Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Delirium on November 15, 2007, 12:42:01 PM

Title: New laptop
Post by: Delirium on November 15, 2007, 12:42:01 PM
I'm getting a new laptop for Christmas! However, I don't want to spend a whole lot on the unit... what would you recommend?

It doesn't need to run AH has I have my desktop (tho that would be nice) and I'd like to use it at the local hot spots including at work. I want to speed less than $1k on the unit if at all possible.

Thanks, I know this community always is up to date on the newest tech out there. :aok
Title: New laptop
Post by: Vulcan on November 15, 2007, 01:39:30 PM
Asus are nice, and they manufacture for apple, sony, hp etc.
Title: New laptop
Post by: Getback on November 17, 2007, 05:15:01 AM
Frankly I hate laptops, when I was in school, I had some extra money to either by a laptop or new set of clubs, I chose the clubs and did my homework on the school desktops.

Laptops get bumped, banged, exposed to heat and cold and stolen.

I worked close to our IT guy and he spent 90% of his time repairing or trying to retrieve data from laptops because they aren't automatically backed up to a secure drive.

Get a set of clubs.
Title: New laptop
Post by: Spikes on November 17, 2007, 08:03:28 AM
Well, what will you be doing with it?
Title: New laptop
Post by: Vulcan on November 17, 2007, 03:59:23 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Getback
I worked close to our IT guy and he spent 90% of his time repairing or trying to retrieve data from laptops because they aren't automatically backed up to a secure drive.


to be honest that would be your IT guys own fault or lack of IT knowledge.
Title: New laptop
Post by: Getback on November 17, 2007, 04:21:34 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Vulcan
to be honest that would be your IT guys own fault or lack of IT knowledge.


Nope, he was actually very impressive. It's the execs that lacked any knowledge. That guy could fix anything and retrieve data from damaged Hds.
Title: New laptop
Post by: oboe on November 17, 2007, 10:24:14 PM
Del,

I've had my eye on the Lenovo Y410 recently.  2 Gb Ram stock, 1,66 Ghz Core 2 Duo cpu, 160 Gb HD, and X3100 graphics for $830 through Office Depot, (mail in rebate).    Decent middle of the road computer for a decent price, and company gets good marks for support.    I've read many good reviews from Newegg users about Asus laptops too.   Lotta bang for the buck with those.

I dislike rebates and am unsure about Vista too, but I'm looking to replace my 4 yr old Sony Vaio which is developing old age problems.

HP laptops price out well featurewise, but apparently they don't come with a restore CD (hard disk based) and tech support is not strong.
Title: New laptop
Post by: Vulcan on November 18, 2007, 04:13:41 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Getback
Nope, he was actually very impressive. It's the execs that lacked any knowledge. That guy could fix anything and retrieve data from damaged Hds.


If he had half a clue he wouldn't need to fix anything or retrieve data. Relying on users to backup their data should be your first clue....
Title: New laptop
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on November 18, 2007, 05:45:34 AM
Yep things work best when you lock down and automate all computing up to the point that people switch back to pen and paper. Trouble free IT enviroment ftw!
Title: New laptop
Post by: oboe on November 18, 2007, 06:48:16 AM
One more thing Del - if you are getting Vista, you might as well budget extra $$ to bring the machine up to 2 Gb.   Seems to be a recurring theme in all the laptop reviews I read.
Title: New laptop
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on November 18, 2007, 12:15:16 PM
He might as well trash the thing in that case.. :furious
Title: New laptop
Post by: Vulcan on November 18, 2007, 02:00:31 PM
Quote
Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
Yep things work best when you lock down and automate all computing up to the point that people switch back to pen and paper. Trouble free IT enviroment ftw!


Errrr no you fail too :)
Title: New laptop
Post by: 0thehero on November 18, 2007, 06:37:46 PM
Can't go wrong with ThinkPads; they're more expensive, but built for travel and they don't come with any bloatware.

Quote
to be honest that would be your IT guys own fault or lack of IT knowledge.


Hehe...indeed.  WebEx has an awesome automated tool for remote user backup that not only requires no user intervention but prevents user tampering with data.
Title: New laptop
Post by: Vulcan on November 18, 2007, 07:07:48 PM
There are lots of data protection tools that not only are automated but provide the user with some useful tools (such as data recovery and version recovery).
Title: New laptop
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on November 19, 2007, 12:22:52 AM
The eternal problem with backups are that they are totally useless untill someone needs them, when they become invaluable. This is a conquation the finance department often overlooks when applying funds.