THE PERFECT LAPTOP

[LuckyLady]

I have a Dell Inspiron E1505 it has been nothing but great to me up until recently with a self inflicted blow to the hard drive. I forget what makes it what it is but Memory, and the drive are huge Go big! I had at least 2000 pictures, 200 documents stored on it and worked just as good as when I got it.

Dell shipped out a new hard drive free of charge after some diagnostics, and a few idiotic delays but in the end its fixed for free almost 2 years later.


My IT guy spec'ed it out for me, it was on the expensive side but well worth it. Make sure you get any accidental insurance and extended warranties. Covers spills and anything else. My laptop has been bounced multiple times on the boat and any where else. Works like a champ.

[Glenn W]

Marty, being hard on laptops and also using them for the same applications that Jane likely will, here are my observations:
For professional applications, you get what you pay for--- but it's not just the bottom line price but rather what the unit is really designed for. The vast majority of PCs sold at Circuit City, Best Buy, etc., are designed for the home user for primary use on the internet, and multimedia. Business applications have other demands. The bells and whistles on many on the home models are useless and actually get in the way.
Without a doubt, the key feature most business users want and need is a clean, uncluttered keyboard---- not 500 useless buttons. You will need to ask Jane how important a number keypad is---- I need one for data entry, but use a plug in number keypad for this. The next consideration is size-- bigger is not better. The 17"+ units are simply too big to be toting around and on airplanes--- I've found the 15.5" to be the best for traveling and yet have a large enough keyboard and screen.
Having been through several laptops I feel the Dell and Lenovo (IBM) models fit business applications very well and offer well built units.
The no-nonsence, business Dell Latitude series would be perfect IMO. This is what I currently have and it is a well built, ruggesd machine. They are "custom" built and you can order online and have it in a couple days. I would recomend a unit with a metal chassis as they definatly hold up better.
The Dell on-site protection plan is excellent--- you pay for it but well worth the $$$ IMO. I have already used it (I broke the screen-- my fault) and it was fixed the next day with a rep coming to my office.
If you go with Dell, Jake can help you on avoiding dealing with the Indians--- he says there are certain times that you get the good ole USA of the phone. I deal with Dell under the "Small Business" division and have always spoke with an American on the phone.
One other thing, most business users absolutly hate Windows Vista. The Dell Latitudes are still (were recently anyway), available with Windows XP instead of the Vista version of Windows.
Whatever she (you) decide, buy an external hard drive and get in the habit of backing everything up on a regular basis--- this is so important for accounting data.

[Crazy Eyes]

Marty, i have had great success with the ACER laptops. I have multiple ACER laptops, computers and monitors in my offices and at home with no problems out of any of them. I also have some Lenovo brand PC's/Laptops that seem to be very solid.

[ReelCommotion]

ALIENWARE ::::Laptops, the best laptop out there hands down. Expensive but worth it.

[zar2754]

MAC hands down, once you go MAC you'll never go BACK.

[Tenacious]

Mac's are the bomb!

[Flatdog]

Hey Box I assume that pony will still come with you at weekends? on the boat but still needs to do the EEErm "Homework" And you just may need to use that beast yourself for that fine tuning of the death from above, and down loading the results of the on board cameras out on the stream, then here is the way to go She can sit in the pit and cheer and work while you handle the big Hoo's
http://www.groupmobile.com/dept.asp/...FQuJ1QodgiIFRA

[Supafly]

I am also a MAC fan.

[JD5652]

La Gringa,These are great computers they are expensive,but I use mine everyday in a construction enviroment,and have dropped both several times and have had no problems with them,except,if it falls on the side w/your wireless card,have had to get a couple replaced,but no computer problems from dropping it.Used my last one for over 3 yrs.And have had my new one for about a yr. and notta hitch one.(I shouldn't have said that) I will never buy another Dell,the desktop I have @home crashed and I spent almost 3 hrs. on the phone with BABLASHAKA or something like that,and finally got it fixed.....If I buy a new one for home it will probably be a MAC,never used one,but have heard great things about them,plus I hate MICROSOFT!!!!

I've had a LOT of Dell laptops....however I'm pretty tough on them and they never lasted more than two years. Now I have a Panasonic CF-73 Toughbook and it has lasted me three years. I had a hard drive go on me and Panasonic turned the repair around in two days without a question.....great customer service.

If she will be traveling a LOT, then I would seriously consider the Toughbook. The major downside is that they are not cheap and are rfelatively heavy as laptops go. Mac's are great computers, but sometimes have glitches interfacing with the Microsoft world (at least in my experiences) and with her world being focused on business, then I would have to say that the majority of her clients would be using PC based Microsoft products.

I would definitely NOT go with the Vista operating system.....still LOTS of bugs out there....go with MS XP Professional as an operating system.

Just my $0.02......

[Boonebird]

hoo thats the last thing you guys need a labtop and hook it to your sat phone. Dont you think you post enough as it is? Make sure you get two because poneytail will never see hers.