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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,978
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,978 |
Do NOT get a toshiba. They are one of the few companies that won't replace the unit if you have more then 'x' problems with it. I've had my harddrive replaced 4x, my board replaced 1x, ram replaced 1x and most recently my drive 2x. I will never buy another toshiba (anything) again. I am telling all my friends to not get them. I like the dell laptops after rebate.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,718
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,718 |
IBM (now Lenovo) does make the best travel/business laptop out there bar none; they are tough as nails. If you expect to see a lot of travel with your system, then the extra $$$'s spent on it will definitely pay off. I've taken IBM models since the 770 came out on trips that are full of sand, saltwater, humidity and the beatings that luggage takes on train and bus trips throgh Europe and haven't had any serious problems so far.
If it's to be a desk queen and will be spending most of it's time sitting in one place and rarely moved about, then pick your poison. One brand is probably just as good as the next (sans Dell), though I must admit being mesmerized by the Sony VAIOs. Their screen quality is just gorgeous...
I hear tons of complaints about Dell laptops, or at least about the one's that see a lot of travel. My own previous experience with them years back has me shying away from their notebook products for the most part, though I'm sure you'll find a rabid Round Rock disciple somewhere that will come to their defence.
JaTo
e-Tough Guy
Missouri City, TX
99 Contour SVT
#143/2760
00 Corvette Coupe
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,413
Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,413 |
Thanks guys for all the information!
As far as Mac goes. If i was starting over, i would have started with mac from the beginning, but i cant now. My sign program is for PC, and i am not about to spend another $1600 on it.
Right now i have a desktop that i rarely use. And i got the laptop so i could bring my work home and work on layouts and what not where ever i am. Its a pain sometimes, but worth it. I would say my price range is no more than $1500 but i would rather keep it around $1000.
Whats with the dual core processor? is that better than Pentium?
Keep all the info coming! This is a huge help
Thanks again!
'99 CSVT 152k miles
'95 YJ
www.VFXCustom.com
PM me with anything you need done in Vinyl.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 674
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 674 |
I just got a 1.66Ghz Intel core duo dell E1705 for about 1800 w/ 3 year warranty. If multitasking is big for you, I would reccommend something similar. With it, I got the 17" widescreen/tru brite technology, 60gb hard drive, 256mb vid card, 1gb ram, dvd burner, blue tooth, tv tuner w/ mce remote. The "core duo" is basically like two processors. The work that needs to be done is divided up between them allowing more throughput. the speed isn't additive, so you wont do anything faster than 1.66Ghz but technically you can do more at the same time. As far as raw speed, you could get a similarly priced 3Ghz cpu im sure. Also I had a 650 dollar off $2000+ coupon 
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,882
Highly Medicated Member
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Highly Medicated Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,882 |
My compaq Presario V4000S kicks ass from Toronto to Columbus to Juarez and all over Detroit. It travels everyday in a car or a plane and I have had zero issues with it in 11 months of hard use. It's loaded and did set me back about $1300 after rebates. The wide screen is great for spreadsheets AND movies on the plane...
Battery life is average; my only complaint.
Mark
Semper Fi
"They've got us surrounded. Poor bastards." -Chesty
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,143
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,143 |
Another vote for the Thinkpad here. I've known far too many people who have had Dells (with problems) to reccomend them to anyone. Quote:
IMO, IBM is the only company that makes a truly quality notebook PC. You'll pay a little more, but the quality is a step above Toshiba, Dell, etc. I'm assuming you can't get your vinyl program on a Mac, but they are good too - pricey, but really good. All the other software you mentioned runs on them.
Another consideration: do you really need a notebook? If you can get away with a desktop, you can save a huge amount of money. Notebooks are cool, but they're much less reliable, and cost way more as well.
What he said
"Bros before Hoes" <-- More men need this mentality.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,155
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,155 |
My laptop runs complex 3d animated scenes in max just fine and it's only 1.7ghz/256MB of RAM. I only wish it had more HD space (40 GB)
The PC is a Dell Latitude 110L
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 699
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 699 |
Originally posted by Pete D:
Another vote for the Thinkpad here. I've known far too many people who have had Dells (with problems) to reccomend them to anyone.
Quote:
IMO, IBM is the only company that makes a truly quality notebook PC. You'll pay a little more, but the quality is a step above Toshiba, Dell, etc. I'm assuming you can't get your vinyl program on a Mac, but they are good too - pricey, but really good. All the other software you mentioned runs on them.
Another consideration: do you really need a notebook? If you can get away with a desktop, you can save a huge amount of money. Notebooks are cool, but they're much less reliable, and cost way more as well.
What he said
+1
Have bought 6 Thinkpads, and they're all still working fine except for one. My oldest one was under the seat in my Explorer when I was loading stuff and ended up folding the seat down on top of it, cracking the screen. Still works with and external monitor though.
ThinkPad is the only brand I consider when buying a laptop.
My Cars
1999 Silver Frost SVT - 80,000km #2603/2760 Aug. 10, 1999.
1996 Mercury Mystique LS V6 MTX - retired @ 323,151km.
1995 Ford Contour V6 MTX-sold @ 214,000km
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,431 |
Another vote for Thinkpad. I'll be buying one soon enough - my only wish is that the X series had a touchpad rather than the pointer. I have a Toshiba A65 that my sister abused for about a year and a half before dropping it and breaking the screen. I took it completely apart and replaced with a screen from eBay and it works wonderfully now (though I did pull out a cylindrical clump of dust 2 inches long, 1cm diameter by the exhaust fan!). I'm selling it soon because it's not as small a computer as I'd like and doesn't have a docking port (carputer potential). I do consider it a good budget computer though. Several of my friends have Toshibas .. some reliable, some not (two actually own a Satellite model that was recalled due to them always breaking). I loved my Sony Vaio 3 years ago but they've changed styling and pricing since. I'm perpetually in love with the Mac OS and my 1GHz PowerBook but that doesn't apply here of course. 
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 235
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 235 |
My vote would be for a Toshiba. The build quality of mine (M45 series) is excellent and it feels strong and durable compared to some of the cheaper/flimsy feelings of the HP/Compaq and Sonys that I used to sell at Best Buy. The original Fujitsu hard drive died after 3 months but it was replaced under warranty with a Seagate. I've spilled Dr. Pepper and water on the keyboard and have beat it around hauling it from place to place and it still works perfect. The true-brite screen is crystal clear and the feel of the touchpad is the best I have felt compared to other laptops. The overall design and placement of features is also very nice. My only complaint is the battery life and when I play games for a while it seems to run a little hot.
Metallic Steel Blue 99 SE Sport ATX
college= few mods 
Infinity Kappas just added 
I have no secondaries! SELL ME YOUR WORKING IMRC box!!!
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