. Mine do too. But recommending to someone else to start with old stuff wouldn't be my recommendation. YMMV. Caveat Caveat Caveat.

 

[highfigh]

@highfigh
A couple of years ago I opted for a Synology NAS to be the backstop for all my storage, music library included. At the time it checked all the boxes and in my storage plan it still checks all the boxes. I completely understand why someone would avoid a NAS and for the average non-computer savvy person I would not recommend a NAS.

In todays landscape, it is getting to the point where any specialized hardware (a NAS is just that) just doesn't make a lot of sense for a wide spectrum of users. Dedicated music servers, like a Bluesound, cost a bunch and fall in to that category. For most users, generic hardware and simple software will get the music library ripped, saved and played.

There was a comment in this thread about not recommending a 9 year old PC. I have been in the hardware business my entire adult life. Using and keeping a computer for 9 years plus is possible and I have a couple running at my house (Apple). But would I recommend for someone to go out and spend good money on acquiring a 9 year old box to start a project? Probably not. I don't care what the bargain price might be. I understand old stuff still runs. Mine do too. But recommending to someone else to start with old stuff wouldn't be my recommendation. YMMV. Caveat Caveat Caveat.

I have a ReQuest music server that still works after 14 years, but I don't use it because it A) has a smaller drive than is available now, B) that drive is a network drive (the old style with the NIC built in and a keyed lock) and because I like hearing something other than the music I already have.

 

[-Jim-]

I won't ask why it was on the top of your ladder.
Any recs on ram and space for holding the music, general surfing and youtube? My ma gets 365 but not sure I need all that. I can do fine with free office programs.
Raid's nice but not really looking to spend a lot. I dunno $3-500 hopefully on sales this xmas. I already have a separate drive for backup.

Sorry, I forgot to comment on your Hardware recommendation request earlier @Dude#1279435 .

And I completely passed over your comment about already owning a Dell Tower "My Dell tower is doing good. The usual small bugs but nothing preventing it from booting up and running normally."

(Gents, Dude advises "Sorry but really dumb when it comes to tech." and also with a Budget of "$3-500" that limits the Hardware /Software we can recommend considerably.)

For me the Key to meeting your needs is the Dell Tower. Why not use this PC for Ripping CDs and use a portable drive to play them on a new Laptop? You really don't need much computer power for this task and if you already have it, and a spare drive for back-up - it is a bonus. Is the Dell Tower running Windows 10 ? Does it have an Optical Drive that works (DVD/CD combos are typical - Blu-ray combos are rarer). Can you advise what the model number is for the Dell Tower? How much space on it and the spare drive? How old is it? What "Bugs" ?

Your ma "gets 365". One of my sisters does as well, but with it you can use it on multiple PCs simultaneously in the same household. (We live 30 miles apart and I don't use it, but did setup her new Laptop a couple months ago with it and other software.) So you may be able to save a few $ there if you want to go in that direction. You'll need her sign in credentials for the initial setup.

If you are looking to buy a Windows Laptop with an Optical Drive there should be lots available in your budget assuming you live in the USA (less selection for Canada). For RAM, I typically recommend 16 megs, and for storage just get as much as the Budget allow. (As I stated earlier, 4000 Albums in FLAC format is ~1.6 TB - but you won't want your whole collection on it at one time - or will you?)

Please advise the answers to my questions and I'll advise next steps.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[Dude#1279435]

Sorry, I forgot to comment on your Hardware recommendation request earlier @Dude#1279435 .

And I completely passed over your comment about already owning a Dell Tower "My Dell tower is doing good. The usual small bugs but nothing preventing it from booting up and running normally."

(Gents, Dude advises "Sorry but really dumb when it comes to tech." and also with a Budget of "$3-500" that limits the Hardware /Software we can recommend considerably.)

For me the Key to meeting your needs is the Dell Tower. Why not use this PC for Ripping CDs and use a portable drive to play them on a new Laptop? You really don't need much computer power for this task and if you already have it, and a spare drive for back-up - it is a bonus. Is the Dell Tower running Windows 10 ? Does it have an Optical Drive that works (DVD/CD combos are typical - Blu-ray combos are rarer). Can you advise what the model number is for the Dell Tower? How much space on it and the spare drive? How old is it? What "Bugs" ?

Your ma "gets 365". One of my sisters does as well, but with it you can use it on multiple PCs simultaneously in the same household. (We live 30 miles apart and I don't use it, but did setup her new Laptop a couple months ago with it and other software.) So you may be able to save a few $ there if you want to go in that direction. You'll need her sign in credentials for the initial setup.

If you are looking to buy a Windows Laptop with an Optical Drive there should be lots available in your budget assuming you live in the USA (less selection for Canada). For RAM, I typically recommend 16 megs, and for storage just get as much as the Budget allow. (As I stated earlier, 4000 Albums in FLAC format is ~1.6 TB - but you won't want your whole collection on it at one time - or will you?)

Please advise the answers to my questions and I'll advise next steps.

I hope this is helpful.

No real "bugs" just every now and the screen saver won't let me in via the mouse. I think ctrl-alt-delete fixes that.

Inspiron 3668
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU @ 3.00GHz
12 GB Ram
Windows 10
3 years old

Yes it does have a CD/DVD drive. No Bluray.

No I won't want my entire collection on there. Might run into the thousands for USB-driven music I hope to buy.

Seems the way to go. Rip the music to the tower and use a portable.

I'll get back to you on that extra drive info.

 

[-Jim-]

Your Inspiron 3668 will Rip Tunes just fine.

 

[Dude#1279435]

HD vs SSD-- SSD all the way???

 

[-Jim-]

HD vs SSD-- SSD all the way???

Not necessarily. It's really an affordability issue. As I posted above, SSDs are more than 7 times as expensive as a regular HD. (At least where I live.)

There is no need for the bit of extra speed an SSD can provide for Tunes as it's of little benefit. And most experts consider lifespan to be a bit of a wash. I have lots of Drives and use regular HDs for long term storage and SSDs for portability & operating systems. I can afford to buy both, but it makes no sense to pay 7X and gain nothing.

Have you tried to Rip anything on your Dell yet?

 

[Dude#1279435]

Not necessarily. It's really an affordability issue. As I posted above, SSDs are more than 7 times as expensive as a regular HD. (At least where I live.)

There is no need for the bit of extra speed an SSD can provide for Tunes as it's of little benefit. And most experts consider lifespan to be a bit of a wash. I have lots of Drives and use regular HDs for long term storage and SSDs for portability & operating systems. I can afford to buy both, but it makes no sense to pay 7X and gain nothing.

Have you tried to Rip anything on your Dell yet?

I've been ripping onto WMP for a long time now.
Yeah HD seems like all I need. I can spec out a Dell for about $600 if that's the way to go. Also maybe a bit more emphasis on storage than memory. 16mb's of ram does shoot the cost up outta my price range. Maybe 12 or so.

 

[-Jim-]

WMP ? That's a Windows Media Photo File - not Audio. I think you meant WMA.

"The WMA format is a lossy audio file — similar to MP3. WMA is an acronym for Windows Media Audio and was first released in 1999 by Microsoft for use with their Windows Media Player."

I suggest you go to FLAC or at least another Lossless File Format.

"A FLAC file is an audio file compressed in the Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) format, which is an open-source lossless audio compression format. It is similar to an .MP3 file, but is compressed without any loss in quality or loss of any original audio data. " The File size for any given tune is significantly larger than a wma or mp3 file but it sounds exactly like the original.

As for RAM, if you end up buying a Laptop, just make sure it can handle 16 gigs so you can add to it later. If possible spec the Laptop with one 8 Gig stick, and one slot vacant. Often OEMs will put a couple of 4 gig sticks in which means you have to replace them both later. IT's half the cost to add a single stick into a vacant slot.

Try Ripping to FLAC and compare it to WMA (or MP3). You will hear the difference on decent equipment.

 

[lovinthehd]

HD vs SSD-- SSD all the way???

I had a mountain bike buddy who makes his living in pcs basically suggest an SSD/HDD hybrid as somewhat the best of both worlds, was a bit of a price penalty but not horrible.

 

[-Jim-]

I had a mountain bike buddy who makes his living in pcs basically suggest an SSD/HDD hybrid as somewhat the best of both worlds, was a bit of a price penalty but not horrible.

Yes, for grins I put one of those Hybrids into a Laptop a couple years ago as the only drive. It worked okay but for data storage as a secondary drive, I'd still go for a standard HD.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, for grins I put one of those Hybrids into a Laptop a couple years ago as the only drive. It worked okay but for data storage as a secondary drive, I'd still go for a standard HD.

So a single drive/housing? Was thinking mine is more or less two separate but assignable drives but now not sure how that works....

 

[-Jim-]

Read this concerning the "new" Hybrids: Western Digital announces a hybrid hard drive

I installed the old version which had SSD "Flash" type memory just for cache, and not as a separate drive for the OS, which is what I (and the market) wanted at the time. I knew that going in but decided to try it anyway. I wasn't overtly impressed but it was a stop gap until SATA SSD pricing got in line. My current standard for building PCs (I call them Boxes) is to put in an M.2 SSD that is partitioned into two Drives. A "C" (for the OS & Programs) and a "D" for "temporary" Data. For long term Data it's standard HDs. SATA SSDs are probably going away as even their hold on portable drives is waning as M.2s have moved into that realm.

 

[Eppie]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!! They don't come with CD drives anymore?!

My Dell tower is doing good. The usual small bugs but nothing preventing it from booting up and running normally.

Pretty hard to find a laptop with a DVD player built in but there is a simple solution. If my kids need a DVD player I just get them a $25 external USB DVD player. Once you're done rippng CDs you can safely store it away.