Laptops, Notebooks and Powerbooks

[kach22i]

I've been thinking about getting a portable computer for several reasons.

Main purpose:
Would be using it for e-mails, and playing/watching some videos on the Internet. Have a fast wireless link at work, DSL at home.

Advantages:
1. Would get current PC's which are on the old and vulnerable MS Windows 98 SE operating system (networked work computers) unhooked from the Internet.

2. Would not have to fight for the PC at home, could have something to during TV commercials or while listening to the stereo.

Conditions:
Used and refurbished are options because I'd only do this if cost were at or under $1,000 and the screen is larger than 12 inches (14"- 15"). Would have to be able to burn CD's, playing DVD's would be nice, but not required.

Options:
Mac/Apple may be considered, but I will have to transfer files back and forth - and be able to hook up to the networked computers at work. Is a USB connection going to work?

Future uses:
I don't think I will be using a portable computer to present to clients with - no projectors, no animations. I don't foresee working large AutoCad files on it either.

History:
I've never owned a laptop/notebook before - have lived just fine without one. Also not necessarily interested in using this as a back-up drive for work project files, but could be (I guess if I spent enough money).

Related background thread below:
Freeing up space .zip and .exe files

Suggestions?

Bad idea or good idea?

Where to buy?

What to look for?

[Halm]

As I suggested yesterday, go check out Dell's Small Business site and their Hot Deals link. You can customize a Latitude D510 by adding memory and a burner and still be under $850.

[techweenie]

I use a laptop (PowerBook) as my main computer and have done so for 5 years. WiFi makes portability real. And there are so many ways to exchange data with Wintel machines, that'll never be an issue.

Go to Apple.com > store > special deals for refurbished iBooks and PowerBooks with the exact same warranty as new.

[stomachmonkey]

I got rid of every single one of my Desktops.

Sitting here at the table working on my primary workhorse, 17" Apple, wife's on her 15' Apple. Daughter has on older Powerbook and switches effortlessly between it and my HP P4 Laptop which I rarely use. It's simply a compatability test box. Sitting on the floor next to me is my work issued Dell 610, POS in my opinion.

Everything is wireless, pritners as well as NAS.

I work for the 4th largest software company on the planet. I bring my 17' Apple in everyday and have zero issues. I get on the network just fine both wired and WIFI, access all the shares that my Dell does, print with no issues and the corp intranet is no issue.

I am diehard Mac fanatic. However if you are looking to go sub $1000 on a laptop I'd say shop the circulars and get a Windows box.
I'm not a big fan of used laptops from any manufacturer.

My HP P4 is a $1500 box that I paid just under $800 for after rebates. You just need to be patient and know what you want.

Scott

[yellowline]

My brother went with a demo Mac Mini. For $570 ($130 off retail), he got all the hardware in my Powerbook. (512 RAM, same processor, DVD burner, Wi-Fi, dedicated graphics card) That's just over a quarter of the price of the notebook. A new one is $600 with all the same hardware minus the DVD burner.

I tried it out and I'm impressed. It isn't as portable as a notebook, but no sub-$600 PC will touch it in terms of security or included software. If you think about desktops, consider the Mini.

[HardDrive]

You can get a very nice Windows based laptop for under $1000. Toshiba and Dell both make excellent machines. IBM has a great history here as well, but they have be bought out by a Chinese firm, Lenova. That is not nessecarily bad, but it does mean that there is the potential for change.

I have an Acer tablet PC. I had some problems associated with the tablet functionality, and their service was responsive and handled the issue.

[RANDY P]

Around the house is nice, but if you travel with it, try to go as light as possible.

my 15.4" goes everywhere with me unfortunately, and it's like Luggage.

Dell Refurb Inspirion 6000 1.5 centrino processor - sounds slower than current but it's roughly the equivalent of a 2.4 Pentium IV desktop, 15.4 screen size, 802.11G card built in, 512M Ram - less than $850 and you can't tell it isn't new - literally the only indicator is the little sticker at the bottom of the unit.

[bigchillcar]

paid $850 last month for my dell refurb inspiron 9300...17" widescreen notebook with 60 gig hd, 512 mb ram, nearly 2 ghz processor, wireless, bla blah blah..
ryan

[Yellowbird RS]

Toshiba satellite A75-s2131 great portable descktop

[84porsche]

I got a Sony VAIO but I paid about $1300 without the extended warranty. But it works great for internet, built in wireless, Windows XP Professional, 512 mb memory for future projects and since computers change so fast I wanted to stay somewhat current with the better videocard and the extra memory. The best part is surfing Pelican while sitting in the P-car out in the front yard or listening to satellite radio streaming anywhere in the house.

[dd74]

Suggestions: Apple. I have a 9-year-old Powerbook PC, and it's still going strong, though not as fast as my Dell nor my IBMs.

2nd suggestion: IBM A30. Why? Stronger than an ox, can do some graphics. I break laptops by just typing on them. The IBM is a workhorse. I haven't priced them on Eeek-bay lately, but they're pretty low last I saw, but at day's end, hold up very nicely to the newest products out there.

[MichiganMat]

Kach-

Do yourself a favor and check out a Mac at an Apple store. You're not just buying hardware with the Mac, you're buying a lot of really great software in there too.

- The Mac will integrate with your PCs without a hitch (network, files, etc)

- You can boot the Mac in Firewire target disk mode by holding T when you boot, it instantly becomes a firewire drive.

- The new iLife and iWork tools (iWeb, Pages, Keynote) will have you pumping out pro grade documents, webpages, and presentations that will absolutely blow your mind.

There are so many great features in those machines you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. BUT, wait for the next-gen Intel machines to come out, should be a good discount on the PPC machines. Or, wait for the 2nd-gen Intel based machines when all the bugs have been worked out.

[Joeaksa]

Have worked with Dell and IBM laptops the last 10 years. At times I travel for months at a time and live on the laptop, so they get used and a lot.

Been using a Dell 600m that I am typing this out for 2 years and like it but would look at an IBM when I replace it.

Would not get an HP or Compaq for love nor money. Had problems with spare parts support on these brands. Tried to get a replacement floppy drive for a friends laptop. It was 2 years old and the company said they did not supply spares for it anylonger. Had to buy a used one off of Ebay...

Joe A

[kach22i]

Thanks for all of the input.

It's given me a lot to think about.

As soon as my wife finds another job I'll be in a better position to purchase something - stay tuned.

[Joeaksa]

Kach,

I also found lots of people selling new laptops at a good price. "Open box specials" got me a new IBM years ago for $1000 savings. It was missing the "restore" CD. I called IBM and they sent me one for free.

Go to: www.pricewatch.com and take a look there.

[Don Plumley]

If you consider a mac laptop, suggest you look at www.expercom.com - for a factory refurbished unit with Applecare warranty coverage.

If you consider a PC notebook, you can get them new or refurbished from Dell. I recommend the extended Dell coverage as well.

I as a rule do not buy extended warranty coverage. Except for laptops. They have a higher than normal tendency to break, have screens crack, etc. due to handling, dropping, etc.

In my household we run four laptops (3 Dell, 1 Powerbook) plus 3 desktops for high-end stuff. There are moments when the four of us are sitting in the living room, all surfing the net/doing homework/work/etc. Wireless is wonderful.

[bigchillcar]

kach..try this dell refurbished link:
http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/
ryan

[s_wilwerding]

I would recommend an IBM Thinkpad, if you can swing it. I work in IT, and use a lot of different laptops, and Thinkpads are my favorite. They have nice keyboards, the little pencil eraser mouse (which I like more than trackpads, though the Thinkpads have those too), and are very comfortable to use for long periods of time. They are more expensive than Dells/Gateways/Toshibas, but in my opinion, they are worth it.