I need to buy a laptop computer -- When I start looking at places like gateway and dell though I can't figure out what I need -- things like is XGA suficient or do i want to spend the extra $100 for the SXGA (or whatever its called) Is 256 MB of memory enough or should i get 512? Or 1 gig? Is there going to be that much of a difference in performance between 2.66 ghz P4 and a 3.04 ghz P4?

I don't know much about computer hardware -- The comp i have at home now is a P2 266 and it is too slow to run the programs I need -- I'll be using this to do work at home so i'll need to be running vectorworks, (or autocad) + a 3d modeling program like sketchup, + photoshop (sometimes simultaneously)

Can anyone reccommend a laptop? Preferably for around $1000?

I need to buy a laptop computer -- When I start looking at places like gateway and dell though I can't figure out what I need -- things like is XGA suficient or do i want to spend the extra $100 for the SXGA (or whatever its called) Is 256 MB of memory enough or should i get 512? Or 1 gig? Is there going to be that much of a difference in performance between 2.66 ghz P4 and a 3.04 ghz P4?

I don't know much about computer hardware -- The comp i have at home now is a P2 266 and it is too slow to run the programs I need -- I'll be using this to do work at home so i'll need to be running vectorworks, (or autocad) + a 3d modeling program like sketchup, + photoshop (sometimes simultaneously)

Can anyone reccommend a laptop? Preferably for around $1000?

If you are doing model programs and photoshop, why not go with an Apple laptop? If you go with something PC based, in my experience, avoid the Sony VAIO. The first one was okay, but the second was a POS.

If you are doing model programs and photoshop, why not go with an Apple laptop? If you go with something PC based, in my experience, avoid the Sony VAIO. The first one was okay, but the second was a POS.


DOn't want to go the apple route -- I have access to the PC versions of the software from work and dont want to re-buy them. Avoid the vaio? I was actually considering that one.. You had a bad experience?

Do you have to have a laptop? You can get a fairly nice desktop box for that money. Do you travel a lot?

Pete

DOn't want to go the apple route -- I have access to the PC versions of the software from work and dont want to re-buy them. Avoid the vaio? I was actually considering that one.. You had a bad experience?
I've used the vaio and didn't have any problems. :dunno

Just don't get a Compaq. They are miserable. Since you are looking at doing some processor intensive work (fairly specialized) you might want to check out some benchmark results to decide on what chip to get.

---Eric

DOn't want to go the apple route -- I have access to the PC versions of the software from work and dont want to re-buy them. Avoid the vaio? I was actually considering that one.. You had a bad experience?

My second one wasn't that great for me-it had more memory than my first one with a slightly faster processor but wasn't that much quicker. The DVD/CD drive was noisy as hell and would shake the machine a bit. Within 2 years the HD went.

To Sony's credit though, VAIOs in the right configuration would be probably good for what you want if you don't want to get an Apple Powerbook. It was just an inconsistent experience-the first one was fine, but I needed a bigger HD which is why I went back to another VAIO. The second one I had just left a bad taste in my mouth.

I've used the vaio and didn't have any problems. :dunno

Just don't get a Compaq. They are miserable. Since you are looking at doing some processor intensive work (fairly specialized) you might want to check out some benchmark results to decide on what chip to get.

---Eric

Agreed on the Compaq.

Do you have to have a laptop? You can get a fairly nice desktop box for that money. Do you travel a lot?
I've been considering that as well -- but i would really like to bring it into work with me and take to use when meeting with clients -- neither of these things is really necessary but if i had the laptop i would use it for that -- so i kind of feel like a desktop would only be half as useful.



you might want to check out some benchmark results to decide on what chip to get.



I dont know what that means :)


Also, would you guys say definately get a pentium or is the celeron processor just as good? What about the AMD athlon processor?

My second one wasn't that great for me-it had more memory than my first one with a slightly faster processor but wasn't that much quicker. The DVD/CD drive was noisy as hell and would shake the machine a bit. Within 2 years the HD went.

To Sony's credit though, VAIOs in the right configuration would be probably good for what you want if you don't want to get an Apple Powerbook. It was just an inconsistent experience-the first one was fine, but I needed a bigger HD which is why I went back to another VAIO. The second one I had just left a bad taste in my mouth.

My father bought one not too long ago. DVD/CD drive is quite. You probably had a bad drive/mount and the vibration from it killed you HD.

---Eric

I dont know what that means :)


Also, would you guys say definately get a pentium or is the celeron processor just as good? What about the AMD athlon processor?

That is what I meant by looking at the benchmark results. A pentium processor is typically great at crunching numbers while the celeron isn't. The celeron might be faster at some functions that the pentium isn't. A benchmark test runs a set number of specified functions to see how each one reacts. I've found for CAD work Pentium was always good in the past. I haven't looked at the benchmark results in the past couple years though.

---Eric

Gotcha -- I'll look for those

Buy as much RAM as you can afford....512 is the MINIMIUM you should buy to run XP. It is also wise to get the best display offered as you really can't upgrade it later (at least not easily.) If you have to skimp do it with processor speed.

Oh, and take a look at IBM laptops....pricey but very nice.

Dude, get a Dell. Having dealt with many laptops/companies, Dell is still by far the best in service. All computers have the same hardware for the most part, it's the service you should be looking into when buying a computer.

Is dell as good/better than gateway? My comp now is a gateway (bought it in '98) and they were very good at getting it fixed when I had a fried video card about 6 months after i got it (sent a packing box to my place with prepadi label, picked it up and then brought it back fixed all for free)...my only concern was that maybe the video card shouldn't have fried that early and wouldnt have if i had gone with a different company..

Dells rock! I have 2 P4 desktops and they are solid machines. I totally forgot about them. Their laptops are pretty good too-we've used them at work and several friends swear by them.

Buy as much RAM as you can afford....512 is the MINIMIUM you should buy to run XP. It is also wise to get the best display offered as you really can't upgrade it later (at least not easily.) If you have to skimp do it with processor speed.

Oh, and take a look at IBM laptops....pricey but very nice.


I have a think pad p4 and it is fantastic. Way more stable than my old toshiba. That thing (the toshiba) was like the fiat of computers. It would break down so frequently. It seemed like I was giving it to my tech group every week or so. It got so bad I had them set up a desktop as a back-up so that I could keep working when it died.

Bren is right though, these things (the think pad) are pricey.

Pete

Here's a good place to get some info:

cnet.com (http://reviews.cnet.com/Notebooks/2001-3121_7-0.html?tag=cnetfd.glnav)

I'll be using this to do work at home so i'll need to be running vectorworks, (or autocad) + a 3d modeling program like sketchup, + photoshop (sometimes simultaneously)

Can anyone reccommend a laptop? Preferably for around $1000?

If you're doing work at home, is your company going to pitch in on this? Seems like they should. Stuff like Photoshop and Autocad need a lot of horsepower, so you're best configuration would be:

Pentium 4, straight P4 is best but P4-Mobile isn't bad (NOT Celeron)
Greater than 256 MB of Ram, 512 MB is nice
Greater than 1.5 Ghz clock speed

The problem is that you're pushing up to $1500-$2000 with this stuff. But, you wont be wasting your life watching Photoshop progress bars.

I agree that Dell is a good company to go with. I haven't had a bad experience with Gateway either.

Work isn't going to chip in -- but the way my job is structured I dont have real 'hours' -- i just have to get my stuff done -- so if i have a laptop at home i can be at home doing work that normally i would be doing in the office -- plus I will be doing some work 'on the side' that doesn't pertain to my actual job.

I can get the following computer for $1400 - $100 rebate. Any suggestions?
BASE SYSTEM OPTIONS

Base
Mobile Intel® Pentium 4 Processor 2.66GHz,15 inch SXGA+
Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Memory
512MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms
Video Card
32MB DDR NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX Go5200 AGP 4x Graphics
Hard Drive
FREE 40GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive Upgrade! (from 30GB)
Network Adapters
Integrated Network Card
Modem
Internal 56K Modem
CD ROM/DVD ROM
FREE 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive Upgrade! (from DVD)
Wireless Networking Cards
Dell® Wireless 1450 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g, 54Mbps)
Productivity Software
Productivity Pack with WorkPerfect® and Microsoft® Money Standard
Security Software
Norton Internet Security™, 90 day trial
Digital Music
Dell Jukebox powered by MUSICMATCH
Primary Battery
65 WHr 8-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options
1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year At-Home Service
Dial-Up Internet Access
6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
Digital Photography
Dell Picture Studio, Paint Shop Pro Trial, Photo Album Starter Edition
Mail-In Rebate Offer
SAVE $100 with mail-in rebate! System price shown before rebate.
Mobile Accessories
64MB Dell™ USB Memory Key
Peripherals for Home Setup
No Floppy Drive Option
Dell Media Experience
Dell Media Experience™

XP Home sucks Donkey Balls

Would I benefit at all from having a 64 MB graphic card?

I added the Dell wireless network card but not the wireless router... (Going to make my roomate split cost of router) and figured we'd just go buy one at circuit city-- will the dell card work with another brand of router or would the dell card only work with dell routers?

Will I notice a difference with the SXGA+ or should I save $50 and get the XGA?



windows xp home sucks donkey balls? why? is it worth $79 to upgrade to xp professional?

If you are big on P-Shop or watching DVD's then go for the SXGA, if not, XGA is fine. XP Home is more for less computer savy people. There a more things like being able the change network settings with Pro. For a laptop, it would be better to have Pro and the ability to play with Network settings because it will probably be differnet networks now and then. All Wireless cards can work together.

Oh yeah, and if you're going Dell, check techbargains.com. Also, sometimes on dell.com the same machines will have different prices bewteen the "home" and "small business" sections. Check both.

I concur about Dell's and IBM's - we've used both here at work, and both have done us very well.

Compaq makes great servers, (mostly all we have here) but their laptops are crap (before AND after HP acquisition).

Stay far away from Gateway.

XP Home sucks Donkey Balls

I can think of something worse... Windows ME.

MS took it off the shelves, that's how bad ME was!:biglaughb:

All Wireless cards can work together.
:nono Ummmm, No. There are 2 main types used right now. 802.11a and 802.11b. They use different radio frequencies!

The different radio frequency and modulation types of 802.11a and 802.11b causes them to not interoperate. For example, an end user equipped with an 802.11a radio card will not be able to connect with an 802.11b access point. The 802.11 standard offers no provisions for interoperability between the different physical layers. You would need to make sure your access point supports whatever one this comes with.

---Eric

there are two wireless cards available -- Dell® Wireless 1450 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g, 54Mbps) --$90

or
Dell® Wireless 1450 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b, 54Mbps) -$59

is the 'g' worth the extra $30 ?

there are two wireless cards available -- Dell® Wireless 1450 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b/g, 54Mbps) --$90

or
Dell® Wireless 1450 Internal Wireless (802.11a/b, 54Mbps) -$59

is the 'g' worth the extra $30 ?
Damn, I was hoping that wasn't an option I would have to discuss... I'm feeling lazy today.
From: http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wireless80211/a/aa80211standard.htm

In 2002 and 2003, WLAN products supporting a new standard called 802.11g began to appear on the scene. 802.11g attempts to combine the best of both 802.11a and 802.11g. 802.11g supports bandwidth up to 54 Mbps, and it uses the 2.4 Ghz frequency for greater range. 802.11g is backwards compatible with 802.11b, meaning that 802.11g access points will work with 802.11b wireless network adapters and vice versa.
Pros of 802.11g - fastest maximum speed; supports more simulatenous users; signal range is best and is not easily obstructed
Cons of 802.11g - costs more than 802.11b; appliances may interfere on the unregulated signal frequency
Pros of 802.11a - fastest maximum speed; supports more simulatenous users; regulated frequencies prevent signal interference from other devices
Cons of 802.11a - highest cost; shorter range signal that is more easily obstructed

Basically it depends on what you plan to do in the future or if you have any existing equipment you want use.

---Eric

Makes sense, thanks!

Most "Hotspots" are 802.11b and are not going to be moving to G or A anytime soon. But any 802.11G card can be used with 802.11b. You can get an 802.11g router fairly cheap, and should go that route. Anything you buy from Dell will be compatible with *MOST* hotspots.

Trying not to get too technical.

Most "Hotspots" are 802.11b and are not going to be moving to G or A anytime soon. But any 802.11G card can be used with 802.11b. You can get an 802.11g router fairly cheap, and should go that route. Anything you buy from Dell will be compatible with *MOST* hotspots.

Trying not to get too technical.
You might want to see what you office is using. Personally I like the idea of a802.11a because of the higher frequency (less noise from appliances) but I don't like the cost of some of the equipment. 802.11b equipment isn't fast but it is dirt cheap.

---Eric

I like eggs. :)

I like eggs. :)
Mmmm eggs...

---Eric

Mt Office is using 802.11g... ask me how I know ;)

Mt Office is using 802.11g... ask me how I know ;)
I'll ask you how you know if you stop winking at me... :confused:

---Eric

I'll ask you how you know if you stop winking at me... :confused:

---Eric

:lol:

my office doesnt have wireless networking yet... :(.
This will just be to connect at home with.

my office doesnt have wireless networking yet... :(.
This will just be to connect at home with.
For home use I prefer wired. Not as clean but it is more secure (and faster). If you are going to have your computers somewhat centrally located I would consider that. If you still wanted the ability to walk around your house with the laptop you might want to consider an access point that does both wired and wireless.

---Eric

I'll probably keep my roomates computer as a wired connection -- but i want to be able to use my computer from the couch in the living room and the porch

so for another $50 is it worth it to get the 64 MB graphics card?

I ended up buying this last night -- A little more than I wanted to spend but I got a pretty good deal i think
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0001KJOJ2.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg
HP Pavilion ZD7140us Notebook PC (3.0 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM)

Features:

3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4
512 MB DDR SDRAM
60 GB IDE Hard Disk
CD-RW: 24x (write); DVD-ROM: 8x;
Windows XP Home Edition
17 inch display





Tried to hook up the wireless router last night and :dunno: -- didn't work too well.

whered u get it from?

bought it at best buy.

bought it at best buy.

Did you re-arrange the DVDs while you were there???

yEw KnOw iTzzz !! TECK vIdeOzzzzz is aLL uP FroNt!

yEw KnOw iTzzz !! TECK vIdeOzzzzz is aLL uP FroNt!

w3rD!!!!!!!

totally.





so who's going to come over and hook up my wireless router?

I nominate John D. :D

Did you end up with a wired or wireless router? If it's wired it's a pretty simple setup. Just connect to your router with your laptop/PC(it should have instructions on how to do that), set it to DHCP (this turns it into a miniserver that gives addresses to your computers).

Right-click "My Network Places", click Properties, right-click "Local Area Connection", click Properties again, click TCP/IP, click Properties AGAIN. Set your laptop network card to "Obtain an IP address automatically."

Open a command prompt, type ipconfig/release, then ipconfig/renew and it should pick up an address from the router.

If it's wireless then John D. or Eric can help you, I havent futzed with wireless much, it should be similar though. :)

so who's going to come over and hook up my wireless router?

Did you end up with a wired or wireless router?


:rolleyes:

---Eric

ok.. so i got the comp hooked up to the cable modem -- but everytime i try to configure the wireless router it screw up my connection... what am i doing wrong?

:rolleyes:

---Eric

What, you want me to actually read his post before I offer help? :nuts:

Sorry jterp, Ive never hooked one of those wireless dealies up. :)

not going so well.. tech support has me re-installing system software :(

ok.. so i got the comp hooked up to the cable modem -- but everytime i try to configure the wireless router it screw up my connection... what am i doing wrong?
It sounds like your cable modem is assigning you an ip address then when you connect to your wireless network that is re-assigning you a new ip address.

---Eric

What, you want me to actually read his post before I offer help? :nuts:

Nah, we're guys. Reading is a last resort (especially installation instructions).

---Eric

Thats what they said. I initially connected to the router via a LAN card (to setup the router) and got on the internet that way. I think thats what started the trouble. They said the only way to reset the IP was to completely re-install the system software and then try to get on the (now established) netwrok wirelessly at first. Sound like it might work ? :help:

Thats what they said. I initially connected to the router via a LAN card (to setup the router) and got on the internet that way. I think thats what started the trouble. They said the only way to reset the IP was to completely re-install the system software and then try to get on the (now established) netwrok wirelessly at first. Sound like it might work ? :help:
It might but I doubt it. Once your cable modem (or router) is turned off and back on again you will be assigned a new ip address again (starting your whole problem over again). You need to go into the network settings and have only one of them assigning you the ip address (sorry I'm not sure exactly how right now).

Personally I like to have the cable modem run into the router. Your modem will assign an ip address to the router then your router will assign a unique ip address to all the pc's that connect to it.

---Eric

the modem does run into the router now -- I am acessing the internet via the computer that is hard wired into the router... hopefully it will work -- I'll keep you updated.

if you would have bought a Mac, you wouldnt have that problem...

yeah, i thought about a mac but all the drafting software i can get from work is pc format (vectorworks, sketchup, photoshop etc..)

Oh yeah, I DID IT! I'm wireless! It was actually a stupid problem -- the router was assigning a security key to the network that I didn't realize until AFTER I reloaded the entire system.. oh well.

Congrats!

---Eric

Bro, I hope your office doesn't have VPN access..because with XP Home you're COOKED! It won't work well with a VPN at all. Listen, I work on systems..if there's anything you need, let me know..I'll be happy to help. Curious to see how the laptop works with 3D modeling..that graphics card is going to be struggling I think.

if you would have bought a Mac, you wouldnt have that problem...


Yeah..it would work great until you actually needed to tax the processor and it got too hot and made the video circuit interlacing go crazy. In Steve Job's design above function quest, he's designed a laptop that runs too hot and disipates heat too slowly. It makes a great hot plate for warming up the crack rock you smoked for buying an Apple Laptop for any serious work.

:stickoutt

Oh and BTW, once it did break..the mouth breathers at the "APPLE STORE" would be of no help..and in trying to fix the unit, would tear up the latch points on your "titanium" case. Then a day after the warranty runs out, they'll ask you if you'd like to spend another $400 for an extended service plan. Which would bring your grand total for the laptop to something approaching Bush's current national deficit.

Sorry...

Bro, I hope your office doesn't have VPN access..because with XP Home you're COOKED! It won't work well with a VPN at all. Listen, I work on systems..if there's anything you need, let me know..I'll be happy to help. Curious to see how the laptop works with 3D modeling..that graphics card is going to be struggling I think.


I'm not sure what all that means =-)
I'm not actually trying to connect to my work's network -- just going to install the prgrams locally and transfer the files through an SD card.

I think i got it all straightened out now -- I built a small model in skecthup on my laptop last night and it seemed to work really well (better than my desktop @work) --I'll let you know when I build something more elaborate.

Yeah..it would work great until you actually needed to tax the processor and it got too hot and made the video circuit interlacing go crazy. In Steve Job's design above function quest, he's designed a laptop that runs too hot and disipates heat too slowly. It makes a great hot plate for warming up the crack rock you smoked for buying an Apple Laptop for any serious work.

:stickoutt

Oh and BTW, once it did break..the mouth breathers at the "APPLE STORE" would be of no help..and in trying to fix the unit, would tear up the latch points on your "titanium" case. Then a day after the warranty runs out, they'll ask you if you'd like to spend another $400 for an extended service plan. Which would bring your grand total for the laptop to something approaching Bush's current national deficit.

Sorry...


Uh-oh -- PREPPY GOT SERVED!!!! :eek: :eek:

What can I say..I'm sick of fixing my gf's Apple G4 Laptop. DOH!

BTW, if anyone is in the market for buying a desktop, I usually buy and build custom machines for my friends. You don't get the "Dude You're In Hell" tech support from Dell/Gateway..but the machines run quicker and cost at least $500 less than anything Dell offers. I recommend this approach for people who aren't affraid to tinker..just let me know and I can give some recommendations.

I have a Toshiba laptop. I like it.

What can I say..I'm sick of fixing my gf's Apple G4 Laptop. DOH!


Maybe it's not the computers fault... :nono (j/k) ;)



I'm not gonna get into a PC/Mac war because I am still very much a PC user as much as I am a Mac user. I just love pushing PC users buttons by throwing in Mac 'elitist' comments :help :eyecrazy: