Laptop Computers
I've been looking around a tiny bit for a laptop to take to college. I haven't been looking around enough to make a decision, but I have to say that one of two things is true: Either laptop manufacturers (or their webmasters) are quite out of touch with their consumers, or what I want in a laptop isn't very popular.
I can understand that some people carry their laptops everywhere and don't want a heavy machine. However, I think laptop makers may be taking the ultralight thing a bit too far. It's hard to find a hefty laptop anymore. Myself, I could hardly care less how much it weighs.
Every site where laptops are sold touts their processor speeds. I know this is important to people who do games or heavy-duty graphic or sound work, but I just want a regular machine to do regular work. Almost any processor currently made would suffice, for me.
So, what IS important to me?
Well, the biggest thing, for me, is power. Not processing power. Battery power. If it can only run for an hour and a half on the battery, it's not a portable computer. I might as well buy a desktop and get more RAM and better accessories. So, it better have a good battery life, I'd better be able to get a second and third battery for it, I'd better be able to have two batteries in at a time, and if they would offer an out-of-machine charger for the batteries, that would be best of all. The ideal for a laptop is that I can go through a day's worth of classes without having to plug the machine in, because there's no guarantee I'll be able to find an outlet.
Speaking of RAM, why in the world do they sell laptops (or computers of any kind) with only 256MB of RAM? And then force you to use Windows XP on them? 256MB isn't enough for a Windows machine.
And speaking of things that are too small, I cannot fathom why the laptop manufacturers don't offer more computers with standard-sized keyboards. I have big hands. I can't type on a keypad that is 75% of the size of my desktops' keyboards. It slows me down too much, increases error rate, and makes my hands hurt. I wish they would bring back the "slide out" keyboard. That was the coolest thing. And while we're at it, I want real keys... not touch-sensitive areas on a smooth panel... I like the feel of the keys as I type. And on the subject of keyboards, I don't want a touchpoint or a touchpad. I especially don't want a touchpad that is difficult to disable. There's nothing worse than having your cursor move while you're typing.
On the subject of pointing devices, let me say that the best pointer ever was the trackball that mounted on the side of the laptop. It was convenient, it worked well, and it wasn't so small that I couldn't use it... and it didn't take up desk space. It could hang off in the air. Otherwise, I think laptop makers should leave the choice of pointing device open.
I want my laptop to feel solid and sturdy, so I don't want anything flimsy that's less than 3" thick.
And if at all possible, it should not have integrated wireless. I want to use a card. That way, when the wireless standards change, it won't be difficult to upgrade, and in the mean time, I can secure the machine simply by removing the wireless card.
So, I'm quite the demanding consumer. Any suggestions?
I can understand that some people carry their laptops everywhere and don't want a heavy machine. However, I think laptop makers may be taking the ultralight thing a bit too far. It's hard to find a hefty laptop anymore. Myself, I could hardly care less how much it weighs.
Every site where laptops are sold touts their processor speeds. I know this is important to people who do games or heavy-duty graphic or sound work, but I just want a regular machine to do regular work. Almost any processor currently made would suffice, for me.
So, what IS important to me?
Well, the biggest thing, for me, is power. Not processing power. Battery power. If it can only run for an hour and a half on the battery, it's not a portable computer. I might as well buy a desktop and get more RAM and better accessories. So, it better have a good battery life, I'd better be able to get a second and third battery for it, I'd better be able to have two batteries in at a time, and if they would offer an out-of-machine charger for the batteries, that would be best of all. The ideal for a laptop is that I can go through a day's worth of classes without having to plug the machine in, because there's no guarantee I'll be able to find an outlet.
Speaking of RAM, why in the world do they sell laptops (or computers of any kind) with only 256MB of RAM? And then force you to use Windows XP on them? 256MB isn't enough for a Windows machine.
And speaking of things that are too small, I cannot fathom why the laptop manufacturers don't offer more computers with standard-sized keyboards. I have big hands. I can't type on a keypad that is 75% of the size of my desktops' keyboards. It slows me down too much, increases error rate, and makes my hands hurt. I wish they would bring back the "slide out" keyboard. That was the coolest thing. And while we're at it, I want real keys... not touch-sensitive areas on a smooth panel... I like the feel of the keys as I type. And on the subject of keyboards, I don't want a touchpoint or a touchpad. I especially don't want a touchpad that is difficult to disable. There's nothing worse than having your cursor move while you're typing.
On the subject of pointing devices, let me say that the best pointer ever was the trackball that mounted on the side of the laptop. It was convenient, it worked well, and it wasn't so small that I couldn't use it... and it didn't take up desk space. It could hang off in the air. Otherwise, I think laptop makers should leave the choice of pointing device open.
I want my laptop to feel solid and sturdy, so I don't want anything flimsy that's less than 3" thick.
And if at all possible, it should not have integrated wireless. I want to use a card. That way, when the wireless standards change, it won't be difficult to upgrade, and in the mean time, I can secure the machine simply by removing the wireless card.
So, I'm quite the demanding consumer. Any suggestions?