Just bought a new laptop

[GrantDawg]

I just picked up my first real laptop (I was given an old one a couple of years ago, but it wasn't really usable). It is a HP pavilion with a AMD 64 3200+ processor, 512mb memory, 80 gig HD, and a nivida 17 64mb video card. I'm really happy with it (once I figured out how to turn on the wireless card). I picked it up as a open box special at CC, which knocked about $650 off the price.

I was just wondering what I need to know about notebook computer care? Any secrets that I need to keep in mind? Also, I wanted to puzzle on this. Why would HP sell a 64 bit system and ship it with a non-64 bit OS? I'm not sure when I'm going to get a 64-bit OS (whether it be XP 64 or Linxus set-up), but I do know I'm going to wait until it has ben out a while longer as I've heard lots of bad things about driver issues (maybe I just answered my own question).

[Crapshoot]

No real 64 bit OS' exist as of now- Longhorn is still in development.

[GrantDawg]

No real 64 bit OS' exist as of now- Longhorn is still in development.
But there is a XP 64-bit made specifically for the Atlon 64. Also, there is soe open source OSes that are 64 bit. That's what I'm talking about (but like I said, I have heard some scary stuff about drivers).

[Crapshoot]

But there is a XP 64-bit made specifically for the Atlon 64. Also, there is soe open source OSes that are 64 bit. That's what I'm talking about (but like I said, I have heard some scary stuff about drivers).
Aha- ya, good point. I think the XP 64 bit isnt the most reliable, which is probably what you were referring to. In either case, that's a fairly nice laptop- which nvidia chipset is it ?

[MizzouRah]

Don't sit it on your lap for long periods of time. :)

Get a good carrying case, one that has alot of padding in it and allows you to carry all the accessories. If you travel you'll be taking that thing in and out of your carrying case.

I also have one of those mini-lapop mice that the cord retracts.


Todd

[Router Help]

No real 64 bit OS' exist as of now- Longhorn is still in development.

The open source community would disagree.

[cody8200]

Watch out for your sperm. Doctors found the other day that extended laptop use could cause sperm to die and make it less likely you will be able to have children....

[Crapshoot]

The open source community would disagree.

point.

[cartman]

And I have 64 bit Windows 2003 running on my Itanium server at home. The Athlon and Intel chips with 64 bit extensions aren't true 64 bit chips. They are 32 bit chips with some limited 64 bit functionality added, like higher memory addressing and such.

I also have 64 bit versions of SQL Server 2000, SQL Server 2005, Oracle 10g, and MySQL loaded, and they all blow the doors off of the 32 bit versions.

That said, back to the laptop. Nothing much to add, but don't expect any kind of amazing graphics from games you might want to try. I'll echo Todd's statements about getting a good travelling case and optical mouse. The touchpads or point-sticks can get annoying at times. If you have need for a keypad, then a portable USE version of those is recommended as well. As for the laptop itself, check the manual for recommended cleaning products. Some of the screens don't like windex or the like at all, and will be ruined! And it's not usually the end of the world if you spill a drink on it, but to be safe, just keep the liquids away!

[Eaglesfan27]

If you have the money, I highly recommend the wireless GYRO mouse that you can use in the air anywhere. It makes my laptop so much more useful.

[finkenst]

i just bought the hp 3400+ athlon with 100gb from CC 1 week ago.

now i need to go buy a carrying case and perhaps a second battery.

[GrantDawg]

Thanks for the info, guys.

[finkenst]

GrantDawg,

did you buy a carrying case with your new laptop? (i presume it is a 15.4" widescreen)

if so, which one?

[GrantDawg]

GrantDawg,

did you buy a carrying case with your new laptop? (i presume it is a 15.4" widescreen)

if so, which one?
It is, and I haven't bought one. Going to get one today, actually. In about 15 minutes no less. Any suggestions on a cheap but good one?

[finkenst]

It is, and I haven't bought one. Going to get one today, actually. In about 15 minutes no less. Any suggestions on a cheap but good one?
none whatsoever...

i'm fixing to pick one up in about an hour or so.

i'm looking at the icon messenger notebook case for $16 from CC or the targus leather case for $40 or so

i figure i'll go look at them at CC, see what the store price is, then make the purchase online if it is cheaper.

[MizzouRah]

I've had a few laptop bags, but this one from HP has been the best yet and it's cheap ($49).
Model: DC915A

http://h30143.www3.hp.com/images/options/DC915A.jpg

[Cringer]

Nice purchase on the laptop. I have had two so far, both HP. The first one was nothing but trouble, even though I do still have it around and it works fairly well. It was sent in for repairs 4 times in 2 years though.

That is why I could not bring myself to get this new one at first. But after a month of debate, I finally could not look past that it was the best value, combined with the exact specs I was looking for. So I closed my eyes and made the jump, and have been very happy this time around with this HP laptop. It has been very solid for me for over the last year now.

[Eaglesfan27]

I've had a few laptop bags, but this one from HP has been the best yet and it's cheap ($49).
Model: DC915A

http://h30143.www3.hp.com/images/options/DC915A.jpg

I have the same bag, and I agree that it's the best laptop bag I've ever used. I'm quite happy with it, and it's hard to beat the quality for that price.

[finkenst]

Nice purchase on the laptop. I have had two so far, both HP. The first one was nothing but trouble, even though I do still have it around and it works fairly well. It was sent in for repairs 4 times in 2 years though.

That is why I could not bring myself to get this new one at first. But after a month of debate, I finally could not look past that it was the best value, combined with the exact specs I was looking for. So I closed my eyes and made the jump, and have been very happy this time around with this HP laptop. It has been very solid for me for over the last year now.
i have had two laptops while at work. One HP. One Dell.

The HP worked awesome for the first 2.2 years, then the harddrive died a horrible death (shit happens). The Dell has worked fairly well, except the USB port is semi-disconnected from the motherboard now and the frame is cracked on the right side.


I looked at dell, hp, gateway, toshiba, etc for a new personal laptop.

Toshiba got eliminated the moment i got a look at the keyboard with that tilda key in a damn strange place (spacebar) instead of upper left hand corner. Being a heavy unix user, that tilda key is need in a good area and every other keyboard i have has the tilda in the opper left.

Dell, Gateway, and HP were left at this point.

Dell got eliminated in a price/performance issue.

HP got picked because i could pick it up at the local circuit city and price/performance was in my range and what i was looking for.

[Crapshoot]

I love my IBM - absolute great package. Never any issues.

[PilotMan]

Anyone have any thoughts on a Sager?

[jbmagic]

i am tempted to get a dell laptop

but one thing i dont like is when they install alot of software garbage on the laptop

i like a clean install with windows xp only on it...then i like to add what i want on it only...


what type of laptop screen is good for dvd view?

and whats better for a laptop ? Pentium or AMD?

[PilotMan]

Dola

The reason I am asking is that I am also in the market and I need some ideas. I found one with the specs that I like, but don't know about the brand.

[cartman]

i am tempted to get a dell laptop

but one thing i dont like is when they install alot of software garbage on the laptop

i like a clean install with windows xp only on it...then i like to add what i want on it only...


what type of laptop screen is good for dvd view?

and whats better for a laptop ? Pentium or AMD?

The problem with a clean install on a laptop, is that often there are special drivers that are needed, due to the specialized hardware used.

As for the type of screen, obviously, bigger is better! :) On my old Dell I had the 15 inch screen. Some of the new ones have the 16:9 ratio screens, which are marketed directly at DVD watching.

And for the processor, a Pentium 4 with the Centrino logo is going to give you the best performance for a laptop, in terms of both battery life, and processor speed scaling, based on amount of battery left. There isn't a "Centrino" chip, rather it's a marketing term that encompasses the different technologies they linked together to make the laptop run longer and faster while using batteries, and easier to use wireless connections.

[GrantDawg]

Well, I bought a backpack style carrier. I'm going back to school (the reason for the purchase) in January, so I wanted something easy to carry with room for extras.

[MizzouRah]

i am tempted to get a dell laptop

but one thing i dont like is when they install alot of software garbage on the laptop

i like a clean install with windows xp only on it...then i like to add what i want on it only...


what type of laptop screen is good for dvd view?

and whats better for a laptop ? Pentium or AMD?

You'll get a Windows XP CD with your purchase. When I bought my Dell pc, I re-formatted my HD and loaded XP from scratch right off the bat.

If I was purchasing a laptop now, I would get one of those 16:9 screens, but they're not a necessity.

MR

[jbmagic]

You'll get a Windows XP CD with your purchase. When I bought my Dell pc, I re-formatted my HD and loaded XP from scratch right off the bat.

If I was purchasing a laptop now, I would get one of those 16:9 screens, but they're not a necessity.

MR


that good news..i think that wil be my next main purshase i get after the holidays..

so the window xp cd is not a restore cd but an actual windows home xp cd?


if so then i do a clean install by formatiting and getting the latest drivers online for the video and sound...

[RPI-Fan]

If you have the money, I highly recommend the wireless GYRO mouse that you can use in the air anywhere. It makes my laptop so much more useful.

link?

[MizzouRah]

that good news..i think that wil be my next main purshase i get after the holidays..

so the window xp cd is not a restore cd but an actual windows home xp cd?


if so then i do a clean install by formatiting and getting the latest drivers online for the video and sound...

It's a restore/Win Xp CD. "Restore" is the technical term, I guess. Used to be PC's came with restore disks that basically restored everything on the pc when it was shipped, drivers, software, etc... Most pc's nowdays (and I know Dell does), come with separate disks - Windows XP, drivers, addtional software. Dell does a great job, imo. You do the Windows install, then put the drivers disk and it will tell you which ones are for your pc. It was simple when I got my pc... and we use Dell where I now work. We must have 100's of Win XP, driver, and additional software CD's.


Todd

[Cringer]

link?


Google it man! I did already though, so here.... (http://www.gyration.com/default.asp) :D

[Eaglesfan27]

link?
The Gyration technology is very interesting. Here is the link:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=304386&pfp=BROWSE

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

It took me a few hours to become comfortable with it, but now I rarely use anything else, and I can even efficiently play games with it. It also solves the problem of having the laptop on my lap..

[Cringer]

definetly something i will look into getting. no place for me to really place a normal mouse on the truck, so i have never bothered.....

[sterlingice]

The open source community would disagree.
Yeah, but the open source community also thinks vi or emacs is the best text editor ever developed despite the fact that GUIs have been in existence for longer than 15 years. http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif

SI

[finkenst]

Yeah, but the open source community also thinks vi or emacs is the best text editor ever developed despite the fact that GUIs have been in existence for longer than 15 years. http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif

SI
SI, that's because vi is the best text editor ever developed. :) ;) :p

[finkenst]

i am tempted to get a dell laptop

but one thing i dont like is when they install alot of software garbage on the laptop

i like a clean install with windows xp only on it...then i like to add what i want on it only...


what type of laptop screen is good for dvd view?

and whats better for a laptop ? Pentium or AMD?
jbmagic,

I highly recommend going to best buy or circuit city before you buy to go look at the screens. This solidified my desire for one of the widescreen with brightview technology (or truebright, or ...). Things are beautiful on this hp.

in other news, i bought an over the shoulder canvas-ish bag for m laptop.