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#216441 - 07/27/04 08:47 PM
I wanna get a laptop
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,494
MI
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I'm trying to decide if I want a laptop at home and need some input. I currently have an eMachine (PC), and it runs okay, but I have a laptop in my office and love the portability of it. I'm wondering if any of you have home laptops, the pro's and con's of it and so forth. I primarily use the computer for emails and maybe saving music CD's and pictures from disk. I do use MS Word and Excel some, as well as Publisher.
Any thoughts? Suggestions? Things I should keep in mind/consider? Or should I just stick w/my eMachine?
Thanks!
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#216442 - 07/27/04 08:48 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Power Poster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,990
Cincinnati, OH
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Quote:
I'm trying to decide if I want a laptop at home and need some input. I currently have an eMachine (PC), and it runs okay, but I have a laptop in my office and love the portability of it. I'm wondering if any of you have home laptops, the pro's and con's of it and so forth. I primarily use the computer for emails and maybe saving music CD's and pictures from disk. I do use MS Word and Excel some, as well as Publisher.
Any thoughts? Suggestions? Things I should keep in mind/consider? Or should I just stick w/my eMachine?
Thanks!
Do you move your computer at home?
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#216443 - 07/27/04 08:49 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 59
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Are you planning to get, or do you already have, wireless internet?
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#216445 - 07/27/04 09:01 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,362
Colorado
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I just moved from a desktop to a laptop at home. I also purchased a port replicator, so when I'd rather just sit at my desk and use my regular keyboard, mouse and monitor, I can do that. So far, so good.
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#216446 - 07/27/04 10:19 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Power Poster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,615
SC
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When my home desktop committed suicide I opted for a laptop and it's the best money I've spent. I sat down and figured out what I wanted to use it for, both personal and business, and then had an IT guy at work help me with upgrading memory, etc. so that it would function the way I expected. The upgrades will boost the price but it's well worth it.
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#216447 - 07/28/04 12:23 AM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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You say music and video/pictures. If you are saving them this way, get a big hard drive. You can do more upgrading on a desktop than on a laptop.
That said, I have two desktops that I use daily at home and a laptop. I do have a wireless LAN and I do use it from the backyard. Love it.
If money is an object of consequence, you'll go farther with a desktop and a nice big monitor. If you want the ease of going from home office to living room to bedroom, a laptop is the only way to go.
If you do get a laptop, learn from my experience. I bought a nice Sony VAIO. When I opened it from the box, I discovered the power supply was HUGE, as big or bigger than a brick. If portability matters and you know the battery won't last as long as you will, or if weight matters, look at the whole package first.
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AndyZ CRCM My opinions are not necessarily my employers. R+R-R=R+R Rules and Regs minus Relationships equals Resentment and Rebellion. John Maxwell
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#216448 - 07/28/04 02:44 AM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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10K Club
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 34,318
under the Lone Star
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This is of probably no consequence to your decision, but if you or your kids ever want to play games, especially online, the miniturized components found in laptops are not the best. My college age son found this out to his detriment and he got the top of the line system from Alien (which is the company for laptop gaming systems). I also second Andy's comment on upgrading, it is not easy with a laptop.
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#216449 - 07/28/04 04:12 AM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Power Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,172
Further South than I wanna be.
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I finally broke down and bought a lap top. I have an E-Machine with a Microsoft router and Roadrunner. All my stuff is down stairs and the computer is upstairs. I even got a wireless mouse. I feel like Pinnocchio (no strings).
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#216451 - 07/28/04 02:18 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Mark, as an "IT guy", I'm sure you know what risks you face with a wireless in the office. I always thought it would be kewl to call the IT supervisor and just tell him "you were wrong, I picked up a $40 wireless router, hooked it up to my office PC and I can use my laptop in the entire department. It even reaches the drive-ups outside". Back to the laptop, whenever someone is making this consideration I would urge them to think of what they do now, and what they may want to do. I never had hard drive space issues, until I got my iPod and started taking digital photos. Now I see myself growing thin on space and need to consider alternatives. So when you have this faster better computer, what else might you want to do with it, and factor that into your decision. This might still be a laptop, just a bigger one. The compromise is, get both!
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AndyZ CRCM My opinions are not necessarily my employers. R+R-R=R+R Rules and Regs minus Relationships equals Resentment and Rebellion. John Maxwell
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#216453 - 07/28/04 02:36 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Platinum Poster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 606
New England
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Quote:
Mark, as an "IT guy", I'm sure you know what risks you face with a wireless in the office.
There was an interesting article I read on slashdot a few weeks ago that discussed the new trend of "war dialing" with wireless networks. Basically, hackers / crackers have developed a way of marking businesses with chalk (in code) so that proper network setting can be configured and anyone with a laptop that is WiFi enabled can successfully login to the system. Scary stuff.
Quote:
This might still be a laptop, just a bigger one. The compromise is, get both!
I only disagree with you Z, because laptop components are generally more expensive, and nearly impossible to upgrade. Network storage is more economical than trying to get the biggest harddrive for your laptop. I would rather sink more money into RAM, or a model with a bigger monitor before I opted for more harddrive space.
With network storage, you can place all of your MP3s and Pictures on a network storage drive and not have to keep them on your laptop and bog down the harddrive. You can still use the laptop as a medium for transferring MP3s and pictures to / from digital devices such as cameras and MP3 players. Network storage is also more modular, so if you run out of space, you can always add more.
Just my take though.
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#216455 - 07/28/04 02:46 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,706
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I have the Dell 1150. I bumped up the RAM to 512mb. If you are going to do anything with photos I highly recommend it. I load a 1GB compact flash card to my laptop in about 10 minutes (maybe a little less). Then I burn it to CD and put it on my desktop pc for editing and remove it from the laptop. I only have 30GB hard drive and shooting 400, 9MB photos and putting them on the laptop takes a lot of room. If you don't have the cash now to upgrade to the higher memory another option is to eventually purchase an external hard drive. I purchaes a 120GB to store all of my photos. For me it will only last about 3 months before it is full but for the averager shooter who shoots in Fine JPEG it will last years before filling up.
If you don't need it for photos then the 30GB should be enough. I have never had any problems with my Dell. I like it. I even dropped it once and nothing happened. I noticed on Dells website if you need for a small cost (I think $20 or so) you can get a floppy drive that connects to your USB. That way you could still have your floppies. When you check out Dells website look at it everyday for about 2-3 weeks. They offer specials all the time and they rotate them. Some times it is free shipping. Some times extra RAM. Keep looking for the deal that you want.
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#216456 - 07/28/04 04:38 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,494
MI
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You know, that's what I love about this site! You all have been VERY helpful! Thanks so much!!! And happy "hump" day -- it's Wednesday!
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Opinions are mine and never to be taken as legal advice!
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#216457 - 07/28/04 05:12 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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AVOID HP/COMPAQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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#216458 - 07/28/04 06:09 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,494
MI
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Gee...tell me how you REALLY feel!! I've heard they're not the best. My work laptop is a Dell, so I'm leanin' that way - and I appreciate the suggestion to keep my eyes on their site. I tend to jump in a little too soon, and end up missing the better deals.
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#216459 - 07/29/04 12:51 AM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 27,750
On the Net
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Admittedly I am not that familiar with network drives and while they sound good, when you take your laptop to a park, a relatives home or on the road, you are without that data unless you log on to it on the Net, correct? My problem is, I want it all and I want it when I need it.
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AndyZ CRCM My opinions are not necessarily my employers. R+R-R=R+R Rules and Regs minus Relationships equals Resentment and Rebellion. John Maxwell
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#216463 - 07/29/04 05:15 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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10K Club
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 27,750
On the Net
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This assumes you have an Internet connection. Often I do not as it isn't cost justified and my town isn't very wired.
Ditto on the security issues, broadcasting your SSID, etc. But we digress from the original question. Have you decided yet what you'll get?
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AndyZ CRCM My opinions are not necessarily my employers. R+R-R=R+R Rules and Regs minus Relationships equals Resentment and Rebellion. John Maxwell
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#216464 - 07/29/04 05:39 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,494
MI
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I'm still looking, and am now considering a refurbished 1150. They've got a great deal going right now, but they'll probably have a great one next week, too.... I hate this pressure (on myself!!).
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#216465 - 07/29/04 09:09 PM
Re: I wanna get a laptop
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10K Club
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 27,750
On the Net
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I bought two refurbished models when they had the Dell Factory Outlet in Austin. (I like seeing and touching.) Both were great and priced right. I had no problems. If you go that route, I hope you'll enjoy the same experience.
_________________________
AndyZ CRCM My opinions are not necessarily my employers. R+R-R=R+R Rules and Regs minus Relationships equals Resentment and Rebellion. John Maxwell
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