Laptop Questions

[Gomez]

Now that I'm forming my own business, I need to get my own laptop. There are a few features I'm looking for that would make things simpler.

First is a serial port. You know, the good ol' 9 pin male D connector type. My last 3 laptops had them. I need this port because it is commonly used to connect to various industrial equipment (PLCs, Servo Controls, etc.) I know I could use the USB port with an adapter, but that's another black box to carry around. From what I've seen in the newer systems, they don't include this port anymore. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif

Also, I would prefer to get a system with Windows 2000 not XP. We had a desktop system at my current job and had a hard time getting everything to work when XP was removed.

I'd also like to have the integrated CD-RW. Are these reliable in laptops?

Thanks for any replies.

 

[Carl_NH]

Gomez,

I have had 3-4 laptops ove the last 5 years (gateway and dell) and the Dell has the edge in my book.

Get the three year ship to repair warranty rather than the on site since it is most cost effective. This covers all the stuff except for non dell items like modems etc. I have had two LCD's fail of the 4 systems and at $900 a pop you might as well replace the system but since it was warranty they replaced this, the keyboard and essentially tuned it up!!

As for the CD-RW these are good and seem to be reliable as well makes for backing up your data every month or so a breeze. I would also have a network set up so you can transfer files from laptop to desktop so to have some data redundancy.

Good luck in your new venture.

Carl

 

[mikim]

to repeat what Carl_Nh said ... particularly with laptops ... backup, backup, backup --- frequency of backups are determined by the timeliness and importance of the data -- we do 'em daily and weekly - depending. The CDRW would be useful for that too - or better yet DVDRW - 700MB vs 4.7 gig

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I've had a number of laptops over the years and bought a Dell about two years ago. Since then I've bought a total of four and can't conceive of what it would take for me to ever buy anything other than a Dell laptop. Not only are the machines very good, their service and support is outstanding.

In this day of lackluster service everywhere, Dell is truly head and shoulders above the rest. I had a problem with the very first Dell I bought and am now actually happy I did because of my experience with them. The machine was used and still under warranty. One phone call and they had me run some simple diagnostics then told me what the problem was (hardware) and it was covered. The very next morning I get a phone call from a local tech who already has received the part I need and wants to come out and fix it right away. I was amazed.

While he was here I asked him about cleaning the display because I thought one side wasn't as bright as the other. Honestly, it wasn't a big deal but I thought if cleaning it with something would work I'd do it. The tech looks at it, actually twisted the display slightly to see something and makes a phone call and gets me a new display coming...all under warranty and all on a $400 Ebay purchase.

Well, that's my story. Dell has made a believer out of me and now four of my friends have identical machines to mine because of my experience and each of them have been as pleased as I am. I hope this helps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[DUMBDOG]

I have a dell laptop that I take south in the winter and the kids use here at home. Three years old and not a problem with it at all. Bought it reconditioned from Dell.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I bought a Sony VAIO FXA49 notebook that has 2 usb ports, a serial port, a printer port, monitor port, ethernet port as well as cd-rw/dvd, 512mb RAM, 30 Gig HD, 15" screen from Bestbuy for $1,499. This was back in April. The price has probably dropped by now! Hope that this helps. It does have XP and Word already installed as well as a number of other programs.

 

[Steven]

Have a dell 8200 Inspiron with 256ram, 40 gig hard drive, cd-rw/dvd, 64mb nvidia graphics, 15" ultra xga tft display, windows 2000, office pro, wireless network card for work and absolutly love it. and a dell 8200 desk top with the same setup for the house, with a 19 " trinitron monitor. Buy a dell you will not regret it. Go to dell.com and put one together with what you want and get the price and it can be at your door in two days.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/series_inspn_notebooks.htm>http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/series_inspn_notebooks.htm</A>

 

[Gomez]

Thanks for all the replies. I was checking out the Dell refurbs online. I guess I'm going to settle for not having a serial comm port and us a converter if I want a newer model. I've heard lots of good things about Dell. The only thing I don't like about Dell is that annoying "Dude, you're gettin' a Dell !" ad campaign they have. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif Sometimes you got to swallow your pride, I guess.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color=blue>"The only thing I don't like about Dell is that annoying "Dude, you're gettin' a Dell!" ad campaign they have."</font color=blue>

I understand that Dell's computer sales more than doubled with the start of the ad campaign with that guy. Amazing, isn't it?

I guess it just goes to show that it's not whether you love it or hate it so much as if you remember it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif