Re: Laptops?

<Tom Betka> wrote in message
news:ffmmc3tdp511gnr3iqi16cbi4q690g6bq6@xxxxxxxxxx
On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:55:41 -0500, "Glenn Dowdy"
<glenn.no.dowdy@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


"BKO" <brentolesen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:WZWdnWh5pc_4rlbbnZ2dnUVZ_uiknZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm (finally) going to upgrade to a new computer. I run an old W98
system,
which works well enough for what I'm doing at present, but it is
developing
issues (??? :). I know I can improve my computer experience with a
laptop,
but I don't know much about them. I also know that some of you guys
have
solid knowledge about these things. I'm interested in what you think
about
the relative strengths of Windows MX vs. Vista, vs. Linux, vs. Mac.
Can
anyone help me? TKS.

I recommend Hewlett-Packard notebook computers wholeheartedly.

Glenn D.


I concur--if you *must* go with a Windows-only laptop, then an HP is
very good bang for the buck. I have several friends with them and they
all seem to love them. I personally have a Gateway but can not
recommend either them or Dell any longer (I used to own Dell), simply
because of the poor customer support. Also Dell seems to charge a
premium for what you get, and I personally think they are quite
overpriced. But I should mention that whatever you buy, you MUST
factor in an extended service plan (ESP)--it's critical for a laptop.
THEY WILL BREAK. It isn't a matter of 'if' but rather of 'when'. The
$200 I spent on my Gateway ESP has already saved me more than the cost
of buying a new machine--new LCD screen, new motherboard, etc. These
things get hot and they will break. Count on it. The brand doesn't
really matter that much, as laptops are laptops in that department.

Having said all of this I can tell you that any machines I buy in the
future will likely be Mac machines...laptops included. The Mac OS is
smooth, and there are more & more applications all the time. I just
haven't had any issues with OSX, but I have issues all the time with
my Windows machines. And with the new Intel-based Macs you can always
run Windows if you don't have enough to worry about in your life; or
if you miss the endless incessant Windows-based problems. But hey...I
digress.

So my recommendations: HP for a low cost laptop with excellent
customer service (at least compared to Dell and Gateway), or if you
want to go 'extra-premo good, sir' go for the Macbook Pro. Many people
I know (including ME) have Powerbooks and have owned their machine
for YEARS. They will last that long, for the most part. But again, get
the Applecare ESP because they get hot. My Applecare covered a new
logic board (motherboard), and they replaced the LCD just because they
weren't sure it *wasn't* the problem (it wasn't, btw).

But figure the Mac machine will cost 3x what the HP will cost (maybe
slightly less depending upon the model you choose), but it will
probably last twice as long...or longer. I am talking about length of
time in a FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY. The HP machines will likely last many
years, but with the Windows platform things seem to change so often
that your 'functional' machine becomes virtually useless
(performance-wise) within about 3-4 years. And if you plan to do any
recording with one of the DAW applications out there, Mac wins hands
down in my book (I have both platforms).

Good luck with your decision and let us know how what you decide.

I will. Having heard from a few folks here, I now think HP is the direction
I'll go.

A friend who, incidentally, works for MS (!), told me I 'must' go with
Vista, and not just the basic either. He is offering me am Office Pro
program on the cheap, so that has given me motive to stay with MS. However,
as I'm using such an old ops sys, I really don't know about Vista vs. MX.

Again, my current system is OLD. I know that even an entry level machine wi
ll smoke it easily. I don't currently have strong use needs, but that could
easily change. Of course, if I find that need, I'll get a new desk top too.

Finally, I'm weakly thinking Linux. I've had some training in Unix, and
would hope that I could learn it without a huge learning curve. Maybe I'll
test it on my old machine.

TKS
brent


.

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