Community Newsletter: Q&A forum: 8/11/06 Laptops: which one to buy?

The 4% number you quote is a bit off target for this discussion. That number includes all the boxes sitting on desks in corporate America. This discussion is about laptops and recent statistics show that Macs sales represent over 10% of the laptops purchased. Given that many of the common applications used by college students (Web Browsers, Word, Excel, EndNote, Mathmatica etc) run on both platforms, the OS should not be a big factor in the laptop decision. Students should buy the best laptop that they (actually their parents')can afford making sure that they leave enough $$ to purchase all the software that they will need for college. They should not buy the software without first checking with their propsective school's computer support center to see if student versions or site licenses are available for the software they need. This can represent a huge savings.

Ive watched for a few days as this topic has developed and I have been very surprised to see that no one has suggested that you consider a TabletPC as you look for a solution as to the best notebook to buy that you can take along to class. Ive had a Toshiba Portg for almost 3 years now and it has met all of my needs quite well. In fact Im sitting here handwriting this on the screen of my tablet right now.

As you explore your option, there are several issues you should consider that may increase your interest in a tablet:

1. You can write on the screen with the pen that comes supplied with the notebook that also allows you to as easily make erasures. The handwriting software that comes installed on the tablet has very good recognition ability (after all, its reading my chicken-scratch right now!) And the software learns from its recognition of errors as you write on the screen which decreases errors overtime.
2. You can draw in your notes, which enables you to jot graphs or other pics as you go. (Im a doodler, so now I can doodle in millions of colors!)
3. You can make voice recordings with the tablets microphones that are built into screen. My model has 3 built-ins that do a phenomenal job. I have actually recorded brief statements (voice recording requires considerable storage space on the hard drive) in meetings and then tagged them its reports later. Also, voice recognition has improved to the point that I can translate the recordings into text and then copy the statements themselves into the text.

No more sitting in class having professors wonder if youre wirelessly navigating the internet, or clacking away on a keyboard! The tabet folds into a notepad size that weighs just a little more than a paper pad. My model has a 12.1 screen, that has met my needs well; small and light, though there are larger models available.

And there are also advantages for extracurricular activities

1. USB ports for attaching devices that enable:
a. Expanded storage for all your extra MP3s, Photos, videos, large databases, etc.
b. Burners for CDs and DVDs
c. Changing your MP3 playlists and music
2. Wireless capability. I believe that all tablets come with this ability as do many of the normal notebooks. I wouldnt overlook the importance of this growingly important capability. However, the tabet has one additional advantage: the ability of talking at it to make essentially free VOIP phone calls. In fack, this weekend while I was in the backyard b-b-queing I called my son who lives in another State this way using our home wireless network.

I also use it to connect to and listen to our home steno bird our 37 LCD TV I simply cannot imagine life, as a student, professor or other professional, without it!

While you consider all of the feedback youve received, I hope youll at least consider a tablet! And good luck at school

...that was before I actually bought mine. Now that I've been using one virtually around the clock for 3 years and have never had a ''heating'' problem, I am convinced that this potential problem is outweighed by all of the benefits. Of course I keep the edge of the computer along the top of the tablet proped up (with a book or something else handy) when I'm using a table to work on. This helps with the cooling and also makes the angle easier to write on. I've been tempted by cooling pads, but have selected to do without to keep my weight down. As far as the speed goes, the tablet is at least as fast as my desktop. My son left yesterday for graduate school with his newer tablet (larger screen and built-in burner -mine's USB). He even brought it with on an international trip this summer, without incident. He's as convinced as I am. If either of us have a problem, I'll let you know.

Now look i dont work for Sony or have any relation to them at all othe than i love their laptops. Sony Vaio's have got to be the best laptops I've ever seen. Their prces range from AU-1500 to AU-6000. So here downunder yeah sure theyre a little pricey but my friend you really get what you pay for. In the US they are cheaper and have more and better features. It's a shame the US models cant be shipped to Australia oh well. So if you're still looking for a laptop just remember to check out the VAIO's.

As far as I know, you don't need the wireless card to be the same as the network's router. In fact, I'm pretty sure that you do not. I have no idea what my laptop's is but I connect to linksys, dLink etc etc whatever is in the area.
My university gave us some credit for the printers - but any use over that you had to buy more credit. I bought an all-in-one printer, but unless you intend to do scanning and/or photocopying this is probably something you don't need.

They use cheap proprietary parts (desktops too) for motherboards and a few other parts. Almost everyone I know has had problems with them AND their customer service is THE WORST out there. They actually lok for reasons to cancel your warranty so they dont have to deal with you and they can cut down their free tech support call base.

Granted their commercials make them look great, but that is what commercials are supposed to do. Most people I said this stuff to disagreed with me and when they got a Dell, then they realized that I was right after they experienced it.

In general, macs are great and I have an MPC desktop (formerly Micron, now owned by Intel). The desktop is great...I assume the laptop would be too. Also, their tech support is free and is in Idaho, not India.

I know too many people who have had problems with them, especially when performing tasks such as reinstalling Windows. When I had to reinstall Windows on my desktop we ran into a lot of problems because the Dell hard drive had proprietary drivers that I needed in order to install Windows. And instead of sending a drivers disk with the computer, they sent a piece of cardboard saying that a driver and operating system disk were unneccessary because of their special tools. Pity those tools didn't work.

My daughter is joining college and she needs a laptop to last her the four years that she'll be there, she's an engineering major so would require a high performance machine. I am thinking of purchasing the following, your feedback would be welcome;

http://www.techcypher.com/sonyvaiobx640p16core2duot5600183ghz1gbram80gb-p-126420.html

Thanks