Archive through January 08, 2002

The ClubHouse: Archives: Seeking recommendations for a laptop PC: Archive through January 08, 2002

Weinermr

Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 05:15 pm Click here to edit this post
I'm in the market for a notebook (laptop) PC, but I'm having a hard time narrowing down the choices.

I know that I want either a Pentium 3 or an Athlon, and it will be used primarily for internet access, word processing, and spreadsheet analysis.

I would love to have your recommendations on brands, models, etc., as well as warnings about problems with particular manufacturers or models.

I know what I want to (or am able to) spend, but right now I would like to hear what you have to say irrespective of price. Thank you all in advance for any information you can offer.

Car54

Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 05:34 pm Click here to edit this post
I have an HP Pavilion, when I was shopping this year I would have bought it or the Sony Vaio.
If you are on it a lot, be sure you get a 15 in screen. I had no idea how much difference it makes to my eyes at the end of a day. HP has been excellent to deal with. I am really hard on laptops (drag them around all day at work, at home, etc) and have had a couple of repairs- very good responses.

Kep421

Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 08:49 pm Click here to edit this post
I personally prefer Dells...simply for the customer service. They also have an online area where you simply put in your customer number (its on the machine) and you can immediately get all updated drivers as they come out. This is permanent and becomes more important the older your machine gets....So if your planning to keep it a long time, I recommend Dell.

All the laptops are nice, but its when you have a problem that separates the good from the bad. We used Dells in a company of over 200, did not have that many problems, but when we did, resolution was the easiest....

Weinermr

Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 09:02 pm Click here to edit this post
Thanks Car and Kep, this is the kind of information I'm looking for. Thank you.

Everyone else, your comments are awaited, and very much appreciated.

Schoolmarm

Saturday, January 05, 2002 - 10:01 pm Click here to edit this post
Well, it's not a PC, but you can't beat the Titanium Mac G4 PowerBook!! It's a very expensive DVD player, too. The wide screen is great and it's lightweight. Maybe the PC folks make something similar.

Anyway...go FAST, LIGHT, big screen....combo DVD/CD drive. Wireless...

Have fun Weiner!

Car54

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 06:11 am Click here to edit this post
Kep, I have had Dells and like them too.

The main reason I didn't buy one this time was that my new one was intended to be an "upgrade". I wanted to be able to try out my new one, watch it boot, open and close programs, see how heavy it was- and you can't go into a store and test out a Dell.

HP has the support website too for downloads and upgrades.

Weinermr, be really picky about what type of mouse you get too. Some very highly rated laptops have that little button thing-(hate it!)

Willi

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 09:01 am Click here to edit this post
This information from PC Magazine might come in helpful:
http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,s%253D1565%2526a%253D5349,00.asp

I will be shopping for a notebook soon too and PC Magazine's reviews & information have helped me pick out my desktops/scanners/printers in the past. I know people who have been very satisfied with their Dell's.

Here is another article of consumers choosing best/worst in notebooks:
http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,s%253D1565%2526a%253D7561,00.asp

Good Luck!

Weinermr

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 10:57 am Click here to edit this post
Thanks Marm. I've never had Mac products before, but I've got nothing against them. I'll check into them.

Thanks Car for the mouse tip. On your other suggestion, I'll be checking out QVC this afternoon.

Willi, thank you for the reference to PC Magazine. I've used their info before, so this is great. Thanks again!

All of you are giving great information. I appreciate all comments anyone can provide.

Moondance

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 11:17 am Click here to edit this post
MusicMan, Titanium Mac G4 PowerBooks rule! I usually use my G3 desktop for everyday use but use the Titanium Mac G4 PowerBook for editing a digital short movie I am working on, pix and just being mobile when I need to be... it's actually a clients but I have full use of it... I also have a G3 powerbook which is older but still great... I know you were asking about PC but I LOVE macs... easy on the eyes... the screen is GREAT :)

Weinermr

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 02:02 pm Click here to edit this post
Thanks Moon. That's the second recommendation I've gotten for Macs. It sounds like you have a great setup there! I'm definitely going to look into them.

Twiggyish

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 02:22 pm Click here to edit this post
I have a Gateway Solo Laptop and love it.

Gail

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 02:28 pm Click here to edit this post
I have been using a Dell Latitude all weekend to burn CD's and it seems to be great. I personally like Dell's overall for their quality and service. The only thing I don't like about this laptop is its weight. This one is loaded and with the carrying case, spare battery, power supply, etc - it's a bit heavy. For a while, it seemed like they were getting smaller and lighter but I guess now they are going the other way to increase functionality.

Rabbit

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 03:32 pm Click here to edit this post
Weinermr, put both your hands on your wallet and start backing away from these women. Once again they want to take advantage of malekinds limited mental capacities to get us to spend vast more sums of money then necessary.

For the applications you are interested in you could buy a laptop and a hot-tub to sit in while running them, for the price of a Powerbook G4. Spreadsheets, internet access and word processing are such low resource intensive applications that they don’t tax even a low-end machine.

Laptop considerations: Only buy ones with TFT active matrix screens, HPA screens will blind you.

Laptop’s go obsolete much faster than desktops because it is so difficult to upgrade them other than memory.

Laptop horsepower is extremely more expensive than equivalent desktop technology. I have a desktop/workstation that I use for my more intensive database applications. It has not had the cover on it for four years. From the time I built it (bought a high end barebones kit) I have kept it state of the art for about $3000 total. A laptop user would have had to buy a $4-5 thousand dollar Dell each year to try to keep up with the horsepower of this constantly upgraded machine.

I buy my Laptops new when they go a model old. The IBM X20 ultralite I am using right now, I bought for $899.00 one week after IBM brought out the X21. Most merchants were still selling out the X20 for $2400.00 at the time I made this purchase from the IBM liquidating agent (Tigerdirect at that time).

When I buy a new laptop I pass my old one down to other people in the company. The 3 oldest laptops we are still using are Toshibas and none of the 3 of them have ever required service. I have 2 newer IBMs and a Gateway right now in service as well.

The ultra light is my favorite. When in my home or work offices, I dock my notebooks to a full size monitor, keyboard and trackball, but when I want to put it on my lap while watching TV and sitting in the recliner, the 3 lbs of an ultra light is much more comfortable. It’s smaller footprint also makes it easier to use on a plane or train or while in the chatroom lying in bed or on the couch.

Wink

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 03:57 pm Click here to edit this post
>>>Weinermr, put both your hands on your wallet and start backing away from these women. Once again they want to take advantage of malekinds limited mental capacities to get us to spend vast more sums of money then necessary.<<<<

Hmmmm. I have a feeling this comment could cause both consternation and glee in a particular corner of the "men's club"

Myjohnhenry

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 04:27 pm Click here to edit this post
Can I come work for you Rabbit? I can always use hand me down laptops. LOL
I have a Dell laptop from work, but can't use it online at home. : (

Merlin

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 05:16 pm Click here to edit this post
Rabbit, that is some very profound insight you have, both on the women and the laptops.

Car54

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 05:29 pm Click here to edit this post
yeah. Hmmmm.

Twiggyish

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 05:37 pm Click here to edit this post
He might be half right.

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 05:55 pm Click here to edit this post
Uhhhhhh, half what, Twigs?

Twiggyish, I also have a Gateway Solo laptop. It is bottom of the line, reconditioned, and after the initial nightmare of needing a new modem while playing Game 2, it has functioned just fine ever since. I would characterize myself as a very low grade user.



others would characterize me as low grade something else.

Babyruth

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 06:06 pm Click here to edit this post
Juju2bigdog, I just can't picture a bigdog on a laptop (like a foofy little poodle...)

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 07:20 pm Click here to edit this post
It's not a pretty sight, Babyruth.

Egbok

Sunday, January 06, 2002 - 08:51 pm Click here to edit this post
Weinermr, I'm so glad you asked this question! In the next few months, my son & I will be looking into a laptop for his high school graduation gift (good "going onto college" gift!)

I appreciate reading everyone's input on this thread. Yes, even Rabbit's suggestion. (silly Rabbit!)

Schoolmarm

Monday, January 07, 2002 - 07:51 am Click here to edit this post
Ah, Rabbit, you are wise....and I know that I have WAY more technology than I really need. The Titanium PowerBook is my ONLY computer. It is fast, snazzy, and portable. Macs are essential if you write music. And I know that the video editing that Moonie does is much easier on a Titanium.

So, my friend, I spend the dough because the laptop is my only computer! Lots of people are surprised that I don't have a desk top, but with the Titanium PowerBook....who needs one!

Weiner....still make sure you look for a LIGHTWEIGHT computer with a big screen. Speed is important! Have fun looking and let us know what you end up getting!

Weinermr

Monday, January 07, 2002 - 12:04 pm Click here to edit this post
Rabbit's comments are well taken (except for that "malekinds limited mental capacities" part), and very much appreciated, as are the comments of everyone. I did say that I was soliciting your thoughts, comments, and experiences, irrespective of price, so please don't hold back! Thanks everyone!

Solidsnake

Tuesday, January 08, 2002 - 12:54 pm Click here to edit this post
Dell. Hands down.