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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Techies - What do ya think about this laptop?
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Showing posts 26 - 44 of 44, (reverse)
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 08/27/2007 10:26:46 PM · #26
Originally posted by mjwood0:
Originally posted by mohhomad:
Originally posted by mjwood0:


Frankly, I switched over to a Mac for my last laptop due to the crappy build quality of the competition. Yes, it costs more and has a smaller screen. But it weights a lot less (very important to me) and is built to take some abuse (even more important). As an added bonus, it doesn't run Windows as I really can't get on board with Vista.


After years of PC's with Windows I'm going to be converting to Mac with my next laptop purchase as well. Vista was the best thing Microsoft ever did for Apple, I've never read a bad review on Macbooks or OSX. I'm a geek and haven't had a problem with Windows (or even DOS or Linux) that I couldn't solve, I'm just tired of having major problems that I have to solve. It's gonna cost a little more but at least it's something I know will have minimum downtime and last for years. Not to mention with bootcamp if I run into the must have application that doesn't work on Mac (unlikely) I can still run it if I need to.


You'll love a Mac if you've used Linux. Since it's built on top of OpenBSD, there is always a shell prompt just a couple clicks away. Very refreshing to be able to compile and run native applications without having to use anything but GCC.

As other's have said, I wouldn't touch Vista. I've seen some of the first roll-outs of Vista, and I wasn't impressed. In fact, I really think that the last good OS Microsoft came out with was Win 2000 (XP Pro isn't too bad either). But if you look at large corporations, very few are allowing even XP Pro on their networks and I haven't heard of any migrating to Vista. It's just too much of a memory hog and HD hog not to mention it boots slow. I won't even discuss viruses and the like.

Good luck! Try them in stores and if you're worried, get an extended warranty!


ROFL. What corporation are you working in? XP is by far better than 2000 and the corporation that I know such as Dow Chemical, Chevron, Universities such as GMU, BU, government organizations such as EPA use XP. Look here if you are not convinced:
//www.computeruser.com/articles/2105,5,17,1,0501,02.html

Vista is great though. I have used it for about 7 months now. The beta version I used had bugs and what not, but it was all fixed in the released version. Had no problem with it so far and in fact run many applications that were designed for xp with great performance. Even demanding games such as Unreal Tournament, Company of Heroes have no problem running on my Lenovo Laptop with Vista.

08/27/2007 10:50:58 PM · #27
Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it.
08/27/2007 10:55:43 PM · #28
You could have built one from components parts by now, did you buy it yet???

08/27/2007 11:05:55 PM · #29
Originally posted by routerguy666:
You could have built one from components parts by now, did you buy it yet???


LOL, no. I'm waiting on some checks to arrive. Maybe it'll be a few hundred cheaper by the time they arrive.
 08/28/2007 06:56:06 AM · #30
Originally posted by Gotaka:

ROFL. What corporation are you working in? XP is by far better than 2000 and the corporation that I know such as Dow Chemical, Chevron, Universities such as GMU, BU, government organizations such as EPA use XP. Look here if you are not convinced:
//www.computeruser.com/articles/2105,5,17,1,0501,02.html

Vista is great though. I have used it for about 7 months now. The beta version I used had bugs and what not, but it was all fixed in the released version. Had no problem with it so far and in fact run many applications that were designed for xp with great performance. Even demanding games such as Unreal Tournament, Company of Heroes have no problem running on my Lenovo Laptop with Vista.


You are correct with the corporations using XP -- but not many use Vista. I'm working in the private sector in a secured facility. Trust me -- XP is just starting to roll out and they are not upgrading anyone. As of now, it appears that Vista will never be used here. They are still not convinced that it's safe. Not sure why -- I don't ask. I spend all my days in large UNIX clusters anyway so all I really use my PC for is a big dual monitor telnet terminal.

I don't play games and I despise the Microsoft Registry system. Won't be going back to a PC unless it's running Linux.

Back on topic, my real recommendation is that the OP seriously look at a Mac if they are looking for a decent priced durable, light solution. If they are looking for a desktop replacement and don't mind a bit more weight, by all means a PC will work fine. So long as 2GB is enough RAM for Vista.
 08/28/2007 09:17:01 AM · #31
1) Companies always take their time to roll out new OS mainly because of cost

2) Security is far better in Vista. Point final.

3) In Vista, the registry is pretty much a thing of the past since it is all based on XML.
 08/28/2007 08:59:53 PM · #32
Originally posted by candlerain:
1) Companies always take their time to roll out new OS mainly because of cost

2) Security is far better in Vista. Point final.

3) In Vista, the registry is pretty much a thing of the past since it is all based on XML.




1. All of the new computers they are purchasing are coming pre-installed with Vista. They are wiping it and putting 2000 or XP on it. They have licenses for both as when my computer arrived, it had XP and they wiped it and put 2000 on. Again, didn't ask why.

2. I assume you're comparing it to other MS Operating systems. Against Linux, well... I won't go there.

3. Glad to hear.

08/28/2007 09:14:54 PM · #33
<=== I love Linux, but not on my primary machine for what I do. The apps just aren't there, yet (maybe never). As far as Macs go, I had bad experiences with them during OS9 on G2s... they royally sucked, crashing at every possible opportunity, while running PS and Quark. I won't be going there again anytime soon.

So, just for the sake of argument, count those two options as definite no-go's.
 08/28/2007 09:39:26 PM · #34
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
<=== I love Linux, but not on my primary machine for what I do. The apps just aren't there, yet (maybe never). As far as Macs go, I had bad experiences with them during OS9 on G2s... they royally sucked, crashing at every possible opportunity, while running PS and Quark. I won't be going there again anytime soon.

So, just for the sake of argument, count those two options as definite no-go's.


FYI -- Mac OSX is based on BSD (Linux). I look at is as Linux with applications!
 08/28/2007 10:22:58 PM · #35
Would be nice if you guys would stop saying bsd = linux.
 08/28/2007 10:27:46 PM · #36
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
//www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5978905

I know, it comes from Wally World, but I can't find specs like this for this price anywhere else (including newegg and others). So, what do ya think about it?

My turn ons are the 17" screen and the 2 gigs of RAM.


I am not trying to be negative, but the last 2 HP's that my father bought both sort of crapped out on him. Both times the problem was with the power cable and battery charger. One time it melted inside the laptop, and the other time it just quit working. It was impossible to fix in both cases...(well not impossible, but expensive). I recommend something other than HP... Just some info.
 08/29/2007 06:18:02 AM · #37
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Would be nice if you guys would stop saying bsd = linux.


Was trying to keep things simple. Technically, OS X is based off of Darwin, which in turn is based off of NeXTSTEP which is a BSD Derivative from the now defunct company NeXT.

This company was purchased by Apple somewhere around the end of 1996 when Steve Jobs was re-hired as a consultant. Jobs became the interim CEO of Apple and by 2000, was the CEO. When Jobs came to Apple, he brought with him many of the NeXT Executives and really shook up Apple.

NeXTSTEP was originally developed for Intel, and Apple ported it to PowerPC. However, they kept the Intel branch of the OS fully up to date (a smart business move by Jobs) and therefore, when the switch to Intel came around, it was a simple matter of simply releasing the Intel version of the OS they already had. All this time, the open source Darwin was being release for both Intel and PowerPC. This became the basis for OS X during the switch over to Intel.

So no. Darwin isn't really BSD. It's technically not Linux either. However, it retains most of the Linux nomenclature and command syntax while still being compatible with much of the BSD command structure as well. Anyone familiar with Linux or BSD or even Solaris will have little trouble working within Darwin.

Regardless, the OP made it pretty clear they were interested in a Windows based computer so this is somewhat a moot point. My whole point to this thread is that I don't think you can find better hardware for the money than a Mac laptop. The displays are fabulous, the cases sturdy (even the Macbook) and color management is quite easy. Plus, they are quite light for their features.
 08/29/2007 07:43:01 AM · #38
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

LOL, no. I'm waiting on some checks to arrive. Maybe it'll be a few hundred cheaper by the time they arrive.


Are you sure you need a laptop? Maybe a small case type desktop would work. I use a ShuttleX. Google it. When I move it around it's not that big a deal and it beats the heck out of a laptop. I've got 250 gig SATAs in it and I run a 19 inch LCD. If you go this route you could go to even larger LCD monitor sizes to help your seeing.
 08/29/2007 08:42:01 AM · #39
Ok earlier someone posted about the IT (term used loosly) team at Best Buy, well I got one for ya.

That is where my wife's laptop is from and over this last year she has taken it back to them (at the original store in LEXINGTON, KY<- important info there) twice for the power cable just dying on her. 3 year warranty btw

Well this last time she rose a bit of a stink and they agreed to take the laptop and send it off to see if there was a deeper problem...this was about 9-10 days ago. Well Monday she calls to find out the status on it and is told it was just shipped that morning from LOUISVILLE, KY and will take about 4-7 days to come in. Ok follow closly here...see the map I linked?

mapquest

Louisville, and Lexington Ky are only about an hour apart (77.59 miles)...hell I used to drive it twice every weekend and I think the only time it took me more then an hour to get there was when I was snowed in and had to sleep on the highway...oh yeah that was fun. My wife asked the lady on the phone, "It's gonna take 4-7 days for it to come from Louisville, Kentucky"? They lady said yes ma'am, so my wife asked "what does it have a layover somewhere?". She said the lady didn't seem to appreciate her humor lol.

Unbelievable, I told her they must want to make sure it doesn't get damaged during transport so someone is walking it the entire way. So needless to say, at least we have a good extended warranty even if it takes days to get the system back. lol

Good luck on your hunt fotomann, if you haven't already done it.

Message edited by author 2007-08-29 08:44:18.
 09/14/2007 04:38:36 PM · #40
Well, I ended up getting a Dell 1721 notebook with 17inch screen, 1.8 ghz AMD DuoCore processor and 2Gigs of RAM.

Lightroom doesn't suck now...LOL
 09/14/2007 04:39:00 PM · #41
Nice!
 09/14/2007 05:17:57 PM · #42
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Nice!


Thanks.. I really like it.
 11/23/2007 10:25:00 AM · #43
Originally posted by Jason_Cross:
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
//www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5978905

I know, it comes from Wally World, but I can't find specs like this for this price anywhere else (including newegg and others). So, what do ya think about it?

My turn ons are the 17" screen and the 2 gigs of RAM.


I am not trying to be negative, but the last 2 HP's that my father bought both sort of crapped out on him. Both times the problem was with the power cable and battery charger. One time it melted inside the laptop, and the other time it just quit working. It was impossible to fix in both cases...(well not impossible, but expensive). I recommend something other than HP... Just some info.


Exactly the same thing just happened to me, the power cable now won't work and it's not worth fixing. Now looking for a new one, and won't go with an HP now that I hear this is common! :)
 11/23/2007 10:42:20 AM · #44
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Well, I ended up getting a Dell 1721 notebook with 17inch screen, 1.8 ghz AMD DuoCore processor and 2Gigs of RAM.

Lightroom doesn't suck now...LOL


I have oh so very happy with my Dell. They're bullet-proof (not really), it took a good four foot fall in physics class and not a scratch (I have a cheapo too). My work always buys HP laptops (I'm the IT manager at a law firm) and I've been havings lots of problems with them (BSOD's left and right as of late). I have had my DELL for over a year and it's chugging along just fine.
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