Techie Question

honeychile · #1 07-20-2010, 12:10 AM

All this time on GreekChat, and I never realized that there isn't a Techie Forum!

I've been looking at laptops for a while now. It will be used mostly for genealogical & other research, so I need a sufficient amount of memory. Lightness would be a plus, along with ms office, an optic mouse, and probably more that I can't remember right now. I don't need to have a microphone or optic whatever, or a fancy paint job.

I've been looking at the hp G72t series, which seems to meet my needs. So, my questions are:

-About how much should someone spend on a laptop?
-Should I order the most MB possible now, if I'm having this custom made?
-How about batteries? About how many do most people go through? I'm ashamed at how old my last laptop is, yet I've just used one battery (recharged it as needed).
-How many adapters are needed?
-Do you suggest lojack?
and don't laugh at me but
-what about a printer? How do you print off of a laptop?

If anyone can help me, please, please do! If it's one answer, or a suggestion of another style, I really need to know soon.

Thanks!

aephi alum · #2 07-20-2010, 12:54 AM

- Spring for extra RAM.
- No need to buy an extra battery, unless you're planning to use your laptop for extensive periods where recharging is unavailable (e.g. long plane trips).
- Extra power adapter: I bought an extra for my Dell after the cord on the one that came with my computer split. No need to buy one unless you just want to have another one lying around.
- Printer: You print from your laptop just like you'd print from any other computer. If your printer is newer, it'll have a USB cable - connect that to your laptop, let the laptop auto-detect the printer, and print away. Older printers have serial ports, but there are adapters, and you will have to install the drivers manually.

DaemonSeid · #3 07-20-2010, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

All this time on GreekChat, and I never realized that there isn't a Techie Forum!

I've been looking at laptops for a while now. It will be used mostly for genealogical & other research, so I need a sufficient amount of memory. Lightness would be a plus, along with ms office, an optic mouse, and probably more that I can't remember right now. I don't need to have a microphone or optic whatever, or a fancy paint job.

I've been looking at the hp G72t series, which seems to meet my needs. So, my questions are:

-About how much should someone spend on a laptop?
-Should I order the most MB possible now, if I'm having this custom made?
-How about batteries? About how many do most people go through? I'm ashamed at how old my last laptop is, yet I've just used one battery (recharged it as needed).
-How many adapters are needed?
-Do you suggest lojack?
and don't laugh at me but
-what about a printer? How do you print off of a laptop?

If anyone can help me, please, please do! If it's one answer, or a suggestion of another style, I really need to know soon.

Thanks!

How much you should spend? Depends...but usually no more than $800 for a Windows PC

One thing I will recommend...stay away from laptops (like the one you listed) that has Intel Graphics Accelerator chips (this is the thing that processes your video).

Get one that has either an Nvidia chip or ATI chip on board.

or

Yes...get the extra Ram..the more the better.

Check the computers yo are purchasing for battery life before sprining for an extra one. Just keep in mind that whatever is advertized you should subtract an hr or 2 from that...hehehe

Same answer on the adapters issue

If you need the lojack and you plan or porting your laptop everywhere...I guess it wouldn't hurt but find out how it works in relation to data recovery before doing it.

As far as a printer goes, you can actully buy printers that have bluetooth and wireless capability and no need for a plug. HP has a few good ones.

Xylochick216 · #4 07-20-2010, 10:20 AM

I'd be very wary of an HP. I used to praise them up and down, but they've gotten terrible (and mass produced) the last few years. I had one that died just over a year after I bought it due to an overheating problem that fried the motherboard. HP is still claiming no fault. My husband's laptop was a few months older than mine and died a few weeks ago with the same issue. Even though they have many complaints about these models, HP refuses to do anything about it, so we have two very expensive paperweights.

As for a printer, I second DaemonSeid. Get one that you can print from wirelessly (Brother has several good network printers). So much nicer than trying to get wires hooked up!

honeychile · #5 07-20-2010, 01:29 PM

I'm loving y'all! Keep it coming!

aephi alum · #6 07-20-2010, 09:49 PM

I totally forgot about wireless printers. <puts on dunce cap> It's been years since I bought a printer - I still have the old HP LaserJet 4p that I bought back in 1994 when I was in college (don't laugh, it's a solid machine that has served me faithfully for over 17 years) and I have an all-in-one Canon color inkjet that I bought a couple of years ago.

The administrative staff at my synagogue have a wireless printer, which I set up for them a few months ago. It is a PITA to set it up and get it to associate with your SSID (and you will of course need a wireless router), but you only have to do that once. Call tech support and get them to walk you through it, or get a nerd friend to do the setup (heck, I'd do it if I were nearby).

Kappamd · #7 07-20-2010, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xylochick216

I'd be very wary of an HP. I used to praise them up and down, but they've gotten terrible (and mass produced) the last few years. I had one that died just over a year after I bought it due to an overheating problem that fried the motherboard. HP is still claiming no fault. My husband's laptop was a few months older than mine and died a few weeks ago with the same issue. Even though they have many complaints about these models, HP refuses to do anything about it, so we have two very expensive paperweights.

As for a printer, I second DaemonSeid. Get one that you can print from wirelessly (Brother has several good network printers). So much nicer than trying to get wires hooked up!

I respectfully disagree. My brother and I both have HP laptops and neither of us have had any issues whatsoever. Mine is going on 3 years and still operates flawlessly. I honestly wouldn't think of buying anything OTHER than an HP (maybe a Toshiba, as fiance loves his).

Ditto what everybody else said about batteries, power cords, etc.

honeychile · #8 07-21-2010, 01:53 AM

FYI, my last laptop was a Toshiba, bought in 2000 (gasp!). I loved the darn thing, it was a workhorse like you wouldn't believe. Unfortunately, I travel with it, and a father was teaching his son to open doors for ladies (gosh, I hope he didn't say "little old ladies"!), and said son dropped the laptop, cracking the top wide open. I can hardly complain, as I got 10 years out of it, but I get a little testy that I can only use the computer in one room now...

Anybody have any recommendations about Toshibas?

Xylochick216 · #9 07-21-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kappamd

I respectfully disagree. My brother and I both have HP laptops and neither of us have had any issues whatsoever. Mine is going on 3 years and still operates flawlessly. I honestly wouldn't think of buying anything OTHER than an HP (maybe a Toshiba, as fiance loves his).

Ditto what everybody else said about batteries, power cords, etc.

I would have agreed with you years ago. My first laptop (2001) was an HP and it traveled the world with me. I used it until I bought another HP in 2005 (just wanted an upgrade). Used that until I decided to splurge on a slimmer, faster model in 2008, and that's the one that died with just over a year's use. My first two HPs were dream machines. My third (and my husband's first HP) were terrors, and customer service was terrible. Like I said, they've been producing them too quickly for the past 2 years or so and the tech boards are littered with people complaining of motherboard issues that HP refuses to fix. If you want to pay $400 when the computer overheats and the motherboard fries, then go for it. Otherwise, I'd completely avoid an HP. Personally I went for a Macbook Pro, but that sounds like it's probably more than you want to spend (and probably more powerful than you're looking at).

I'm not an expert on Toshibas or Dells, but I'm sure someone here has info for you. Good luck

GMUBunny · #10 07-24-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xylochick216

I would have agreed with you years ago. My first laptop (2001) was an HP and it traveled the world with me. I used it until I bought another HP in 2005 (just wanted an upgrade). Used that until I decided to splurge on a slimmer, faster model in 2008, and that's the one that died with just over a year's use. My first two HPs were dream machines. My third (and my husband's first HP) were terrors, and customer service was terrible. Like I said, they've been producing them too quickly for the past 2 years or so and the tech boards are littered with people complaining of motherboard issues that HP refuses to fix. If you want to pay $400 when the computer overheats and the motherboard fries, then go for it. Otherwise, I'd completely avoid an HP. Personally I went for a Macbook Pro, but that sounds like it's probably more than you want to spend (and probably more powerful than you're looking at).

I'm not an expert on Toshibas or Dells, but I'm sure someone here has info for you. Good luck

My former SIL has one of those HP laptops that overheats. HP says it's normal. Your laptop actually BURNING your skin and kitchen table, and frying your motherboard is NOT normal. I'd stay away from HP at this point, too. I like Toshibas just fine. Never had an issue with one. Don't know much about Dell, except our desktops are work are pieces of ish. I'd love to have a Macbook, but I'd have to win the lottery first. *sigh*

AZTheta · #11 07-20-2010, 09:58 PM

OK, here's a monkeywrench in the works. After a horrific experience with an HP laptop similar to what Xylochick216 described, I went to the Dark Side and bought a MacBookPro.

I love it. But Holy Cow it was expensive.

My work PCs (all laptops) are HP and Toshiba. I have been told that "the problem is Windows" & to switch to Linux. I'm not that smart. I'm just having a great time with this Mac.

DaemonSeid · #12 07-21-2010, 08:07 AM

Acers and Asus laptops are the main ones I hear talked about...HP usually comes in 3rd.

freshmeet · #13 07-24-2010, 05:56 AM

I haven't coughed up more than $600 for a PC in years.
I'm also a fan of sub-$300 netbooks.

Drolefille · #14 07-24-2010, 09:55 AM

Some laptops do just get that hot. (Or close to it) If you're going to use it for a lot of processing power for extended periods: games, TV/movies, lots of facebook games at once - then get a cooling pad. I recommend getting one anyway. They're worth it.

As for hard drive size, it probably doesn't matter all that much if you're really going to be using it for geneology. PDFs, text and typical pictures are not that big and you'll be find with whatever 200 ish GB comes standard these days. However... if you think you'll use it for more, or develop a penchant for downloading incredibly high res photographs, then go for more. Memory is relatively cheap and it cannot hurt to have as much of it as you reasonably want to spend.

Similarly you probably don't need a ton of RAM, but I wouldn't want less than 3GB these days and the standard's only going to rise. (You'd probably be fine with 2GB, don't go under that though.)

I also recommend considering how you want to backup your data. Will you be saving copies to a desktop, an external hard drive or an online backup service? One physical and one server based backup can be a good idea depending on cost and the importance of your project.