Laptop help.

[chargirlgenius]

I’m in the market for a new laptop, for work and for play. It’ll be my personal laptop (purchased by me), but it has to perform well enough to handle being a work laptop twice a week as well. I get a bit of a deal on Dell systems from work, so I’ve been looking in that directions. Don’t know exactly what kind of discount yet.

All of the cheaper, home-use Dells have glossy screens, and after using the glossy on the Vaio, I’ve realized that I hate it. I’d like to be able to work outside or at the kitchen table, and glare is a big problem there.

We don’t do a lot of heavy gaming, really, Jeff just plays a lot of Mafia Wars and the like, but that’s about it. I don’t game at all. I know myself and don’t want to get addicted. :-D

Some video editing capabilities would be nice, but it doesn’t have to be high end. We’re talking home movies stuff.

I tend to have lots of windows open at once. Our current laptop acts like a dinosaur in that regard, though it’s only a couple of years old. I’m thinking I want 4GB of RAM. What kind of performance difference am I going to see between, say, 2.26GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB, and 2.53GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB? If I’m not gaming, does that matter more, or memory matter more?

Can you tell I’m a computer moron?

Integrated mobile wireless with Verizon is a nice-to-have, but not necessary. If it’s not included, I’ll probably just tether my crackberry to it.

I won’t be carrying it back and forth to work, but I don’t want a brick either. Can’t afford a Macbook Air. :-D I want a decent sized screen, though I’ll eventually get a second monitor and dock it. Needs to be able to dock. Can all laptops dock?

So, recommendations? I'm open to Mac, but price is a consideration. I’ve been leaning towards a Dell Latitude E6500, with XP instead of Vista, upgraded to 4GB RAM, and the Verizon built-in Mobile Broadband (they have a rebate so it’s free).

ETA: For that matter, is Vista really that bad?

Comments

[aeddie.livejournal.com]

If you don't have a 64-bit operating system, either XP or Vista the OS can't take advantage of the 4GB of memory.

If your CrackBerry is from Verizon (or possibly other carriers) using it as a tethered modem would be cheaper than a mobile card in the notebook.

I've got a 17" screen on my HP but I think that for most people a 15.4" would work better. However on this size screen you don't usually get a number pad.

Almost all notebooks have some way to dock, either through a docking port or a universal dock through the USB port.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

That's very helpful - thank you! I don't really care about a number pad - I was annoyed the first time I didn't have one, but I've gotten used to it. I might still think about a bigger screen though.

[aeddie.livejournal.com]

A 17" screen, while looking good sucks down battery life and makes it much heavier.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the crackberry tethering is $15/month, but it's kind of a pain to not be able to use my phone at the same time as I'm online. For all day use, it might be worth it to have the mobile card. We use a mobile card on the other laptop, and it's such a PAIN, because the connection tends to go south just after a few months. It's just a USB, so it's sticking out and not very reliable.

Then again, we're considering satellite as a backup, or maybe primary with my crackberry as backup. Satellite has slow upload, so I'm not willing to go 100% with that.

[tedeisenstein.livejournal.com]

Can’t afford a Macbook Air. :-D

It's a nice computer for travel, yessir; mine went with me through Europe last fall quite well, with no trouble at all. I'd be seriously tempted to sell you my somewhat used Mac Air, cheap, because I'm thinking of getting the larger-drive faster-chip version...but money's going for other things right now, like inventory.

However: there's only one USB port, one tiny port for video out (in case you want a separate monitor), and a tiny thing for earphones. If you have an external back-up drive and a printer, you'd be out of luck.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I need it to hook up to peripherals, unless they can dock.

[karolines.livejournal.com]

Re: Can you tell I’m a computer moron?

you can tell i'm not. when looking for a new laptop (last year?) ryan asked me what i wanted. apart from the lack of technical terms, i told him something good that when he took it to play with his bros & sister's laptop that ours would go "zot" and their's would respond with a pitiful "we surrender"...

however, get a big enough screen that you can get a # pad. ryan IS frustrated trying to work at home from this thing because the screen is too small, and a number pad is something I REALLY miss.

[teffan.livejournal.com]

You can get USB number pads, if you don't mind them not being part of the built-in keyboard.

[karolines.livejournal.com]

Thanks! i've thought about that option, but it would be another set of cords...

[teffan.livejournal.com]

The one I have has a retractable cord built into it, so that helps quite a bit on that. I think if I were using it a lot again (like when I was in accounting class), I'd design some sort of means of keeping it in place alongside the keyboard rather than it just sitting wherever it landed.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

We haven't had a number pad for a few years now, and I find I'm not really missing it much. I was annoyed at first, but now it's no biggie.

[verymelm.livejournal.com]

The E-series Dell laptops tend to be a little unreliable to dock. I don't know much detail on this, but I know that those folks who are replacing laptops on campus this year are looking for any other alternative than having to go with the E-series. I have a D830 Latitude for work and it's fine, but I don't think you can get them anymore.

I'd think about how you're going to use it, really. My work laptop is a straight up laptop with a slightly wider than standard screen and for most non-docked work, it's fine, but trying to pull a full day working on it out of dock (and therefore without my keyboard, mouse and monitor) drives me a little batty. My personal laptop is an HP entertainment something or other and it's a full size keyboard with keypad and wide screen. It's about 7.5 pounds, but *much* easier to work with as a stand-alone machine for long periods of time. It's not a laptop that is easy to travel with, though - in addition to being heavy, it's just plain big.

I'd also verify that you'll be using your own computer as a work computer when you work from home. If all I need to do is check email, I can work from my personal laptop, but if I need to log into the VPN, I have to do that from a work computer - they won't install the software on a personal computer because they can't control what else will be on the system that might compromise things. If you're doing anything that requires any sort of security or transmission of data, I'd be *very* surprised if they didn't issue you a machine with which to work from home.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's all my own equipment, I was a little surprised about that. Good to know about the docking and the E-series.

[verymelm.livejournal.com]

On Vista, you're likely to get a range of opinions. I don't mind it. I run it on both my work and home laptops and other than the User Account Control thing being annoyingly reminiscent of why I don't like Macs, I've not had any issues. I've run 32-bit Vista on my work laptop for the last year or so and 64-bit on my home laptop for that and some change and have had absolutely no performance issues on either. I tend to use the Office suite and Firefox, in addition to some SQL developer tools and a couple statistical analysis packages at work. I run Warcraft on my home laptop without a hiccup and frequently use it to watch movies. *shrug*

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'm just being overly wary on Vista. Looking at the price difference between 64 bit Vista and 64 bit XP, I think I might go with Vista.

[verymelm.livejournal.com]

If you're looking at 64-bit computers, keep in mind that they will likely run pretty hot. My personal laptop kicks off a *lot* more heat than my work laptop. The machine is built to handle it, but even sitting with it up on a tray on my lap, it's too warm for comfort during the summer. If it will only ever be on a desk, as long as you keep adequate room around it for ventilation, it won't be a problem, but if you plan to sit it in your lap to work from, it may be something to consider.

Also, 64-bit is nice, but a lot of programs just aren't designed for it yet, so you'll likely still be installing things that won't be able to take advantage of the speed/power. I don't really notice much difference (other than the heat) between 32-bit and 64-bit (but I'm not a hard core computer expert, either) *except* when I'm gaming and I'm not knowledgeable enough to determine if the difference is the 64-bit architecture or the higher end video card in my personal laptop. Unless you're really going to be grinding through a lot of data or multitasking with more or bigger programs than the typical user, I'm not sure 64-bit is worth it (yet).

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Hm. I wonder if it would make a difference with Photoshop. That's one program that really seems to slow us down.

[alienor.livejournal.com]

Theoretically, yes, it'll make a difference. We haven't bought the 64-bit version to test it, though.

[lorebubeck.livejournal.com]

I'm not a geek (but I did marry one). I HATE Vista and am going to switch to the probeta version of Windows 7.0 (built off of Windows XP, not Vista) as soon as Shane buys it. 7.0 in Feb I think.

[tudorpot.livejournal.com]

A vote for the Mac. I'm not up on the latest configs- but you will save a lot of money after purchase by NOT having to get the Geek squad in- or deal with frequent crashes and viral infections, spy ware etc. My Mac Powerbook G4 will be 5 years old in October-one hard drive replaced as I dropped the laptop. Applecare is a good investment- replacing power cords, hard drive and a broken internal wire. There are several mac laptops out there- so don't just look at the Air.

[alienor.livejournal.com]

Jeff can download anti-virus protection (for home use) free as a DoD employee.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Yeah - we'll be doing that. It's not the full version that we currently have a subscription for, but I think we'll supplement with Windows Defender.

[teffan.livejournal.com]

In terms of XP/Vista... you might just be better off getting Windows 7 when it comes out later this year - depending on how quickly you're looking to purchase the laptop. Vista fully-patched (at least 2 patches now) seems to be a lot better than the initial offerings, but I know people had trouble getting it to play nice with other programs. You'll also want to consider compatibility with whatever work programs you may need to install, like verymelm said.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

I need a laptop *soon*, the sooner I get it the sooner I can work from home. :-) But I see downthread that Vista users who purchase after today can get a free upgrade...

[finnfinnegan.livejournal.com]

Points to consider:

Screen size: with a laptop if that’s how you are primarily using it then bigger is better. If you don’t have to really travel with it, go as big as you can. You never hear anyone complain that their screen is too big.

Memory (RAM): Don’t worry about the little details of the specs. With your level/what you are doing, just consider the big number 2GB, 3GB, 4GB, etc.

Processor: This will make the most difference on your application speed. I have not looked at the details of laptops chipsets recently, but go as big/fast as you can within your budget.

Video card: This is where you can save some $. If you don’t do any gaming (or light gaming), then you don’t need anything major. Just the standard on-board video will work (and save some $). Power gamers can drop some serious coin do get the right card.

Docking station: Don’t worry about it. Unless you are going to be connecting to and un-connecting to a set of peripherals (extra monitor, printer, other?) a lot (1/day) I would not worry about it. Most things you have to plug into your laptop are easy with USB ports. You can always start without one and see how things work and then if you decide it’s not worth the hassle then buy one later.

Good luck.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

I'll probably start without the peripherals, because the company is an "authorized reseller" and I don't know if that extends to peripherals.

[martykp.livejournal.com]

The contractors at work have the Dell E series with the broadband card in them and they like them esp. when ever they go away from the office. They haven't had any problems other than getting the Army master os put on them when they got them.

Second comment.

[aeddie.livejournal.com]

I don't find Vista that bad. It just takes a bit of getting used to. Now that there have been a couple Service Packs it runs a lot faster and is more stable.

Plus, according to this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31544290/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/ if you get a Vista system starting Friday you'll get a free upgrade to Windows 7.

Re: Second comment.

[usagi629.livejournal.com]

lol... love the icon...

and I have to agree.. I hissed at the thought of using vista when it first came out, but I used it briefly on vacation and it really wasn't that bad. It's totally needlessly chromed out and glossy, and they're doing things Mac and Linux have been doing for EVAR, but yeah.. all the basic functionality is still there and it's not quite as annoying as the first time I used it... hopefully Win7 is better...

[cbellfleur.livejournal.com]

We're looking, too. My laptop died in March and we have yet to replace it. Richard wants one to take to Governor's School next week.
This one (Charlie's, officially, but we're all using it) runs Vista and it took a few days to get used to, but seems to be ok.

Jeb's company keeps sending info on HP. And VCCS (Virginia Community College) also hypes HP. They actually point out the difference between HP's business and commercial models, such as a longer warranty and more robust hardware on the business models which are apparently not available thru places like Best Buy.

[alienor.livejournal.com]

I haven't had any problems with Vista on my new desktop, and you have to have a 64-bit OS to get windows to recognize over 3 GB of RAM. Vista is sluggish on N's laptop, but he only has 2 GB of RAM and a slower processor (I forget exactly, but I think it's in the 1.x GHz dual core realm).

[usagi629.livejournal.com]

I think a glossy screen is the only way you CAN work outdoors... the 'matte' screens aren't bright enough to allow you to work outdoors unless you're under cover/shade...

you might consider going to best buy or somewhere and test driving some Dells and other models to find what you like/don't like... I'm in the market for a new laptop too... but I'm less concerned with performance and more concerned with portability but without going blind.. so 15 inch is probably what I'll go with...

I'll probably go with a vista / ubuntu dual boot machine, but I'd think you'd just want a vista machine to be more compatible with work...

They won't buy you a laptop for work?

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

WRT Glossy vs. matte.

Oh? Really? Crap, I thought that glossy just made it tougher because the reflection was so bad. Will a glossy screen (TruBrite or something) work, and then I can put a glare filter over it?

I definitely want to hit Best Buy and look at stuff. Maybe Jeff and I will field trip it on our date tonight.

Performance wise, my Inm. laptop was fine, though I wasn't running Photoshop and Norton on it. I don't know what they had in the background for security.

I'm actually ok with them not buying me a laptop. That means that I don't have to lug a machine with me back and forth every day. It also means that I won't lose it if I happen to leave. I was kind of hoping that I could just buy the old Dell off of Inm., but CA had somebody to give it to. Wish I'd have checked the specs on that one before I gave it back.

[usagi629.livejournal.com]

meant to comment this a while ago.. and somehow never hit 'post'... oops.. :-\

Glossy is brighter which helps a lot since your setting bright as hell being outdoors.. you can buy a screen shade that would help with either style screen or just try to work under shade.. polarized sunglasses might help too.. I've not used any screen shades before so can't speak to their usefulness.