| Author | Thread |
|
|
07/13/2005 07:58:28 AM · #1 |
My sister needs to buy a high-end laptop. Money isn't really an issue for her, but she prefers not to spend a lot for features she won't need. She's not a gamer, and she's minimally involved with graphics. She wants a good laptop to cart around between her several residences. They travel by car, so size/weight isn't a real big issue either. Good size screen, reliability, DVD writable drive, sufficient power to run photoshop in a hobbyist manner, these are good things for her. Personally, I dislike touchpads and would want to steer her into a better alternative for pointing.
Any suggestions/recommendations? Reliability, big bright screen, and good battery life are paramount I think.
Robt.
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 08:04:45 AM · #2 |
I have a Compaq NX7010 and it works great. 15.4" wide screen, plus the later models have DVD writers. It has a touchpad but you get used to them pretty quickly when you have to. I mostly use a USB mouse though, so it's not really an issue. My first notebook was a Toshiba which had one of thise nipple stick things instead of a touchpad, but the touchpad is actually a lot easier to use once you get the hang of it.
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 08:18:58 AM · #3 |
Each to their own... I hate anything EXCEPT touchpads.
I usually recommend Sony Vaios... great screens and reliably built. Photoshop does gobble up resources, so a laptop that could run it comfortably would also be able to run most games. If weight isn't an issue, I would go for a desktop replacement laptop... not much battery life but more powerful than most laptops. |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 08:28:24 AM · #4 |
Well most laptops if not all have touchpads but.... of course she can use the usb port for a mouse. Now for a laptop suggestion involving graphics or photoshop work I have a Apple 15inch G4 laptop. Not sure if she is a pc person or not but its a great machine. They are extremely fast, big hard drive, dvd burner and great for graphics involved people. I am a graphic designer and love it, they fit my line of work. Photoshop or any other graphic software. The monitor/screen is great, very nice color. Reliability is great, no viruses or anything on them, I have dropped my laptop twice due to my niece no problems what so ever. Well here is the link if you are interested.
Laptop
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 08:37:29 AM · #5 |
Hi Bear,
A little while back someone had asked about laptops as well. One of the laptops that someone brought up (can't remember name) was the
IBM T41p (Thinkpad). It seemed like they had a link for comparisons because the other laptop that was similar was the Dell 8600. I remember the one thing about these was that the monitor was good for photoshop. If I can find the link I'll come back and put it here. |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 08:41:56 AM · #6 |
I've not bought a new notebook in recent times, but my IBM Thinkpad (Pentium 120Mhz), and Toshiba Portege (Celeron 333Mhz) have both had hard lives and still perform admirably.
My Thinkpad ran as a server for a couple of years with continual uptime.
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 08:43:38 AM · #7 |
She runs a PC at home (so does her husband) so software compatability dictates PC architecture.
R.
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 08:56:34 AM · #8 |
Review of Fujitsu P7010 also built in SD, Memory Stick and CF slots. Thumb scanner for security. Light with 16x9 native screen.
Fujitsu S6220 has a bit bigger screen.
All MobilePC Magazine's reviews are here...
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 09:02:52 AM · #9 |
I would recommend a high end Dell Laptop.
Dell does sell some very decent laptops, the higher end models also usually include both a touchpad and a "pencil eraser" mouse built-in to the keyboard as well.
The other thing I like about Dell is their available on-site service contracts. They aren't extremely expensive as far as those on-site service contracts go and they are usually VERY snappy in getting out and fixing up a damaged or otherwise malfunctioning laptop. |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 09:23:06 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Nelzie:
Dell does sell some very decent laptops, the higher end models also usually include both a touchpad and a "pencil eraser" mouse built-in to the keyboard as well.
|
I don't believe Dell does the "pencil eraser" mouse anymore. They leased it for awhile from IBM but did not renew. |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 09:32:11 AM · #11 |
I bought a Compaq a few months back. Has built in card readers, 4 usb ports, plenty of memory and hard drive space (upgraded graphics) all for 1600. With the USB ports it's very easy to get a cordless mouse to use instead of the touchpad.
The screeen and keyboard were some of my main reasons. FULL keyboard including number pad and a 17" wide hi def screen.
I've loved it. Though I would suggest upgrading the battery, and even buying the second one if you want more than an hour off power cord.
Note this is a high end Desktop replacement more than a laptop...
HP/Compaq site.
Message edited by author 2005-07-13 09:33:45. |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 09:58:58 AM · #12 |
I will always recommend a Dell Laptop, just for their warranty service. They make some pretty big one's too. My laptop that I got last year still had the pencil eraser mouse. BTW I own the Inspiron 9100, 8600 laptops.
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 10:06:38 AM · #13 |
| iBook 14" or powerbook. Great machines very durable, and unlike windoze based machines HOLD their value so when it comes time upgrade you've got a good trade in. |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 10:28:35 AM · #14 |
| I am retired now for about a year but in my prior work, I bought about 20,000 laptops a year. I'd recomend Dell (solid machines, good quality and great warranty) first, followed by IBM and Toshiba (both with good machines and good quality) tied for second, and Sony (good machines, good quality, very nice X-Bright screens and a very good warranty) third. I couldn't recommend HP/Compaq due to poor quality and their repair record. PM me if you want to talk live. |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 10:36:25 AM · #15 |
I'll put in another vote for the Sony Vaio laptops. Mine has been very solid and reliable and the screen is just spectacular.
I've heard mixed reviews of Dell laptops. I can't say how good Dell are in the USA but here in the UK they're known for occasionally delivering poorly built laptops. Dell desktops are usually well built and solid so it's likely the laptop problems were a short term glitch.
For Photoshop use I would strongly recommend getting as much RAM as possible. 512Mb is the absolute BARE MINIMUM for any kind of real photoshop use. If you can afford it start off with at least a gig of RAM. Obviously a large, high resolution screen (1280 across minimum) is another photoshop essential.
Another factor worth considering is the graphics processor in the machine. In the event that you need to update your graphics driver in the laptop it helps to have a graphics processor from a named and reputable company. nVidia and ATI are the market leaders. The nVidia GeForce FX Go (5200 or 5600) chipset was not as fast as it should be for games but should be OK for photoshop. I can't say how good the ATI 9200/9600/9800 laptop chipsets are. Drivers for either chipset should be easily obtained - especially if you buy from a good brand laptop builder.
I think my one main tip for buying a good laptop is to buy from a big recognised brand. Laptop hardware drivers are notoriously hard to get upgrades for and most small companies won't bother making new version available for their older machines. So stick with Sony, Dell, Toshiba, IBM or another of the big names.
It's worth giving Acer an honourable mention too btw. They make pretty good spec machines for quite competetive prices. They're definitely on my list for the next time I upgrade.
John
Edit - I meant Acer, not Asus at the end there.
Message edited by author 2005-07-13 11:18:54.
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 10:38:39 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Digital Quixote:
I am retired now for about a year but in my prior work, I bought about 20,000 laptops a year. I'd recomend Dell (solid machines, good quality and great warranty) first, followed by IBM and Toshiba (both with good machines and good quality) tied for second, and Sony (good machines, good quality, very nice X-Bright screens and a very good warranty) third. I couldn't recommend HP/Compaq due to poor quality and their repair record. PM me if you want to talk live. |
Sounds like excellent advice to me.
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 10:41:49 AM · #17 |
One other thing worth mentioning...
Don't be fooled into thinking that a Pentium M is a slower processor than a Pentium 4. The clock speeds for a Pentium 4 will seem MUCH faster (3GHz to 4GHz) compared to the Pentium M (1GHz to 2GHz). The two processors are, in fact, much closer in performance than these clock speed numbers would suggest. The P4 might be a touch faster but not much and the benefits of having a Pentium M far outweigh the speed difference.
Pentium M is a low power usage chip. It changes clock speed based on the work load so it makes your battery last much longer. A typical P4 desktop replacement will manage 30-45 mins on a full battery. A Pentium M will usually manage 2 hours or more depending on what work it's doing.
The amount of RAM in your laptop will have a MUCH bigger effect on the perceived speed than the processor.
John
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 07:23:04 PM · #18 |
| boxx portable workstation ;) |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 07:53:25 PM · #19 |
Bear this may help or hinder your decision. I personally dont reccommend Compaq for laptops based on my own personal experiances
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 07:59:04 PM · #20 |
I've just bought 2 laptops for photo editing. Both Dell with high end screens. One 17in and one 12in (for carting around). I've been buying Dell (in the US) for 5 years and I've never had any complaints. You can specify exactly what you want and it arrives all pre-installed and ready to go. Very cost competitive. Any problems they sort out efficiently. For me, I see no reason ever to buy anything else except Dell.
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 08:00:38 PM · #21 |
ANYTHING, but Compaq. Only bad experiences from them. But that's just me
'nuff said
Message edited by author 2005-07-13 20:02:28. |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 09:11:34 PM · #22 |
I have had laptops from Compaq, Sony, NEC (3), IBM, and Toshiba. Toshiba is the only one I would consider buying again. Haven't used Fujitsu but 2 people at work have them and think they are fine.
|
|
|
|
07/13/2005 09:50:20 PM · #23 |
Thought I would add my experiences. I've had a small Compaq in the past, didn't like it.
When I started astroimagining I searched and researched, talking to everyone, while I made list of what I needed the new laptop to have. Thankfully I wanted something that would be basically do the same as my desktop computer, and it's a good thing I went that way, since my desktop died. :(
Anyway, I went the customized route, with HP Pavilion zd8000. Total after customization was over $2000, but worth every penny, since it is now my sole computer for the moment.
As for battery life, I can't comment on that, because in the car, I run it off the car through a converter, and out in the field, I have converter hooked to portable battery.
Portability - well, it's heavy, I won't lie, but to me worth it since it is desktop replacement.
HP Pavilion zd8000 series
-Christine |
|
|
|
07/13/2005 09:55:36 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by digitalpins:
Well most laptops if not all have touchpads but.... of course she can use the usb port for a mouse. Now for a laptop suggestion involving graphics or photoshop work I have a Apple 15inch G4 laptop. Not sure if she is a pc person or not but its a great machine. They are extremely fast, big hard drive, dvd burner and great for graphics involved people. I am a graphic designer and love it, they fit my line of work. Photoshop or any other graphic software. The monitor/screen is great, very nice color. Reliability is great, no viruses or anything on them, I have dropped my laptop twice due to my niece no problems what so ever. Well here is the link if you are interested.
Laptop |
I agree. Here's another link for the PowerBook G4
|
|
|
|
08/06/2005 12:20:02 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
Haven't used Fujitsu but 2 people at work have them and think they are fine. |
I use a Fujitsu LOOX T70K. Nice Lappy for Photo shoots: Centrino Processor,100Gb HD, 1Gb RAM and the really nice thing is it has a built in CF and Memory Stick Slot. Its ultra light weight, but the downside of all this portability is that the screen is 10.5 inch.
Aside from the small screen, this laptop rocks. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Prints! -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/25/2024 03:34:11 PM EDT.
