I want to hear the pros and cons of doing this. I have an almost brand new Dell laptop that I'm thinking about replacing my desktop with versus buying another desktop when this one leaves.

I know you need a port replicator/docking station, another monitor and a mouse. Anything else needed?

The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 8600 with 24X DVD/CD-RW, 60 GB hard drive, and running XP.

I want to hear the pros and cons of doing this. I have an almost brand new Dell laptop that I'm thinking about replacing my desktop with versus buying another desktop when this one leaves.

I know you need a port replicator/docking station, another monitor and a mouse. Anything else needed?

The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 8600 with 24X DVD/CD-RW, 60 GB hard drive, and running XP.Before you do that, make sure the inspiron you order will work with a snap in port replicator, I ordered 2 inspirons a few months back and the port replicators are USB, they are not worth 2 shiats... I would order a keyboard to go along with the PR, me personally I don't like typing on those little keyboards, plus the less you touch a laptop the better, you bust a key on that you have to send it in, you bust the key on a keyboard you just run to staples...:smile:

I got married so I wouldn't have to think about stuff like this, but I love my laptop with its wireless internet connection. I'll never go back to desktop! :cheesy:

Before you do that, make sure the inspiron you order will work with a snap in port replicator, I ordered 2 inspirons a few months back and the port replicators are USB, they are not worth 2 shiats... I would order a keyboard to go along with the PR, me personally I don't like typing on those little keyboards, plus the less you touch a laptop the better, you bust a key on that you have to send it in, you bust the key on a keyboard you just run to staples...:smile:
Thanks for the info. It never occurred to me it WOULDN'T work with a port replicator. I'll contact Dell and see what they say.

The keyboard is fine except for the placement of the special keys like delete and such, so a regular keyboard makes sense especially for a speedy typer like me. I already have an optical mouse that came with it so I don't have to use the touchpad. :yay:

So is this a good thing to do or would you recommend buying another desktop? I'd like to have everything on one computer vs. having to swap between two, but if it's not convenient or economical, I won't do it.

I got married so I wouldn't have to think about stuff like this, but I love my laptop with its wireless internet connection. I'll never go back to desktop! :cheesy:
Even with all the people getting your credit card #'s????

I have a Dell Latitude D505 and a few of the keys came off and the plastic piece that holds the key to the keyboard broke, so I called Dell Monday and they sent a new keyboard. It came in Wednesday and this morning, it took all of 2-minutes top to replace it. Like mainman said, typing on the laptop can be a challege, but, as time passes, you get use to it, I think.

I want to hear the pros and cons of doing this. I have an almost brand new Dell laptop that I'm thinking about replacing my desktop with versus buying another desktop when this one leaves.

I know you need a port replicator/docking station, another monitor and a mouse. Anything else needed?

The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 8600 with 24X DVD/CD-RW, 60 GB hard drive, and running XP.
extra speakers for home??? most laptop speakers suck.

and i can't stand the dang touchpads so you might want to invest in a wireless mouse too :yay:

Thanks for the info. It never occurred to me it WOULDN'T work with a port replicator. I'll contact Dell and see what they say.

The keyboard is fine except for the placement of the special keys like delete and such, so a regular keyboard makes sense especially for a speedy typer like me. I already have an optical mouse that came with it so I don't have to use the touchpad. :yay:

So is this a good thing to do or would you recommend buying another desktop? I'd like to have everything on one computer vs. having to swap between two, but if it's not convenient or economical, I won't do it.I recently switched from a desktop to a laptop Lattitude (something or other) I am happy with the swap, obviously portability is a big plus, remember you will need a case. If you are doing one of those deals out of their magazine, look it up online as well, make sure it comes with what you want installed. They water alot of those ads down. :wink:

I recently switched from a desktop to a laptop Lattitude (something or other) I am happy with the swap, obviously portability is a big plus, remember you will need a case. If you are doing one of those deals out of their magazine, look it up online as well, make sure it comes with what you want installed. They water alot of those ads down. :wink:
:yeahthat:

I second the motion on the case. My NMCI laptop would be long in peices by now through all the stuff it's been through. If you don't get one through the manufacturer though, and have a chance to try the case out, try to get one that is easy to get the laptop in and out of when/if you go through the airport.

extra speakers for home??? most laptop speakers suck.

and i can't stand the dang touchpads so you might want to invest in a wireless mouse too :yay:
Great idea on the speakers! :clap: I'll also get another subwoofer. I love to crank up the tunes while computing. :getdown:

I already have an optical mouse that came with it. :yay:

I got in trouble for scraping the letters off the laptop keys with my nails. I don't understand why you have to be able to see the letters. :confused: But I bought a new keyboard from HP and filed my nails to a less glamorous "active" length.

I recently switched from a desktop to a laptop Lattitude (something or other) I am happy with the swap, obviously portability is a big plus, remember you will need a case. Yes, I need a case. I have it in my old schoolbag now, but that's not NEARLY enough protection.

If you are doing one of those deals out of their magazine, look it up online as well, make sure it comes with what you want installed. They water alot of those ads down. :wink:I already have the laptop, so it's a little late for this. :lol: But I researched for weeks before buying what I did and it has everything I need. Well, at least for computing it does. :wink:

We got a Dell laptop and love it. We had a desktop and for us that was just too much stuff to deal with. I don't have a problem with the keyboard on the laptop but we do have an external mouse instead of having to use the touchpad mouse.

This laptop has a fairly large screen, but I like the flat-screen I have now to be able to see things better. I don't like the touchpad that much and am happy to have the mouse.

I need to get with Dell now to see if it's feasible to do this. Thanks for all the help, guys! :cheers:

I have generally favored desktops because I don't like laptop keyboards. Also, you have to pay more to get the same computing power in a laptop, but that difference isn't as large as it was a couple of years ago. If I ever get a laptop, I would only use it with an external keyboard and external mouse.

I got married so I wouldn't have to think about stuff like this
:lol: You think technology is a guy obsession? There may be something to that--how many women brag about the size of their computer's, uh, hard drive?

how many women brag about the size of their computer's, uh, hard drive?
:howdy: But then again, I am a computer :nerd: by trade. :lol:

:howdy: But then again, I am a computer :nerd: by trade. :lol:
:lol: Me too, but in programming--DHTML, JavaScript, VBScript, Perl, SQL, and a little PHP.

:lol: Me too, but in programming--DHTML, JavaScript, VBScript, Perl, SQL, and a little PHP.
Working with VBScript now as part of another tool. Lots of Oracle experience, including SQL and PL/SQL. I like to work with the hardware :really: too but mostly get to only on my own systems.

Yes, I need a case. I have it in my old schoolbag now, but that's not NEARLY enough protection.

I already have the laptop, so it's a little late for this. :lol: But I researched for weeks before buying what I did and it has everything I need. Well, at least for computing it does. :wink:
I would second the need for a dock, keyboard, mouse and monitor, but be sure to remove the battery when using it or leaving it plugged in for long periods. We had many problems at PennDOT with batteries overheating (fire), and other then charging the battery, I wouldn't leave it in it. Dells get REAL hot, you might want to go to Staples and get a cooling unit that actually sits on the bottom of your laptop, it helps out a LOT.

I'm using an i8600 with a Pentium M 1.6 and it's great! Don't have it, but the port replicator isn't a USB version, though you could use one. The receptacle for the port replicator is on the bottom of the computer. :yay:

BTW, the laptop only gets hot when I have graphic intensive games running on it.

I have to say that I love the LCD on it. 15.4", but since it's widescreen, the width is the same as my 17" LCD monitor :-)

Touch pad EXPERT here! Practice makes perfect!

However I can't stand the little joystick things they put in the middle of the keyboard on some laptops like the Thinkpad. I was handed one once and then thrown in a cramped space in the back of an unstable aircraft. Haven't liked them since.

So my my personal opinion is: who needs a desktop?

Depends on what you do. I have a stand alone PC running my CNC machine. I am setting up a seperate desktop to act as a server soon.

One of the big issues on laptops is HD space. @ 60 gigs you you aren't really bottle-necking there for normal use. Otherwise you can pick up external drives as a reasonable cost.

:cheers:

I'm using an i8600 with a Pentium M 1.6 and it's great! Don't have it, but the port replicator isn't a USB version, though you could use one. The receptacle for the port replicator is on the bottom of the computer. :yay:

BTW, the laptop only gets hot when I have graphic intensive games running on it.

I have to say that I love the LCD on it. 15.4", but since it's widescreen, the width is the same as my 17" LCD monitor :-)Sounds almost exactly like mine, except mine is a Pentium M 1.4 GHz.

The 8600 is compatible with port replicators, but I found two at Dell's site that it will work with and am not sure which one to get:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=310-2874&spagenum=&category_id=5441&brandid=56&k=&c=us&l=en&cs=19&mnf=&prst=&prEnd=&mnfsku=&orderby=&searchtype=&pageb4search=&page=productlisting.aspx&instock=&refurbished=

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=310-2913&c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=5441&brandid=56&first=true&page=productlisting.aspx


I'm not sure what the difference is other than about $10. :confused: :lol:

Although I too love the screen on the laptop, I'm definitely going to get a flat-screen. I love the one I have now but it's going with the system, so it's the perfect opportunity to get one that is bigger.

I'm not sure about what kind of speakers to get yet. I have a couple of Altec-Lansing cubes from one of my old computers on this one that's going that are okay, but I listen to a lot of music and want awesome sound coming out so great speakers are a MUST. :yay:

I would second the need for a dock, keyboard, mouse and monitor, but be sure to remove the battery when using it or leaving it plugged in for long periods. We had many problems at PennDOT with batteries overheating (fire), and other then charging the battery, I wouldn't leave it in it. Dells get REAL hot, you might want to go to Staples and get a cooling unit that actually sits on the bottom of your laptop, it helps out a LOT.
We've had a lot of problems where I work with the laptops overheating, too. A lot use the port replicators that require the cover on the laptop to be closed, so not enough air circulates. Plus NMCI requires you to leave your computer on overnight so upgrades can be pushed out. :rolleyes:

Great idea about the cooling unit. :yay: I'll check it out.

Touch pad EXPERT here! Practice makes perfect!

However I can't stand the little joystick things they put in the middle of the keyboard on some laptops like the Thinkpad. I was handed one once and then thrown in a cramped space in the back of an unstable aircraft. Haven't liked them since.

So my my personal opinion is: who needs a desktop?

Depends on what you do. I have a stand alone PC running my CNC machine. I am setting up a seperate desktop to act as a server soon.

One of the big issues on laptops is HD space. @ 60 gigs you you aren't really bottle-necking there for normal use. Otherwise you can pick up external drives as a reasonable cost.

:cheers:
I haven't used the Touchpad very much, but I can use it fairly competently but still prefer my Logitech optical mouse. Since I am a very fast touch typist, I prefer a regular keyboard too so I don't have to search out the daggone delete key and other special function keys that are "out of place" on the laptop. :lol:

I think it's a done deal I'm using the laptop with the port replicator so I don't have to have multiple machines. Now to just get all the parts and pieces I need. :yay:

Thanks to everyone for all the help! Keep it coming. :cheers:

I'll also get another subwoofer. I love to crank up the tunes while computing. :getdown:
Subwoofer question--I had the impression that subwoofers were worth the money only if you like hip-hop music or action movies. Is that accurate?

Subwoofer question--I had the impression that subwoofers were worth the money only if you like hip-hop music or action movies. Is that accurate?
Not at all. I love to "feel" the music, especially on some of the jazz and blues I listen to, and a subwoofer definitely gives it "bottom" and puts it out there. :yay:

Subwoofer question--I had the impression that subwoofers were worth the money only if you like hip-hop music or action movies. Is that accurate?
You didn't know that she is that new rising star of Rap and Hip-Hop, J-Diddy?

You didn't know that she is that new rising star of Rap and Hip-Hop, J-Diddy?
I don't know whether to :diva: or :bonk: for THAT comment, Mr. King. :lol:

Those are definitely two forms of music I really don't care for. :dead:

I don't know why you need a port replicator if you're primarily using the laptop at your desk? Just plug everything into the back of the laptop... A port replicator gives you one "device" to plug and unplug when you go mobile. But unless you're constantly moving the laptop around, you can probably do without one.

Secondly, I fail to see the problem with a USB port replicator. I had one for my old laptop, and it worked fine. With the high speed USB ports today's laptop's have, it should be a convenience. Since most modern devices communicate via USB, this shouldn't be the major problem portrayed above.

I don't know why you need a port replicator if you're primarily using the laptop at your desk? Just plug everything into the back of the laptop... A port replicator gives you one "device" to plug and unplug when you go mobile. But unless you're constantly moving the laptop around, you can probably do without one. It's going to be pretty mobile, so I don't want the hassle of plugging and unplugging everything if I want to get up and go with it. A port replicator to me is worth the bucks just for that.