What are some die hard laptops?

[watdahel]

I'm looking to get an old laptop probably on ebay. I'm looking for one that's proven to have a resilient life. I'll be using it mainly for Magic Jack and it will be on 24-7. It doesn't have to be the fastest of its time.

 

[Spicedaddy]

IBM Thinkpad T-series, maybe an old Dell Latitude.

Used laptop condition depends on the owner, I'd try finding something locally so you can examine it.

 

[JWade]

panasonic toughbooks

 

[corkyg]

Laptops are not designed for 24/7 operation. Get a small, SFF unit instead.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

lenovo Thinkpads: all

 

[Brainonska511]

Laptops are not designed for 24/7 operation. Get a small, SFF unit instead.

Seconded.

If you just want it to run a MagicJack, consider picking up an Atom-based 'desktop'.

 

[coolVariable]

Laptops are not designed for 24/7 operation. Get a small, SFF unit instead.

This. Laptops (even really old ones) cost approx. $200 more than a cheap/low power system.

(And the energy cost will likely negate the benefit of using magicjack)

You should rather get a SIP wifi phone or one of these:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/sys/1595409620.html

 

[Emulex]

hp elitebook easily
high end lenovo (X301 T401s) - not the cheapies

 

[Decembermouse]

Seconded.

If you just want it to run a MagicJack, consider picking up an Atom-based 'desktop'.

Nettop? If you can get a good deal, yes this will be your best option. Also you can find some cheap Athlon 2650e nettops. As you won't be using it for much, sounds like price is more important than processing power though. How much are you looking to spend?

 

[watdahel]

My budget is less than $50. A thin client sounds ideal. Someone mentioned to me some consume only 6 watts but the CPU is from VIA. I'm not sure how much processing power Magic Jack needs and whether my broadband has more effect to its overall performance than CPU speed.

 

[Decembermouse]

A VIA Eden, or anything of theirs capable of running XP should be just fine

 

[coolVariable]

I love it when people spend hundreds to save a few pennies.

 

[WackyDan]

I love it when people spend hundreds to save a few pennies.

Indeed. For $20 a month or less they can find dedicated VOIP services with DTA that plug into their broadband that they give you for FREE... and use very little power than leaving a PC on 24/7.

 

[watdahel]

I love it when I get to spend only $5/month to use Magic Jack and a 6 Watt thin client.

 

[coolVariable]

I love it when people spend $200 on a laptop (that's probably as cheap as you can get one) or $100-$200 on a thin client ... both of which use 60W/hour+

Math ... must be hard.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I paid something stupid like 100/year for viatalk VOIP

 

[watdahel]

I love it when people spend $200 on a laptop (that's probably as cheap as you can get one) or $100-$200 on a thin client ... both of which use 60W/hour+

Math ... must be hard.

Perhaps you missed the part when I mentioned the 6 watt thin client. I bought one for $30. It is sweet. Math is so easy for me. Too bad you're having problems. I'll teach you sometime.

 

[WackyDan]

Perhaps you missed the part when I mentioned the 6 watt thin client. I bought one for $30. It is sweet. Math is so easy for me. Too bad you're having problems. I'll teach you sometime.

What is that thin client connecting to though?

 

[coolVariable]

Perhaps you missed the part when I mentioned the 6 watt thin client. I bought one for $30. It is sweet. Math is so easy for me. Too bad you're having problems. I'll teach you sometime.

OP asked about laptops ... which use quite a bit of energy.
Also, I will believe it when you post a link to said thin client with a review showing 6W avg. power consumption.

... and the skype phone I posted uses some ... 0.5W/hr(?).

Ha-ha!

 

[watdahel]

What is that thin client connecting to though?

The thin client has Windows XPe operating system. It's basically a stripped down Windows XP computer with all the necessary services and can be used for light surfing or Magic Jack. It does not need to connect to a server and can work on its own. Since the hardware is minimal it is ideal for 24-7 magicjack connection. Once everything is setup you can disconnect the monitor, keyboard and mouse and the machine runs by itself and can restart without user input.

 

[coolVariable]

BS! A thin client for $30 that is powerful enough to run XPe? BS! BS! BS!