Really there are many options for laptops. I've had some trouble with Toshibas but haven't tried anything recent of theirs. Frankly if I had a choice I'd go Mac even though I've always used PCs. I've gotten tired of being a nanny to various computers and I've come to believe that Macs are less trouble and confusion prone. They've always been considered the best around for graphics anyway. Can you afford an iMac or MacBook? I'd try that or alternately or go for an HP. You can get an HP anywhere from $600 or so up to $2K. Depends on how much horsepower you think you need. I'd definitely go for a duo core processor, probably an Intel, but I don't have definitive evidence that the Intel version is best. I'm aware that Apple recently switched to Intel which is a bit of an endorsement. Fact is you never know until you buy and really use something if it's just what you want. It's always something of a crap shoot. eb -----Original Message----- From: owner-photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bob Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 5:20 PM To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students Subject: Re: laptop? Notebook computers? Marilyn Dalrymple wrote: > Hello, > > I am ready to buy a lap top or notebook (what's the difference?) > computer to use for general work and to display PowerPoint > presentations on photography and nonphotography related projects. > > I'd like to start with items some of you have had experience with. If > some of you would be willing to name some pros and cons of this type > of computer you are familiar with it would be helpful to me. > > Thank you. > > Marilyn Hmmmmmmm, how do I explain this?????? On July 31 I retired from IBM after 40 years. I had a company supplied T42 Think Pad that i had to turn in when I put my toolbag on the hook. Before leaving I searched the IBM employee purchase program, all the major PC stores, and I think, PC Magazine for reviews and comparisons. I bought an Acer Aspire 3005WLCi. I don't remember which Lenovo ThinkPad, IBM sold the PC business to Lenovo a Chinese PC maker, I was considering but the Acer won out. It has an Mobile AMD Sempron processor 3300+, a bit faster than the Lenovo, a 15.4' LCD display, the Lenovo has a 14" LCD. The Acer came with Windows XP Pro, the Lenovo windows XP Home Edition. Otherwise they both have a CD/DVD RW, 80G hard drive, WiFi 802.11b/g , 10/100 Ethernet, and a 56K V.92 modem all standard and built in. The only problems I have with the Acer are that the built in speakers are, technically at least, just speakers. Poor quality at best. This is no biggie since there are many external speakers in various sizes so if you're traveling you can find small travel speakers. (My T42 audio was no winner either so I don't see this as a problem.) The other thing is that I had to buy a new bag for the Acer since all the bags I collected over the years were for the smaller 14" display laptops. I've used it for storing and displaying photos at various places and checking e-mail and keeping in touch with the family via an Intant Messenger with great results. Oh yeah, it was less money too. Hope this helps. Bob -- ///// ( O O ) --------------------oOOO-----O----OOOo-----73 de w8imo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Curiosity killed the cat although I was a suspect for a while........
