Looking for laptop suggestion
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You might want to mention your budget constraints, if any. ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned Save an Orange - Use the VCF!
No real constraints, but let's say no more than 3500 CAD. (about 3000 USD). -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson
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I need a laptop for which I don't really care about video performance (although an asset), but having big processing power while being as light and compact as possible, as I have to travel a lot with it. It should meet the recommended hardware requirements for Windows 2003 server, and being able to run SQL Server 2005 and other server software along with dev tools. :cool: Any suggestions from the hardwar gurus among you? Thank you -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson -- modified at 14:12 Thursday 5th January, 2006
I'm in the same situation right now, and basically made my choice to go with the Acer Ferrari 4005, that comes with a whooping 2Ghz Turion, 1Gb (expandable to 2Gb)RAM, a 100Gb Hard drive(5400RPM), a Gigabit ethernet,BlueTooth, along with a buch of super gadgets and a lot of now commonly found on laptops features (like DVD+/-RW, multiFlash reader, etc.), a wireless mouse and a microfiber cleaning cloth! Plus it sports the Ferrari logo... The main problem is if you try to buy it on ebay, beware: a lot of scam try to make you believe they undersell it for a couple of hundreds dollars, wich is way too low... expect paying between 2300$-3300$, depending on vendor/configuration. If you are looking for a good bargain, I must mention that the main difference between the famous Pentium M and its counterpart Celeron M is not the performance, but the power consumption. Therefore, if you are looking for a good bargain, any Celeron M by big vendor (HP, Dell, Toshiba, etc) that sports a Celeron M 370(which is a Pentium M minus SpeedStep and DeepSleep) will be slow to start and a little more power consumming, but with a good battery and a bit more RAM that standard config, you'll love the performances. Personally, knowing that fact, I use a 768Mb Ram Celeron M 370 1.6Ghz daily and run VS 2k3, VS2k5, IIS with .NET, SQL Server 2K and 2K5, and it sings... Interestingly enough, it cost me less than 1000$ CAN, including GST and PST... Should you look for more advice, feel free to give me a shout! "They say Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth. I personnally guess a laughing gas factory could be a good challenger." -Woody Allen Jean-François Rodrigue, ACSE, CCNA Application Architect, Groupe S.A.I.T. jiepher@gmail.com
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I need a laptop for which I don't really care about video performance (although an asset), but having big processing power while being as light and compact as possible, as I have to travel a lot with it. It should meet the recommended hardware requirements for Windows 2003 server, and being able to run SQL Server 2005 and other server software along with dev tools. :cool: Any suggestions from the hardwar gurus among you? Thank you -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson -- modified at 14:12 Thursday 5th January, 2006
One thing to be sure to make sure you get is the fastest hard drive you can. If you plan on doing lots of developing and/or running sql server on this laptop, you WILL need a fast hard drive (5400 probably won't cut it). However, getting the faster harddrive usually means the need for a bigger power requirement, which leads to a heavier laptop. I have an IBM G41 and absolutely love it. The battery life isn't great (I can get about 1 hour if running eclipse or visual studio), but when plugged in, this laptop is fast (for a laptop that is). The one major downside is it's weight. I'm not sure how much it does weigh, but it isn't light. I know you said that the weight is a concern, so this may not be the best choice for a laptop. But I urge you to defineately think about the hard drive speed when looking, and I wouldn't buy anything with less than 1 GB of ram (preferably 2 GB). Brian Van Beek Inside this room, all of my dreams become realities, and some of my realities become dreams. -Willy Wonka Just started a new blog, yeah! [^]
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I need a laptop for which I don't really care about video performance (although an asset), but having big processing power while being as light and compact as possible, as I have to travel a lot with it. It should meet the recommended hardware requirements for Windows 2003 server, and being able to run SQL Server 2005 and other server software along with dev tools. :cool: Any suggestions from the hardwar gurus among you? Thank you -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson -- modified at 14:12 Thursday 5th January, 2006
I bought a Sager Notebook[^] laptop about 3 years ago. Basically, the thing is a desktop replacement in a laptop. However, it is bascially a knockoff of Alienware computers but with a much cheaper price tag. It has run great for me. It even came with a good video card for those rare games you might want to play. I was playing Doom 3 on it on Medium settings just fine. The laptop I bought was huge but I am sure they are much smaller now. Brett A. Whittington Application Developer
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I need a laptop for which I don't really care about video performance (although an asset), but having big processing power while being as light and compact as possible, as I have to travel a lot with it. It should meet the recommended hardware requirements for Windows 2003 server, and being able to run SQL Server 2005 and other server software along with dev tools. :cool: Any suggestions from the hardwar gurus among you? Thank you -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson -- modified at 14:12 Thursday 5th January, 2006
As others have said get a 7200rpm hard drive. This makes quite a difference in performance. I bought a Dell Inspiron 6000 back in Sept and am more than happy with it. I don't use it for heavy duty development though. The 15.25" wide screen is very nice and with a higher spec'd processor and 7200rpm drive it performs quite well, and battery life is up around the 4+ hour mark, which is great. Neville Franks, Author of Surfulater www.surfulater.com "Save what you Surf" and ED for Windows www.getsoft.com
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One thing to be sure to make sure you get is the fastest hard drive you can. If you plan on doing lots of developing and/or running sql server on this laptop, you WILL need a fast hard drive (5400 probably won't cut it). However, getting the faster harddrive usually means the need for a bigger power requirement, which leads to a heavier laptop. I have an IBM G41 and absolutely love it. The battery life isn't great (I can get about 1 hour if running eclipse or visual studio), but when plugged in, this laptop is fast (for a laptop that is). The one major downside is it's weight. I'm not sure how much it does weigh, but it isn't light. I know you said that the weight is a concern, so this may not be the best choice for a laptop. But I urge you to defineately think about the hard drive speed when looking, and I wouldn't buy anything with less than 1 GB of ram (preferably 2 GB). Brian Van Beek Inside this room, all of my dreams become realities, and some of my realities become dreams. -Willy Wonka Just started a new blog, yeah! [^]
Good idea, the hard drive speed. I will surely put this in my requirements. Thanks -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson
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As others have said get a 7200rpm hard drive. This makes quite a difference in performance. I bought a Dell Inspiron 6000 back in Sept and am more than happy with it. I don't use it for heavy duty development though. The 15.25" wide screen is very nice and with a higher spec'd processor and 7200rpm drive it performs quite well, and battery life is up around the 4+ hour mark, which is great. Neville Franks, Author of Surfulater www.surfulater.com "Save what you Surf" and ED for Windows www.getsoft.com
I also have a widescreen, but I think it is not necessary, although nice. It makes the laptop heavier. -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson
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I bought a Sager Notebook[^] laptop about 3 years ago. Basically, the thing is a desktop replacement in a laptop. However, it is bascially a knockoff of Alienware computers but with a much cheaper price tag. It has run great for me. It even came with a good video card for those rare games you might want to play. I was playing Doom 3 on it on Medium settings just fine. The laptop I bought was huge but I am sure they are much smaller now. Brett A. Whittington Application Developer
yeah, the video is nice for those long evenings in the hotel room. I usually play Civ 4, so the video is not a big requirement (although I may start playing AOE III soon). -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson
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I'm in the same situation right now, and basically made my choice to go with the Acer Ferrari 4005, that comes with a whooping 2Ghz Turion, 1Gb (expandable to 2Gb)RAM, a 100Gb Hard drive(5400RPM), a Gigabit ethernet,BlueTooth, along with a buch of super gadgets and a lot of now commonly found on laptops features (like DVD+/-RW, multiFlash reader, etc.), a wireless mouse and a microfiber cleaning cloth! Plus it sports the Ferrari logo... The main problem is if you try to buy it on ebay, beware: a lot of scam try to make you believe they undersell it for a couple of hundreds dollars, wich is way too low... expect paying between 2300$-3300$, depending on vendor/configuration. If you are looking for a good bargain, I must mention that the main difference between the famous Pentium M and its counterpart Celeron M is not the performance, but the power consumption. Therefore, if you are looking for a good bargain, any Celeron M by big vendor (HP, Dell, Toshiba, etc) that sports a Celeron M 370(which is a Pentium M minus SpeedStep and DeepSleep) will be slow to start and a little more power consumming, but with a good battery and a bit more RAM that standard config, you'll love the performances. Personally, knowing that fact, I use a 768Mb Ram Celeron M 370 1.6Ghz daily and run VS 2k3, VS2k5, IIS with .NET, SQL Server 2K and 2K5, and it sings... Interestingly enough, it cost me less than 1000$ CAN, including GST and PST... Should you look for more advice, feel free to give me a shout! "They say Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth. I personnally guess a laughing gas factory could be a good challenger." -Woody Allen Jean-François Rodrigue, ACSE, CCNA Application Architect, Groupe S.A.I.T. jiepher@gmail.com
I think Acer has a good reputation, am I right? The prices you mention are not too bad. Will check those for sure, thanks. -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson
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I also have a widescreen, but I think it is not necessary, although nice. It makes the laptop heavier. -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson
The thing I like about the widescreen is you can still get at the desktop and of course you get to see a more in your apps. I bought the I6000 to take on a 2 month trip to Europe we did back in August. Instead of the usual shoulder bag I bought a backpack, for the first time. I did this so it wasn't so obvious I had a notebook and also to make it easier to carry, especially along with our other luggage. I really like the backpack and would recommend it if you are lugging the notebook around a lot. HTH. Neville Franks, Author of Surfulater www.surfulater.com "Save what you Surf" and ED for Windows www.getsoft.com
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I think Acer has a good reputation, am I right? The prices you mention are not too bad. Will check those for sure, thanks. -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson
Acer has a pretty good reputation. If price tag is not the real problem, then you can buy minimal config, replace the HD with a speedier one and you're on your way...(it come with an eight cell battery, so it shouldn't be a problem) Should you choose to do this, I might be interested in buying your old 100Gb... ;) Another feature you'll love is the fast memory bus at 533Mhz X2, and the screen resolution 1680 x 1050 at 24Bits (with a dedicated 128Mb for video), cool on a not so big (15.4) screen not so heavy (6.4lbs) laptop... And it comes with XP Pro 64bits Edition, a global warranty ranging from 1 to 3 years, plus the case is in wich carbon-fiber, lightweigth and resistant space like composite, which is also really cool! In any way, let me know, should you choose to go for this machine: In looking for myself I've developed a good so-called knowledge (more do and don't) of buying one at fair price! :) Good luck in your search for the right machine! _________________ "You know you've been on the Internet too long when you begin to think you have to turn head sideway to express emotions... ;-)" -Anonymus Jean-François Rodrigue,ACSE, CCNA, Application Architect, Groupe S.A.I.T. Inc jiepher@gmail.com -- modified at 17:34 Thursday 5th January, 2006
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I need a laptop for which I don't really care about video performance (although an asset), but having big processing power while being as light and compact as possible, as I have to travel a lot with it. It should meet the recommended hardware requirements for Windows 2003 server, and being able to run SQL Server 2005 and other server software along with dev tools. :cool: Any suggestions from the hardwar gurus among you? Thank you -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson -- modified at 14:12 Thursday 5th January, 2006
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I need a laptop for which I don't really care about video performance (although an asset), but having big processing power while being as light and compact as possible, as I have to travel a lot with it. It should meet the recommended hardware requirements for Windows 2003 server, and being able to run SQL Server 2005 and other server software along with dev tools. :cool: Any suggestions from the hardwar gurus among you? Thank you -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson -- modified at 14:12 Thursday 5th January, 2006
Whatever you do make sure it has a fast hard-drive. I have a 2gig RAM, P4 HT blazing fast thing but the HD is so dog slow everything waits on it. regards, Paul Watson Ireland Colib and ilikecameras. K(arl) wrote: oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
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Acer has a pretty good reputation. If price tag is not the real problem, then you can buy minimal config, replace the HD with a speedier one and you're on your way...(it come with an eight cell battery, so it shouldn't be a problem) Should you choose to do this, I might be interested in buying your old 100Gb... ;) Another feature you'll love is the fast memory bus at 533Mhz X2, and the screen resolution 1680 x 1050 at 24Bits (with a dedicated 128Mb for video), cool on a not so big (15.4) screen not so heavy (6.4lbs) laptop... And it comes with XP Pro 64bits Edition, a global warranty ranging from 1 to 3 years, plus the case is in wich carbon-fiber, lightweigth and resistant space like composite, which is also really cool! In any way, let me know, should you choose to go for this machine: In looking for myself I've developed a good so-called knowledge (more do and don't) of buying one at fair price! :) Good luck in your search for the right machine! _________________ "You know you've been on the Internet too long when you begin to think you have to turn head sideway to express emotions... ;-)" -Anonymus Jean-François Rodrigue,ACSE, CCNA, Application Architect, Groupe S.A.I.T. Inc jiepher@gmail.com -- modified at 17:34 Thursday 5th January, 2006
jiepher wrote:
And it comes with XP Pro 64bits Edition, a global warranty ranging from 1 to 3 years, plus the case is in wich carbon-fiber, lightweigth and resistant space like composite, which is also really cool!
If you need any 3rd party hardware this isn't a good thing. Win64 driver support is still very sparse.
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jiepher wrote:
And it comes with XP Pro 64bits Edition, a global warranty ranging from 1 to 3 years, plus the case is in wich carbon-fiber, lightweigth and resistant space like composite, which is also really cool!
If you need any 3rd party hardware this isn't a good thing. Win64 driver support is still very sparse.
dan neely wrote:
If you need any 3rd party hardware this isn't a good thing. Win64 driver support is still very sparse
Come one, we're talking about a portable here... what kind of hardware would you add so much to a portable... memory? Hard drive? Beside, it come with all the hardware extension one could possibly dream of on a portable... I consider myself a power user and wouldn't know what to add... it has it all!
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I need a laptop for which I don't really care about video performance (although an asset), but having big processing power while being as light and compact as possible, as I have to travel a lot with it. It should meet the recommended hardware requirements for Windows 2003 server, and being able to run SQL Server 2005 and other server software along with dev tools. :cool: Any suggestions from the hardwar gurus among you? Thank you -------- "I say no to drugs, but they don't listen." - Marilyn Manson -- modified at 14:12 Thursday 5th January, 2006
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dan neely wrote:
If you need any 3rd party hardware this isn't a good thing. Win64 driver support is still very sparse
Come one, we're talking about a portable here... what kind of hardware would you add so much to a portable... memory? Hard drive? Beside, it come with all the hardware extension one could possibly dream of on a portable... I consider myself a power user and wouldn't know what to add... it has it all!
jiepher wrote:
dan neely wrote: If you need any 3rd party hardware this isn't a good thing. Win64 driver support is still very sparse Come one, we're talking about a portable here... what kind of hardware would you add so much to a portable... memory? Hard drive? Beside, it come with all the hardware extension one could possibly dream of on a portable... I consider myself a power user and wouldn't know what to add... it has it all!
USB printers would be the most likely one. Fancy external mice/keyboards with extra/programable buttons would be annother. Do new digicams still need drivers or just look like a generic usb drive to windows?
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jiepher wrote:
dan neely wrote: If you need any 3rd party hardware this isn't a good thing. Win64 driver support is still very sparse Come one, we're talking about a portable here... what kind of hardware would you add so much to a portable... memory? Hard drive? Beside, it come with all the hardware extension one could possibly dream of on a portable... I consider myself a power user and wouldn't know what to add... it has it all!
USB printers would be the most likely one. Fancy external mice/keyboards with extra/programable buttons would be annother. Do new digicams still need drivers or just look like a generic usb drive to windows?
dan neely wrote:
USB printers would be the most likely one. Fancy external mice/keyboards with extra/programable buttons would be annother. Do new digicams still need drivers or just look like a generic usb drive to windows?
Oh no! Not another keep behind, driver ain't all there argument...? Haven't we all heard this one some day... like Don't move to Windows 98, NT, 2000, to Xp, drivers... etc.? I'm a little sick of all this. Do we have to wait for Vista/Longhorn to move to the 64 bits platform? And then wait for first service pack to be sure it is stabilized? I'm partisan of moving on because world isn't still. Look: anyway, Win XP Pro 64 is an option. It's simply cool the option is there. I'm no seller of Acer product nor I do want to start a flame here. Beside it already come with a wireless mouse and the keybord is correctly size (like a normal one). Printer driver ain't no low level driver no more neither webcam driver are (look on codeproject for extension written with these in mind if you dont trust me). Driver are more or less personalisation of resident system extension these days. So both would do nice on WoW for most devices, therefore cause no problem at all running in a 64Bits environment. Should there be a new eclectic device than doesn't run on WoW and is sooo cool, one would simply have to verify it come with compatible drivers. If the device is that cool, they'll supply correct sets of drivers soon enough, believe me... I was only talking of something cool here. The option is there. Don't want it : don't take it... Michel is looking for a fast development machine in a reasonnable price range with a reputable company. This one is actually one of the fastest around, even more in 64 bits. This price is fair and Acer has good credentials and lots of reputable reseller/sales point. That's it. I was trying to help. No more... :) __________________________________ "Man in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" -John Lennon Jean-François Rodrigue, ACSE, CCNA, Application Architect, Groupe S.A.I.T. Inc. jiepher@gmail.com
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dan neely wrote:
USB printers would be the most likely one. Fancy external mice/keyboards with extra/programable buttons would be annother. Do new digicams still need drivers or just look like a generic usb drive to windows?
Oh no! Not another keep behind, driver ain't all there argument...? Haven't we all heard this one some day... like Don't move to Windows 98, NT, 2000, to Xp, drivers... etc.? I'm a little sick of all this. Do we have to wait for Vista/Longhorn to move to the 64 bits platform? And then wait for first service pack to be sure it is stabilized? I'm partisan of moving on because world isn't still. Look: anyway, Win XP Pro 64 is an option. It's simply cool the option is there. I'm no seller of Acer product nor I do want to start a flame here. Beside it already come with a wireless mouse and the keybord is correctly size (like a normal one). Printer driver ain't no low level driver no more neither webcam driver are (look on codeproject for extension written with these in mind if you dont trust me). Driver are more or less personalisation of resident system extension these days. So both would do nice on WoW for most devices, therefore cause no problem at all running in a 64Bits environment. Should there be a new eclectic device than doesn't run on WoW and is sooo cool, one would simply have to verify it come with compatible drivers. If the device is that cool, they'll supply correct sets of drivers soon enough, believe me... I was only talking of something cool here. The option is there. Don't want it : don't take it... Michel is looking for a fast development machine in a reasonnable price range with a reputable company. This one is actually one of the fastest around, even more in 64 bits. This price is fair and Acer has good credentials and lots of reputable reseller/sales point. That's it. I was trying to help. No more... :) __________________________________ "Man in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" -John Lennon Jean-François Rodrigue, ACSE, CCNA, Application Architect, Groupe S.A.I.T. Inc. jiepher@gmail.com
jiepher wrote:
Oh no! Not another keep behind, driver ain't all there argument...? Haven't we all heard this one some day... like Don't move to Windows 98, NT, 2000, to Xp, drivers... etc.? I'm a little sick of all this. Do we have to wait for Vista/Longhorn to move to the 64 bits platform? And then wait for first service pack to be sure it is stabilized? I'm partisan of moving on because world isn't still.
If something you need a driver for doesn't exist it's much better to learn that before upgrading. Granted it's less of a risk with a laptop since they've got fewer places for 3rd party addons.
jiepher wrote:
I'm no seller of Acer product nor I do want to start a flame here.
Nor I. This'll be my last post on the subject.
jiepher wrote:
Beside it already come with a wireless mouse and the keybord is correctly size (like a normal one).
Reduced travel hights, lack of tilt, stray touchpad input from hands while typing, and having the arrow, page up/down, etc keys shoehorned into odd/nonstandard places drive me crazy with laptop keyboads. The last isn't avoidable on a 15" screen. I've seen a few widescreens that do have real keyboards(tm) but they're closer to desktops with built in upses than portables.