stevenjm
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts: 824
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Posted: 2004-Dec-01 04:16
hey,
have decided to stay in se asia permanently and need a laptop for web work while travelling and would appreciate any suggestions.
I'm a novice when it comes to laptops and need something with good graphics and capability to develope php etc.
I don't know whether theres some dual boot system I can use for linux/windows or what. basically I want a laptop that does not need an extra box for server as well. any comments? -thanks
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Curt
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts: 3747
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Posted: 2004-Dec-01 11:38
Don't know what to recommend as far as brands go... but, you might want to consider getting a laptop with HDTV screen dimension (16:9 screen ratio). The keyboards are usually wider too with standard number keypads on the right which is nice.
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kevchadders
Joined: Feb 18, 2002
# Posts: 581
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Posted: 2004-Dec-01 12:06
When you know what you want it might be worth taking a look on ebay. You might get it a bit cheaper in there.
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pjnunn777
Joined: Jul 17, 2003
# Posts: 381
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Posted: 2004-Dec-02 07:44
Have you looked at a Mac laptop? The Powerbooks/iBooks are now especially nice, have a good spec...and are very good value...
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gamiziuk
Joined: Aug 23, 2000
# Posts: 630
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Posted: 2004-Dec-02 09:30
Hewlitt Packard is a particular favorite brand name to me.
I've owned a few different brands of laptops over the years. ...HP... ...Compaq... ...Mitsubishi... ...and the first computer I ever owned: an NEC Multispeed (heaviest laptop you ever seen).
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stevenjm
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts: 824
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Posted: 2004-Dec-04 13:05
hey,
thanks for the replies - bit slow here with access as still travelling.
Curt - I'll keep your advice in mind while searching.
kevchadders - I'll take a look because the cheaper the better.
pjnunn777 - yeh I was thinking of a mac but have no experience with them. is it true they run unix so I can run apache etc with no problems while developing under the same os?
gamiziuk - the good old nec multispeed. It was my first computer and one and only laptop - used to access bbs's at a lightning 1200 baud.
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Sinoed
Joined: Dec 11, 2000
# Posts: 5266
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Posted: 2004-Dec-09 01:41
I have a Dell and my sister has an eMachines laptop. It depends on what you want for travelling and stuff. I would say that the Dell is probably a little more rugged and would probably take a bit more abuse than the EMachines. The edge of the screen is slightly curved & a bit wider to give an overlap and a more solid closure. The eMachines laptop has a thinner display. I did however like the look of the eMachines, a little bit more stylish. The eMachines also has some hotkey buttons on the top to access your MP3's and stuff if you like that kind of thing. Overall there isn't much difference between the two except that my sisters is an AMD 64 and mine is a P4, speed wise I haven't run any comparable programs at the same time so I couldn't tell you which is really faster. I tend to get some pretty good reception from the integrated wireless card in my Dell laptop too if that helps. I'm not that crazy about the touchpad, I think it would have helped to have a scrollbar off to the side of it like on my sister's eMachine. I do know that if you're in the States you can buy refurbished Dell stuff that can be pretty cheap.
I should mention that you can also buy a refurbished eMachines through www.tigerdirect.com for a good discount, which is what we did for my sister's unit but that you have to be very careful doing this. I suspect that quite a lot of the stuff they sell is either end of line or seconds. I bought a DVD burner that was supposed to have a $40 rebate and sent in the paperwork only to discover that the rebate was no longer valid for the product I bought (and I got the forms from the tigerdirect site). With my sister's laptop (we bought her a refurbished one) the second laptop we received had a dead pixel right in the center of the screen so it had to be sent back. We opted to drop it off at the tiger direct store in Markham. They also ship via UPS who has some problems because the first laptop never arrived - it went mysteriously missing. In the end we got an amazingly good price and a beautiful laptop but it was a very big pain in the butt to say the least.
My advice if you can is to actually physically buy the laptop in person unless you're going to buy it brand new from a reputable company. If you buy a refurbished unit you're going to run the risk of getting something that you don't want or doesn't meet your expectations without some kind of hassle. Personally, I've experienced quite a few problems trying to buy computer equipment (especially computer stuff that is very well priced) sight unseen - my sisters laptop purchase was a disaster and we had the ability to actually go to the store. I know the same thing can happen even with brand new computers but you've got a much smaller risk. Personally if I was in your shoes I would buy new directly from a company like Dell, Toshiba, HP or one of their local retailers if you can. Find a nice computer guy in your area that you can work with. That way if you have a problem you take it back to them and let them figure it out. Trying to 'return' a laptop to exchange it for a new one is going to cost a fortune if you have to send it from Asia via Fedex or something.
One more thing, I have a friend who purchased a Sony Vaio (the small one) and he really didn't like it, he said he would have rather bought a full size one in case you're thinking about the size/weight issue. My dell laptop weights around 7lbs (I think?) and its light enough that I just put it into a bag and head out. I can't really see that there would be that much difference to lose an extra 3 or 4 pounds, I think the comfort factor of the keyboard and screen is a bigger issue.
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sabrewolf
Joined: Dec 08, 2004
# Posts: 7
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Posted: 2004-Dec-09 13:08
I agrre with Sinoed. Yes, Dell are very good computers. The main thing you need to consider is tech support. With Dell, you have 24/7 tech support. You can also design your computer to your specific need with Dell. Good luck!!
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advancedbiotech
Joined: Dec 08, 2004
# Posts: 20
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Posted: 2004-Dec-09 19:26
Dell is really a poor choice, simply because they use some of the lowest quality, generic, third-party hardware.
I also recommend a Mac...and yes, OSX is Unix-based, so you can run Apache, etc. with no problem.
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sabrewolf
Joined: Dec 08, 2004
# Posts: 7
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Posted: 2004-Dec-09 19:41
Yes they do use some generic hardware, but some generic hardware gives a much better performance. Again it depends on what he is planning to use it for. Good point adbancedbiotech.
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advancedbiotech
Joined: Dec 08, 2004
# Posts: 20
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Posted: 2004-Dec-09 19:49
Well, the biggest problem that I noticed with Dell hardware (when working for their tech support) was the modem & built-in ethernet. So keep that in mind, stevenjm.
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gamiziuk
Joined: Aug 23, 2000
# Posts: 630
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Posted: 2004-Dec-10 23:27
Yes they do use some generic hardware, but some generic hardware gives a much better performance.
A good friend of mine owned a Dell before - although it was a desktop, not a laptop. He found it impossible to upgrade the components of the Dell and swears he will NEVER EVER buy a Dell again.
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Sinoed
Joined: Dec 11, 2000
# Posts: 5266
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Posted: 2004-Dec-11 01:24
I think you'll probably find the same thing with most of the exceptionally cheap desktop systems though. I have no idea how you can possibly avoid it and still offer a system that costs so little. The last time I checked Dell desktop systems were really cheap (the laptop's weren't as good price-comparison wise though) compared to other offers. I ran into the same thing when my dad bought a brand new MDG P4 system from my grandma after my grandpa died. My dad likes to 'tinker' and replace parts and you couldn't do anything like that on the MDG - integrated everything. Then again for most of the people that buy MDG's or Dell's they aren't worrying about that - they seem to target first time buyers or inexperienced computer users..
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gamiziuk
Joined: Aug 23, 2000
# Posts: 630
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Posted: 2004-Dec-11 02:14
I also own an E-Machine (desktop) myself. An absolute piece of JUNK! Its still sitting here, the only reason I keep it running is because it has a built in CD burner. For everyday use, I switched back to my old HP 500 MHZ desktop (what I am typing on right now). About 6 years old now, running WinME OS, but its more reliable than that donkey EMac.
When it comes time to buy a new desktop (probably in 2005) I will likely cannibalize the EMac for parts and still keep the old HP-500 running as my backup machine.
Oh, and those USB Port memory sticks are a Godsend! Whatever machine you buy, get a few of these memory sticks.
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stevenjm
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts: 824
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Posted: 2004-Dec-13 04:06
hey - thanks guys - I thought this thread had died.
thanks for your in depth reply sinoed.
I guess at the start of this thread I should have been more specific about needs - play dvd's on flights from aus, long battery life so can work on flights, I've never been fussed about having lightning speed as long as its not snail pace I'm happy, maybe 30 gigs of harddrive(even 20 would suffice), accept peripheral cards, extremely good graphics, weight and size not an issue - as sinoed said "whats a few extra kilos", able to run apache without having to make scripts windows friendly would be a definate plus.
the more I hear the more I like the mac - simply because it runs the unix system making apache etc very easy. Only thing holding me back is the fact that I've never used a mac
before and am unsure of the software availability and limitations etc.
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advancedbiotech
Joined: Dec 08, 2004
# Posts: 20
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Posted: 2004-Dec-13 16:59
I would suggest going to apple.com and doing some research. But really, Macs are very easy to use, and most Windows based development and business software is also available for Macs as well.
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stevenjm
Joined: Eons Ago
# Posts: 824
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Posted: 2005-Jan-19 11:54
Ok just to update - I went with a second hand apple ibook and have to say that after a being a little sceptical of macs that I am totally impressed and now know it was a good decision - Software is very windows like and photoshop and dreamweaver are almost identical and being able to run a unix based server is just too good, also love the simplicity and functionality of most of the programs for macs. My vote - thumbs up(9/10) I can see now why apple shares just recently jumped in price. Thanks everybody for all the advice.
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