I want to get a portable set up and I am kind of broke.
Would you get a 2008-2010 macbook or a cheap laptop running ubuntu? Maybe a macbook running ubuntu (will it make a difference)… I want to stay away from windows
I would like to use the built in sound card to keep things simple, latency is not too big of an issue as I will be doing everything from a keyboard and mouse.
I would stay away from Mac books of you want to run linux, I think they can be problematic.
tight budget. I have good experience with a used thinkpad t420. 430 seems ok also with different keyboard, 520/530 are a bit larger but essentially the same
pros
easy to find used/refurb models for cheap, old models that have been widespread in business world
cpu has enough power for some effects, it is dualcore i5
runs linux with grace
very good builtin keyboard
built rather sturdy
can get docking station to turn into desktop pc
cons
ugly as fuk
crap display
I would stay away from Mac books of you want to run linux, I think they can be problematic.
Yeah, there’s a lot of macbooks on ebay and they are dirt cheap but it looks like you can get a more powerful system via used office laptops.
tight budget. I have good experience with a used thinkpad t420. 430 seems ok also with different keyboard, 520/530 are a bit larger but essentially the same
I will look into it, I like the red nub on the thinkpad. I am kind of the a fan of the look.
I use Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad T60. With Ubuntu/LXDE 16.04. Using jackd and Renoise session.
*Default soundcard is fine enough -imho.
*The red thing - trackpoint I find super - mouse free work feel.
*The 90ies RGB business aesthetics feel of the laptop fits the vaporwave vibe if needed.
*Built sturdy enough - feels like a real hardware.
*1024x768 display is fine enough for me.
*There are PC card slots - options for better soundcard if needed.
With SSD disk and 3GB RAM it is - ok enough for me.
I think it is somewhere between future-retro and hopeless-obsolete - after 7 years hipsters will pay $++ to get one.
Use Send buses as much as possible.
Avoid fancy VSTs.
Keep it minimal.
I use Lenovo/IBM Thinkpad T60. With Ubuntu/LXDE 16.04. Using jackd and Renoise session.
Use Send buses as much as possible.
Avoid fancy VSTs.
Keep it minimal.
This is actually a feature if you are going into a minimal/make everything count mindset. I want to get into renoise to see how many different ways I can cut up an amen break and will do all my processing on my desktop. Having said that I am tempted to up the budget to $300 so I can run VCV for processing…
The t60 is pretty old, yet good to hear it still works as a renoise working - horse. Between the ones mentioned, there are a few other u might wanna check: t400 & t410 come into my mind, which u should find for around those 100 buckz. Both also very linux friendly machines. Actually the internal sound - cardz arent very good on any of those models…still do - able, though! 
This is actually a feature if you are going into a minimal/make everything count mindset. I want to get into renoise to see how many different ways I can cut up an amen break and will do all my processing on my desktop. Having said that I am tempted to up the budget to $300 so I can run VCV for processing…
I think of my “laptop - setup” as something comparable to Korg Electribe ESX + affordable synth + 4track recorder with some cheap guitar Efx pedals on Send Bus.
On Youtube some people have made some pretty awesome grooves with similar setups - imho.
Except it is all in one box and more flexible and modular. Especially for Amen chopping. CPU the limit 
I find my 420 has enough power for medium complex projects (as of my measurement) - if I restrict myself on renoise native or cpu friendly plugins. Like when on my hexacore workstation things eat 40% cpu on the laptop the same project is on 70%. So it is not really that crippeled or restrained to some simple amen choppings, you can do much more with such a machine. 410 should be approaching the same cpu power, maybe it will produce more heat and eat the battery charge a bit faster.
Yes the soundcard isn’t the bomb, it barely drives my 250 ohm open headphones so that I can work in quiet environments, but yes, it need to crank up fully and cannot really sacrifice some db for a bass boost like I would when working with a headphone amp. You can always upgrade with a nice usb dac with stronger headphone amp an better sound quality. Or use <=80 ohm headphones.
If you plan trying to work on battery without wall power, you will also have to consider investment of a new/fresh battery for the laptop. When you buy the things used, they will most probably come with a used battery that is completely worn down and only has 30-40% of the original capacity left, only suited to transport the laptop for short time while in suspend mode.
Hmm, now I am tempted to plan for eventual upgrade - display is slowly dying towards red, certain letters on keyboard often refuse to work, certain web-pages these days require more CPU and Video than some early 2000 video games - If you have 1024x monitor, they think you are using a phone.
Why not grow up a BiT & Get a real piece of Gear?
I think the OP idea was to find a way how to rock out on the cheap 
U can certainly find an older macbook or even pro for around 300 buckz in these dayz, or not? So juz throwing up da Ball.
