Community Newsletter: Q&A: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice?
- 4/19/07 2:39 PM
LIFE SPAN
by RHAB - 4/13/07 9:35 PM In reply to: Dropping Desktop by Bryan_1953I was in a shop when a person came in with some important INFO. on the lap top. He wanted the INFO to be made where he could get to it. He & I were shocked when he was told it would cost around $1,500.oo to get it out. After the man left in a huff, the lap top was less than a year old, I asked the repair person why it was so expensive. he said it was because lap top are too hard to open & work on. I am 71 Ys old & the first IBM compatable was an I.B.M. computer. It was great. It had two ZUSE fasteners in the front. All you had to do to work on it or clean it was to loosen the ZUSE fasteners & pull the drawer out. When I.B.M. stopped production the did not keep their patents up so that opened the door for the I.B.M. compatablies. The ffirst compute I had was an APPLE & the only place you could buy one was @ RADIO SHACK & we had to do our own programming. They had a class to go to to learn it. It was too tough for me so I still do not do much on computers. This is when BILL GATES came into the picture. REX
PERFICT laptop
by LaptopLover46 - 5/16/07 3:49 PM In reply to: Dropping Desktop by Bryan_1953Try All of the brands out there to find the PERFICT laptop. Like the Sager NP9750 17” wide screen dual core, 2 hour battery life- I can’t waitto get my hands on one those! And by the way, I recommend you just dive in and go all laptop- you will love it!
P.S. Don't Go For Vista- Yet...
LaptopLover46 
Wireless
by jsinsky - 4/6/07 6:46 PM In reply to: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You didn't mention a wireless system. In addition to the primary printer (a color laser), I have an $89 laser with a wireless printserver in the kitchen so I can get documents without going upstairs to the office.
VS....vs....Laptop-->Desktop,,
by castingRod47 - 4/6/07 7:09 PM In reply to: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I don't think there is any INFO that the LapTop is a TOP-performer..
How-ever I can say that my Desktop will run for three days/rendering DV-avi into MPEG2..the Monitor might get a little WARM-->Hot..but the Power Supply..
Even my first Dimension 2350..w/200-watt PSU and a P4 1.8 GHz..seldom even "flinched"..the lost properties were the RAM(133MHz)..today I use a P4(400MHz)RAM-the PSU..ain't even HUFFIN' or puffin'..
..
So far from my window shopping/the Minimum FSB Speed is 500MHz for the use of your MP3-Player..
I do mainly Video(DVD)..and use an 800MHz FSB..
..
I did go Laptop--/window shopping yesterday..on MSN.com..
and even found refurbished or USED-models at $$195.00//
some really nice stuff at $$800.00//
ACER seems to be really kickin' out the deals..even a year ago an ACER was in the really GOOD-Deal purchase...
..
Some TOSHIBA---the Panasonic TOUGH Book...
then the DELL units..
come along at good prices Re-Furbished..
which has me finding a place to go..since the LapTop would be a Luxury for me as a Digital Photographer..
..
I already have an LCD(7-inch)Screen and I'm looking for a Portable-DVD-Player..
This is fairly my option for the uses of a LapTop..since my Digital Photography needs the(portable)Screen-only..
This 7-inch LCD cost me about 279.00 dollars..and I still need a portable player..small..compact..like/12v./DC-voltage..
......................................................................
LapTOPS..as being really tough on the job..
Is in the product line of the Panasonic TOUGH Books..
but then the price differance is more than $$1000.00/
over the simple innovation of a portable PC..
..
I myself rely on the DeskTop..since my running time does go into the DAYS..
A LapTop..will NOT.
IBM all the way
by rungsunklinkaeo - 4/13/07 6:06 PM In reply to: VS....vs....Laptop-->Desktop,, by castingRod47If the money is available, I would go with a Thinkpad T60 series with the advanced dock. Using the advanced dock, you can permanantly attach your accessories using the many connections on it including a mouse, LCD and external HDD. Additionally, you also have the ability to install a HDD in the dock itself to give you an extra drive while at your desk and more importantly, the ability to install a low profile graphics card to power your home system rather than the integrated on the laptop. I have this setup in my office with 19 inch LCD and a low profile Leadtech GeForce 7600GS card. Works great.
Laptop Drag Around
by cylockholmes - 4/6/07 7:34 PM In reply to: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Since you already have the one computer, I would keep it.
Then by yourself a laptop and some good file syncing software.
That way you always have a backup.
Why Create More Work & Frustration?
by westrajc - 4/6/07 7:48 PM In reply to: Laptop Drag Around by cylockholmesI've tried this. It doesn't work very well.
Most people have enough trouble remembering to synch their PDA every day, much less a laptop & a desktop. Why create more work & frustration for yourself?
Not only does synching add more work, keeping two computers up to date with the same versions of software, patches & updates adds even more work/cost to the equation!
Sell the desktop to someone who will give you a decent price for it or donate it with a "value" that yields the best net return. Take the "proceeds" and put them towards your laptop purchase or the purchase of new peripherals, like a wireless multifunction printer, wireless ergo keyboard & mouse, larger LCD monitor, etc.
Do you use windows xp?
by ellis feigenbaum - 4/20/07 7:13 PM In reply to: Why Create More Work & Frustration? by westrajcWindows xp has a backup utility that can be set to run incrementally every day.
On proffesional and MCE it installs with the operating system, on Home edition its slightly more complicated , you need to install it from the msi on the disk, however once its done it works the same as on pro/mce.
this is a non user intervention job, just set it up once as a daily task and your done- i backup to an external hard drive every day this way and it works fine.
Laptop addons
by maddogthegreat - 4/6/07 7:40 PM In reply to: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Don't waste money on a docking station. Get a USB printer/scanner, a USB external backup drive, and a POWERED USB hub. Plug everything into the hub and when you need to leave home, just power everything off and unplug the hub.
USB Connections Don't Provide As Much Peripheral Expansion
by westrajc - 4/6/07 7:55 PM In reply to: Laptop addons by maddogthegreatThe USB strategy will work, but it doesn't provide as rich or user friendly a platform. A true docking station (not just a port replicator) has the potential to provide one or more expansion card slots, Ethernet port, DVI video connection, etc.
In addition, a typical docking station will offer a monitor stand option that provides a convenient place to put a larger LCD or even conventional monitor. The docking station also provides its own power source! This means you don't have to constantly mess with plugging in your portable power source under the desk and into the laptop, when you're using it at home/work.
Portable Computer
by hrabetin - 4/6/07 7:46 PM In reply to: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
This is only going to be a partial answer but look at what he manufacturers are offering for docking stations. I purchased a HP pavilion zd model several years ago. HP offered some devices that put the computer and screen up at a 45 degree angle, too high for my available computer desk, didn't look good either. Had more than enough outputs though. You can get some pigtails at computer stores that use one outlet for additional keyboard and mouse. Same goes for USB. Don't know if there are any third party docking stations.
Have Laptop, Will Travel
by purposed - 4/6/07 7:52 PM In reply to: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
David, I did this for a time about 10 years ago. As to what kind of success you will have, my answer is "it depends". What it depends on is what your real computing needs are. I mention a few examples below.
First, I will point out that if you do much computing in any particular location, I think you will need at minimum a decent monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Not all laptops have docking stations available, but for those exceptions, the only difference is having to insert three plugs each time you dock. Furthermore, docking stations are sometimes unreliable, so that plugging separate ports is preferable.
You absolutely will find that the performance of a laptop is below that of a deskside, especially for disk-intensive work.
In addition, if "where ever" you go includes work, and if you have to be part of a domain or workgroup there, then your home network (if any) will prove a challenge. For workgroups, you can just make all your systems at home have the same workgroup name as your machine needs at work. But, if you are on a domain at work, then you will face a significant challenge solving your networking problems at home.
We are approaching a time when all/many systems will be able to boot from a flash memory. Carrying that around could be much simpler than taking the entire laptop.
Obviously, if your activities involve nomadic authoring, including work in many out-of-the-way places, a laptop-only solution may be the best.
Because I became involved in some pretty heavy-duty simulation work, I soon gave up trying to laptop everything.
Save Space and Time
by High Desert Charlie - 4/6/07 8:15 PM In reply to: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Your question is a good one David. I klunked around with dual PCs for a long time (A tower and a Laptop) until my last pair gave up on me. So I had to ask myself, "Is it practical to spend the cash on two separate computers when one good one can do the job of both?".
I finally decided that I should spend the money on one really kick butt laptop that would fill all of my needs both mobile and at home. It's worked out great!!!
You mentioned that you have lots of peripherals to augment a laptop at home and that's great. I've gone completely wireless in my home and cut down on lot's of unneeded wires. My keyboard, mouse, internet connection and printer all operate wirelessly. You didn't mention if you had a nice monitor at home. I would consider this a must since you can configure your laptop to operate with the display closed and put much less strain on your laptops voltage demands. It's true you can get a big screen laptop, but it will last longer and operate more efficiently with an external monitor at home.
You also mentioned a docking station. It's a nice accessory if they make one for your laptop. But you should also know that you would do quite well simply with a device with multiple USB connections for most of the peripherals you mentioned. When I'm ready to go mobile, it takes me about 30 seconds to shut down, pull wires, and slip my lappie into its carrying case. The same holds true when I return home.
My setup has been operating flawlessly for over a year now and I highly recommend it.
Good Luck on your decision.
Laptop or Not?? That is the question.
by MichaelCHutchinsonZA - 4/6/07 8:17 PM In reply to: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Sure, A laptop is a great idea to do your work @ and from Home, it comes with buildt in speakers, dvd/CD Writer, etc. I just feel that Laptops are not upgradeable. So if a year or 3 down the line you wish to have a faster "Computer", it would mean you have to either increase you phyiscal memory size on the laptop, or purchase a new one. Think wisely.
Be forewarned...
by b_in_austin - 4/6/07 8:32 PM In reply to: Considering a move to a laptop full time, any advice? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
While it sounds like a good idea, and it may be in many cases (the mobility is really nice), the transition to a laptop can cause you some grief.
Since many of the peripherals you speak of aren't wireless or networked, you will want a dock so that you can easily "plug in" when you return your laptop to your office desktop. An alternative would be to invest in networked peripherals (printers, scanners, hard disks, etc. all come in network ready versions) and thus make it even easier to move around yet still be connected to everything. In such a case, you really don't need a docking station, just a place to plugin and recharge your batteries.
Still, with all this new cool mobility whether using networked devices or a dock, there is a downside that isn't obvious. It is my experience that because of the way laptops are designed and manufactured, your ability to expand them are greatly limited. In particular, video and audio components are fixed in the laptop and the drivers "must" come from the laptop manufacturer as opposed to the audio or video chip manufacturer. This is primarily due to the way the audio and video chips are "installed" and supported in the laptops.
This doesn't seem like a problem and in many cases, isn't. However, if you have plans to play games and other video/audio intensive applications, you must beware that many times, these software packages/gamms require newer software (updates to DirectX) or newer video/audio processors. Frequently, these packages and their requisite upgrades/updates require new drivers for your existing video & audio components. Most of the PC laptop manufacturers stop releasing drivers for these components after a couple of years - just when you will need them most.
If the new game you want requires a faster or "memory-full" graphics processor, you won't be able to play it without upgrading your entire laptop to a new model.
Another issue comes with minor repair functions. Most laptops are a single "replaceable unit". This is manufacturer-speak for if there is some problem with the laptop, you usually have to send the whole thing back for repairs. In some cases, you can add/replace memory without a full return.
In others, you might be able to replace the hard drive. But in many cases, you just have to ship the whole thing back. Some of these are for silly things such as replacing a keycap on your keyboard. Most of the manufacturers will not send you a single keycap or a scissor hinge. You will be forced to find one yourself on the open market or scrounge one off some old, discarded laptop found for scrap - sort of the high tech version of going to the junk yard for hard to find car parts.
In the case of most desktop computers, you usually have the option to replace components, insert new or upgrade cards, replace/add memory, attach a new/different keyboard, and adapt to new peripherals and interconnects as they are introduced. The laptop just isn't that flexible.
In my home, I have both desktops and laptops. We get the freedom of mobility yet don't have to sacrifice for those applications and services that need the flexibility that a desktop computer provides.
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