Hi @ all.
My notebook is not the best anymore, to say the least. It still works but honestly I'm somehow limited in what I can do. Everything what needs a little more processor power is kinda stressful for it. Even making a phone call with Skype, without video, causes the fan to run full speed all the time, which makes it louder than it already is. Watching a movie is impossible, even a clip on youtube etc is a pain.
Developing a website itsself is not that big of a deal but the small screen resolution is a limiting factor as well as having many programs running at one time. Which we all know happens quit easily, specially when you have multiple browsers to check your work etc. I thought I could use vmware for quickly checking sites on Linux as well but it takes me 10-15 minutes to boot up Linux when I don't do anything else while booting up, of course. No kidding. Once it's up everything is eextreeemmlyyy slow. That's the reason why I mainly just use vmware at home and just when I really need it at work and don't want to reboot.
All in all, I don't have a "Core 2 Duo", I know that my notebook is a bit older and was low-end at the time it was new already. But in fact it feels more like a "Core 1/3 Solo".
Solution? I need something new. And actually I'm glad that God promised me a while ago that He will provide for a new one.
A few day ago I was chatting with my bro-in-law about notebooks and he asked me which one I'm looking into. Well, I now approx some specs but I don't have a specific computer in mind so far. He asked me then how I can pray for one if I don't know which one. I figured he is right with that and I started to search for notebooks. That is when I started to get a headache. I know what I approx need but where do I get that without spending a fortune but still get a good product?
The problem seems to be to get a notebook with a hight screen resolution for a good price. If you have 3000€ or more you can spend then it's all not that big of a deal. But for the rest of us...?
I started to make a list so that I can compare better between different brands etc. But I also want to ask you guys what you think, what experience do you have with different brands and models? Here is what I'm looking for:
- high screen resolution. SXGA+ (1400x1050) or bigger would be good, however SXGA (1280x1024) is the absolute minimum if nothing else is affordable. WUXGA (1920x1200) of course would be nice (I guess that's the max for notebooks) but I haven't seen one that I think I can ever afford. If you know of one, please tell me.
- 2GB RAM
- a separate video card with 256MB RAM. A onBoard with shared memory is not really acceptable anymore with newer OSs.
- needs to be Linux compatible
Some things I'm still evaluating:
- do I want a AMD or Intel processor
- 32 or 64 Bit
- Vista Home Basic, Home Premium or Business? And NO, Mac is not an option. I actually did check the Macs but honestly I easily can get cheaper Windows based notebooks with better hardware specs. Since Mac moved to Intel there is no quality difference either. But also, I am developing websites. Over 90% of the internet users have a Windows computer and I don't see that it will radically change over the next few years to a point that Macs are the majority. And for sure I don't buy a Mac and then also buy Vista.
I had another idea that also rises some additional questions: Can I get a notebook with a smaller screen resolution (probably WXGA+ -> 1400x900) that much cheaper that I can get a second screen with a higher resolution and a extra keyboard for the same price like a notebook with a high resolution? Would that be even more productive? Is a 2 screen setup working with Linux (I never tried it)?
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Of course prayers for Gods provision as well ;)
Thanks and blessings,
neo
Comments
ideas
hi,
i can understand your frustrations with how many options there are for notebooks. it can be quite overwhelming. just from some of the things i've heard from different people, vista really is not worth the headache. apparently it is not compatible with many pc's hardware configuration yet... it seems that once again microsoft is trying to push the manufacturers to step up to their OS rather than adapting to the manufacturers. i've had no problems whatsoever with XP Pro & i considerate to be a super solid OS with no reason to upgrade to Vista.
i can understand how pc's look attractive with the specs & the price. the reality is though i've yet to hear of a pc that works as seamlessly as a Mac. i understand that you've checked out Macs some & perhaps the price can seem like a deterrant. i had wanted to a get a Mac for years, but refused to get one because of the price. the funny thing is, i, too, had prayed & asked God to supply a notebook for me & i had NO idea that it would come in the form of a Mac. now, i am, by no means, a Mac-fanatic & i refuse to ever become one. as we're taught in the GENESIS training seminar, NEVER worship the tools... only Jesus. so i refuse to ever put Mac or any other computer on a pedestal, as so many people try to do. it's JUST A COMPUTER!! anyway, after having this Mac for 6 months & comparing to my wife's Dell Inspiron, i've been super impressed with just how well everything works. i'm am NOT saying that Mac's are the best... but as a regular user of computers since 1989, i'm really happy with this one. that said, my Dell GX260 desktop has run solidly & reliably for me with Windows XP Pro since 2002. but since we're not talking about desktops... :-) anyway, i just thought it would be fair to you for me to share my experience. i'm sure you'll find just the right notebook to meet & even exceed your needs.
as i said, i understand how price can be a deterrant, but if you have a word from God that He will supply for you, i want to encourage you not to take less than His best that He has for you... look for what you want & pray it in. i believe that God will provide for what you're after. that said, one thing that i'd suggest that you consider for your notebook is weight... maybe it won't seem a big deal, but getting anything over 5.5 lbs. (2.5 kg) can really get cumbersome. my wife's Dell is nearly 8 lbs... it really is a burden! For some seriously powerful pc notebooks check out Sager notebooks. They don't typically ship with an OS, but for what you pay, you get quite a lot of features. it's based in the US.
As far as comparisons between Intel & AMD, check out this article for some benchmark tests.
Hope something in here helps. I'm excited to find out what you get in the end.
Bless you!
Chris Bischoff
YWAM Latvia, Communications
www.ywamlatvia.com
re: ideas
Hi Chris,
thanks for your comment and the links. Of course your comments are helpful, that's why I was asking, to get some more opinions. But don't get too excited about what I'll get since I still trust God for the finance, so it'll take a while.
Anyways, I must say that Mac is still not an option. There are many Windows computers that have all sorts of problems but also I know many Windows machines that run just fine. OSX might be not as fragile as Windows but that's really an issue of the OS, not the hardware since they use the exact same parts. However, I must say that I also know a couple of Macs who have problems. Actually one of our workers in the office had 2 warranty issues with her new Mac within 1/2 a year. If I recall correct the first time she was without her computer for about 5 weeks. So, Macs are not ones that always run without trouble. Hardware as well as OS.
However, I don't wanna debate about Mac vs Windows. If I really want I can freeze every OS, that's not the issue. I fully agree with you that we're not supposed to worship the tools. That's actually another reason why Mac is not an option for me. I would say that Windows would serve best for what I'm doing. As I said above that's what over 90% of the people are using. With a lot of people complaining about Vista and Dell soon offering Ubuntu statistics might change slightly but the not that dramatically. If you create/maintain websites you need to make sure that they work with Windows and IE. If you like it or not. Well, I don't to be honest but I have to check the sites with that setup.
Also, I know that XP is stable, in fact I have W2k and it's stable. This is not really the issue. I know that XP is still available but sooner or later people will move towards Vista and if it's only because XP is no more available. I have pretty easy access to XP machines to check websites and in the office we mainly have Macs, so no problem there. But why should I get a old OS when I get the new one for about the same price? So, I think it's the right way to plan for Vista, no matter if I like that or not.
Anyways, unless a miracle happens there is probably Vista SP1 out before I get a new computer. So, all the bugs in the first edition should be fixed ;) Or as others say, never buy Windows pre SP1, let the other people do the beta test :) The question really is what version of Vista do I need.
The problem with Windows really is that it's getting slower the older the installation is. The more programs are installed the slower and especially with games the more instable it is. Nothing changed between W2k and XP and I don't expect it different in Vista.
Also, what would a 64Bit system do for me, well besides addressing +4GB RAM which anyways cost a fortune? Does it help me? Would a 2 screen setup help me? What are the experiences of other coders, programmers, sysAdmins, etc. I would think that it's more productive but I never worked with 2 screens, so I can't tell. Also it really needs to work with Linux as well, since that's probably what I will mainly use then on this new computer.
Weight is a good point, however, not the most important for me since I don't plan to carry the notebook around too much. Unless I have a need to take the new one, which probably every now and then will be, I would simply take the old notebook anyways to run around. Which isn't really a light weight, so I'm kinda used to it.... ;)
So, at the end of the day I really don't want to simply look at the specs and then just simply buy the fastest sounding thing for as cheap as possible. I am willing to spend the money (and of course to pray for it to come in) to have something that serves me well, as well as having a good quality product. With hopefully no warranty issues.
That's really the reason why I ask here, to see what kind of experience others have in YWAM.
Greetings from the MatriX,
neo
In my opinion
Having used several different computers in my time - I have to say for an IT guy you cannot really afford to use a Mac. I used one for a while - and stuff that is simple on a PC is difficult or impossible on OSX. That is not a dig at macs - they are not made for IT professional - they are made for students and designers.
I have used a Dell but was a bit disappointed with their battery life and the feel of the laptop. But recently I was gifted a new thinkpad t-60 and honestly it is the best computer I have used. (this is individual opinion, I am not saying it is the best laptop ever, I am saying for my line of work - some IT server work, virtual machines, web design, and programming, I have never used a better computer).
Here are some of the reasons why
- The IBM propriotry software is second to none - it lets you set up wireless profiles so when you connect to a different location you can have a whole new default printer, homepage, and even automatically load applications. So when I walk into my office my laptop connects to the office printer, outlook and firefox open and my homepage is the YWAM Harpenden Intranet. But at home when I connect to the wireless it is a different printer and www.bbc.co.uk/sport is my homepage.
- When you plug in a projector it automatically figures it out what it is and you do not have to mess around with settings.
- They have macros so that ejecting hardware, power management is easier then on any system I have ever used (mac, windows or linux) .
- It is lightweight and also has a strong body (magnesium alloy) and the hardrive is protected when dropped.
- Security is better on an IBM than all other laptops I am aware of - with fingerprint login and password protection as well as encripted, fingerprint protected section of the hardrive for sensitive data - this really is an all round quality machine!
I used to have an IBM - back in 1997 and it still runs to this day - I just did not get one in the interem cause I have been using gift laptops - but honestly I would never buy a different kind of laptop. All we need now is for IBM to write drivers so all their software works on linux then there will be no need for anything else....
;)
David
re: In my opinion
Hi David.
Thanks for your reply. Ya, IBM's are long lasting computers. Unfortunately they are getting a bit expensive when you want (need) to have a bit higher screen resolution. At least as far as I could see as of now. Well, maybe I just need to have a bit more faith here.
Anyways, I would be interested what other experience you have with notebooks. How long the battery lasts is not the most important thing since I mainly will use it as desktop replacement and just every once in a while will need it on the go. More important would be that the battery is not dead or 1/2 dead within a year.
I saw some Fujitsu Siemens for fairly good price. Does anyone know about their quality? ASUS are good computers as well, as far as I know, but I couldn't find any prices for Germany.
Thanks for any help.
Greetings from the MatriX,
neo
continued
My only experience with Fujitsu Siemens was horrible - the battery did not last long and pixels died on the screen. That was 7 years ago so maybe it has changed now. My experience with battery life within the first year on laptops is as follows:
Dell - not good - have not seen a battery still performing well after 1 year
Apple - same as Dell - on every ibook and powerbook I have used the battery was horrible after a year
Sony - same as apple, but they replace batteries on the warranty.
Fujitsu seimens - sore spot and I dont want to talk about it ;)
IBM - I have only had this one for 5 months - but still getting between 4 and 5 hours on it. My IBM in 1998 the battery was never a problem - so I hope it is the same!!
Which country will you be purchasing - I got mine in the US cause it is about half the price of buying it in the UK!
David
re: continued
Hi.
Thanks David, for sharing your experience.
I would like to purchase in Germany, since I'm German it would make sense to have a German keyboard. I don't know if I can get a notebook somewhere else and order it with a German keyboard or change it later on myself if that's possible, anyways. Also I don't know the extra cost for that, if that's worth it or in the end more expensive.
In that sense I'm a bit limited. However, I was thinking about if it could be cheaper to get the computer where ever I get it cheapest and getting an external keyboard from Germany. I anyways don't like to be so close to the screen as I am with a notebook. With an extra keyboard I also could use a second (bigger) screen as my main screen and sit straight in front of it.
Oh well, I have a lot options in mind. So, I need to make a wise decision and need to see a lot of money come in for that. But really I need to know what God wants me to get and therefore how to pray more specific.
Greetings from the MatriX,
neo
32 vs. 64 bit
Hi.
So far I couldn't find any explanation about that. But maybe someone here can give me some insight about that topic.
So, what is the big difference between 32 & 64 bit systems? I know that I need 64bit to address more than 4GB RAM but that is something that's anyway not available for laptops. Means irrelevant for now. However, I'm a sound techie, playing guitar and every now and then leading a bit of worship and I always wanted to record something. I'm having a feeling that God refreshed this idea a little in some of my brain waves. So, I was reading a lot about 64bit is better for Video & Sound Editing. But why?
The big question that rises, is it worth for me to look into that option or does it just cost more without any advantage? So, what is the upside and downside of 64bit?
Would be great if someone here would know about that a little more than I do. Sound recording is a dream I had for many many years. If I had the opportunity to do that I would do it. I tried it some years ago but I didn't really had the equipment and knowledge how to do that with computers. So, when I do that again I want to be better prepared.
Greetings from the MatriX,
neo
Find Out About Local Warranty and Servicing
Probably one of the first things that I recommend people to look at when purchasing a new computer (laptop or desktop) is the warranty.
The thing about warranties is that they are dependent on the service company doing the work. Globally Toshiba has a great reputation for their warranty, but in Townsville the stories that I have heard about their service is not very good. The same goes with Apple in Townsville, and from the sounds of it maybe all over Australia. (read about our Apple warranty woes at Mac Warranty Sucks, and from someone else's perspective at Apple Australia - Slow and Steady doesn’t win the race!). That said, I have heard amazing stories about Apple Warranties in the US.
Here in Townsville we have had amazing success with our Dell laptop, desktop and server warranties and service. Even though we are not in a major centre we still have next day on-site warranty, and the company that Dell contracts to do it does a great job at it. I have had a motherboard and a hard-drive replaced on my old laptop (4-years now) and both have been done quickly and well after I have finally gotten around to registering an RMA.
What I would recommend you do is have a look at where you are and where you plan to be and try to find out what kind of warranty and service work record the different companies have there. Talk to other people who have the brand of machine that you are looking at and find out their experience with service. Most laptops nowadays are built from components made in the same factory, even if they have different names, so how that hardware is backed up is very important.
warranty and service
Hi Bill,
I read through your links. Wow, that's really bad stuff. Specially since you pay for a Mac quit a lot of money. I seriously expected a bit more here.
However, the best warranty doesn't help if the service isn't good. Speaking of that, almost everything I heard about Dell so far was negative. From my personal experience with warranty issues at least from Germany, it can change daily. It almost feels like it depends what people had for breakfast. Here in Australia people seem to be friendlier but I didn't had to deal with computer stores so far. So, I can not really tell how that goes.
Anyways, I guess the need of repair is something we all try to avoid, we all prefer that the new machines just work. So, may question is what are the experiences with different brands? What brand needed most service, etc. How about ASUS, Acer, Toshiba, Fujitsu Siemens, IBM, etc?
I can't really tell cause my Acer notebook didn't cause any trouble in that sense, it's just getting a bit old and I probably asking a bit too much from this machine. More then 3 years ago it wasn't really meant as a full desktop replacement. Now, even with double the RAM than originally, I run out of RAM pretty much every day.
My first computer was a non-brand machine and lasted pretty long. All the others been self build. So, I don't really have any experience with brand computers, except with my Acer notebook which still runs without any repair.
Greetings from the MatriX,
neo