The Dude has a Question? (And It's Not A Riddle!)

Stitchindude · Post by **Stitchindude** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:27 am

I have decided to replace my old (don't say it too loud) computer and I am considiring a new Laptop. So my question is to those of you who have one, (or if you just have an opinion), I need some feedback. This will be my first Laptop so tell me what you think of the one you have or don't have. I do respect all of your opinions very highly, and this will be a big help to me! I know many of you are not the techy type, but I also like to get your personal views! Thanks so very much!

~threadbear~ · Post by **~threadbear~** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:36 am

I love my laptop!
I did have a bit of a problem at first with using my finger as the mouse, as my touchpad is very sensitive and I seemed to click on all sorts of things I hadn't even intended to (whilst passing over them).
Got over that though by buying a little plug in mouse, and to be honest I don't have as much trouble now anyhow, as I'm getting better with the touch pad too.
The other thing is I have to wear my glasses to see on the laptop

whereas I can manage without on the computer. Mind you, I do have my font/settings all fairly small.
I love the portableness of it, plus the fact it takes up less space.
My laptop has a duel processor. I wouldn't get one without that personally.
it also has a built in card reader which I found helpful.

I don't know if that's the sort of info you want?

mags · Post by **mags** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:50 am

I don't have a laptop but have had a go, so to speak. Like threadbear I had trouble with the touchpad, but I guess you would get used to it, or get a plug in mouse, same with keyboard.

I must admit, though, I would like the portability, and space saving of a laptop.

Stitchindude · Post by **Stitchindude** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:50 am

Thank You ~threadbear~ That is very helpful! I'm thinking about one with a 17 inch screen to actually replace my desktop. Thanks again!

~threadbear~ · Post by **~threadbear~** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:55 am

You're welcome!

I think a good sized screen would be very helpful. They have good sized memory on these now too. We also though, got a portable hard drive for pictures, although of course you can use it for other storage too, and that has been extremely helpful. It keeps the laptop fast as most of the stored items are on the portable hard drive, plus it means our photo's and documents etc are protable too.

wendywombat · Post by **wendywombat** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:08 pm

We are just in the process of buying a new laptop. D/H swears by Toshiba! He's just bought one with a 17" screen numeric key pad. This will be out 3rd Toshiba.
We always use a mouse too although he does like the touch pad on the Toshiba for short sessions. The new one has a built in webcam too. P200D 10P
With an Athlon AMD processor. He says he prefers that to Intel processor.

Gosh all that advertising

I should get commission!

Hope that helps Dude!

Stitchindude · Post by **Stitchindude** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:20 pm

Thanks Wendy, you guys are terrific!!

Genevieve · Post by **Genevieve** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:17 pm

We're Apple Mac laptop fans in our family. I love my laptop - I had a MacBook for Christmas. This has a built in webcam, which is really good for keeping in touch with family in case they forget what you look like! As Threadbear has said, it's great to be able to carry it around the house and use it anywhere. I thought I would have trouble using the touchpad, but have got used to it very quickly. I wouldn't go back to a mouse now.

Stitchindude · Post by **Stitchindude** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:40 pm

Thanks Genevieve! I would love to own an Apple Laptop but they are a little pricey

!! I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck$$$$! Thanks again for your input! So far a lot of great information! (As far as the webcam I don't want to scare anyone!)

wendywombat · Post by **wendywombat** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:22 pm

Stitchindude wrote:! (As far as the webcam I don't want to scare anyone!)

You could always wear a mask!! That's what I do!

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:30 pm

We have both PCs and Macs in this house. My DH loves his vaio.

I would definitely suggest you go for the biggest screen you can. The mouse might not be a problem, once you get used to using the pad, but I couldn't work with a flat keyboard for any length of time. Macs may be pricey, but you do get a lot of bang for your buck. The lifefestyle software is good (for dealing with photos, video and so forth), plus, of course, you can run almost everything you are familiar with from your current PC. Plus, of course, almost no problem with viruses -- an important point if you are on the net a lot.

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:53 pm

This Christmas we bought 2 laptops one for my daughter to use at school for writing reports and keeping in touch with friends. They have wireless connections at the dorm for the kids. She loves it and has had only good to say about it. It is a dell with a 17 in screen and I find nothing hard in reading the screen.

The second one is the same computer Dell but with a 15 inch screen. This is for the shop. When we finish the motors we put them on a test cell and run them for anywhere from 5 to 10 hours. This lets us know if there are any potential problems before they go into a plane and can be easier to find and fix. So the computer is hooked up to the test cell on all the major areas, oil pressure, oil temp, manifold pressure, fuel flow and more, there are 15 reading in all. Then at the end of the test runs we will be able to print a disc with all the readings and send it with the motor to the owners and say here this it what it did and how long it ran and at what settings. This give them a better understanding of what it did and how it tested. The computer are both great and really work well for what we need them to do.

Here is a picture of the test cell that I am talking about. There are a couple other shots from different angle in my webshots.

ConnieO · Post by **ConnieO** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:13 pm

Hey Dude, I have a Dell laptop and it's fab! I keep it in the living room close to my stitching so I can sit here and pick and choose which to play with first!

Seriously, the touchpad does take some getting used to. I don't use a mouse as I'm sitting on my sofa when I use it. I touch the pad with my right hand, and click the buttons with my left. I feel very uncomfortable sitting at a desk or table with it, but that could just be psychological. I sit at a desk all day in front of a pc at work, but laptop = sofa = leisure time, if you see what I mean.

agi · Post by **agi** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:22 pm

Hi, Dude, I also have just got a Dell laptop at school, and I love it. I use it a lot in the classroom, it has basically replaced the dvd, cd and mp3 players, and I use Power Point instead of scribbling on the board - what a luxury!
Actually my hubby knows a few things about computers, and he suggested me to choose this one. He has been using one for more than a year now with no problems whatsoever! Only thing - it's a bit heavy for me to carry, but since you inted to use it as a desktop pc it won't be a problem, will it?
Good luck!

Stitchindude · Post by **Stitchindude** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:21 pm

Thanks everyone, all of your input has been greatly appreciated!

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:09 am

I may be late at this but I have two: one for work and one for home. I have an IBM for work and it's very nice and a Dell for home and it's also very nice. As for the touch pad, it just takes some getting used to but nothing difficult after a few days. Stay clear of the little button if they still make those. They are awful. I have am inexpensive mouse that I use for when I'm running all day meetings.

The difference on the screens is probably two fold: font size and location. We tend to have our laptops either on our laps or on a table but it's always a different angle and distance than a workstation...which is also not changing. So our focal point changes each time we try to use it. I have bifocal contacts and have actually now had more trouble with my screen at work than I do with the laptops since I can move them around to find the best point.

We have wireless and it makes it so easy to move around the house, from my craft room to the patio to the kitchen to my stitching chair in the family room.

Oh and they bounce fairly well!

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:26 am

Update from me. DH, who is in the business, first posed this question: Why does he want to change from a desktop to a laptop? Second, he said that you might find a Dell your best bet. (Seems lots of others agree.)

Stitchindude · Post by **Stitchindude** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:40 am

I'm replacing my desktop because it is almost 10 years old, and I would like to cut down on all the space it takes up. The new laptops that I have reviewed are a lot faster, more storage, better graphics, more memory, and even though I won't move it around a lot I still want the portability option of a laptop.

~threadbear~ · Post by **~threadbear~** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:06 pm

Forgot to say, mine is a wide screen too, which makes viewing peoples pictures easy as well, as some stretch the screen.