Help BeBro to choose a Notebook

BeBro · June 15, 2003, 10:39

Yeah, I´m thinking of throwing out my money for one of those fancy things

Since I never owned such a thing - any suggestions? What is the difference between those with Celeron CPUs and those with Pentiums (means, is there really such much different performance between those two types of CPUs)? And how long can those Notebooks work usually with their own power sources (I don´t even know what type of batteries they use)?

I need it mainly as portable text processor

so I don´t need the most powerful thing. However, since my desktop here at home has a 1GHz Athlon, I think a new notebook would be more powerful anyway, because they seem not to sell models with less than 2GHz....

Urban Ranger · June 15, 2003, 12:52

Here's the deal. Send me the money, then go buy some real notebooks (ones with real papers).

Cruddy · June 15, 2003, 12:56

If you going to use it mainly for word-proc, I suggest you try a few out to find the most comfortable keyboard. This is usually the Achilles' Heel of most laptops - they look great but they're fiddly to use.

Alternatively, have a full size keyboard for it.

Yeah, defeats the object really?

As for CPU speed, word proc not really demanding - you're not kidding yourself about playing games on it, are you? Because a lot of people do - but then you're more concerned about what graphics chips it has, not the CPU so much.

BeBro · June 15, 2003, 13:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Here's the deal. Send me the money, then go buy some real notebooks (ones with real papers).

You nearly got me

Quote:

As for CPU speed, word proc not really demanding - you're not kidding yourself about playing games on it, are you? Because a lot of people do - but then you're more concerned about what graphics chips it has, not the CPU so much.

Nah, it is really not for games, I don´t have much time for them, and those I play don´t need much power anyway. I even thought of buying a used Notebook, but I´m sure not if this is a good idea (no warranty).

Firelad · June 15, 2003, 13:36

I am trying to get a P1 or 486 notebook...

Urban Ranger · June 15, 2003, 13:38

Quote:

Originally posted by BeBro
Nah, it is really not for games, I don´t have much time for them, and those I play don´t need much power anyway. I even thought of buying a used Notebook, but I´m sure not if this is a good idea (no warranty).

In that case, find the cheapest notebook possible that still has a decent keyboard. Buy that. All you need it to do is to run some version of Windows and MS Office - unless you are into *nix and StarOffice

Q Classic · June 15, 2003, 13:38

cruddy's right about the keyboards. also, find one where the touchpad isn't too damn sensitive (actually, i hate them with such a passion that i disable them and use a mouse, when given the choice).

if you're not concerned about playing games, you can skimp on graphics and hell, even the chip... if you want wireless, try the centrino. you could conceivably get a lightweight, thin one, if you really don't need any extras...

Cruddy · June 15, 2003, 13:48

Quote:

Originally posted by BeBro

What is the difference between those with Celeron CPUs and those with Pentiums (means, is there really such much different performance between those two types of CPUs)?

Main difference is response time on intensive tasks (not really word Pro, but ultra complex spreadsheets are no fun on Celerons). So not much different for what you want.

Quote:

Originally posted by BeBro
And how long can those Notebooks work usually with their own power sources (I don´t even know what type of batteries they use)?

These days they nearly always come with their own customized batteries. A MINIMUM for a modern notepad is 4 hours continuous use - best thing to do is use the mains adaptor when you can and save the batteries for when you are without mains.

As for battery type, these days it's NiMhs (Nickel Metal Hydride, successor to NiCADs or Nichel CADmium) or Lithium Ion. Latter store more charge and can be discharged/rechargd more times, so they are worth the extra cost in my opinion.

Avoid buying a 2nd hard laptop with no battery. Spares aren't always easy to come buy, and if the recharging circuit is shot it won't charge up a battery anyway (although it may still work with that mains adaptor).

Get yourself a snazzy case for it all and LOOK AFTER IT. I hate owning laptops because they "walk" so easily.

BeBro · June 15, 2003, 13:57

Thx, nice suggestions

Panag · June 15, 2003, 15:02

hi ,

nothing in the world above the 17inch G4 powerbook from apple with superdrive

have a nice day

link > http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....1.1.1.0.0.1.0

Bereta_Eder · June 15, 2003, 15:06

I'm thinking of getting one too, sometime in the distant future, but I'd definitely go to the classifieds.

You can have a very fast notbeook, propably much more fast than you need, for just a fraction of the prrice that way.

And to check its integrity it's very easy to do with the appropriate software.

Cruddy · June 15, 2003, 15:08

Quote:

Originally posted by panag
hi ,

nothing in the world above the 17inch G4 powerbook from apple with superdrive

In terms of price, true. In terms of matching with his Athlon I think you might admit BeBro is better off with a compatible laptop.

BeBro · June 15, 2003, 15:08

Quote:

Originally posted by panag
nothing in the world above the 17inch G4 powerbook from apple with superdrive

Except the price....

Panag · June 15, 2003, 15:11

Quote:

Originally posted by BeBro

Except the price....

hi ,

chack with your local distributor , apple has great leasing and renting plans , with most distributors you can pay in terms in up to three years , ...

students and school people like teachers get discount's

so do gov employees and a wide range of other jobs

have a nice day

Lonestar · June 15, 2003, 17:12

I live on a USN ship, so they only way I'll be playing games is with a notebook.

Suggestions?

Asher · June 15, 2003, 17:14

Don't waste your money on the PowerBook 17". The screen is a battery killer and it's woefully underpowered, and it has **** selection for games. Not to mention its extremely excessive price.

Velociryx · June 15, 2003, 17:15

I have a 5-subject, college rule one with a burgundy cover I'll give you if you're desperate....

-=Vel=-

Az · June 15, 2003, 17:20

Some of my favourites:

Bereta_Eder · June 15, 2003, 17:23

*system malfunction*

beeeeeeeeeeeeep

*azazel will be terminated*

Lonestar · June 15, 2003, 17:27

Deploying T-800 to terminate Azazel....

Urban Ranger · June 15, 2003, 22:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Lonestar
I live on a USN ship, so they only way I'll be playing games is with a notebook.

Suggestions?

Okay. You want a big fat one with an AGP slot, since notebook computers have sucky graphics that you want to replace with a good card.

You also want a fast processor, which will cause power and heat problems. You can avoid the first one by using a wall outlet. You can partially offset the second one by getting a really big one.

Q Classic · June 15, 2003, 22:43

Quote:

chack with your local distributor , apple has great leasing and renting plans , with most distributors you can pay in terms in up to three years

excuse me.

so you want him to pay for something that will be obsolete when he finally pays it off? he's buying a computer, for chrissakes, not a car.

at least he'd be able to continue using the car without any major issues...

Cruddy · June 16, 2003, 09:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Lonestar
I live on a USN ship, so they only way I'll be playing games is with a notebook.

Suggestions?

Apart from the graphics bits above (being able to change the gfx card is THE function for action games) I would recommend some good electro isolation gear for when the power spikes happen in the ships power lines. A good anti-spike/surge adaptor would be very important.

I'm not dissing US ships here Lornestar - I'm saying all mobile power units fluctuate (sunspots and thunderstorms don't help) so it would be a damn good idea to protect your laptop from a sudden sharp shock.

Oh yeah, getting a game card for one (to fit a joystick) would be a good plan - typically they've got sound as well, those little credit card style PCMCIA cards.

I daresay there's a better solution now, but if you are into games on a laptop they're pretty good (if a little untidy when in use).

I've see about fitting some foam rubber around it as well for when the ship is rolling... but I daresay you've got ideas for that anyway.

Hope you have fun.

BeBro · June 16, 2003, 09:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Lonestar
I live on a USN ship, so they only way I'll be playing games is with a notebook.

Suggestions?

Can´t you simply launch some Tomahawk CMs to have fun?

Urban Ranger · June 16, 2003, 10:50

Quote:

Originally posted by BeBro
Can´t you simply launch some Tomahawk CMs to have fun?

Shades of Wargame.

MrFun · June 16, 2003, 13:04

Mead

Panag · June 16, 2003, 19:43

Quote:

Originally posted by Asher
Don't waste your money on the PowerBook 17". The screen is a battery killer and it's woefully underpowered, and it has **** selection for games. Not to mention its extremely excessive price.

hi ,

you dont even own one , .....

and for your info , no problems yet with a dual os installed , with games or with the battery , .....

so please , ....

have a nice MAC day

Panag · June 16, 2003, 19:44

Quote:

Originally posted by BeBro

Can´t you simply launch some Tomahawk CMs to have fun?

hi ,

, he might train with the janes games , like harpoon 4 and such , ....

have a nice day

Asher · June 16, 2003, 19:46

Quote:

Originally posted by panag
and for your info , no problems yet with a dual os installed , with games or with the battery , .....

Oh really? You can run 95% of the games out there that are Windows-only?

And your battery lasts ~8 hours on one charge?

Quote:

so please , ....

is right.

monolith94 · June 16, 2003, 19:50

"it has **** selection for games"
That doesn't stop people from buying Gamecube!!!

Oh, and if you're going to buy a 2ghz laptop to do word processing/email and **** that trivial, youre an IDIOT. You don't need more than 800 mhz for that stuff. Maybe you can get one used. Spend your money on more important things!