Lunchbox Computers for Live Music Performances?

Dan Reetz asks: "As a PC based musician, mobility is critical. However, most laptops have horrible soundcards. PCMCIA cards like a VXPocket cost about 700 clams. A friend of mine recommended I look into 'lunchbox' style computers as a portable solution. A few searches revealed them to be quite expensive and they are hard to find used. Does anyone know of a source for used Lunchbox PC's (even just the diplay would be fine) or a better low latency/noise audio solution for laptops?"

Comments

G E B

[a!b!c!]

I got to share my favorite anecdote about rugged pcs. Some guy was having problems doing live shows, and his labtop was completely crashing. Apparently, the massive bass from the sound system was knocking the heads of the hard disk around, causing the computer to act all goofy. That's a pretty difficult problem to resolve.

Anyways, my friend described it as an up to date version of a Godel Escher Bach tale where the tortoise is trying to build a record player that can't be broken. But no matter how complicated a machine he makes, there is always a record that will destroy his system.

That wasn't all the clear, but if you know the book, you'll get the gist of whatIsayin.

Or just make it...

[zunger]

As a minimal solution, it isn't too hard to actually build a box to this sort of spec. For a case, start with a toolbox and hollow it out; then strap in a power supply, a small motherboard, and all the goodies. A bit of cutting work should let the ports and so on come out.

This is different from trying to build a portable or luggable since it doesn't need its own power source -- if you're doing music, you probably have access to 120VAC somewhere. So a traditional power supply can work.

A setup like this could easily come down to the $1000 price range, and open you to putting more money into a really good sound card...

Autechre - Having seen them Live

[Anonymous Coward]

Used two powerbooks at a gig I was at. I have no idea as to the specs, but they did a two hour gig from these two machines.
Actually, One of them had to reboot and the Mac boot chime went in time with the Music, so he kept rebooting it to the beat, while laughing his ass off.
If you dont know who Autechre are, go find 'em!

Lunchbox PC in real lunchbox

[teaserX]

I picked up the shuttle FV24 and and one of these. The board fits perfectly. I attached a 2.5in HDD inside lid with Velcro and laid some foam packing uder the Mobo for insulation then broke out the Dremel. There isn't any room to utilize the lone PCI slot (though a TV in card would be cool) and I'm still looking for a good power supply solution but this will rock when it's done.