Recommendations for new notebook.

[Alan L.]

We have 5 Dell Latitudes from 1 to 4 years old. Mine is a PII-300 I got in December of '98. We haven't had any trouble with the others. I had to have the power supply replaced free because I wore out the connector, and they replaced the keyboard assembly because I wore out the "e" key. This was replaced next day onsite.

The only complaint I have had is that the CDrom drive sometimes won't read CDs created by clients. Dell won't replace the CD drive as they say as long as it reads mass produced CDs then they consider it operational. I'm still mad about this and this one blemish will probably make me buy a thinkpad next time. They should not have made it an issue, especially since the other identical laptops would read these CDs fine.

Alan L., TX

 

[Joe_W]

One thing I didn't see mentioned was the keyboard. I've had two IBM Thinkpads, and I think they have the very best keyboards available, period. I can type faster and the keys all seem to have perfect placement and feel compared to any other computer, desktop or laptop. But your results may vary.

I also have a Dell desktop and I can vouch for the sturdy construction and relative trouble-free nature of Dell's products.

Joe W.

 

[glennmac]

Doc, ignore this Neanderthal mindset and go Cro Magnon: Apple Titanium G4 Powerbook. Run Virtual PC with Windows 2000 on it if you have Neanderthal apps you really can't live without.

 

[cowboydoc]

Gentleman,
Thank you so much for you suggestions. It looks like the overwhelming response is for a dell. Sorry Glenn I'm not up to learning a new system with the apple although everyone I talk to says it is the best. I know just enough to get by and make my current applications work so I would be afraid to try and make the apple work with my office, home, and link network. John you are right Compaq definitely has the most bang for the buck. HP is a little better price wise than Compaq but doesn't sound like you guys recommend them. Dell is definitely the highest price even with a healthcare discount by about $300. Here's what I priced. P III 900, 256k ram, 20 gb hard drive, 16 bit graphics, 15" screen, modem, dvd/cd-rw drive, Windows XP, and the usual ports. Prices were $1525 from Compaq, $1950 from Dell, $1399 from HP, actually $1599 but they have a $200 rebate right now, and IBM was $1921. I compared the same class in all of them. Based on the prices would you still buy IBM or Dell?

 

[GlueGuy]

I've had experiences with almost all the major brands. Toshiba used to be the leader, but they have been kind of running with the pack lately. The Sony Vaio line is real nice, and they work great as long as you don't need to upgrade anything. My niece and nephew both have Compaq Presarios for a couple of years. They are both very happy with them. I like the new M-series; very thin and reliable. The only brand I haven't seen first-hand are the Dells. Most people that I've talked to like them.

I wouldn't write off Compaqs, but I would probably stay away from HPs. My suspicion is that the HP line will go away, as they are bleeding major red ink in all of their PC lines. I know that Compaq has been going through a lot to reduce their cost of inventory; they are much closer to the Dell model, and maybe even gaining on them.

The GlueGuy

 

[glennmac]

Actually, I don't have an Apple notebook but I would like one because I learned Apple before Wintel and much prefer the operating system.

I have an IBM that I use at work and home and travel. I have also used Winbooks and Microns. I would always stay with IBM even if they are a little more expenxive, which they don't even seem to be compared to Dell. IBM's quality and service is unsurpassed, and they ain't ever going to disappear or go out of business like so many PC companies have over the past 10 years. I also like their keyboard, very accurate trackpointer, and trackpoint-scrollbar. To me, the trackpoint-scrollbar is essential for internet use.

 

[glennmac]

Oh, and by the way, Doc, IBM is known among the cognoscenti as the "John Deere of Computers". And, in particular, I believe they have GST models with CD ROM bays that can double as poison ivy medicine dispensers.

 

[cowboydoc]

/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif LOL

 

[mikim]

From what you stated as your uses I think you'd be happy with a docking station which may make your decision for you. We have several dells here at the office and 2 with docking stations that the people that have them like quite well. There was a training issue with one of the people on removing the laptop from the docking station without breaking it - but I believe we have that solved now. The docking station is plugged into the network and then so is the laptop as soon as it's docked. Makes things real easy. The dells we have had have all been good performers - we've had panasonic and gateway too -which weren't.
mike

 

[EdDekker]

cowboydoc,

With a laptop the first decision is the built-in pointing device. There are two common types; the rubber nib above the B key and the little drag window below the space bar. I find the drag window impossible to use. If you get a laptop with the wrong style for you, you will be unhappy with the computer.

Will you be using voice recognition software for transcribing your office notes? If you will, you should get the fastest processor you can find. If not any laptop will be fast enough for the use you described.

Increasing the memory will help. For Office applications you should have 128 to 256 MB (or more) memory.

You should stick to the major brands for a laptop computer. (Toshiba, HP-Compaq, Dell, IBM, Sony ...)

CD-RW makes an acceptable backup medium if you do not have a tape drive. You will want to back up your data periodically. You can lose data through either a hard drive failure, software bug or virus/trojan.

Docking stations have been suggested by mikim and I agree that docking stations at home and your office would be a good idea.

I now use the Toshiba Satellite Pro 4300 laptop, upgraded to a pre-release version of Windows XP. My previous laptops have been Toshiba and have given me good service.



Ed