Almost silent music server - best way to do this?

[extracampine]

Hi folks, a quick question regarding the music server part of my setup;

 

The server will be a PC running Mediamonkey. I am currently learning towards a laptop.

 

Are there any benefits of using a desktop style PC with monitor over a laptop? I like the unobtrusiveness of the laptop, and already have 2 screens in the listening room so would like to avoid another.

 

Also, any suggestions on the quietest laptop to go for, which I can spec? I would like a reasonably large screen to browse the music.

 

I understand that it is important to have a lot of memory. The music itself will be stored on a NAS connected via ethernet cable to the laptop, with a firewire cable connected an external DAC to the laptop. What is the best processor to go for? The laptop will be dedicated to only Mediamonkey playing FLAC; I guess quad-core would be an overkill.

 

Many thanks

 

Dan

 

[agillis]

Playing a FLAC file has very low processor requirements. I would recommend an ATOM based laptop. Quiet and very low power.