Prof.Wizard
Wannabe Storage Freak
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,460
Which brand you think is the best and why?
(ie. Need to know why not choose Compaq)
(ie. Need to know why not choose Compaq)
If you were to buy a laptop: brand?
- Thread starter Prof.Wizard
- Start date
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
My absolute answer: Whatever Apple's high-end model is at the moment. Apple notebooks (except the couple of models that had bad batteries) are great in terms of battery life and features. Put enough RAM in one and run everything from a RAM disk, and it'll go for days.
PC-only: I'd buy an IBM T- or X-series notebook. The X is an ultralight, the T is a business-traveler model. IBM's notebooks (or at least those two) achieve everything I'd want. They're light, feature-packed, durable and stable. The T-series doesn't even get that hot. They also cost a fortune, but you pay for quality.
Some kind of Dell Latitude would probably be next on my list, but all the models I'm familiar with are bigger than an X- and as big as a T-series IBM, and given the choice, I'd rather have the IBM. I've seen flakey Dells, but they're far less common than flakey HP/Compaq/Toshiba/Sony.
In any case, I'm a big believer that a laptop should be light enough that carrying it around is not a hinderance. If you don't need to move your laptop around, why get one in the first place?
PC-only: I'd buy an IBM T- or X-series notebook. The X is an ultralight, the T is a business-traveler model. IBM's notebooks (or at least those two) achieve everything I'd want. They're light, feature-packed, durable and stable. The T-series doesn't even get that hot. They also cost a fortune, but you pay for quality.
Some kind of Dell Latitude would probably be next on my list, but all the models I'm familiar with are bigger than an X- and as big as a T-series IBM, and given the choice, I'd rather have the IBM. I've seen flakey Dells, but they're far less common than flakey HP/Compaq/Toshiba/Sony.
In any case, I'm a big believer that a laptop should be light enough that carrying it around is not a hinderance. If you don't need to move your laptop around, why get one in the first place?
Jake the Dog
Storage is cool
Toshiba - robust and reliable with good support (here in Oz). I would also consider a Dell if I couldn't find a Toshy that best suited my needs. why not Compaq? their latest offerings are flimsy, overpriced and overated toys, same goes for HP new lappies.
Groltz
My demeaning user rank is
If a person was looking for a high-performance laptop, I would suggest looking at the Area 51 by Alienware. They are meant to be gamer oriented, so it might not be that attractive to someone seeking a laptop for more mundane tasks.
I would then suggest that they consider one of the other 5-6 available casing colors besides that appalling green shade.
I would then suggest that they consider one of the other 5-6 available casing colors besides that appalling green shade.
Tea
Storage? I am Storage!
NEC, IBM, or Toshiba. Zo far as I am aware, there aren't any other brandz.
Fushigi
Storage Is My Life
On Dells: The ultralight models are a little iffy. To flexible for my taste. The Inspiron's are a 'value' line; at work we stopped buying them as they were more troublesome than the Latitudes. I would opt for a Latitude middle or heavyweight model depending on how much you need to carry with you (CD, etc). My Latitude C840 is on the heavy side, but it has the following built in: FDD, CDRW/DVD combo, 2xUSB, NIC, 1394, modem, video out, serial, parallel, IR, mic, headphones, GeForce 4 440 w/32MB (64MB optional), 40GB drive (60GB optional), 1GB RAM, 15" UXGA, both touchpad & pointing stick. What it lacks is built-in bluetooth & 802.11 but it has 2 PC Card slots so that can be added. With a P4M 1.6GHz, it'll go 3.5-4 hours on a single battery with normal use; 2ish hours if I keep it Folding while working. I'm not exactly known for trying to conserve power. The FDD can be replaced by a 2nd HD or 2nd battery if desired. Absolutely no problems after 10 months. It goes with me to work every day and comes home every evening. Except when travelling, it is running F@H continuously so it can handle leaving the CPU at 100% without overheating.
On the other brands: Couldn't say; not enough recent experience.
- Fushigi
On the other brands: Couldn't say; not enough recent experience.
- Fushigi
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
Toshiba hasn't been worthy of a good reputation for a long, long time. I maintain a bunch (bunch = 12) of Toshiba P3 notebooks (four different models) for a research group on my local Purdue campus. Every Saturday or Sunday I call up my contact over there and find out what's broken... and there's almost always something. Probably every other week I find out about a new problem.
A couple of my coworkers have Inspiron 8000s. One had its LCD fail after 2 months. The other has been OK. If you buy a Dell I'd stick with a Latitude. I couldn't convince either of them they would be better off with IBMs, either.
A couple of my coworkers have Inspiron 8000s. One had its LCD fail after 2 months. The other has been OK. If you buy a Dell I'd stick with a Latitude. I couldn't convince either of them they would be better off with IBMs, either.
Tea
Storage? I am Storage!
Prof.Wizard said:
1: Because it's a Compaq
2: Because you want it to work
7: Because you don't want your friends to think you are stupid
5: Because you don't want your friends to know you are stupid.:
6: Because you would like to have some friends one day.
4: Because you can use drugs to cure a human pox infection but you need kerosene and matches to cure a Compaq.
7: Because it's a Compaq.
8: Because you will quickly get tired of only using it behind locked doors late at night to avoid public humiliation
9: Because slitting your wrists is easier, cheaper, and more reliable.
5: see (7)
10: Because.
mubs
Storage? I am Storage!
I've owned an IBM T23 for 18 months, and coudn't be happier. Overall build quality, fit and finish are top-notch.
A month ago I advised a small business owner to purchase a Dell Latitude C640. While it serves the purpose, I'm disappointed with the design (cannot swap optical drive while docked), fit & finish. We couldn't find an IBM model that matched requirements.
Overall, I find it boils down to 3 things:
1) Do you need a port replicator / docking station?
2) What are your display requirements? Can you stand 1400x1050 on a 14.1" LCD??
3) What are your spindle requirements?
In many buying situations, the answers will quickly weed out a lot of brands/models.
Dell has recently had major issues with CPU throttling on 2.2 GHz P4 notebooks--can't remember if it was Inspirons or Latitudes or both.
When I checked out an HP consumer notebook that somebody purchased recently, I was nonplussed to find it was based on an ALI chipset--something I wouldn't accept for free. The Inquirer also had a story recently that the last contract manufacturer HP used in Taiwan lost so much money that none of them there want to bid again, especially because HP is demanding they lower the price even more.
A month ago I advised a small business owner to purchase a Dell Latitude C640. While it serves the purpose, I'm disappointed with the design (cannot swap optical drive while docked), fit & finish. We couldn't find an IBM model that matched requirements.
Overall, I find it boils down to 3 things:
1) Do you need a port replicator / docking station?
2) What are your display requirements? Can you stand 1400x1050 on a 14.1" LCD??
3) What are your spindle requirements?
In many buying situations, the answers will quickly weed out a lot of brands/models.
Dell has recently had major issues with CPU throttling on 2.2 GHz P4 notebooks--can't remember if it was Inspirons or Latitudes or both.
When I checked out an HP consumer notebook that somebody purchased recently, I was nonplussed to find it was based on an ALI chipset--something I wouldn't accept for free. The Inquirer also had a story recently that the last contract manufacturer HP used in Taiwan lost so much money that none of them there want to bid again, especially because HP is demanding they lower the price even more.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
You guys should know better than to do anything in top-10 format when I'm around.
You don't want a Compaq because (slightly seriously)
11. Low weight and decent battery life are important to you.
12. This a company that has yet to master the art of making either a decent touchpad OR a decent joynipple, but is thoughtful enough to include both, so that either movement of your wrists or your forefingers on the laptop can cause that ever-so-helpful pointer drift.
13. Trust me, the 15th time you have to go back to Compaq's site looking for a RomPAQ that isn't with all the stuff for your machine, you'll understand.
14. It's a royal pain in the ass to find a #6 torx screwdriver
15. Dude, they build HST winmodems into the mainboards of their business[.i] models. If that isn't a mark of satan I don't know what is.
16. You've played with a 1.4GHz Evo and realized that your 200Mhz WinCE iPAQ is both faster and more stable... and the battery lasts longer.
17. You'll be supporting Carly Fiorina's marketing-focussed business plans
(anyone remember when HP used to be a solid engineering company?)
18. Follow the golden rule of electronics: If it's sold at Radio shack, and costs more than $1, it's probably not worth the money.
19. Windows works better when the list of stuff in your system tray isn't halfway across your 1024x24 taskbar... (see #16).
20. Experienced techs (like, say, Buck or P5 or Coug), frequently begin muttering strings of profanities, obscene gerunds, and anatomically explicit epithets every time someone mentions the Compaq they're having a problem with. Note: Every Compaq has a problem. This is why computer technicians can make sailors blush.
21. You realize that everything else on this list comes from hard, bitter experience.
You don't want a Compaq because (slightly seriously)
11. Low weight and decent battery life are important to you.
12. This a company that has yet to master the art of making either a decent touchpad OR a decent joynipple, but is thoughtful enough to include both, so that either movement of your wrists or your forefingers on the laptop can cause that ever-so-helpful pointer drift.
13. Trust me, the 15th time you have to go back to Compaq's site looking for a RomPAQ that isn't with all the stuff for your machine, you'll understand.
14. It's a royal pain in the ass to find a #6 torx screwdriver
15. Dude, they build HST winmodems into the mainboards of their business[.i] models. If that isn't a mark of satan I don't know what is.
16. You've played with a 1.4GHz Evo and realized that your 200Mhz WinCE iPAQ is both faster and more stable... and the battery lasts longer.
17. You'll be supporting Carly Fiorina's marketing-focussed business plans
(anyone remember when HP used to be a solid engineering company?)
18. Follow the golden rule of electronics: If it's sold at Radio shack, and costs more than $1, it's probably not worth the money.
19. Windows works better when the list of stuff in your system tray isn't halfway across your 1024x24 taskbar... (see #16).
20. Experienced techs (like, say, Buck or P5 or Coug), frequently begin muttering strings of profanities, obscene gerunds, and anatomically explicit epithets every time someone mentions the Compaq they're having a problem with. Note: Every Compaq has a problem. This is why computer technicians can make sailors blush.
21. You realize that everything else on this list comes from hard, bitter experience.
Buck
Storage? I am Storage!
22. They're too heavy to use as a frisbee
23. They're not flat enough to use as a hot-plate
24. They're too hard to use as a pillow
25. They're too thin to use as a booster seat for your kid
26. They're not warm enough to keep food warm
27. They're too hard to use as a bed warmer
28. They're too cool to keep your room warm
29. They're too big to use as a paper-weight
30. They're too light to use as a door-stop (Presarios are better at this)
31. See #7 - either one
32. See #20
23. They're not flat enough to use as a hot-plate
24. They're too hard to use as a pillow
25. They're too thin to use as a booster seat for your kid
26. They're not warm enough to keep food warm
27. They're too hard to use as a bed warmer
28. They're too cool to keep your room warm
29. They're too big to use as a paper-weight
30. They're too light to use as a door-stop (Presarios are better at this)
31. See #7 - either one
32. See #20
Bartender
Storage is cool
Buck, you're supposed to be more constructive and less critical, it's better for you blood pressure.
Buck
Storage? I am Storage!
Fine - buy a Dell or IBM. (My blood pressure feels the same.)
Adcadet
Storage Freak
My first laptop was a Toshiba (got it in 1998). My second laptop was an IBM (got it in 2000). My third laptop is a Dell (got it late 2002).
I found the construction of my IBM to appear (superficially at least) superior to the Toshiba or Dell. In fact, I think some spots on the Dell's case (esp. the uppper part of the keyboard, near the edge next to the LCD) seem a bit too flexible/flimsy.
One major bonus for my Dell Inspiron - the dual pointing device helps prevent repetitive strain (at least for me). At first I thought I'd just ignore the touch pad, as I've been a "stick" user for a while. But the more I use it, the more I love it.
I found the construction of my IBM to appear (superficially at least) superior to the Toshiba or Dell. In fact, I think some spots on the Dell's case (esp. the uppper part of the keyboard, near the edge next to the LCD) seem a bit too flexible/flimsy.
One major bonus for my Dell Inspiron - the dual pointing device helps prevent repetitive strain (at least for me). At first I thought I'd just ignore the touch pad, as I've been a "stick" user for a while. But the more I use it, the more I love it.
Pradeep
Storage? I am Storage!
Fushigi: Are you sure the Lat840 doesn't have a panel on the underside where you can place a mini-PCI wireless card? I think it is based on the i8200 which has such a socket.
Fushigi
Storage Is My Life
"Mini PC card cover" is listed in the manual. Thanks for pointing that out; I may try to use it. I'll have to check out how much an adapter costs. While I'm docked at my main office, I go wireless at home & at our corporate HQ. It works fine and all, but the 802.11b wireless card sticks out of the card slot a little and that means I have to eject it to safely put the laptop in my carry case. An internal card would fix that.Pradeep said:
- Fushigi
Prof.Wizard
Wannabe Storage Freak
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,460
Mercutio, Apples in Europe AFAIK are not so well supported as in the USA. And I want to find much software to run, so I rule them out.
You say to rule out Compaqs for various reasons, serious and less serious (which I had fun to read! ), but aren't IBMs a little too costly as well? I want to ditch my PC for the last two years of med school since I'll need to move around while writing my degree thesis. Moreover, I'm decreasing month by month the minutes I dedicate to gaming so having a laptop will certainly help to keep myself more concentrated.
I'm really fond of Toshibas and DELLs. I believe they have some really interesting goodies to show and are pioneers (especially Toshiba) in putting new technologies in their PCs. Can someone with experience with one of the latest models fill me in?
Thanks again,
Constantine.
You say to rule out Compaqs for various reasons, serious and less serious (which I had fun to read!
), but aren't IBMs a little too costly as well? I want to ditch my PC for the last two years of med school since I'll need to move around while writing my degree thesis. Moreover, I'm decreasing month by month the minutes I dedicate to gaming so having a laptop will certainly help to keep myself more concentrated. I'm really fond of Toshibas and DELLs. I believe they have some really interesting goodies to show and are pioneers (especially Toshiba) in putting new technologies in their PCs. Can someone with experience with one of the latest models fill me in?
Thanks again,
Constantine.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
Toshiba makes crap. You could by and large replace "Compaq" with "Toshiba" in most of the above comments and they would still hold. Toshiba's last GOOD notebooks probably had 386 CPUs in them. I believe my comments about 1-year-old Toshiba notebooks should carry some weight here.
A.D. knocked his Inspiron (a little). Fushigi made some negative comments about them. So did I.
You've solicited comments and gotten good answers. Like most IT purchasers, you're probably now going to ignore them.
RE: Apple and application availability. MS Office runs on it. So does IE. What else do you need?
A.D. knocked his Inspiron (a little). Fushigi made some negative comments about them. So did I.
You've solicited comments and gotten good answers. Like most IT purchasers, you're probably now going to ignore them.
RE: Apple and application availability. MS Office runs on it. So does IE. What else do you need?
Stereodude
Not really a
Someting that runs the rest of the x86 software library? :mrgrn:Mercutio said:
Sterodude
ps. get a Dell
Adcadet
Storage Freak
Mercutio said:
Knowing what I know now about this laptop, I would still buy it today. Sure, I would have loved to get the IBM version, but I don't have that kind of money laying around.
Fushigi
Storage Is My Life
Just to clarify: Our company's experience with Inspirons was less than inspiring. However, we are generally quite happy with the Latitude lineup.
- Fushigi
- Fushigi
time
Storage? I am Storage!
I'll second Mercutio's opinion on the Apple. It actually fits my idea of a desirable laptop (all laptops are flawed - it's important to remember this). I have a friend with a Titanium, and he is still extremely happy with it after a year or so (except it could be a little faster).
Of course, it runs OSX, and that's part of the attraction.
With his wireless LAN and broadband connection, he can sit by the pool and surf the net ... I hate him.
But seriously, he's a seasoned IT developer and hard to impress. Wouldn't suit you though Prof, because obviously he has other computers which run Winblows (my favourite is the K6-III running Win2k and Win98 over Linux with VMWare )
I have to disagree with Mercutio about Toshiba. They're still an innovator (although only with the high-end models), and I know a couple of owners who are very happy. However, I just don't get to see that many laptops any more, so for all I know there are dud models in the range.
But they usually have good ergonomics and a decent keyboard. To compare them with Compaq is a bit much (having said that, I seem to recall someone here at SF buying a Compaq laptop a year ago?).
Of course, it runs OSX, and that's part of the attraction.
With his wireless LAN and broadband connection, he can sit by the pool and surf the net ... I hate him.
But seriously, he's a seasoned IT developer and hard to impress. Wouldn't suit you though Prof, because obviously he has other computers which run Winblows (my favourite is the K6-III running Win2k and Win98 over Linux with VMWare
)I have to disagree with Mercutio about Toshiba. They're still an innovator (although only with the high-end models), and I know a couple of owners who are very happy. However, I just don't get to see that many laptops any more, so for all I know there are dud models in the range.
But they usually have good ergonomics and a decent keyboard. To compare them with Compaq is a bit much (having said that, I seem to recall someone here at SF buying a Compaq laptop a year ago?).
Stereodude
Not really a
Considering they're the same machines that seems kinda odd.Fushigi said:
Stereodude
I haven't had good experieinces with IBM Thinkpads in the past. It could just be my limited exposure, but the 16-20 IBM's I had to support at my last job were a pain. Many of the modems in them died, and they were unstable from the factory. I also think two of them wouldn't boot.
Just the other day the NIC inside Laura's brand new IBM stopped working... Now she's borrowing my POS xircom 10 base-T PCMCIA card.
Like anything there will always be bad units, so maybe in the large scale IBM is one of the better units... I have a compaq from work and it works fine, but it's slow as hell. It's a PII-266 with 368 MB ram...
Just the other day the NIC inside Laura's brand new IBM stopped working... Now she's borrowing my POS xircom 10 base-T PCMCIA card.
Like anything there will always be bad units, so maybe in the large scale IBM is one of the better units... I have a compaq from work and it works fine, but it's slow as hell. It's a PII-266 with 368 MB ram...
time
Storage? I am Storage!
They used to come from different manufacturers!Stereodude said:
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
Stereodude said:
Ever noticed that the chassis of Gateway Solos, HP Omnibooks and Dell Inspirons look an awful lot alike. That's 'cause they're all actually made by the same OEM. Optus? Optus is the aussie telco, right? Opt-something. Korean firm.
(scary thing: HP's high-end laptop is the same as Del''s low-end... says a lot, don't it?)
Of course I once had a link in my bookmarks to a US company that sold "unlogo'd" laptops and now I can't find it. Oh the joys of ~28.8...
Pradeep
Storage? I am Storage!
Adcadet said:
I'm pretty happy with my Dell Insiporn 8200 as well. Though there were initial problems with the dial up modem hard locking the machine due to line conditions. And the p4 1.6GHz is a sloth of a thing, what I would give for a decent Athlon mobile CPU in here!
Santilli
Hairy Aussie
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2002
- Messages
- 5,257
I researched it, and decided on a Panasonic Toughbook, CF-37.
First, it's not THAT tough. It does weigh 4 pounds, dripping wet, after coffee is spilled on it, and keeps running.
It's not cheap, and it's borderline for windows 2000(366mhz celeron). The newer ones would be a good idea, but, find an old one on close out, and enjoy.
Macs are nice, too. I have an old Lombard, with 333mhz processor, 384 of ram, and for word, etc, it works great with OS X23, which I REALLY like...
DR S
First, it's not THAT tough. It does weigh 4 pounds, dripping wet, after coffee is spilled on it, and keeps running.
It's not cheap, and it's borderline for windows 2000(366mhz celeron). The newer ones would be a good idea, but, find an old one on close out, and enjoy.
Macs are nice, too. I have an old Lombard, with 333mhz processor, 384 of ram, and for word, etc, it works great with OS X23, which I REALLY like...
DR S
e_dawg
Storage Freak
Fujitsu Lifebook P2000 - if you're not too concerned with having the fastest CPU, this is a well-designed notebook that everyone's talking about (well, everyone I know).
My personal experiences with notebooks:
IBM ThinkPad 385XD: screen died, floppy died within one year; friend's 385XD had similar problems with floppy, motherboard died
IBM ThinkPad A20: never went more than a few days without requiring a hard reset; otherwise well-built
Sony VAIO PCG-Z505 slimline: became increasingly unstable, traced it to WinME; ever since I installed W2k, it's been an absolute dream -- light, compact, stable, sturdy (all Magnesium case), stylish; only drawbacks are the loud fan and the small battery capacity
My personal experiences with notebooks:
IBM ThinkPad 385XD: screen died, floppy died within one year; friend's 385XD had similar problems with floppy, motherboard died
IBM ThinkPad A20: never went more than a few days without requiring a hard reset; otherwise well-built
Sony VAIO PCG-Z505 slimline: became increasingly unstable, traced it to WinME; ever since I installed W2k, it's been an absolute dream -- light, compact, stable, sturdy (all Magnesium case), stylish; only drawbacks are the loud fan and the small battery capacity
timwhit
Hairy Aussie
If I could find enough replacement programs for OSX then I would definitely buy an iBook or Powerbook. They are just soooo much cooler than any x86 laptop on the market.
One of my friends has one, it is a little slow, but other than that it is very well designed. But, they are not the cheapest laptops either. But, as Mercutio said you get what you pay for.
However, the easiest laptop to work on has to be the older Thinkpads. The way that they come apart makes them absolutely a joy to fix and upgrade. Compaqs, Toshibas, Dells, etc. are all a PITA to work on. They seem to find the weirdest place to put a paper-thin ribbon cable that will break the connector at the slightest touch. (Which I have done on multiple occasions, even used a toothpick to hold one in at one point.)
The one thing about laptops is that they seem to break a lot, especially if you use it hard and move it around a lot. So, I would definitely buy one that is easily serviceable or one that has a very good warranty with a reputable company behind it. (Apple has good support in my experience.)
One of my friends has one, it is a little slow, but other than that it is very well designed. But, they are not the cheapest laptops either. But, as Mercutio said you get what you pay for.
However, the easiest laptop to work on has to be the older Thinkpads. The way that they come apart makes them absolutely a joy to fix and upgrade. Compaqs, Toshibas, Dells, etc. are all a PITA to work on. They seem to find the weirdest place to put a paper-thin ribbon cable that will break the connector at the slightest touch. (Which I have done on multiple occasions, even used a toothpick to hold one in at one point.)
The one thing about laptops is that they seem to break a lot, especially if you use it hard and move it around a lot. So, I would definitely buy one that is easily serviceable or one that has a very good warranty with a reputable company behind it. (Apple has good support in my experience.)
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
blakerwry
Storage? I am Storage!
hmmm life book eh?
crusoe.... fast speed, but I'd rather have an intel .. even at lower speed(I'm sure everyone says this at 1st)
10" screen... hmm that's a few inches smaller than i was hoping for...
12 hour battery... very nice!
built in DVD/CD.. nice.. but required by me.
built in LAN and modem... requirement.
overall... I'm not sure if it's worth it... A friend bought an HP for about the same price with a larger monitor and faster CPU... similar specs... a while back. Of course it is a bit heavier.. maybe 6 lbs instead of 3 1/2.
crusoe.... fast speed, but I'd rather have an intel .. even at lower speed(I'm sure everyone says this at 1st)
10" screen... hmm that's a few inches smaller than i was hoping for...
12 hour battery... very nice!
built in DVD/CD.. nice.. but required by me.
built in LAN and modem... requirement.
overall... I'm not sure if it's worth it... A friend bought an HP for about the same price with a larger monitor and faster CPU... similar specs... a while back. Of course it is a bit heavier.. maybe 6 lbs instead of 3 1/2.
blakerwry
Storage? I am Storage!
Mercutio said:
should that be a new type of customer for our customer database?
i'll leave it up to someone more creative to come up with an appropriate name.
e_dawg
Storage Freak
blakerwry said:
Yeah, Crusoe is kinda slow for the MHz, but it does have low power consumption, which is arguably more important than outright speed in a laptop.
The 12 hour battery is only when you have the high capacity battery and the modular battery installed at the same time (which would make the thing weigh almost 5 lbs). Regular battery life is 3 hours.
BTW, if you don't need the optical drive, you can remove it from the modular bay and the Lifebook will weigh 2.8 lbs.
True, feature for feature, it is not the greatest value, BUT it is amazingly compact and light -- a true ultralight -- and ultraportability is worth something in my books. Imagine toting a fully functional notebook in your attache/portfolio bag as if it were another book or document.
blakerwry
Storage? I am Storage!
my father had a Dell p166mmx or so laptop.. built in floppy.. built in CD... 8Gb HDD, 32MB or so of RAM, NIC, it was ~1.5"-2" thick and heavy as a brick.. that was my idea of a great laptop....
Recently he was given a pIII 900 or so with ~256MB ram.. has a modular DVD and modular floppy... it's less than an inch or so think but almost worthless to me...
He is the head of the IT dept. for our EPA region... when he got the new laptop the government probably gave the old one to a school or some such.
One man's trash is another man's treasure I guess...
Recently he was given a pIII 900 or so with ~256MB ram.. has a modular DVD and modular floppy... it's less than an inch or so think but almost worthless to me...
He is the head of the IT dept. for our EPA region... when he got the new laptop the government probably gave the old one to a school or some such.
One man's trash is another man's treasure I guess...
mangyDOG
Learning Storage Performance
Has anyone else tried ASUS notebooks?
I have tried / serviced Acer (yuk), Toshiba, Compaq & IBM and ASUS. Of these the ASUS have been great to work with, fairly reliable (mainly minor glitches which have been easily fixed). Also their spare parts are very cheap, memory upgrades are only about 10% more than the equivalent desktop memory price.
Some of the features on their mid range notebooks include 2*firewire, 2*USB2, modem, lan, wireless lan, cdrw/dvd combo and 256Mb RAM all as standard, plus an awesome 15" LCD.
The only problem I have had with them is the battery life is a bit short (2 hours) but this is probably because most of the units I have used have had desktop processors rather than mobile processors. They are available with mobile processors but at a price premium.
I have tried / serviced Acer (yuk), Toshiba, Compaq & IBM and ASUS. Of these the ASUS have been great to work with, fairly reliable (mainly minor glitches which have been easily fixed). Also their spare parts are very cheap, memory upgrades are only about 10% more than the equivalent desktop memory price.
Some of the features on their mid range notebooks include 2*firewire, 2*USB2, modem, lan, wireless lan, cdrw/dvd combo and 256Mb RAM all as standard, plus an awesome 15" LCD.
The only problem I have had with them is the battery life is a bit short (2 hours) but this is probably because most of the units I have used have had desktop processors rather than mobile processors. They are available with mobile processors but at a price premium.
Bartender
Storage is cool
Welcome to StorageForum Herr Dog. Drinks on the house for our new member!
Buck
Storage? I am Storage!
A little OT in this thread Bartender?
Bartender
Storage is cool
HA! You're OT in almost every thread! When will you actually contribute in a practical way to this forum?