wot's so good about laptops? they're all cr*p, how many times do I have to tell you? get a proper computer, then u can poke and fiddle around with it

I like my laptop. I can bring it back and forth from my dads to my moms place. It's great for school too.

Life: No one gets out alive.

..and it's a HP too. just wait till u need to ring HP customer service, then u'll regret ever wishing to own one.

At work we have HP 2500CM printer, but HP doesn't provide WinXP drivers, so we're stuck with NT drivers wich work with TN systems, but they won't work with XP systems. So we have a nice expensive printer wich does everything but print what you want. HP sucks @ss.

Edit: Damn spelling.

Daft Vader - I am your father.
sS - Noooooooo! I demand a DNA-test.
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It's better to chase a rabbit then to catch a hare...

@WLB.....

I don't think there are one-off custom builds of laptops. I may be wrong but I am skeptical. If you were going to get a desktop, every area has at least one custom builder shop.

Since you need to be able to take your PC with you as you go from place to place, you will need to buy a desktop replacement type laptop.

At the risk of having a whole slew of abuse rain down on me from the exalted uber-techies that populate the OT, you're going to have to go mainstream.

What is your budget? Is price relatively secondary or is it the primary consideration

Fairly mainstream decent desktop replacement laptops can go for around $2K give or take 15% depending on the make and the features. Really nice ones still approach $3K. And then the gaming rig makers throw stuff out there that cost anywhere from $3+K to $6K+ and then some.

and a proper computer will cost how much? at the most for a decent system, 1.5K in dollars I reckon. Twice the computer for less money. Stuff portability. At least get a docking station.

did I ever mention i don't like laptops?

@Taw.

Well. I knew someone would bark. Figures it would be you Taw. Thing is, I believe WLB has some specific requirements that necessarily make mobility a priority.

@WLB

The pricing may be attractive but woefully not enough RAM on all of the Compaqs on offer.

The HP 17" is a good price. The P4 2.66gig with 512MB RAM and 60Gig HD is priced to go. But does the weight matter because these babies are heavy, almost 10lbs. Also, at just over $2K, the 3gig unit is attractive too but... she's going to mighty hot. The 2.6gig also will be kicking up some serious heat. So you'll have to consider how you're setting the laptop up. No fabric surfaces that will insulate the unit. Preferably a way to allow air to flow undeneath the unit as well as around it.

How rugged does it have to be, i.e., how often do you change location? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Once you're on the move, do you stay on the move?

Edited by - Indy11 on 24-12-2003 01:36:55

dont u mean no less than 120GB HD space?


i hate laptops
i hate those stupid ball/touch pads for a mouse
i hate the speakers

if i had a laptop i would have so much external thing i might as well have an normal computer, which i have

<edit> if WB is going thru college.....i cant remember if he is or not...anyway, i can imagine a fagitued guy carying a computer tower with a flat screen on it and speakers and a mouse hanging their wires into a room full of staring and laughing people

Muwahahahaha!!!
I lost it!!!.....or better yet; did I ever have it?

Edited by - ):Wolf_Demon on 24-12-2003 01:39:06

If your looking for a game machine then a laptop is going to last you about 1-2 years before it becomes a redundant piece of crap. As a business/student computer they are highly usable due to thier mobility but if you seriously want a good games machine and are willing to sacrifice some mobility, get a desktop and a 256Mb USB drive.

Seriously though, I am constantly on computers at home, work and school but I've never felt the need to get a laptop because the negatives far outweigh the positives.

laptops=cr*ptops that are occasionally of some use but not much.

*Checks for the all clear*

@WLB

Have you looked at any Sony VAIO's or...
*ducks head*

Dell?

@Indy, you better duck, I hate those ****ing Vaios. That's the computer my coworker is using that is causing me all sorts of hell trying to get it to work on the network. Not to mention how it freezes all the time even after only being on for a few seconds. It's just a bad, bad computer.

Sir S

Notebooks/laptops are great for mobility, however they are awful for gaming. They do not have the power necessary for GPU intensive games which are defined as pretty much any modern game these days. The "Centrino" laptops are not bad, they have low CPU power consumption, and may be worth considering. That is, if you swing that way .

A large USB Key is an excellent idea (or an external Netdisk). USB Keys can store a lot of information, they are very solid and redundant (just drop them in a pool and see! ), and they are quite cheap. Just remember; USB 2.0!!!. If it's not USB 2.0, it will transfer data slowly, and will cuase you no end of irritation.

Esquilax

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The geek shall inherit the earth. - McBain.

Boy! All these responses to type...

@Taw - HP service is rumored to be better here. I'll look into that. Price range is under $1500, unless financial backing shows up.

@Indy - You are correct. I need to move it, but only distances of a few feet at a time and there is no room for a cart (for a desktop). As such, it can remain plugged in (so bateries are no consideration) and weight is no problem. Rugged would be nice tho.

@Wolf - No, I meant at least 12Gig. I haven't comp shopped in a while... that HP comes with 40Gig! I hate the little mouse thing on laptops and thier speakers too. Thats why mine has external keyboard, mouse, and speakers

@Mustang - It's really a problem. Need it almost exclusivle for gaming, has to be mobile Why you ask? To keep me sane when I'm stuck in one spot for 3 months. Long story.

@Indy again - No, haven't looked at Vios and won't be looking at Dell (I know the not so proud owner of a Dell laptop) I came to ask the experts (u guys) first.

@sS - Perhaps i'll not look at Vios

@esq - I find I can get away with most games on my old laptop (Compcr*p pentium 2) from it's era anyway. HW 1 for example runs beautifly until you get massive battles. Plus, I can't exactly be particular about weather it's a laptop or not. I will try to remember the USB 2 thing tho