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  3. what laptop to buy???

what laptop to buy???

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  • L Offline
    L Offline
    LukeV
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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    • L LukeV

      Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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      Michael P Butler
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      I have a Dell Insprion 8100 machine running Win2000. It's a very nice machine cost me nearly £3000 but it was certainly worth it. I've had it since late October and not had a single problem with it. This is my second Dell laptop and I can certainly recommend them. My first Dell is currently running Linux which means it's locked in a cupboard at the moment. Michael :-)

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      • M Michael P Butler

        I have a Dell Insprion 8100 machine running Win2000. It's a very nice machine cost me nearly £3000 but it was certainly worth it. I've had it since late October and not had a single problem with it. This is my second Dell laptop and I can certainly recommend them. My first Dell is currently running Linux which means it's locked in a cupboard at the moment. Michael :-)

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        LukeV
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Michael P Butler wrote: I have a Dell Insprion 8100 machine running Win2000. It's a very nice machine cost me nearly £3000 but it was certainly worth it. I've had it since late October and not had a single problem with it. actually I was looking at the 2500 and 4100 series... the 8100 series is a bit too expensive right now :( thanks for your input! :-D --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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        • L LukeV

          Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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          M Offline
          Mauricio Ritter
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Just don´t get compaq... i´ve one and I can´t get the w2k drivers for all the hardware. That really *¨#$¨$¨*@#$ ! :mad: Mauricio Teichmann Ritter Brazil mauricioritter@hotmail.com

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          • L LukeV

            Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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            Tim Ranker
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Get the Dell!!!! Kind regards, Tim

            L 1 Reply Last reply
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            • L LukeV

              Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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              Todd C Wilson
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              I've had a Dell in the past (not the model you're looking at), good product. Heavy, though. Can be used as a weapon if needed. On the other end of that scale is the HP laptops - very light, feel a little cheesy, but rock-solid stability. Performance is decent for a laptop, too. Brand to stay far away from: Winbook. Total junk on every model I've even had to deal with, and support stinks. Suggestion: skip the memory upgrades from the vendor, and get them yourself through Crucial. Better memory, mondo cheaper. Same for harddrives, unless they are having a special.


              Si hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

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              • T Tim Ranker

                Get the Dell!!!! Kind regards, Tim

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                LukeV
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                and is there a HUGE difference between a 14.1" and a 15.1" screen? Would the 14.1" be sufficent? --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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                • L LukeV

                  Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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                  Igor Vigdorchik
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  I suggest Dell refurbished. Much cheaper, almost the same warranty. You can get a very nice laptop for the amount you want to spend.

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                  • T Todd C Wilson

                    I've had a Dell in the past (not the model you're looking at), good product. Heavy, though. Can be used as a weapon if needed. On the other end of that scale is the HP laptops - very light, feel a little cheesy, but rock-solid stability. Performance is decent for a laptop, too. Brand to stay far away from: Winbook. Total junk on every model I've even had to deal with, and support stinks. Suggestion: skip the memory upgrades from the vendor, and get them yourself through Crucial. Better memory, mondo cheaper. Same for harddrives, unless they are having a special.


                    Si hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

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                    Travis D Mathison
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Todd C. Wilson wrote: Brand to stay far away from: Winbook. I had bought a WinBook XL some time ago and had a good number of issues with it, not to mention its bloody heavy. Without a doubt the most trouble prone is Compaq and your best bet is Dell. Travis D. Mathison --- --- After three days without programming .. life becomes meaningless ...

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                    • L LukeV

                      Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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                      J Offline
                      Joseph LeBlanc
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      I have a dell Inspiron 5000e and it's great. Got the 15" UXGA screen (1600x1200 ya!), DVD, modem, 512m ram, 30gig hdd and a wicked backpack case for it (www.spireusa.com, very nice carrying cases). Some of my friends have dell Inspiron 8000's and my boss just got a new 1.2ghz p3 Inspiron 8100. Very nice machines although quite expensive. I find dell's service to be fairly decent. I just had the motherboard replaced on mine because the serial port fried. After calling dell a tech guy came with a new board within a couple days, installed it so far so good. If you get a dell and your planning on keeping it for a while I really recommend getting the 3 year complete care warranty. It's worth the extra $$$. Joseph LeBlanc

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                      • T Todd C Wilson

                        I've had a Dell in the past (not the model you're looking at), good product. Heavy, though. Can be used as a weapon if needed. On the other end of that scale is the HP laptops - very light, feel a little cheesy, but rock-solid stability. Performance is decent for a laptop, too. Brand to stay far away from: Winbook. Total junk on every model I've even had to deal with, and support stinks. Suggestion: skip the memory upgrades from the vendor, and get them yourself through Crucial. Better memory, mondo cheaper. Same for harddrives, unless they are having a special.


                        Si hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

                        J Offline
                        J Offline
                        Joseph LeBlanc
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Todd C. Wilson wrote: Suggestion: skip the memory upgrades from the vendor, and get them yourself through Crucial. Better memory, mondo cheaper. Same for harddrives, unless they are having a special. I wish I did that when I got my Dell. My ram cost me a couple limbs, I'm typing this with my toes. Joseph LeBlanc

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                        • L LukeV

                          Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

                          R Offline
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                          Ravi Bhavnani
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Luke, the Dell's are great! The only drawback is that they're somewhat heavier than other models. But they're built like tanks and are likely to give you years of trouble free service. /ravi "There is always one more bug..." ravib@ravib.com http://www.ravib.com

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                          • L LukeV

                            and is there a HUGE difference between a 14.1" and a 15.1" screen? Would the 14.1" be sufficent? --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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                            Ravi Bhavnani
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            I recommend getting the largest screen you can afford. Dell's displays is razor sharp and their new UXGA display gives you 1600x1200 on the laptop! My Inspiron an XGA+ that gave me 1400x1150 on the laptop and 1600x1200 external. In either case the display was fabulous. I'd echo other people's sentiments regarding Compaq and WinBook - stay away from them. /ravi "There is always one more bug..." ravib@ravib.com http://www.ravib.com

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                            • T Todd C Wilson

                              I've had a Dell in the past (not the model you're looking at), good product. Heavy, though. Can be used as a weapon if needed. On the other end of that scale is the HP laptops - very light, feel a little cheesy, but rock-solid stability. Performance is decent for a laptop, too. Brand to stay far away from: Winbook. Total junk on every model I've even had to deal with, and support stinks. Suggestion: skip the memory upgrades from the vendor, and get them yourself through Crucial. Better memory, mondo cheaper. Same for harddrives, unless they are having a special.


                              Si hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

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                              L Offline
                              lucy 0
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Excuse, I am quite interested. But what is "Crucial"? Does it sell memory? Thanks for replying my .... question.:-O

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                              • L lucy 0

                                Excuse, I am quite interested. But what is "Crucial"? Does it sell memory? Thanks for replying my .... question.:-O

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                                T Offline
                                Todd C Wilson
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Crucial.com aka Micron Memory. Free shipping. Most of the motherboard/system reviews use Crucial memory as their benchmark stuff, since it's extremely good. You also see Mushkin mentioned a lot. Personally, I've tried Crucial, Kingston, OCZ, and "house brands". Stay away from the cheap stuff - ain't worth the hassle.


                                Si hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

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                                • L LukeV

                                  Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

                                  L Offline
                                  L Offline
                                  Lost User
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  Don't get a HP. They wont send you replacement parts. My DVD broke after 6 months of minimal usage. Dells are nice, but I really like the Sony Vaio laptops. Josh Knox that-guy.net
                                  "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away, and you have their shoes." - author unknown

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                                  0
                                  • L LukeV

                                    Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

                                    J Offline
                                    J Offline
                                    Jason Jystad
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    I'm with Josh, I have no complaints about the Dell laptops, but I adore my VAIO! They used to be extremely expensive but Sony has really gotten their prices down to competitive levels in the last couple of years. The feature sets are excellent, and they provide the features I insist on: integral NIC, integral modem, clear screens, and three-spindle design. The integral NIC should be mini-PCI if at all possible, as this is the most trouble-free type and it also provides the best performance. I do not want either the NIC or the modem to be PCMCIA cards, as I hate having to deal with those damn things unless absolutely necessary. I want my laptop screen to be as crisp as possible. The better the screens are the nicer a laptop is to work on, especially if you are using it as a desktop replacement. Sony has the best screens I have ever seen on a laptop. The only other brand that has screens as crisp and high performance as the ones used by Sony is Apple. I have not seen another Intel based laptop that even comes close. Three spindle design means that you can use your hard drive, CD-ROM, and floppy all at once without plugging in an external widget. They are all contained within the laptop. A laptop should be self-contained; I hate it when you need cables, dongles, external modules, or other odd bits for normal use. I should also mention that you will want to get a docking station/port replicator if you are using it as a desktop replacement. This makes life massively more convenient. Have fun! Jason Jystad Cito Technologies www.citotech.net Sonork ID 100.9918 >-------------------------------------------------< Every program has at least one bug and can be shortened by at least one instruction -- from which, by induction, one can deduce that every program can be reduced to one instruction that doesn't work. >-------------------------------------------------<

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                                    • L LukeV

                                      Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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                                      Neville Franks
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      I have no problems recomending a Dell Inspiron 4100. After lots of looking around I bought one in Nov last year and have been very happy with it so far. I got the inbuilt NIC and Modem, Second battery, CD-RW/DVD Combo, WinXP Pro and their extended 3 year warranty. This maxed the price out but for a brand name nothing else came close feature/pricewise here in Oz. WinXP is without doubt the best version of Windows I've used on a Notebook. Highly recommended. I've had Dell before and had no problems. Before this I had a HP Omnibook 4150 which was also a good machine, but after 3+ years it is falling to bits, which isn't real good. That said I probably would have bought another HP (6100), except their pricing is double that of a similar Dell machine here in Oz. If you want any more info on the 4100 let me know. Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows. www.getsoft.com

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                                      • L LukeV

                                        Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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                                        A Offline
                                        Alvaro Mendez
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        One thing that has always puzzled me about laptop keyboards is how they don't all have the left "Ctrl" key in the same location. Some manufacturers like IBM and Compaq don't put it where you'd expect: as the left-most key on the bottom row. Instead they put the "Fn" key there and then the Ctrl key to the right of it. It's weird -- it makes the laptop keyboard significantly different than a regular keyboard, IMHO. I wonder who made that dumb decision... Anyway, since I use the Ctrl key all the time, I stayed away from those type of laptops when I made the decision. The ones I noticed with the Ctrl key in the proper place were Dell, Sony, and HP. I went with a Dell because it was the cheapest of the three. Regards, Alvaro

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                                        • L LukeV

                                          Hi folks, I need a laptop! I'm starting my own gig pretty soon (www.edovia.com). It's mostly web design and some software. While I'm sure I'd be served better with a desktop (cheaper, more powerful, etc.) a laptop would be nice when meeting clients or go work at a Café downtown when I'm feeling like changing of environment. I have a somewhat limited budget, (2200$ CDN, 1350$ USD) so right now I'm feeling like getting a Dell Inspiron. This is what I am looking for: 15.1" screen, 256mb, DVD, modem, network 10/100... The thing I don't like about Dell is that you can't see the product before buying (it's online). Any advice or suggestions? Thanks! --------------- http://www.edovia.com

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                                          R Offline
                                          Roger Wright
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Get something soft, warm, and blonde... Processing capability isn't really all it's cracked up to be.

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