Laptop Computer Questions?

[jrobinson2]

I want to buy a laptop mostly to use in the truck on trips, expected use will be primarily entertainment, mapping programs to compliment the GPS, games and playing DVDs for the kids (14 and 5 yrs. ). Probably also some sort of diagnostic software for the truck, I cant even dump the codes with the key on my '99 I would like to stay under 1000. 00, used or reconditioned are an option. What are good brands? what are bad brands? I've had many problems with Compaq so they are out for me. How much computer do I need to buy? Is 1ghz/256 mem/20gig HD enough? The machine I'm typing this on is a P2 266mhz/ 128mem/ 8gig hd so I'm not exactly cutting edge here :-laf I've been watching 800mhz machines go for under 400. 00 on ebay, any opinions on an ebay purchase?



Jared

 

[jwilliams3]

Dell inspiron Laptop works good for the wife.

512ram, 2. 8ghz cpu, 40gig hd, 15", dvd WIFI.

I think that was about 950 to the door.

 

[guava]

My observations about ebay and technology auctions is the stuff goes for too much and ebay has gotten riskier (is that a word?) over the last year.



I'll second the dell. Look into their reconditioned stuff. I bought a high end business machine that looked brand new when I got it. I've had it 3 years now. Go with an in-home warranty if you can get it. I've had my screen replaced 3 times. Replacement has been their choice because its cost effective. It has always been a loose cable. The screens never broke, it was just a line of pixels.



I put a lot of miles on the computer including the trunk of my motorcycle for several 1000+ mile trips.

 

[klenger]

I have two Dell laptops. One of then is 5 years old and still going strong. I won't look at anything else. We also use Dell laptops at work.

 

[fkovalski]

Laptop computers...

I have been researching laptops as I hope to make a purchase soon. I have higher performance requirements for running AutoCad. I have always been hooked on Dell products as our company uses them exclusivly for desktops. In my reseach I ran across THIS SITE . It opened my eyes a bit more to other products. The intertesting this is this: I had beeen looking at the Sager's for a while since it was linked from the site. Then, we had a seminar on the latest AutoCad software and the instructor we had was using a high performance Sager! I am finding out that if one reserches and shops around that a higher performance laptop may be gotten for about the same budget alotted (or the same performance for less!)



Here is the web for SAGER



Another one that I am considering is:PROSTAR



I guess what I am trying to say is that while Dell is a great product to which I would always consider, there are many others on the market that may be good for you at a better price.



Hope this helps. -frank



EDIT: I just spoke with a tech rep at Sager and he related to me that Sager and Prostar are the same company.

 

[KBennett]

I have had two Toshiba's and two Dell's. The first Toshiba was so-so but the second one was great and the the Dell's have been good as well.

My current company supplied laptop is a Dell Latitude D505. We went with this model because it still has a serial port that we use to program external devices. It is setup with XP Pro, 1. 6Ghz Pentium M, 1GB ram, and wireless.

The M processor is pretty cool because it has a very good power manager when your running on battery.

 

[MFalkinham]

I'm typing this on my work Inspiron 1100. It was Dell's entry-level laptop when new two years ago, and has survived my airline travels quite well, including a couple of drops. Definintely get 512MB of RAM as a minimum; mine had 256 when new and was extremely slow running Windows XP Pro. It's somewhat better now with 512MB. The other big item is the processor; my Inspiron has the Intel Celeron CPU, and it seems slow as well, so get a real Pentium. Finally, if you have any needs that would require using "real" serial ports, buy a PCMCIA card that has the serial ports with it. The USB serial converters I have tried don't work nearly as well for my needs.

I recently helped my father-in-law buy a new Dell PC. We priced out some reconditioned models, but with their new model incentives he got more for his money by custom building a new machine, including free 2-day shipping.

 

[Royk]

Toshiba, Dell and Sony VAIO are three good brands and the only ones I would look at recently when I was shopping for a used one. Ended up with a 600Mhz Sony VAIO for $347 on Ebay. After the auction ended I saw the guy lived about 85-90 miles away. He met me 1/2 way and I paid him cash, so no shipping or tax! In addition to the Windows ME OS on the laptop, he threw in a Microsoft XP Home install disk registered to that computer and my choice of either a wired or wireless LAN card. Laptop was in original packaging with all wrapping, paperwork, cables, install disks, etc. etc. Even had the pink foam between the screen and keyboard. The thing works great for what I need it for, which is playing DVDs on the road, web surfing, checking email and some games.



So, I'd say Ebay is an excellent option if you are careful to buy from highly rated sellers.



Roy

 

[Coolslice]

I have a Sony VAIO and it has been great, without a doubt the best one I have ever had. My advice as a non-expert would be to get the Centrino wireless thing if you can. I can take my laptop with me in my truck, and these days just about everyone has a wireless router soooo, I can be on the road and pull up somewhere and almost always use someones wireless internet connection if I need to. It may not be the most ethical thing to do, but it makes my life much easier and it doesn't hurt anyone as far as I know.

 

[ProMac1K]

I use to be running an old Compaq Presario, which was good in the day with the AMD processor. We still use that for bookwork. Then we stepped up to a Dell Dimension 2400 which is a very good value-priced desktop. Purchased that for my online tech classes. Works great, although would be happier if shut down every night. I've been using that up until yesterday. Now I just got a Dell Inspiron 2200 laptop yesterday to take with me when I leave for a new job. That's what i'm typing on right now. Hope to get a laptop mount and power connection for the truck someday. So far i'm happy with the laptop.

 

[JStieger]

I can be on the road and pull up somewhere and almost always use someones wireless internet connection if I need to. It may not be the most ethical thing to do, but it makes my life much easier and it doesn't hurt anyone as far as I know.

If you can do this, just think what the government can do! Seriously, though, how does this work? Do you just pull up in front of some buildings, scan for a wireless connection frequency, and log on while a person is already online? I have DSL so the wireless stuff is Greek to me.

 

[Coolslice]

If you can do this, just think what the government can do! Seriously, though, how does this work? Do you just pull up in front of some buildings, scan for a wireless connection frequency, and log on while a person is already online? I have DSL so the wireless stuff is Greek to me.

You know it. The govt does watch the internet very closely IMO, but I feel like they need to these days.



On the wireless, you hit the nail on the head for the most part. Office buildings, schools, and just about any neighborhood, wireless is all over. The people don't have to be online. I can't speak for all connection types, but cable is always connected. My cable wireless router has 4 different channels, so in theory, 4 people could pull up in front of my house and connect through my wireless router and my computer can even be off. . I have tested my laptops range and I can connect outside from about 100-150 yrds away. I love wireless.

 

[klenger]

If people set up a wireless router with no security, it's basically like inviting poeple to jump on. I've found unsecured wirless at the mall and at the CG where I store my camper.



It's not even like hacking to get in. The wireless software defaults to looking for all wireless connections if your preferred connection is not available and then presents a button asking if you want to connect.



As long as you are not doing anything malacious, there is no harm done, other than a bit of bandwidth theft, which I doubt is illegal. Someone around my house has a wireless router setup and the network name is "freeinternet".

 

[ProMac1K]

Someone around my house has a wireless router setup and the network name is "freeinternet".

Wow!! Kind of neat, huh.



In our house, we run off of a ethernet I guess you could call it. It's wireless to the signal box (antenna), but then it's cable to the router I think and then there's four outputs on our Linksys router.



I've got a question relating to a true wireless connection for laptops, like you're doing above. I'm going to be staying with another person for awhile for work reasons. He has wireless internet, thinking it's the same type that I have. Evertek Wireless Internet How can I set up my computer to have wireless internet without a cable connection? I have a Dell Laptop with a Dell 1370 Internal Wireless Networking Card (802. 11b/g, 54 Mbps). Is it possible to set up a wireless connection with a sender/receiver?

 

[klenger]

TMaas: Your setup should work w/o any problems on your friends network. You may need to enter some security information into your computer to establish the connection. That's one of things that's really cool about wirless, visitors can easly connect and get online.

 

[ProMac1K]

klenger: Thanks! I was curious what I needed as far as equipment and setup. Can it be a true wireless connection, and what equipment do I need to purchase to do it?



Thanks

 

[klenger]

I think you already have everything you need. I'm not an expert on wireless networking, but manage to "get around".

 

[ProMac1K]

So where is the actual wireless card? There is a PC slot on the left side, what is that for? Also, where is the PMCIA card? Just want to make sure I have the wireless card.



Another person seems to think that you need a special wireless router here at home, we just have a ethernet router I guess with a wireless signal to our box on the roof, which gets it's signal from another box on a roof. Where i'm moving, it may be different. I'm having some people set up a cable connection to this computer in my bedroom. Could I have them set this laptop up for a wireless connection, or would I have to run a cable from the router downstairs? I'm confused myself.

 

[klenger]

I have a Dell Laptop with a Dell 1370 Internal Wireless Networking Card (802. 11b/g, 54 Mbps).

Per your previous post, you have an internal wirelss card. In other words, it's inside the laptop, so you can't see it. I have a Dell 600M with an internal card and it works great.



I think you have everything you need to connect to your friends wireless network. To set up a wireless network at your house, you will need a wireless router. If you currently have a CAT-5 ethernet router, you could just replace with a combo CAT-5 and wireless router for around $40. If your current connection is from your laptop directly to the CAT-5 port of your ISP modem (or what ever they call it), then you need to connect the router to the modem instead of connecting your laptop to the modem. Then you could connect your laptop to the router with CAT-5 cable or by a wireless connection. Clear as mud?

 

[ProMac1K]

Yep, got a copy on that.



Last thing that i'm unsure with is a program for setting up the connections. Say if you're on the road, parked in your truck, or sitting outside of a relatives place or wherever that has a connection. How can the laptop pick up the connection without you knowing the info?