I am detecting a trend to the opinions here........ one more?
A laptop will run Mixcraft just fine. As long as you accept the limitations of simple projects, low track counts and having to jump through hoops to make many plug-ins work without hassle, etc. etc. Or you can spend a bunch of money on a really high performance laptop, and accept that you could have had similar performance at about half the cost......
But yes, for a portable solution, running a few tracks and plug-ins, recording with a basic portable studio rig, I do!
As far as the specific question, AMD vs Intel, I don't know. There was a time when some software or drivers worked more reliably and consistently with genuine Intel. I would bet there is still some truth to that, but I cant say with authority or experience. I have tried to save money and because of that chosen AMD on several machines. Cant blame the AMD choice for sure, but consistently have regretted the economy machines and wished I had spent a little more on a better performing machine for various uses. And combining the choice of economy and the choice of a laptop, is probably a bit of an oxymoron for this application. I dont know what your exact expectations are, but even an I7 16 Gig machine isn't going to cut it choked with the 5400 RPM drive, so you are looking at either running an expensive SSD, or opting for something with expensive high speed bus capability and the added expense of an external high performance drive, or both....... Not trying to discourage, but point out some realities.
The advise on choosing Win7 is probably good advise. Unfortunately that is problematic, as Microsoft STRONGLY discourages retailers from stocking and selling machines with previous versions of Windows installed. One local vendor told me that MS representatives regularly pop in and inspect inventory and make sure nothing but the current software is displayed or offered except online, or custom built to order situations.
But based on everything I have studied, Win7 still appears to be the best choice at this time for a performance oriented machine running a DAW, primarily because the drivers are sorted out and there are still a lot of complaints and issues with Win8, and Win10 while apparently just around the corner, is an unknown and even less likely to be sorted out by 3rd party developers. Its good advise to never opt for the latest thing anyway, especially for this kind of use IMO. Some home studio owners are still clinging tight to XP! While I finally ditched mine, I understand.Use what works and stick to what you know. Good approach!
One last bit of advise though. I ordered a Win7 Machine recently from Dell and have had nothing but trouble. It has never worked properly since the first time it was plugged in and booted up. Their customer service is not what it is touted to be. After spending literally hours trying to diagnose and fix it and talking on the phone to people I cant understand but one of every six or eight words of what they say, they have ignored me and blown me off until I am ready to give this brand new pile of crap away. They wont take it back and now they want to send out a Dell tech with a replacement hard drive. 1 or 2 days notice Mon-Fri 11A-2P....... Hey, I work 10 hours a day M-F and my next weekday off will be sometime in July 2015. I have told them 6 times, the computer is re-boxed, waiting on return authorization. Dont want it. Don't have the time to mess with it any more. "30 day customer satisfaction period has expired" Thats funny, 30 days passed before they responded to my requests for assistance! Horrible. Idiots.
Rant not over, just over here......
