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Laptop recommendations?

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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 06:36 AM
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Default Laptop recommendations?

I'm a web developer.. switching to full-time freelance work..

work in graphics and programming applications which take up alot of memory.. and i need something that is durable endough
to take anywhere.

does anyone have a brand of laptop they would recommend?

i've been looking at Toshiba's and Sony's..

heres a nice one i found

2.2ghz, 16in screen, 40gig, 512mb ram.. http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3347982/
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 06:59 AM
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I have Gateway 600XL and I love it. it has 15.5in screen plus it's faster than Sony. Check out http://www.cnet.com

They have great reviews.
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 07:53 AM
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I also, am a web developer. The company I worked for issued me a lap top and I could not stand developing off of it. As you know, when developing you have many applications open. My home computer has 1.5Gb Ram

That would be my first focal point, RAM, then computer speed.
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 08:26 AM
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Toshiba is good if price is a big concern. Sony is good for the small/cool factor. Dell I like, as well (that's what I'm pushing at work currently). Dell is kinda utilitarian and dependable, in my mind. IBM's seem fairly popular still, although I have no experience with them. HP doesn't interest me. And I wouldn't touch anything Gateway or Compaq makes, but that's just me. Actually, one correction, Compaq has a decent reputation in the server arena.

RAM is good. You can't have too much. For your purposes, I wouldn't get less than 512 MB and you might as well go for 1 GB if you're working in numerous apps, including some graphics stuff, all at the same time. If you decide to only get 512 MB for now, try to get it so they don't fill up all your expansion slots right off the bat. That will make it easier/cheaper to upgrade later.

Disk drive and CPU are important, too. These are usually difficult or impossible to upgrade, so you want to buy more than you need up front.

You might want to check the terms of the warranty on any system you buy as well. The number one pain with a laptop that breaks is when you have to send it offsite for repairs. It's much better and more convenient to pay for an onsite warranty.

Just my two cents...
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 08:38 AM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by thunderchicken
[B]I also, am a web developer.
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 08:40 AM
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I develop on an IBM Thinkpad and overall, it's been the most stable, well-tested laptop I've ever used. The keys also feel really good on a Thinkpad. Dells are nice because of the good customer support, but the keys don't feel as good to me.
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 09:19 AM
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I'd recommend saving a few bucks and ordering the least amount of memory possible, then going over to www.crucial.com and loading up on RAM there where it is MUCH cheaper than what the manufacturer would charge.
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 09:46 AM
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Originally posted by StrangeDaze
Toshiba is good if price is a big concern. Sony is good for the small/cool factor. Dell I like, as well (that's what I'm pushing at work currently). Dell is kinda utilitarian and dependable, in my mind. IBM's seem fairly popular still, although I have no experience with them. HP doesn't interest me. And I wouldn't touch anything Gateway or Compaq makes, but that's just me. Actually, one correction, Compaq has a decent reputation in the server arena.

RAM is good. You can't have too much. For your purposes, I wouldn't get less than 512 MB and you might as well go for 1 GB if you're working in numerous apps, including some graphics stuff, all at the same time. If you decide to only get 512 MB for now, try to get it so they don't fill up all your expansion slots right off the bat. That will make it easier/cheaper to upgrade later.

Disk drive and CPU are important, too. These are usually difficult or impossible to upgrade, so you want to buy more than you need up front.

You might want to check the terms of the warranty on any system you buy as well. The number one pain with a laptop that breaks is when you have to send it offsite for repairs. It's much better and more convenient to pay for an onsite warranty.

Just my two cents...

wow thanks for the input everyone.. i'll definately need 512mb ram..

i've got a Sony Viao desktop at my current job.. it runs fine. till i'm working between Macromedia Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop.. this thing chugs like a dying goat pulling a trailer (sort on analogys today) and when doing FTP file transfeer through dreamweaver it sends it into a coma.. comes back to life after it finishs up or down loads
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 09:48 AM
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Anyone remember the day when 32 MB RAM was fast?
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Old Sep 11, 2002 | 10:06 AM
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Originally posted by Lee355
Anyone remember the day when 32 MB RAM was fast?
damn i remember when my 386.. got upgraded to 486.. 66mhz.. Blazin fast! and amazing 4mb of ram.. upraded to 8 megs so i could play Doom
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