Re:

[John]

Hello Scuzzy. I have owned several Laptop/notebook computers. Currently I own just the Quantex model I-1410 (ts301) There are a couple schools of thought on laptops. One is Desktop replacement and the second is Portability. If you are going to be taking this notebook/laptop to school you need to define your parameters. If you are going to use it at home as either your main or side by side compuer then by all means rack it out with the biggest and best, all the bells and whistles. If on the other hand your going to be lugging it around 10 pounds is a lot to carry for portability. My opinion if I was going to get another notebook it would most likely be the Inspiron 4000 it's almost 4 Lb's lighter. You are of course limited to just 8mb of video ram. But for school it would be great. On the other hand the Inspiron 8100 can really be called a desktop unit. But, it's heavy. See this BUYING GUIDE



VGA in an acronym for Video Graphics Array. VGA, SVGA and XGA all measure the resolution of the video signal being output by a personal computer. VGA consists of 640 vertical lines x 480 horizontal lines, SVGA 800 lines x 600 lines, XGA 1024 x 768, SXGA 1280 x 1024, and UXGA 1600 x 1200.







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John



Edited by - John on Aug 25 2001  6:01:51 PM

[scuzzy]

John,



Thanks for your help on this. In all my years of computing, you'd think I would have learned something about notebooks, but alas, my knowledge is limited. Oddly enough, I recommeded a Dell 8100 to my oldest daughter, which she bought. As far as I know, she's been happy with it.



Anyway, I'm looking for the best of both worlds. I want portability, and I want something that can take the place of a desktop. My wife depends on our desktop, so I will need to lean more and more on the laptop as I wean myself off of the desktop to let her have it completely.



If I buy a Dell 8100 in the next couple days, I can get an extra 128MB of RAM free, and free shipping. Of course, the stupid thing will come with the worthless Windows Me operating system, along with an upgrade certificate to Windows XP (for an extra $20).



What I like about the Dell 8100 is that I can order it with a fixed DVD-ROM, and add a CD-R/W as a module. However, I'm still open to suggestions. No, it doesn't have to be a Dell, but I won't consider a Compaq.



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Alex Garcia

[John]

Hey Scuzzy, just to inform you I checked and the Dell Inspiron 8100 is available with windows 2000 Pro with an upgraded available for XP. Dell 8100 you also might want to try this site on CNET



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John

[scuzzy]

John,



I know Dell offers Windows 2000 Pro in the 8100 series, but it's through the "business" side of the house. An equally configured "business" computer as compared to the "home" version, is at an added cost. Quite a bit more, I must admit.



I may decide to wait until Dell starts shipping with WinXP. The thought of having Windows Me installed on a computer that I own is a just little more stress than I can handle.



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Alex Garcia

[John]

Scuzzy, amen to that last statement. In any regards the Dell 8100 is an awsome system. Especially with the addition of 16 or 32mb of video ram. Let me know how it comes out.



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John

[n/a]

Why don't you like me?  

What is wrong with me?

My wife likes me.  She has used me for quite a while, with no complaints.

One of my daughters tolerates me.

I'd really like to know... what is wrong with me?



 

[Joanie]

Hey albedo,



We like you , please don't cry  but if you really need to you can cry in the Poast Office Forum and I will send Ace over to comfort you. He is the Poasters Chaplain and is a great source of comfort to all of us when we are feeling down and neglected.



Peace and Tranquility,



Joanie



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[pat]

Quote for Albedo



I would rather be liked for who I am;

Than disliked for who I am not.



 

[pat]

Hey Scuzzy,

Just got the oldest off to school. At her school each student is issued an IBM Think Pad. This is included as part of tuition. I didn't get a chance to check it out as we had to leave the day before she was due to pick it up.

Most reviews I've read lately point to a dell or IBM. The only experience I've had with a laptop was with my niece's. She brought it to me DOA, Toshiba sattilite. The restore cd wouldn't even work but, after a few hours of this and that I got it going and it has been going strong ever since.



plus all the dorm rooms are wired for the internet



Edited by - patman on Aug 28 2001  08:12:03 AM

[scuzzy]

patman,



I have considered the IBM Think Pad, and although I haven't totally ruled it out, it is expensive compared to Dell. One of the students in my class is an Air Force recruiter, and he was issued a Think Pad. I haven't been able to "play" with it, but it is an impressive computer, and he rates it highly.



At the moment, I'm leaning toward the Dell 8100. After hanging out at the Dell site for awhile, I realized I could get it with Windows 2000 Professional at a reasonable price. It also includes an upgrade coupon to Win XP Professional, which is a plus.



Still, I haven't made any firm decisions. Time will tell, and I'm still open to suggestions. Except from Ace, that is.



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Alex Garcia

[John]

Hey Scuzzy, check the latest issue of PC World magazine or go to TOP 15 NOTEBOOKS



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John

[scuzzy]

Well, I'm going nuts trying to decide what to buy. I've considered Dell, HP, WinBook, Toshiba, and IBM.



So far, I'm beginning to think twice about buying a Dell. It seems that the Inspiron 4000 comes in a very flimsy case, and I've read lots of horror stories to avoid it. The Inspiron 8001 is too big and heavy, and apparently runs hot, and sometimes noisy. Both also have tinny sound according to many of the reviews I've read.



The HP Omnibook XE3 is worth considering, and is near the top of the list. It is similar to the Pavilon, except that it comes with Windows 2000 Professional.



The Toshiba Satellite, particulary the 3005-S303, offers a tremendous package for the money. Unfortunately, I can only get Windows Me unless I go with a Satellite Pro, which is bulkier. The 2805-S402 is another nice one to consider, but doesn't have an IR port (infra-red). Since I have a laser printer with an IR port, that can come in handy.



WinBook has some possibilities with the J1, and the price is right. Unfortunately, their support hours are miserable, and the ratings could be better.



IBM is king of the hill, but they sure are expensive. However, I might be able to swing a ThinkPad A series if I'm willing to skimp on a few items.



In a nutshell, my "ideal" system will have the following:



PIII 1GHz or Athlon 1GHz

256MB RAM

14" screen, XGA TFT

16MB DDR video

20GB HDD

Integrated V.90 56k, 10/100 Ethernet

Integrated floppy

DVD CD-R/W Combo drive

TV Out

2 USB ports

1 FireWire (IEEE 1394) port

1 IR port

Windows 2000 Professional



Oh well, at least I know what I want.



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Alex Garcia

[pat]

Well before you shell out all those hard earnded dollars, you better check this out.



http://www.phos4.com/cmp/gaspower.html







 

[scuzzy]

Dang, I wish I had thought of that. I wonder if it's available in an automatic.



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Alex Garcia

[John]

Hey Scuzzy, I hate to say this but it sounds like your describing an Apple Powerbook. To bad they don't use a Win2000 operating system. Great notebook but expensive. Anyway take a look here. TOSHIBA The notebook I was thinking of was the Toshiba Satellite 3000-S353. I would guess that you can call them and customize to your needs. Anyway it looks like it meets your specs and it's only 5.7 Lbs. The best part is the price. $1,459.00



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John



Edited by - John on Aug 30 2001  10:33:32 PM

[scuzzy]

I'm looking for advice, as it's time for me to buy a notebook. Currently, I'm considering a Dell Inspiron 8100, 15" UltraXGA TFT, PIII 866MHz, 256MB RAM, 32MB DDR video, 20GB HDD, Fixed DVD-ROM with modular CD-R/W, Xircom 10/100 Ethernet II, and some other odds and ends.



Pretty much, that's what I actually need as a minimum. However, I'm willing to listen to advice, since I'm not an expert when it comes to notebooks. I will say that the fixed DVD with modular CD-R/W is a nice selling point for me.



BTW: I need this for school, more than anything. To be honest, I'm not exactly certain what the heck is the difference between an UltraXGA TFT screen and an XGA TFT screen, aside from the fact that the Ultra adds $150 to the price. So, any advice there is also extra appreciated.



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Alex Garcia