Attention Geekz0rs

[tiamatlady]

I need an opinion.

If you were to buy a new Windoze notebook, what's required in it?

Yes I'm looking to buy a bran' newish notebook. It will be replacing my ancient laptop and my desktop, although that will continue to be used for network storage. I might be doing some gaming, but not enough to make an uber video card/arguement about using a laptop for gaming necessary. I don't WOW, I don't COH, I don't COV. I do MahJong. Spider Solitare, and occasionally, the Sims. You get the picture. I prefer a Sony Vaio. It's sexx0r like Wh0a.

Basically I keep seeing different things about stuff, and junk, and I'm confused.

Answers that are in the form of "A Mac!" will be met with stony silence, and putting you on My List. Right now you don't want to be on my list. Oh noes.

Comments

[tk7602.livejournal.com]

ooh! why don't you get at... oh... nevermind... didn't see that part about The List there ;)

[tiamatlady]

You know, I'd hate you except for the 5 good screws you gave me last night. And the fact that you're Mr. Helper and don't need my sass.

However, I MAY have to spank you next time I see you. I'll go ask permission.

[lensman.livejournal.com]

Any new laptop should that you want to run Windows should be geared toward the thoughts of MS Vista, but this brings memory hog into a whole new light. MS says 512MB min (Thats if you don't want to run ANY Apps)....
Dell ect are Recommending 2Gb of RAM, but one of the IBM testers just was quoted in ComputerWorld as saying 4Gb is the "sweet spot" for Vista...

Additionally any machine that you want to "look" at all reasonable running Vista should have a 3D graphics card...

I have it installed for testing myself now on an older 1.8GHz Dell with 1Gb RAM, and a non-3D graphics card, and it crawls... The graphics isn't as good as it was under XP, and I haven't even gotten the networking drivers working yet (Though I haven't spent much time trying either)...

After that, most of the hardware is all going to be identical so the real thing to look for is warranty, and what service options you can get...

Hope this helps a little...

[tiamatlady]

Vista can bite my left one - I'm aiming to stay on XP as long as possible, due to client needs. Yeah I know it really isn't an issue, but some of the ones I'm looking into still come with XP. Anything I get will be Vista ready, in any case.

2Gig of RAM is on the list. I was thinking I could "live" with 1G but 2 isn't that much more, and I'd be doing it at some point anywhoo.

Noted on the 3D card.

I was more looking at how much is too much storage space, compared to what I might get out of it, and processor differences.

Frankly, I'm uninterested in Service Options and/or Warrantys. I don't pay for extras, there's no reason to. If something is going to go wrong, it will either do so under original warranty, or not.

I think a trip to the Sony Outlet is in my future, although I'm looking to finance it.

Thanks for the input!

[lensman.livejournal.com]

Just be careful of the "Vista Ready" labels that the vendors are putting on the machines... 512Mb meets the "Vista Ready" mark according to MS....

Stick with XP if you can for now, but soon there will be software update and driver issues. I generally recommend that people put as much into the laptops to get hem to last rather than thinking about upgrades at a later time, just because upgrading laptops is a big PITA...

Storage Space your looking at about 6Gb for OS, 15-20Gb for Apps depending on what you use, and most HD nowadays are 60-70Gb minimum... So it then becomes a matter of who much space do you need to your files and MP3's :-)

For Proc Speed Max it out for laptops (around 2.3GHz now I think)...

Lastly consider how much weight/battery capacity your want...

Since you usually mention taking flights across the pond you might want enough battery life to hold you through one of those trips, but that will come at the expense of more weight... Given that, if there is an option for a separate external battery pack, that might be a way to get the extra battery life on the long trips, and still be able to keep the weight down for normal running around...

[emarkienna.livejournal.com]

I see you're already avoiding Vista and getting 2GB RAM, so that's all I was going to say really. And surely there's no such thing as "too much storage space":)

The basic Intel GMA950 chipset does okay for older 3D games (e.g., it runs Morrowind).

[tiamatlady]

I know re: storage, but with my server still running with storage, it's not a HUGE issue. I'm thinking at least 80 gig.

I'm really looking for processor opinions, I'm rubbish trying to decide on that. And if there's anything I should be avoiding.

PS - I miss you and haven't been home to call and feel like poop because of it *pouts**sighs* I should be home Sunday somewhat, will you be around?

*snuggles*

[emarkienna.livejournal.com]

i miss you too *hugs*. i'm around all weekend.

Ah, it'll be easier using a desktop for storage. But it's nice to take music/videos away with you, so don't underestimate the space needed for that :)

I don't know much these days about processors and how they compare (especially for AMD), except that Celerons are the cheap-and-not-so-good ones. Though it usually seems to be the case that computers are sold with more than fast enough processors, and the manufacturers scrimp and save on every other component.

[tiamatlady]

Re: weekend, I'm hoping to be about Sunday. I think I'm putting my foot down about work, and while I might have to block my time around MY work, in that block will be "Chat with M." *grins*

I also need to schedule another phone call, to get some people off my back. Goddammit I hate pushy people for whom I'm doing a FAVOR.

I'm looking at the Core Duo 2, it seems to be the Sony standard, but sometime today I'm looking over the ones Oli liked at work. I AM partial to the Sonys. Problem is - last night I transported and used my laptop, and with the new screws in place it's more secure and working a bit better. So there's no REAL NEED for me to replace it.

Having said that one of my boxes WILL fail, so I think I'm going to continue to pursue getting a new one, although I will probably be waiting until April. I don't want my old one to make that pond jump again.

More *snuggles* for you. Having any fun this weekend? (as I live vicariously....)

[feralgangrel.livejournal.com]

You should get a mac!

What can I say? I know this was a lame thing to post but I have to be honest, I <3 being on your list. Makes me feel all renegade and stuff...


but not in the Lorenzo Lamas way..

[tiamatlady]

Damn you. for putting Lorenzo Lamas in my head. I used to WATCH THAT.
I owe you a kicking, if Dean will let me. (And I bet Dean will let me.....)

*shakes fist at you*
*pokes*
*grins*

[feralgangrel.livejournal.com]

Wheres the stony silence?!


The fact that you used to watch ANY show featuring Lorenzo Lamas is teh skeery. Next you'll be telling me you own all of the 'Hoff's albums and you have a cut out of Barry Manalow in your bedroom specificially for masterbation purposes...

Ok I just icked myself out :P