Laptop as desktop replacement?

[LooseTooth]

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.

 

[jazz lady]

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.

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.

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.

 

[jazz lady]

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.

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

 

[jazz lady]

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.

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.

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.

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

 

[Tonio]

I'll also get another subwoofer. I love to crank up the tunes while computing.

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?

 

[jazz lady]

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.

 

[Ken King]

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?

 

[jazz lady]

You didn't know that she is that new rising star of Rap and Hip-Hop, J-Diddy?

I don't know whether to or for THAT comment, Mr. King.

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

 

[Oz]

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.

 

[jazz lady]

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.