Need New ROAD APPLIANCE

[lorenzoinoc]

I need a notebook computer and don't feel like doing any research. I'm not going to be designing automobiles or creating major motion pictures with it very often, so it doesn't need to be cutting edge. But it needs to be sturdy enough to survive if it happens to be on the bed at the wrong time. Durability, ease of use and battery life are what I'm looking for. I'm ok with a chopper POS model because it's just a fuking computer.

Any recommendations?

Oh, and I don't want to be one of these guys that gets sucked into some strange dimension because I have the wrong notebook.

http://www.live.tslaptops.webcollage...ionFormat=html

[SoonerBS]

Toshiba makes a good laptop. Previous to the one I have, I had a Toshiba Satellite that worked 7 years for me before giving up the ghost only a month ago. My current computer is a Lenovo T61. I have had it now for a year and it is very powerful and durable. I have not had any problems with it. I told my friend at Microsoft I wanted a laptop that had power, durability and ease of use. This is the one he put together for me. Microsoft employees get a discount on Lenovo products so I was able to get the model with all the bells and whistles, plus Microsoft Office Ultimate and Vista 64 Bit Ultimate (which has been replaced with Windows 7 recently) for a little less than $2,000.

[lorenzoinoc]

Thanks, Sooner. I'm seeing apparently well regarded laptops, Toshiba included, for $400-500. I'm just looking for something that lends itself to heavy duty typing and will efficiently allow me to transmit my product via the web.

I've taken on some assignments involving a little travel. I don't want the f.ucker breaking down on me so I'll pay more if I need to.

I'd consult some tech oriented board, but those guys can be pretty closed minded, disfunctional and paranoid.

[dorkman53]

If you are looking for something that is very easy and intuitive to use, is reliable, and have a little extra disposable income, I can HIGHLY recommend the MacBooks from Apple. My wife was a total computerphobe for many years. However, she does like digital photography. My son, a computer professional, told her, "Mom, you should really get a Mac." Advice ignored. Later, when visiting our daughter in NYC, she was sitting next to a stranger at a park bench, taking pictures of our daughter and her dog. He asked her how she developed her pictures, and she told him that she usually took the digital information to Walgreens or Walmart, and had them printed. "You should get a Mac," he advised. She took this advice to heart, because it was coming from a trusted individual! We got a MacBook, and she took to it immediately. They have a great support and teaching system in place at the Apple stores, and teach you how to use it at nominal cost. (They figure you'll buy more software later if you are using it and liking it.)

She uses her MacBoook constantly, and we always take it with us on any trips, to process our photography. I eventually got tired of my IBM Clone desktop and got an iMac, too. They are SO much easier to use than IBM/Windows based computers, and so much less likely to crash. They have great tech support, too.

Yes, you'll pay more for an Apple product than an IBM clone, but they are operating on a more reliable system, are less prone to hacker attacks, have great teaching and technical support, and have a lot more software bundled into the initial purchase price.

Most motels, hotels, and even cruise ships have available WiFi or Ethernet connections, though sometimes they are SLOW, and are not always free, or even cheap. We usually spring for the extra expense for the convenience of keeping up with the news and e-mails during a trip.

Here, I'm going to "spam" the board:
http://www.apple.com/mac/

[FreakOfNature]

I've got a pretty old Toshiba Satellite which still works fine for basic use. It's a P3 1Ghz with something like 512Mb of ram, but it's fine for web browsing, emails, etc... You would want something much more powerful if you were planning on doing any image or video editing, but if all you're looking for is a portable wifi web interface, you don't really need much power. I get about 3 hours of battery life using power saving mode, and about 1.5 - 2 hours using full LCD brightness. It's an old battery so that is certainly affecting the overall strength of the charge.

Something like this would likely fit the bill as a basic solution:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834114714

The Lenovo notebooks that Sooner mentions are extremely good and very powerful, albeit a bit overpriced for what you get. If you're looking for something every bit as powerful as the Lenovo notebooks for a bit more affordable prices, try here:
http://www.ibuypower.com/IbpPages/Notebook.aspx

Hope that helps.



FON

[TexasJeff]

Yea I pretty much only deal with desktops. Notebooks are a slightly different animal.
Good luck.

[Kiwi Player]

Admit it Zo. The real reason you want that laptop is so that you can log in to GR when you are on the road to ensure that you don't miss any monumental GR events. I'm considering doing the same thing after missing Larry's Tai Chi classic.

[lorenzoinoc]

I admit I'll log into GR every now and then. But my primary function is to do some serious writing. I'm not sure what I'd call my activities here.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. My ex-gf had a Mac because she does alot of graphics work and loves hers. (I seem to be collecting ex-s a little too fast). And I'd do some photog on the road so that might be the justification. D-Man, the batteries are supposedly permanent on those things. I wonder about that.

[dorkman53]

I admit I'll log into GR every now and then. But my primary function is to do some serious writing. I'm not sure what I'd call my activities here.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. My ex-gf had a Mac because she does alot of graphics work and loves hers. (I seem to be collecting ex-s a little too fast). And I'd do some photog on the road so that might be the justification. D-Man, the batteries are supposedly permanent on those things. I wonder about that.

My wife uses hers daily, sometimes for considerable periods of time. She's had hers for about 3 years, and so far no battery problems, for what it is or isn't worth.

[oldplayer]

I admit I'll log into GR every now and then. But my primary function is to do some serious writing. I'm not sure what I'd call my activities here.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. My ex-gf had a Mac because she does alot of graphics work and loves hers. (I seem to be collecting ex-s a little too fast). And I'd do some photog on the road so that might be the justification. D-Man, the batteries are supposedly permanent on those things. I wonder about that.

I can't imagine a part like a battery not being able to be replaced. It would just be a matter of having to have an Mac technician or some other expert do it.

[lorenzoinoc]

I can't imagine a part like a battery not being able to be replaced. It would just be a matter of having to have an Mac technician or some other expert do it.

I'm thinking more in terms of being able to carry some spare batteries, which is what I've done in the past. I like to situate myself in a place where I can combine writing and scouting tang. Sometimes there aren't convenient outlets nearby.

[oldplayer]

I'm thinking more in terms of being able to carry some spare batteries, which is what I've done in the past. I like to situate myself in a place where I can combine writing and scouting tang. Sometimes there aren't convenient outlets nearby.

Fair enough. Surely though if you are structuring your writing activities in the way you describe you won't need much battery power.
I can't imagine a red blooded stud like yourself not being successful with your "scouting" in short order.

[poe4soul]

Zo,

My company buys primarily laptops for all of our employees. While our computers are all higher end laptops used for computer aided design programs, we let our employees pick out the style. There are a wide variety for different lifestyles, needs, and functionality that laptops are designed for. What I've found is that the users that like to touch type prefer the full size key board and end up with bigger footprint laptops. This usually means larger screens and usually higher battery consumption. Then the rest of the features like lower power consumption, video, processor etc. dictates the computer you'll get and ultimately the price. These are easy enough to figure out by looking at the spec sheets. We are currently buying Laveno Laptops like mentioned but our primary concern is quality not price. We have purchased Dell, HP, and Compaq. We have not had any notable problems with any of them.

We also use external battery as backups since we work in remote locations. Here's a link to a company that makes external batteries. http://www.batteryspace.com/external...batteries.aspx We've used these for computers and some of our field gear. They come in larger sizes and cost significantly less than the laptop specific batteries but they don't look as cool.

I would also check out websites like ecost.com. I've found some pretty good deals in their bargain countdown page.

[KoolCat]

The Apple Store has a MacBook Pro refurb for $999. That's a pretty sweet laptop. It's got a 7 hour battery. Their refurbished stuff is good as new in my experience. They come with the same warranty as new and you can extend it out with AppleCare. Not that you need any additional help with your 'scouting', but it is common knowledge that chicks dig Macs...

[lorenzoinoc]

Zo,

My company buys primarily laptops for all of our employees. While our computers are all higher end laptops used for computer aided design programs, we let our employees pick out the style. There are a wide variety for different lifestyles, needs, and functionality that laptops are designed for. What I've found is that the users that like to touch type prefer the full size key board and end up with bigger footprint laptops. This usually means larger screens and usually higher battery consumption. Then the rest of the features like lower power consumption, video, processor etc. dictates the computer you'll get and ultimately the price. These are easy enough to figure out by looking at the spec sheets. We are currently buying Laveno Laptops like mentioned but our primary concern is quality not price. We have purchased Dell, HP, and Compaq. We have not had any notable problems with any of them.

We also use external battery as backups since we work in remote locations. Here's a link to a company that makes external batteries. http://www.batteryspace.com/external...batteries.aspx We've used these for computers and some of our field gear. They come in larger sizes and cost significantly less than the laptop specific batteries but they don't look as cool.

I would also check out websites like ecost.com. I've found some pretty good deals in their bargain countdown page.

Very useful, Po, appreciate it. BTW, I found a discussion forum on the batterspace site that is, well, let's just say there seem to be more people that love batteries than there are that love golf.

[lorenzoinoc]

Ok, I've made my decision. I now realize there's only one criteria, and it isn't battery life, cost or durability. If there's a chance I can get more p.ussy with a Mac, even a slight one, I'm going in that direction.

Thanks everybody, I feel I've really reached clarity with this.

[Mizuno>Ping]

The Apple Store has a MacBook Pro refurb for $999. That's a pretty sweet laptop. It's got a 7 hour battery. Their refurbished stuff is good as new in my experience. They come with the same warranty as new and you can extend it out with AppleCare. Not that you need any additional help with your 'scouting', but it is common knowledge that chicks dig Macs...

Which type?

[KoolCat]

Not the kind that have wieners, so this really does not concern you...

[poe4soul]

I don't think you completely understand Zo. When you buy a Mac you have to trade in your junk and they give you a pu$$y.

Honestly I don't know shiat about Mac's. My software doesn't run on them but I do enjoy my iphone.

[BURNDOG]

Not the kind that have wieners, so this really does not concern you...

[BURNDOG]

hey zo, why dont you get the iphone, its a tangmagnet. you can access all your favourite gentlemens sites from anywhere, and do a lil writing at the same time......

speak to duaxy, hell square you away...

oh actually dont speak to him, as he always "needs help", hes always "got a problem"..

second thoughts just get the mac..

[lorenzoinoc]

Got the Mac with the bigger screen. They agreed that for the same price they wouldn't take my balls.

A female acquaintance of mine is a software developer who occasionally calls me to help her release tension when she's in SC on bus. She's involved in creating concepts the codewriters work on because apparently they only have one foot in the real world, at most. She's capable of harboring and inflicting more honesty than anyone I've ever met.

Anyways, she says the Droid is to be released through Verizon this week and it will distance the iphone, at least for the time being, and will support apps that would rock my world. I asked her if it will outcool the iphone and make women as wet. She said yes.

I'll be in SF next week visiting her and rocking my new Droid and Mac Pro in a public place to test out their attraction capabilities. If they're more effective attracting men than women, I'll have to make some changes. I might need an "I'm heterosexual" bumper sticker for the laptop case, a super soaker and a bucket of Miller Lite to keep things moving.

My friend says she's open to a threesome if she thinks the woman's hot because she feels it would bring back the old me. I really hope I can find this other woman quickly as the holidays are coming.

[poe4soul]

Just wear your blood donors card, a wedding ring, and look like a traveling business man and you'll get tail in SF.

[lorenzoinoc]

An update on the Mac: It's far superior in every way to the PC side of the world. I'll never, ever go back.

Fuk Microsoft, Bill Gates and everything they stand for. I'd consider dedicating my life to their destruction but I've already dedicated my life to something else.

[KoolCat]

Welcome to the un-Dark Side. I'm not sure I know anyone who has ever gone back to PC's after they started using a Mac. Unless there was some CAD or other software that they just could not run on a Mac. Did you get a Droid too? A buddy of mine just got one over the weekend. I'll be checking it out today. If you haven't gotten it yet, you might want to take a good look at the iPhone. If you love the Mac, you will really love the iPhone. Plus, it's common knowledge that chicks dig iPhones...

[lorenzoinoc]

Welcome to the un-Dark Side. I'm not sure I know anyone who has ever gone back to PC's after they started using a Mac. Unless there was some CAD or other software that they just could not run on a Mac. Did you get a Droid too? A buddy of mine just got one over the weekend. I'll be checking it out today. If you haven't gotten it yet, you might want to take a good look at the iPhone. If you love the Mac, you will really love the iPhone. Plus, it's common knowledge that chicks dig iPhones...

My local store ran out of Droids so might wander further for one today. But if you really think chicks dig them that much....I should at least check out an iphone against the Droid.

[dorkman53]

My local store ran out of Droids so might wander further for one today. But if you really think chicks dig them that much....I should at least check out an iphone against the Droid.

I've been on Verizon for years, so I thought I'd check out the Droids last Friday, the first day they came out. The guy at the local Verizon Wireless shop seemed clueless, didn't know how to explain the features, and I found out that if we got them now (one year into my contract, rather than 2 years, and my wife's "anniversary date" not until April) I'd have to pay $400 for mine, and she'd have to pay $600 for hers! We quickly left the store. STUPID marketing for Verizon. They're going to quickly get it all back on the monthly service charges anyway; this way they lost two sales, at least until April. NOT brilliant....

[lorenzoinoc]

I've been on Verizon for years, so I thought I'd check out the Droids last Friday, the first day they came out. The guy at the local Verizon Wireless shop seemed clueless, didn't know how to explain the features, and I found out that if we got them now (one year into my contract, rather than 2 years, and my wife's "anniversary date" not until April) I'd have to pay $400 for mine, and she'd have to pay $600 for hers! We quickly left the store. STUPID marketing for Verizon. They're going to quickly get it all back on the monthly service charges anyway; this way they lost two sales, at least until April. NOT brilliant....

What store? The guy in Laguna pranced through a complete in depth discussion. The only problem was getting him to respect my sphere of personal space which admittedly expanded in his presence.

If you're the primary and it's been a year since your last phone, it's $200. If you're the secondary, same deal but 2 years.

[dorkman53]

What store? The guy in Laguna pranced through a complete in depth discussion. The only problem was getting him to respect my sphere of personal space which admittedly expanded in his presence.

If you're the primary and it's been a year since your last phone, it's $200. If you're the secondary, same deal but 2 years.

I went back yesterday when the people at the local Verizon Wireless people were more up to speed, and got a Droid. Originally, I had thought about getting them for both myself and my wife, but she isn't eligible for a reduced price upgrade until next April; I was eligible now. I wasn't feeling too happy about spending $450 for hers, and was concerned how she would feel if I got one now and didn't want to pony up the extra money for her right now. She told me she honestly didn't care about waiting, and didn't want me to spend the extra money for one for her now, either, so I went ahead and got one for myself now, and we'll get hers in the spring.
These things are remarkable, and very easy and intuitive to learn. I'm sure someone already using an iPhone wouldn't be as blown away, but I didn't get an iPhone because you're stuck using AT&T, plus I like having the true pullout keyboard the Droid has. I find it easier to use than a virtual touchpad keyboard.
Anyway, I'm happy I made the plunge, and the voice activated search features will make navigating in unfamiliar cities a piece of cake. Having Google and G-Mail as the default search and e-mail systems made it all the easier to make the switch to the Droid, since that doesn't change anything for me, and all my old contact info is just carried over.
WooHoo! Christmas came early for this little kid at heart......

[poe4soul]

Time for another Shitmydadsays quote:

"Son, no one gives a shiat about all the things your cell phone does. You didn't invent it, you just bought it. Anybody can do that."

Seriously, sounds like a cool toy. I've had my iphone for over a year and don't think I would want to live without it. Access to the internet is very convenient. Little need to pre-plan just about anything since I've had the iphone.

We'll be on the lookout for your future misspelled words and poor punctuation now that you'll be posting from your Droid during your work meetings.

[dorkman53]

We'll be on the lookout for your future misspelled words and poor punctuation now that you'll be posting from your Droid during your work meetings.

Thats a lye

[Fred3.1]

What store? The guy in Laguna pranced through a complete in depth discussion. The only problem was getting him to respect my sphere of personal space which admittedly expanded in his presence.

If you're the primary and it's been a year since your last phone, it's $200. If you're the secondary, same deal but 2 years.

It's bad enough you have a computer. Now you're getting a phone, too. What a joke. You know, gay people in Mini-Coopers are many times the person you'll ever be.