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Author
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Topic: Truly off topic -- laptop recommnedations
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WAWalsh
Member Posts: 809
From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Registered: May 2000
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posted 12-29-2004 03:24 PM
   
If Robert does not mind.I have reached the point of analysis paralysis in the effort to identify a laptop to buy. Anyone with fanatical support or grave warnings for any particular brand or model line in the $1100 to $1500 range. Leaning towards a Toshiba, although I dislike the location of the speakers (under your wrists) on the A75s. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-29-2004 03:40 PM
If you're not opposed to buying an Apple, I have a factory refurbished Powerbook G4 (1 Ghz, 1 gb RAM, 60 gb HD) for sale for $1200. To keep this space related, the laptop's case is made of Titanium, which was inspired by an Apple designer watching the recovery of the Liberty Bell 7. I'll throw in a used but good condition Soyuz (TM-8) parachute laptop bag. |
Joe Davies
Member Posts: 258
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-29-2004 04:46 PM
If you want quiet then Sony.
If you want robustness but under-spec'd and expensive then IBM.
If you want pretty then Apple.I analysed this myself to the point of exasperation a little while ago, and what dissapointed me was how noisy nearly all non Centrino laptops are. After all that analysis I still managed to end up with a Fujitsu that makes a noise that would waken the dead. Then a couple of weeks later a pal asked me for a recommenation and I said Sony, he got one and its great! And their Black Onyx (or whatever they call it now) screen is absolutely fabulous. Next time I am getting a Sony, it works, it looks good, its quiet and has a great screen.
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micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 12-29-2004 05:04 PM
Have had great luck with Sony Vaio and Compaq laptops. Not such good luck with Dell. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1217
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 12-30-2004 10:49 AM
I was going to say that I love my iBook that I bought earlier this year; but you could do a lot worse than Robert's Powerbook. In fact, now I'm kinda wanting it, particularly with the Soyuz bag. Curse you both!------------------
http://allthese worlds.hatbag.net/space.php
"America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow." - Commander Eugene Cernan, Apollo 17 Mission, 11 December 1972 |
webbrass
Member Posts: 72
From: Charlottesville, Virginia
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 12-30-2004 11:25 AM
I have to also add my recommendation for an Apple laptop. I have to support Windows and Macs at my job and I spend far more of my day fixing the Windows machines then the Macs. We have several Powerbooks and an iBook as well. If you need the screen size or graphics get the Powerbook. Otherwise go for the iBook. Add to that the fact that there are no known viruses or spyware/adware out there for the Mac and you've got a very solid machine. Rumor mills have it that there might be new laptops being released in early January if you decide on a Mac and aren't in a tearing hurry. |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 12-30-2004 11:41 AM
Another vote for Powerbook from me, but I've always been a Mac man. If you have any favourite PC apps that aren't available for OSX it might be a bit of a wrench. Otherwise I can't speak highly enough about the Powerbooks. Virtually noiseless, tough enough to fall four feet onto a concrete floor and sustain no damage other than a tiny dent (believe me  ), and most importantly - seriously cool.Cheers,
Matt ------------------
http://www.spaceracemuseum.com |
WAWalsh
Member Posts: 809
From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Registered: May 2000
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posted 12-30-2004 06:57 PM
I fully concur with the Apple advocates. My first computer was the original 128k Mac in 1984 (hard to fathom now) and owned two after that. Unfortunately, the needs of work dictate caving into the evil empire and going with a clone. A Sony Viao K33 is the probable selection at this time. Will know tomorrow. |
desirina
Member Posts: 53
From: knoxville, tn USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 12-30-2004 10:56 PM
I am also an Apple user but finally gave in to the PC world pressure and purchased a TOSHIBA Tecra. So far it has been a great laptop - extremely light and long battery life. That's my two-cents..... |
webbrass
Member Posts: 72
From: Charlottesville, Virginia
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 12-31-2004 05:20 PM
Just something to address the "need PC software" problem and buying a Mac. If you want you can purchase Virtual PC from Microsoft. This program allows you to install WinXP, Windows 2000 and even Linux on your machine alongside your Mac install. Then you can run any Windows program you might need and still use the Mac for everything else. |
DavidH
Member Posts: 1217
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 01-11-2005 10:13 AM
Do let us know what you decide, won't you?------------------
http://allthese worlds.hatbag.net/space.php
"America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow." - Commander Eugene Cernan, Apollo 17 Mission, 11 December 1972 |
WAWalsh
Member Posts: 809
From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Registered: May 2000
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posted 01-11-2005 04:43 PM
Based in part on the recommendation of a friend who runs a software company (whose younger brother has worked for Apple for nearly 20 years and whose older brother was an early programmer at Microsoft -- hence, a family with a bit of knowledge in the field), I went with a Sony Vaio K33. Beyond getting use to the keyboard of a laptop, so far, so good. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 01-12-2005 11:49 AM
Laptop or PC, as long as it has a 3.2 GHz+ Processor ( Pentium or AMD Athlon )( High processor might reduce battery life ), minimum 512 MB RAM ( today's applications are Memory-hungry ! ) and a good Graphics videocard for Your 17 inch screen ( quality of what You see is important )...
Did I forget to mention the DVD/CD-ROM RW combo drive ;-) |
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