Author Topic: New Laptop  (Read 11503 times)

Offline Korunks

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #25 on: June 23, 2009, 02:30:37 PM »
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Linux is NOT ready for mainstream use.  You can't run anything but a browser, and you are limiting yourself.  Windows 7 RC1 FTW.  Faster than XP, most secure than even Vista, pretty, and lighter on resources than even XP.

I respectfully Disagree, I run Linux and I most certainly run far more than a browser.  Switching to Linux is like learning a new language, seems simple at first blush, but is very difficult if you are accustomed to using windows.  But almost anyone can get a simple Ubuntu distribution up and running in a fairly short amount of time. 
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Offline Cameron the Conqueror

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #26 on: June 23, 2009, 02:51:18 PM »
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I don't disagree that mainstream can GET Ubuntu running, but it is not IMHO powerful enough or streamlined enough for everyone to use.  What happens when your grandparent has linux and they need to run a normal windows program?  They aren't going to set up Wine or a VM.  I shall rephrase: Linux works really well, but it is not ready for mainstream use because it cannot nativly run the apps that 99% of people need.

Don't call me a Linux hater (I'm definitely not), I just don't think it can help mainstream people.

Offline DaClock

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #27 on: June 23, 2009, 07:44:22 PM »
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SK asked what I'd like in a laptop that I don't already have, here's a list.

-Smaller screen (less than 15.4")
-Longer Battery Life (mine lasts around 2 hours)
-Lighter (mine is probably 6.5 lbs)
-Brighter/Clearer Screen
-Quicker (currently have 1.73 GHz processor, 2 GB ram)
-Larger Hard Drive (currently have 100GB)
-Wireless-N (have this currently, want it in next computer)

Other add-ons I've thought about but aren't vital.

-Ability to Burn DVDs
-Graphics Card
-Ability to play Blu-Ray (I don't own a blu-ray player but thought this would be kind of cool)
-Bluetooth

For those of you talking about operating systems, I'll be using Windows. Linux may be nice but I don't want to spend the time to learn a new operating system and finding ways to run my Windows programs. However, I'm not sue that I want to have Vista when Windows 7 is supposed to be coming out soon. I definitely don't want to spend a bunch of money upgrading operating systems a few months after I buy it.

Offline Lawfuldog

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #28 on: June 23, 2009, 07:47:29 PM »
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Windows 7 is so much better than Vista, I would suggest waiting for it.
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Offline Master KChief

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #29 on: June 23, 2009, 08:02:16 PM »
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SK asked what I'd like in a laptop that I don't already have, here's a list.

-Smaller screen (less than 15.4") toshiba satellite E105-S1402: 14.1"; hp pavilion dv3510nr: 13.3"
-Longer Battery Life (mine lasts around 2 hours) toshiba: 5 hours 30 minutes; hp: 4 hours 15 minutes
-Lighter (mine is probably 6.5 lbs) toshiba: 5 pounds; hp: 4.6 pounds
-Brighter/Clearer Screen: toshiba: WXGA TFT-LCD widescreen with TruBrite technology (1280 x 800); hp: WXGA high-definition widescreen with LED BrightView technology (1280 x 800)
-Quicker (currently have 1.73 GHz processor, 2 GB ram) toshiba: 2.26 ghz processor, 5400 rpm, 4gb ram; hp: 2.0 ghz processor, 5400 rpm, 4gb ram
-Larger Hard Drive (currently have 100GB) toshiba: 320 gb; hp: 320 gb
-Wireless-N (have this currently, want it in next computer) toshiba: a/b/g/n; hp: a/b/g/n

Other add-ons I've thought about but aren't vital.

-Ability to Burn DVDs
-Graphics Card toshiba: IntelĀ® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD; hp: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS graphics
-Ability to play Blu-Ray (I don't own a blu-ray player but thought this would be kind of cool)
-Bluetooth toshiba: Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR support; hp: yes
-Price toshiba: $749.99; hp: $899.99

For those of you talking about operating systems, I'll be using Windows. Linux may be nice but I don't want to spend the time to learn a new operating system and finding ways to run my Windows programs. However, I'm not sue that I want to have Vista when Windows 7 is supposed to be coming out soon. I definitely don't want to spend a bunch of money upgrading operating systems a few months after I buy it.
"If it weren't for people with bad decision making skills, I'd have to get a real job." - Reynad

Offline DaClock

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #30 on: June 23, 2009, 08:11:28 PM »
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Windows 7 is so much better than Vista, I would suggest waiting for it.

I read somewhere that new laptops purchased after July 1 would get a free-upgrade coupon. Do you know anything about that?

MKC, those both look like good options. Thanks for the recommendation.

Offline sk

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #31 on: June 23, 2009, 08:49:48 PM »
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I heard that July 1 thing, too.  I think it's just hearsay, though, so I'd wait for an official announcement before putting stock in the date.

By the way, KChief, are those machines single or dual core?
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Offline Master KChief

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #32 on: June 23, 2009, 08:57:21 PM »
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dual core, of course. i would never suggest a laptop with a single-core processor.
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Offline sk

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #33 on: June 24, 2009, 04:23:39 PM »
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Didn't think so, but wanted to double check.

By the way, Microsoft has announce the upgrade program will begin this Friday, according to CNET.
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Offline Isildur

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #34 on: June 24, 2009, 04:55:43 PM »
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The who and the what what upgrade?
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Offline sk

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Re: New Laptop
« Reply #35 on: June 24, 2009, 05:13:17 PM »
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If you buy a new computer on or after June 26th, you can get a free (or very low cost) upgrade through the manufacturer.

When Vista came out, it was about $5-10 (shipping/handling costs) to have Dell or hp send you an upgrade copy of Vista if you had gotten a computer from them recently.

Just as a related side note, Microsoft also announced that preordering Win 7 would be $49 for the Premium version and $99 for the Ultimate.  (Meanwhile, us Mac users are preparing for the $29 Ultimate version of Snow Leopard...)
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