Replacing Desktop PC With Laptop - HELP!

FTLOSM

Member
Oct 12, 2002
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First off I have a pentium 800 hp that is just junk, I have spent hours/days reading, replacing, troubleshooting it and it is just a piece of junk that I am ready to toss off the top of a high building (mainly due to lockups). Not looking for a solution to fixing it actually just gonna gut it out take the parts and upgrade a bit on my wife and daughters pcs, but that leaves me with nothing here...

I have been SERIOUSLY considering just getting a nice laptop with a 17 inch screen, not looking to use it all over the world or anything mainly just want that size and portability thru the entire house or whatnot.

Here is my big issue, if I get the 17 i think ill be ok using it as a primary unit on my desk here, however I LOVE my split keyboard (I learned on a ergo keyboard too) so I am an infant in terms of skills on a traditional keyboard...

I realize I can probably just plug in a split keyboard and use that with the laptop but was wondering since I haven't really got anything to go by or refer to other than google what are some good models (or models to stay away from) in terms of higher end 17 inch laptops and do any makers offer some sort of a split keypad in their unit by chance?

I know that is a SUPER longshot (ive never seen a split keypad in a laptop) but figured if I ask around I might find one even??? I guess worst case I just buy a good unit (help or advice on which makers are good or bad?) and will just have to plug the split into it to use at the desk and slowly learn the traditional keys when im out in the living room with it or whatnot.

The only real requirements of the laptop I know I want are

80 gig or more hd - faster the better
Decent video card for basic gaming (flight sims are my fav)
Support for wireless G _ planning on getting a wireless router setup soon
and a drive that does dvd rom, dvd-rw, cdr, cdrw

beyond that maybe 512 min ram (upgradable to maybe 1 gig or more)....

and a comapny that makes a solid system, my hp worked well for about 2 years and I think the MB or PS are bad, cuz I sure have swapped out, reinstalled, troubleshot and done whatever I can even different OS's yet it still locks up at random "frequently" very annoying, so thats just literally gonna get stripped and tossed.....new year new pc thats my philosophy - no more jerkin around with that one, hehe but would really like some insight as to opinions of other makers and models that I should look into and or consider, price wise I would like to stay around $1500 - $2000 but am open if I find something I really love.

The main things I will do with this laptop are digital video editing thru firewire, web surfing, digital image editing thru photoshop, basic emailing, a bit of gaming (flight sims mainly), and im just getting into working with webdesign software...

Thanks for your time and or input on this.

Bill


 

compudog

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2001
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Toshiba Satellite or Apple PowerBook G4

I would say IBM, but the biggest they have is a 15"
 

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
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Laptop drives cost a lot. Maybe consider getting a smaller drive then an external hookup for the big files on demand.
 

busmaster11

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2000
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Get a Dell 8600 with docking station so you can plug in the split keyboard to it.

Also, checo out the Compaq x1000 series and the Dell 600m for lightweight all-in-on Centrinos with above average mobile video - the Radeon 9200.
 

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
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x1000 comes with Radeon 9000. There's a thread on ATi/HP doing bad marketing, calling it a 9200.
 

busmaster11

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2000
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Originally posted by: Ionizer86
x1000 comes with Radeon 9000. There's a thread on ATi/HP doing bad marketing, calling it a 9200.

There's no performance difference - the 92 supports agp 8x, though I challenge you to ever max out 4x on it.