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Subject: Laptops
Posted by: G Dogg
- [539522315] Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 14:22
Do any of you guys know much about laptops? I am thinking about purchasing a Dell C400, but am not looking to spend that much money only to find out that I made a huge mistake. These are the minimum requirements I need and let me know if you think I should upgrade any or all of these...
Notebook computer (minimum configuration)
Celeron 233/Pentium II 233 MHz (or equivalent AMD processor)
Windows 98, 2000, or XP (Windows Millenium will work, but is not recommended)
6.0GB hard drive
64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended)
56 Kbps modem
Network card: (if you wish to connect to the law school network)
Xircom or 3Com 10BaseT Ethernet card (wired connection)
802.11b "WiFi" wireless Ethernet card (wireless connection)
Thanks in advance. |
| 1 | Purple Pimp at Work
ID: 45632311
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 14:38
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I would definatly bump up that ram and cpu.. It all depends on what you are mainly going to be doing on this laptop. If you plan on playing games etc.. dont even try it. HD space should be enough if you just doing basic work and dont plan on adding much to the notebook.
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| 2 | RecycledSpinalFluid
ID: 42121814
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 14:56
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What is the price range you are looking into? I have dealt with Compaq laptops for the last 6 years. Within the last year and 1/2, the company I did work for (now working directly for) has switched to Dells. Mostly C600s and C610s now. I prefer the Dells over the Compaqs, but for no specific reason.
Dell Referbed Latitudes. One of those Latitude C400 P3-866's would do you nicely for what appears to be Law School related stuff.
Just my 02.
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| 3 | G Dogg
ID: 539522315
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:06
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Good call, RSF. This is for Law School stuff. I don't necessarily have a set price range, but I will be close 120K in debt in three years, so I'd like to spend as little as possible.
Forgive my ignorance, but I honestly have no idea what any of this "tech spec" stuff really means. So, it is with great sincerity that I ask, what is P3-866 and why would that be good for me?
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| 4 | VID
ID: 6249266
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:12
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Law school G Dogg? Didn't realize you were such a moron!!:)
Just kidding of course. From a present lawyer to a future one-good luck! Eat Acid's in law school now too!
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| 5 | G Dogg
ID: 539522315
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:19
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Thanks, VID. I'll need the luck. And how did you not realize I was such a moron? ;-) I must hide it well.
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| 6 | VID
ID: 6249266
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:26
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With the advent of hornbooks and those things called-casenotes I think-law school is much easier these days. Personally, I just dove into it and did nothing but study my first year. Get through the first year and its gravy.
Of course, I've spent the rest of my life wondering if thinking like a lawyer is a good thing:)
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| 7 | Spyce
ID: 81144414
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:32
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Given my own law school experience - if you plan on using the laptop to take notes in class you're going to want a machine that can handle some gameplay - turn-based games like Civilization are perfect for those looong Civil Procedure courses - of course wireless internet access isn't something i considered back in the day - you could probably manage 50 or so SSB teams
Seriously - battery life is something to consider (if power outlets aren't plentiful) - and back-up storage is handy
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| 8 | RecycledSpinalFluid
ID: 42121814
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:35
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Yeah, G Dogg, my powers of perception are pretty impressive, especially after reading this line: "Network card: (if you wish to connect to the law school network)". :)
P3-866 just means a "866 MHz Pentium 3" which is pretty damn fast. Not bleeding edge by faster than 90% of people on this planet needs.
Definitely don't go cheap on RAM, aim for around 256 MB.
Drive space is nice, but get a CD-RW to supplement this. That way you can burn CD backups of stuff and take it off your machine. The thing you need to remember about drive space is Microsloth is the master of bloat code, to aim for around 10 MB minimum.
56K modem is pretty much standard equipment now. Shouldn't factor into the price at all.
Don't pay extra for a PC-Card Nic (if it doesn't come with one, I'll ship you one of my spares, as payment for my SSB Qs.
You can get a Linksys 802.11b PC-Card for around 80 bucks, if you wish to do the wireless connection (and do it if it is available).
Again, remember, I'm no lawyer.
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| 9 | RecycledSpinalFluid
ID: 42121814
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:37
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"10 MB minimum" should read, "10 GB miniumum". Duh.
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| 10 | G Dogg
ID: 539522315
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:46
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Wireless connection is available throughout the University.
OK, just to keep score here on upgrades...
I should upgrade to 256 MB of RAM and a C400 P3-866 is a great choice.
CD-RW is simply CD read/write? Or am I way off here? And what is a PC-Card Nic?
Anything else you guys can think of? And I really appreciate all the help with this even it makes me look pretty damn stupid.
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| 11 | G Dogg
ID: 539522315
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:53
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It comes with a 24X max/10X min CD-ROM Drive. 8-4-24X CDRW [add $144] is what I really want, correct?
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| 12 | RecycledSpinalFluid
ID: 42121814
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 15:54
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Correct on CD-RW.
The PC-Card Nic is the "3Com 10BaseT Ethernet card" in the specifications. If the laptop you get does not already have a built-in NIC (Network Interface Card), I will ship you one, just because.
As for the processor speed, I'd say get as fast as you can legitimately afford. But the 866 MHz machine will do you nicely.
Any feedback from others?
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| 13 | Spyce
ID: 81144414
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 16:08
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I'm no computer expert but i got through law school with a slow computer (64 megs RAM) with little memory (2 gigs), floppy drive only and a 14.4k external modem - i ran Win95 with Office95 or 97 - i used it to take all my class notes, edit summaries, write essays etc. (and play alot of CivII in class) - it was slow but got the job done - i did all my research at the library (as opposed to over the net) - if you are basically looking for word processor you don't need a high end machine - my machine was slow but i found it easy to live with, effective for my purposes, and reliable - the latest software likely requires more RAM and faster processors
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| 14 | G Dogg
ID: 539522315
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 16:31
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Would it be best to get a new one or would these refurbished ones be safe?
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| 15 | RecycledSpinalFluid
ID: 42121814
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 18:06
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Personally, I would not be afraid of the Refurbed Dell laptops, but others may. Knowing the items/reasons we have returned any, it is usually something silly. But...you never know. I think the refurbs still come with a warranty.
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| 16 | G Dogg
ID: 539522315
Wed, Jul 03, 2002, 19:40
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Well, I'm going to go ahead and get a C400 with all the specifications you guys mentioned. Thanks to everyone. It won't come with PC-Card NIC, so if the offer is still good, I'll take you up on it, RSF. I appreciate all your help and I'm sure I would have ordered something ridiculous without the help.
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| 17 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 95362418
Fri, Jul 05, 2002, 13:41
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The refurbed Dell is just fine and the way I would go to keep the cost down.
The specs that rfs gave you look great to me.
Don't study too hard G Dogg.
Cliff
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| 18 | G Dogg
ID: 539522315
Tue, Jul 09, 2002, 12:36
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RSF, did you get my email?
And thanks, Cliff. I found some refurbed ones that I liked, but mistakenly thought they were more expensive than the new one I was looking at. The reason for this was that the refurb was a little over $1800. The new one had a "discount" price through my law school of $1555. It was only after I called with my specifications and got the final price that I realized that the "discount" price was just the CPU without anything on it (no windows, office, etc.). So, I paid about $200 more for a new one. Oh well, live and learn.
Thanks for everyone's help. I hope I don't look too idiotic with my lack of computer knowledge.
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| 19 | RecycledSpinalFluid
ID: 42121814
Tue, Jul 09, 2002, 13:52
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Yep. And I should get that shipped today ,most likely. Its a 3Com 3CCFE575BT.
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| 20 | G Dogg
ID: 539522315
Tue, Jul 09, 2002, 14:34
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For clarification, this is not the 802.11b "WiFi" wireless Ethernet card that I need. Correct?
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| 21 | G Dogg
ID: 539522315
Tue, Jul 09, 2002, 14:38
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Nevermind, I looked above and answered my own question.
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