• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Notebook Owners - is it worth it?

N

novon

Diamond Member
I'm thinking of getting a notebook so I can work outside of the home, it would be a desktop replacement, but I want to keep my desktop. For the notebook owners out there, do you find that you use your notebook a lot or is it just another expensive toy that looses it's cool after a while?

Also, If i were to get one, is the 3year warranty for $250 worth it?
 
It's an expensive toy that gets old... It may weigh only 8lbs...but you also gotta carry mouse, pda, power supply, cables, discs, floppies, movies, papers, mouse, ... plus the weight of the bag itself... it becomes a CHORE to HAUL it around...did I mention its fragile and vunerable to theft...boy I hope you don't have to go to the bathroom either...ugh.

This coming from a college student's perspective 🙂

Waranty is worth the $ just for the theft protection.
 
I got a big monster of an IBM that I use for Uni and I love it (P4 1.6Ghz, 512MB, Radeon 7500, 40GB, 2 Batteries). I got a special laptop backback and I hardly notice the weight at all. It puts less strain on my shoulders than my friends tiny sony ultralight. I highly reccomend getting 2 batteries if your going to be lugging it everywhere and a laptop backpack.
 
For me, a notebook has been a wonderful asset. Up until this past week, I was using mine on a daily basis for the following:

1) In my employment search, I was using it to connect directly to the network/Internet out of the agency that provides office space for me.
2) I have a wireless network set up in my house. Being able to use the laptop on the various levels without any cables is wonderful.

It could turn into a high-priced toy - depending on your true needs. I owned one in the past and didn't use it much at all. Then again, we already had two PCs in the house. However, this time around, we only have one PC plus the laptop, so the laptop ets a bit more use while at home, too.
 
I just recently got a p4 1.7, 256mb with winxp, It's great to be able to bring it to school to be able to use the internet and download stuff I can't at home, plus i dont have to use their useless computers. They have the whole school covered in wireless access points so i can use the internet from anywhere I please. I also have wireless at home, and it's very nice being able to stream files from my desktop and use the internet wherever i go.

It's also good for long car trips and such, and i use it everyday when im at home while im on my desktop to use IRC and talk to people if im in a game or something that takes up my desktop. I also use it to download while im sleeping since my desktop is too loud for me too sleep while it's on 🙂

i'd say it's a pretty good investment, just make sure if you're getting a desktop replacement type of laptop to be make sure you're going to actually use it in this manner, it sucks if you pay 2000$ for a huge laptop but in the end just use it for the internet and work where a 700-1000$ laptop would have worked perfectly.
 
Mine is invaluable.

I have a 2-year old PIII 850, but it pretty much still rocks for what I need, which is mainly a large LCD. At work, I couple it to a 17" invision LCD and a dedicated keyboard and mouse and I never miss a desktop. I only wish mine had the DVD drive, which was an option. It would make trips a whole lot better, especially if I got stuck on a navy ship for a week.

Do some shopping, determine what you need. If you are going to have a seperate gaming system then don't worry too much about the bleeding edge performance and get what looks like a good value.

Don't skimp on the LCD and make sure you get the DVD option. 🙂

Oh, I have a Gateway 9500 with 512MB Ram and a 20GB hard drive.
 
Since you're going to keep your desktop, I'd advise against getting a desktop replacement. I got a Dell Inspiron 8200 this last summer and this thing is way too heavy to lug around all day.
 
Yeah, I have a dell insp 5000 with a 14.1" display. It is too big to be convenient. I do use it a lot, but would prefer somethink more along the lines of a 12" display and thin like the sony VAIO. You don't have to carry all your accessories around. You should know pretty much what you need before you go on a little trip, and you can always leave extras in the car. Battery life is also a concern.

I also second using the wireless on the couch.
 
do you find that you use your notebook a lot or is it just another expensive toy that looses it's cool after a while?

Also, If i were to get one, is the 3year warranty for $250 worth it?
Click to expand...

If you NEED portability, a notebook never loses it's usefulness. I needed mine for my 3 month Hawaiian "vacation" last year. I still use it every day. Actually I split duties with my desktop - the notebook is used for Internet (the TFT is really easy on the eyes) and the desktop is used for entertainment (it NEVER connects to the 'net so I don't need IE, anti-virus, etc.).

Warrranty? Depends. Read the fine print - there is SO MUCH it doesN'T cover. ALSO - buy it with a "premium" credit card (i.e. Visa "Gold") - it AUTOMATICALLY doubles the manufacturer's warranty for an extra year. I figure two years is plenty - by next year my 866Mhz will be pretty slow and I will be thinking of another notebook . . .

 
basically I need it to do 3D work, so it needs to be powerful and have a 15" + screen. This probably means a dell 8200 which is a pain to carry around from what I hear. Is the HD fast enought on the Dell's to do intensive work? How do they compare to a dektop 2GHz pC?

thanks
 
Originally posted by: novon
basically I need it to do 3D work, so it needs to be powerful and have a 15" + screen. This probably means a dell 8200 which is a pain to carry around from what I hear. Is the HD fast enought on the Dell's to do intensive work? How do they compare to a dektop 2GHz pC?

thanks
Click to expand...
The HDs are (currently) available in 4200 and 5400 RPM. Unless you like wait, get the faster HD. 😉 And it is still slow compared to a desktop HD.

 
Originally posted by: novon
basically I need it to do 3D work, so it needs to be powerful and have a 15" + screen. This probably means a dell 8200 which is a pain to carry around from what I hear. Is the HD fast enought on the Dell's to do intensive work? How do they compare to a dektop 2GHz pC?

thanks
Click to expand...

or you can get a powerbook 😉

i have an inspirion 4150, which IMO is Dell's best laptop. much lighter than the 8200 and almost as fast. i have no regrets on the purchase.
 
Only if you really need it. I have a Dell with lots of goodies. It was great for about a day, then I realized I was going to lug that brick around everywhere I went. The new wore off in a hurry, but since I am often in 3 or 4 offices a day it is a necessary tool for keeping in touch. Tip: If you get one, get one that does all you need and skip the fluff - you'll only have that much more to lug around.

Regarding the warranty- I like it. If you need service you will want to have it done immediately. It may seem expensive but that's one of the necessary evils for going mobile.



 
I thought getting one would be really useful but it turns out that I hardly ever use it. And it was so expensive and since it's essentially non-upgradeable, it's a real laggard compared to newer computers. If you do get one, I would avoid getting anything heavy. Having a floppy and cd-rom just weighs me down. I don't know if you'd really be happy with a laptop if you have to do 3d work on it.
 
I take mine with me maybe once a week. If you want sheer portability, get one of the really small laptops that don't have built-in cdroms and floppies and use your desktop at home for the heavy stuff.
 
Maybe the question should be this, why do you want to work outside of home?

If you just want the flexibility to work anywhere, I would advise against it. It is nice to sit out at the pool and be able to do some work, but laptop displays aren't worth a crap in daylight, and the cool factor about it really makes you look hopeless.

It is useful if you spend time in airports and hotels, and the like, but aside from that, I would abandon the idea.

My work requires me to have one, so they provide it. Aside from when I am working on site with a customer, the convenience is really nice when I am on the road. As most have pointed out, a heavy LT is a pain. The lighter the better. If you require better than an xga display, then you will have a hard time finding a light LT.

 
There is no such thing as a "desktop replacement" in a light, easy to carry package. 🙂

You have to sacrafice some performance loss for LT's unless you can plug the in thing to a power outlet as most P4, >>256mb ram, cdrw, 5400rpm hddisk will suck any LT battery in less a couple of hours of "on time".

 
I could never figure out why people complained so much about hauling a whole big heavy 10 or 12 pounds around.
Have we as IT people become THAT weak? My God.....
 
Originally posted by: Shockwave
I could never figure out why people complained so much about hauling a whole big heavy 10 or 12 pounds around.
Have we as IT people become THAT weak? My God.....
Click to expand...
I was thinking "that lazy". HOWEVER, if you TRAVEL often by airplane and don't have the luxury of first class, it really sucks to have a big notebook.

For students who are complaining about the weight of a few books and a notebook, get a properly designed backpack . . . and EXERCISE!

😛



😀
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top