Raoul's China Saloon (V5.0) Beta
The Bar Room => The Bar (ON-TOPIC) => Tech Talk, or If Yer So Damn Smart, What The Hell You Doin' Teachin' English? => Topic started by: Lotus Eater on October 13, 2007, 03:53:30 AM
-
My 4 year old Hasee bit the dust yesterday, so I am exploring options. I can get a really good price on an HP tx1000. Has anyone used one of these?
-
Sorry LE, I've not. But I just wanted to say for what it's worth - I love my Hasee. I was pretty apprehensive when I decided to buy Chinese (is anything really "not" Chinese? Aside from my Fruit of the Looms - from the sweet hands of Honduras). However, over two years later it still purrs... though the battery might be shot.
Nice to hear someone else went the Hasee route. Not going that way again though?
-
I used it solidly for 12 months, loaned it to a friend who liked it, loaned it to another friend for another 12 months and then when it returned put I away for the last 3 months. Broke it out again to tote back and forward. I think it had just run it's life down. But when I head off i want something that I can get repaired wherever I am. So I am going for the new lappies that will manage vista, have HUGE memory - my photos) and can get a bit better with the fancy stuff.
-
I know nothing about laptops, lapdogs maybe. Always think of Asolutely Fabulous when Edwina sends the dizzy secretary out to buy a laptop and comes back witha lapdog.
I saw your avatar while reading a newspaper online. It tests if you think with the right or the left side of your brain. I am a rightie.
If this has been discussed before just ignore this post
-
If it has, I've not seen it... and man is that ever frigin' cool.
To see for yourself (bigger than LE's avatar), check this out (http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22492511-5005375,00.html).
It's great if you can get it to switch back and forth at will... started to hurt my head after a while though.
As for laptops, if you buy an HP, are you technically getting a Gateway computer now?
-
Human I know what you mean but I found that I could do it once it was suggested that i could, I didn't know I could change my mind so easily.
Lotus got paid shit loads of money posing for that.
I must put this as my screensaver once I buy a laptop (see how I cleverly stayed on topic)
-
Woz - you kill me!!
Hopefully my new baby will come early next week. Friend is buying it pretty cheaply for me (from another friend who has a computer shop) and will load it with all the stuff I want. It comes with the new Windows Vista, and he will add 2007 Office and other stuff for me.
-
Hmmm I saw it turning both ways. Where's that thread? I can't find it anymore.
Cheers, LE. I am going to buy a new laptop by my birthday which is end of next month. Can't wait for it! afafafafaf
-
Wow cheekygirl you saw it go both ways at the same time. The study does not allow for that, you won't find the answers there. Either Cheeky is a Libran or an Alien A Libran Alien. I could cope with that if you decided to take over the world.
Celebrating big time, landed a fat juicy contract off to dinner soon
-
well it kinda started turning one way and then suddenly another. aoaoaoaoao
-
It comes with the new Windows Vista
I don't know this as fact as i a mac boy, but.....
Every single person i know who has vista hates it with a passion. Most people have had to download a crap load of updates and are still having trouble with it.
I would say it was worth thinking hard and reading some reviews before you went with vista.
But as i said i don't know as i haven't liked any windows since '98 which i did really like
-
I have vista - it came with my sony vaio and I didn't need to download any extras to have everything work. One exception, there wasn't a driver for an old printer the uni provides me with so I am forced to use my own HP Deskjet 460 as a printer using the laptop. Vista is good and has not got in my way. Now, Office 2007 is often a pain, especially Word 2007.
-
I too will be looking to buy a laptop in the next six months.
Unlike LE, I'll be laptop virgin, any suggestions anyone?
I'd need it for internet, maybe photoshop and that's it....
-
I asked about the Vaio and was told that the HP I am ordering has a better configuration and more memory cheaper, so that is why I didn't choose the Sony. I was also told that the Vista doesn't have all the drivers, but I have specifically asked for the Canon drivers to be put in for my camera. Software guy downstairs has Vista and he seems to love it. I'll see.
I have taken a little while to get used to Office 2007, but now I understand it, I am happy with it. Biggest problem is I will save stuff to my flash disk, get to class, realise I have created it in 2007 and the Uni's computers only have the old one and can't read it!!! So I have to be very careful to save in the old format.
Phets - I'll let you know of any problems I come across with this new lappy.
-
Now, Office 2007 is often a pain, especially Word 2007.
Eagle, make the switch: OpenOffice.org (http://www.openoffice.org/). I did a couple months ago and haven't looked back.
I too will be looking to buy a laptop in the next six months.
Unlike LE, I'll be laptop virgin, any suggestions anyone?
I'd need it for internet, maybe photoshop and that's it....
Hey Phets, the most important thing to remember that mostly the label on the box is about as important as the label on a t-shirt, it speaks nothing of the quality of the parts in side. Pretty much every box you buy with a big name on it will have some combination of the same parts - so just get what you need and don't fret too much about this.
Where the big difference lies between brands is the service you get. Warranties, customer care and the likes are the things (especially for someone who can't fix things themselves) you're going to want to weigh heaviest when making your purchasing decision.
Do a search online, there will be thousands of review sites. Here are a couple:
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops.html (http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops.html)
http://www.notebookreview.com/ (http://www.notebookreview.com/)
http://www.laptopadvisor.com/ (http://www.laptopadvisor.com/)
A good method would be to find 3 or 4 laptops you like, get their model numbers and then just google "<model number> review".
Good luck!
-
My Vaio has a built in web cam and mic, a necessity since we are on Skype at least every second day, often several days in a row. We try to be good parents and grandparents in terms of keeping in touch. For me, the big deal was the weight between the HP and the Sony. This model is definitely lighter. I have all the drivers for my Camera (Sony), Sony Walkman mp3 player and accessories (logitech USB speakers and HP printer and MS wireless mouse). And, I have built in memory card slots for ease of downloading photos. Software wise, Photoshop CS2, Photoshop Elements, Adobe Premiere Elements. Just a side note, the missus has an indentical laptop as we both need to do our own things with computers - especially play online bridge in evenings when things get to be quiet.
-
IMHO as a 17 year IT professional -
HP, Sony, and Compaq laptops are not good. The units are generally underpowered, heavy, and unreliable in my experience in a corporate environment and for consumers. Re - I've fixed more of these brands for friends than any other.
I'd go with the Hasse or a spankin new Lenovo (which are IBM Thinkpads) if you want to "buy Chinese". Otherwise Toshiba, IBM, and Acer are currently putting out great units.
Secondly - DO NOT BUY VISTA. The reasons are too many to list, not to mention it's hella slow. Go with XP SP2 if you are Windows person. For the more adventurous the new Dell Ubuntu Linux powered laptops are great, I would get one but I'm in love with my Toshiba still after 2 years. I currently dual-boot XP and Ubuntu Linux.
I second the jump to OpenOffice, I find myself more productive (I'm an aspiring sci-fi/fantasy/wuxia writer) using it and I love the lack of auto-format, which Word forces on me. It still has some bugs but IBM just donated a bunch of source code to them and ponied up some coin for them so it's future looks very bright.
All this and I'm a Microsoft Certified System Engineer, Gates and Ballmer would strip my creds if they found out I push MS alternatives!!
-
Vista is indeed BLOODY slow. I want to replace it on my laptop, but I'll wait till I find someone to do it for me.
-
Having been in the computer business for 22 years as a paid professional with experience in more types of hardware and software than you could ever aaaaaaaaaa , I bought a Benq laptop for the primary reason that it's white and looks cool. Oooooh white. Sexy.
-
I bought a Benq laptop for the primary reason that it's white and looks cool. Oooooh white. Sexy.
I would expect nothing less from a fellow IT geek!
But for me my Toshiba's blue and steel finish is where it's at!
We should hoist a beer together someday! jjjjjjjjjj
-
As an IT non-professional, I have loved my HP, Compaq, Dell, Thinkpad and now Sony laptops over the years. Some of them were workplace provided, others I bought. I have been lucky and have only had one crash (the Compaq) during all of these years and models. I change my laptop because I can and I donate my old laptop to grandkids or others. Nuances are lost on me. Thanks for the advice, but I've already paid for my laptop and software and I am enjoying them as much as a non-professional can enjoy technology. LOL! agagagagag
-
Nor me.
I am ashamed to say. But my vote never made a bugger's difference at a School fete.
I see politics as a you and them game in Australia. Unfortunately. Divide and rule. Isn't there someone who can overcome our Macheiveilian political structure?
Glad Little Johnie's going. What an ego that man has. To prostitute himself to GWBush like a bitch on heat.
Kevin Rudd? We can only trust in the man. And I gave up trusting strange men along time ago. Not men, mind you. Just politicians and politicians in Australia need to find a deeper level of integrity. Especially after the incumbancy of John Howard whom mistook honesty for manipulation. May he rot in hell.
-
Sorry! I'm in the wrong ruddy thread. Can someone move it for me? llllllllll llllllllll
-
Maybe, maybe not ... perhaps Howard is the H in HP that we are being counselled to avoid.
-
Maybe, maybe not ... perhaps Howard is the H in HP that we are being counselled to avoid.
yeah, and the "P" is for prick!!
-
How did we get from laptop to lapdog ... back to the topic ... don't vote for HP, or Sony, or ...
-
When I arrived in China and found that I really should buy a laptop, I ordered a Dell by phone. Two Chinese ladies alternated using their English and I had my Chinese TA sitting beside me as backup.
It's 1,5 years old now and I still love it. The speakers are quite decent (for when you're travelling) and the media buttons are very conveniently placed at the front for watching video's and playing music. The jack for the speakers goes in the side, and not in the front (as with some IBM/Lenovo's) and it's got 4 USB ports.
Looks good; not too heavy, not too small. I'd certainly recommend a Dell if you don't know what you want yet. It's a little gem agagagagag
-
I have been happy with my Hasee for the last year and a half. It is great to travel with as it is relatively light. The only problem I have had is the battery. It gave up the ghost a month ago, and when I went looking for a new one, the price was outrageous. The hasee shops wanted upwards of 1100 RMB for a new one. I am now starting to look around for a new laptop, with a lot more options available.
Now, if only I can get a really cool looking one, with all the bells and whistles, at a good price, my day would be made.
-
Asus.
-
Having been in the computer business for 22 years as a paid professional with experience in more types of hardware and software than you could ever aaaaaaaaaa , I bought a Benq laptop for the primary reason that it's white and looks cool. Oooooh white. Sexy.
Glad you're here then! What cheap yet capable laptop would you recommend? yyyyyyyyyy
-
Thanks to everyone for their imput particularly Humanaught and LE..
LE could you let me know about yours..
Phets
-
Something to consider if you are considering an OS other than XP, some places can only provide Internet access to XP. The place I am requires the use of rujie supplicant as authentication software. It only runs on XP and 2k.
Because of this, I can not connect my mac and am left using a school computer. Another teacher contacted the city Internet company about hooking up his Vista equipped computer to the city network and not using the school network at all. They can not make it work with Vista, and the authentication software will not run on Vista so the school network is not an option for him.
I am looking at getting a Asus computer (Eee PC) that runs Linux. There is no way to get ti on the Internet here and if I need Internet access with it I will need to travel to a wi-fi equipped Hostel in a major city.
Before buying, it is something to look into.
-
Sorry.. just saw your post.
"Cheap yet capable."
I think the most important thing is service and help that's
local and reasonable. Then the brand is secondary.
I have personally had great experiences with Sony,
HP, Toshiba, and now Benq. They all have higher end
and less expensive versions. I wouldn't try an off-brand
that I didn't know. But despite talks of a lawsuit about
mislabeling, etc., some here have had good experiences with Hasee -
whom I had never heard of. So, go figure.
So, I refer to the local service and help factor once more.
Having been in the computer business for 22 years as a paid professional with experience in more types of hardware and software than you could ever aaaaaaaaaa , I bought a Benq laptop for the primary reason that it's white and looks cool. Oooooh white. Sexy.
Glad you're here then! What cheap yet capable laptop would you recommend? yyyyyyyyyy
-
Asus, yeah.
-
Having been in the computer business for 22 years as a paid professional with experience in more types of hardware and software than you could ever aaaaaaaaaa , I bought a Benq laptop for the primary reason that it's white and looks cool. Oooooh white. Sexy.
I am also a computer person and have a white computer because it is sexy.... but it is a macbook agagagagag
-
So those computer people who bought for the sake of sex appeal are really telling us that there ain't no real difference between them, so might as well go for colour? Women have known this for years - that's why we have the reputation of asking "Do you have that in silver?". ahahahahah
-
Silver goes in the pocket. White goes with the furniture. Dunno about sexy, I prefer mine flesh coloured and wriggling.