I work the exact same way you do. I ahve a Pro Tools HD3 system in my main studio and my laptop is my portable rig. I personally have recently sold every piece of midi gear except for my Triton Pro. I have gone all software now but it's been a long transition. I carry a portble drive with my Mach FIve library and my virtual instruments. I keep aliases in my plug-in folder that link to my instrument drive. I have a MUCH larger virtual instrument and sample library at my studio and I keep my portable stuff as small as I can and then sometimes re-assign sounds when I get back to my main studio system.

I agree that a laptop is limiting when you're used to a dual processor machine on a TDM system as opposed to host based laptop. Very good point. For most people it's not an issue, but for midi instrument and plug-in intensive stuff, you have to find creative workarounds. Logic has the best solution with freezing tracks. I am hoping Pro Tools catches up soon...

I do alot of bouncing and creating stems of my Midi instruments, drums and vocal tracks before taking a session on my laptop. Yes, it can be a pain...

What software do you use?

Your question has prompted O-Reilly to ask me to write an article specificaly on this subject. So thank you.

Gina