[FIXME: this page has gone stale.... copy relevant links from search_tools.html that covers laptop reviews, price search, etc. Should I try to blend PDA stuff in here also, or are they completely different things ?]
Soon this page will move to a wiki -- most likely http://oddwiki.taoriver.net/wiki.pl/ComputerComponent/HomePage [FIXME: I'm moving this page to http://oddwiki.taoriver.net/wiki.pl/ComputerComponent/NoteBook Real Soon Now]
See also: (*paper notebooks*) http://notebooks.wiki.taoriver.net/
$1600 Apple iBook G3/500 was the top-ranked Budget laptop here.
Near the top was
$1000 Dell SmartStep 100N (1.06GHz Celeron chip, a 14.1-inch screen, and a 20GB HD, but no ... )
linux for laptops http://sourceforge.net/projects/finux/ ???
A very short computer buying guide: see
DAV: requirements: Must boot off CD. (Perhaps boot off external USB CD drive ?)
``Buy notebooks, not desktops'' article by David Berlind January 23, 2002 http://techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/stories/main/0,14179,2841692,00.html
Computers: Hardware: Systems: Notebooks and Laptops http://dmoz.org/Computers/Hardware/Systems/Notebooks_and_Laptops/ laptop purchasing guide, notebook reviews,
Comp.sys.laptops http://groups.google.com/groups?group=comp.sys.laptops
Comp.sys.laptops FAQ: FAQ on buying, using, and upgrading portable computers (the Portable Computing FAQ) http://home.att.net/~epbrown01/
``Linux on Laptops Part 1, Installation'' by Jeremy "Unknwn" Katz http://linuxpower.org/display.php?id=84
``Linux on Laptops: How to avoid detours and have a smooth ride when Linux hits the road'' by Werner Heuser http://www.linux-mag.com/2001-11/laptops_01.html
``Take It With You: Firing up a Linux Laptop is Getting Easier. We Show You Where to Start.'' by Jason Compton http://www.linux-mag.com/2000-01/laptop_01.html
DAV: A growing category of "small PCs" that are small enough to be portable, but don't quite fit in the ``laptop'' category because they require wall power: (have no battery at all) (``tethered'') (``mobile desktop'')
$525.00 ZPC-2023 Celeron-1.4GHz; RAM: 128MB PC133; HD: 40.0GB; 10/100 MBPS Ethernet; add $185.00 ZPC2015 Internal CDRW-DVD Combo Drive to get total of $710.00
apparently you can install *either* the optional CD-ROM *or* ``almost any half-length, low profile PCI card'' ``Cybernet has successfully tested Red Hat Linux 7.1. This installation requires experienced technical persons only, and we do not provide software support.''
$1,199.00 DB2100 P4-2.0Ghz/512K; RAM: 256MB-DDR266; HD: 20.0GB; CDRW-DVD Combo; 15" XGA TFT LCD 1024x768 pixels; Built-in Speakers 1 Microphone 1 Head-Phone Jack; 10/100MBPS Ethernet; IrDA; 1 External VGA 1 S-Video (TV-Out); Weight 7 lbs. OS: Windows XP Prof.
[wearable] http://www.slashdot.org/articles/00/04/18/2326253.shtml ``I could build you a very simmilar unit from an Advantech Single Board PC -- using standard Celeron CPU, a rise card, any graphics card -- it has an AGP slot and all off the shelf units. It would be cheaper too. They even sell a case.'' http://www.advantech.com/products/PCM-9574.asp http://www.advantech.com/products/PCM-9370.asp (claims to be low power ...)
...
laptop david's portable computer spec. file. Laptop Buyer's checklist (Appendix B from _The Little Laptop Book_ by Steve Cummings) Size and weight __Dimensions with battery __weight with battery __weight of AC adapter __ weight of extra battery System Basics __ Processor type __Clock speed __ MHz __memory installed __ maximum memory __ price per megabyte __ Hardware expanded memory? Disk Drives __Floppy drive size/capacity __Hard drive capacity __built-in battery-backed RAM __Plug-in RAM cards capacity Software included: __ OS version __ __ Other Screen _ Type _ Backlit? _ Size __ inches _ hinge (freely moveable preferred over ratcheted) _ Graphics resolution _ Color _ uniformity _ Contrast _ Reflectivity _ Number of gray shades _ gray shades distinguishable? _ gray shade palette adjusts? Keyboard: _ number of keys _ size and spacing of keys _ mini keys? _ separate home, end, PgUp, PgDn keys? _ inverse-T cursor keys arrangement? _ location of Ctrl, Ins, Del keys _ Keyboard feel Special features: _ resume/bookmark feature? _mouse works after using resume? _pointing device included? Ports _number of serial ports? _External monitor port? _Mouseport? _Special cables or adapters required? Security _Lock? _Password protection? Expansion options: _Internal modem price _Speed __ bps _Fax modem? $__ _Cellular modem? $__ _Standard PC expansion slots (size, number)__ _standard-slot expansion box available? Durability and quality _ connectors _ Doors (sliding better than hinged) _Flimsy or protruding parts? Power _Type of battery _Price per battery _Life of battery charge _AC adapter: length of cord _Adjusts to different wall voltages? _Adjusts automatically? _Built-in surge protector? _low-battery indicator? Service and support: _Refund/exchange policy? __Trial period _Length of warranty (should be at least 1 year) _Location of service centers _On site service available? Price __ _Mail-in service required? Appendix C: Traveling toolkit Electrical one 2-prong to 3-prong adapter for wall sockets one 3-prong triplex wall socket adapter (makes 3 outlets from 1) one 20-foot 3-prong extension cord Portable surge protector with telephone line protection Electrician's tape Optional: lightbulb socket - to - wall socket adapter Telephone: One 20-foot telephone extension cord, with RJ-11 modular plugs at either end One short (1-6 feet) telephone cord, RJ-11 plug at one end, alligator clips at the other 2 modular male-to-male in-line adapters for joining telephone cords together 2 modular duplex adapters (plugs into RJ-11 jack, gives 2 RJ-11 jacks) Optional: acoustic coupler Computer cables: Flat ribbon-type parallel printer cable Optional: file-transfer cable and/or flat ribbon-type serial cable with null-modem adapter and gender changer Computer Supplies Floppy disks Disk mailers (Steve Cummings recommends mailing a backup of the day's work back to yourself every day you're on the road) labels and felt-tip pen mouse or other pointing device Printer ribbon or ink, paper (if traveling with printer) Misc. tools Penknife Wire cutters Small flashlight with spare batteries Small flatblade and Phillips screwdrivers Stick-on Velcro pads For foreign travel Wall socket and approved telephone adapters for appropriate countries Power transformer to provide 120-volt, 60-cycle supply. started 1997 Jan 26 put on web 1999-05-23 buy computer DAV computer 1994 Jun 3 Things I want to do with my computer, with the kind of hardware I need to do them: Read usenet news: dumb terminal, 2400 bps modem. download new programs (games) and graphical files. 14.4 bps modem, play new DOS games 386 (486?), SuperVGA. or PowerPC (?). 80 MB HD. keep *all* my stuff online 500 MB HD (?) (is this cheaper for PCs?) (i think it would be cheaper, tho not as convenient, to have only, say, 200 MB plus some hi-capacity lo-cost removable media - tape drives ... how about flopticals? ) experiment with hardware (VR gloves; alternate keyboards; home automation) I want a *cheap* machine so I wonŐt worry excessively about damaging it. SunsetŐs boards are the same price for PC and Mac versions. Some hardware is *much* cheaper for PCs... Is hardware I build myself going to cost (development) much different when targeting DOS versus Mac? Key88 March 4 94Mar04 6:30 pm from Pinhead Vis, are you still interested in a NeXT cube/slab? I've seen a few listed for $1400-$2500...and that Mac-thingy probably falls in that price range...check out the Usenet alt.forsale.computers.workstations group; you'll see about one or two NeXT systems pass through every week or so. Most of it is used Sun-3 and Sun Sparc stuff (at inflated prices). My Own Computer System (hardware) ŇA good rule of thumb for balanced configurations is that the hard disk should comprise about half (or maybe a bit more) of the total system hardware price (exception: if you're buying a really good monitor, like 16" or over, it's going to be expensive enough to bust this rule).Ó -Eric S. Raymond ŇIt's important to get a high quality keyboard with good key feel. See the typing-injury FAQ from sci.med.occupational to see what happens if you don't. Carpal tunnel syndrome is no fun for anyone, but it hits hackers particularly hard. Don't be a victim!Ó - eric on-line digital storage for *all* my files (DAT tape? optical WORM ? floptical ? really big magnetic ?) paper -> digital converted (bed scanner ? 3D digital camera ?) digital -> paper converter: Postscript II Laser printer really big computer monitor soundcard write text and programs nice keyboard; high-resolution screen for lots of text. workstation info "Sun, Axil, and Tatung all use the same uprocessors made by Texas Instruments ... Sun (Sunsoft) provides Solaris 1.1 and 2.x operating systems for all 3 lines."
http://www.powermax.com/ seems to have lots of low-cost pre-owned Macintosh laptop computers. (prices as of 2002-01)
display: 14.1" XGA (1024 x 768) TFT Processor: Mobile Intel® Celeron® Processor 1.2GHz RAM: 256MB 133MHz SDRAM, expandable to 1.0GB HDD: 20.0GB hard drive Removable drives: DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive 8x8x24 network: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet card modem: 56 Kbps modem Weight: 5.5 lbs. Audio: built-in stereo speakers ... microphone included Pointing Device: Touchpad on palm rest other: S-video and composite TV-out support other: Windows XP Home Edition operating system preinstalled other: 1 PCMCIA Slot other: 3 USB Portshttp://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11121440&m=488&cat=494&scat=495 http://www.bestbuy.com/ComputersPeripherals/Notebooks/ViewSelection.asp
Display 14.1" XGA TFT Processor & Cache AMD Duron 1.2GHz;L1-125KB;L2-256KB Memory (RAM) 256MB SDRAM, Expandable to 1024 MB Hard Drive 20GB built- in DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive 14.1" XGA TFT CD/DVD/CDRW Drive DVD/CDRW combo Modem 56K Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet Audio Internal Stereo Speakers w/AC97 Codec, Cx20468 stereo sound Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Software Included Corel WordPerfect 9, Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0, Corel Quattro Pro 9 Drive Bays 2 Ports/Connectors 2 USB, 1 Parallel Other ports 1 RJ-45, 1 RJ-11 modem port, 1 microphone port, 1 headphone port, 1 lock, 1 VGA Battery Type 8 Cell Lithium Ion Dimensions 12.6"x10.4"x1.3", 6.2lbs Warranty 1 Year Limited
Since then, I've been convinced that laptops are not the way to go; laptop hardware is just too flaky. Pretty much everything about a laptop is inferior to a desktop machine, in terms of performance, reliability, and expense: their only benefit is that they run off batteries, and that's not a concern in this application. They're also hellaciously difficult to service: if something goes wrong, you throw the whole thing away and get a new one.-- Jamie Zawinski http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/src/kiosk/
where to get laptop batteries http://www.edgeworld.com/notebook/lbatt.htm
``I prefer having both pointing devices, the touchpad and the pointing stick, but only two manufacturers support this, WinBook and Hewlett-Packard''
Fringe's Best Laptops List
...
... This is a list of my personal preferences of the very best for a given niche. ...
Smallest Laptop: HP OmniBook 600 ...
Best Ergonomics: For this category, my parameters may be different from yours. ... My primary concerns are that the pointing device be the pointing stick, in the middle of the keyboard ... that the keyboard have a good enough feel, and that there be some space between it and the edge of the computer to serve as a wrist-rest. ... Winbook, Full Power Investment, and IBM got it pretty good. ... Toshibas...
All Terrain Laptop: ...
Most Flexible: ... hardware expansion options ...
Most Powerful: I'm not getting into this game. I'd have to update the page way too often.
not only did BrassRing CIO Andy Cooper tell me that notebooks tend to last about half the three-year life expectancy of desktops; he also recalled how he tracked notebook users at a previous job and noted that they called for support about 20 times more frequently than desktop users. He admits that sounds unbelievable. When sharing this information with others, he cuts the number in half --- to 10 times more frequently --- just to make it sound like he's not exaggerating. If my e-mail is any indicator, 20 is no exaggeration.
...
... giving users two desktops is actually less costly to a company than giving them one notebook. ...
Untimely repair
... repair is the second biggest problem ... If a desktop's display, keyboard, floppy drive or other component goes bad, replacing it is simple. ... When this happens with a notebook, however, it's a completely different story. ...
I've been close to tears over a hardware failure on several occasions. My solution is one that few can afford (uh oh, the ugly truth comes out): I have two notebooks -- one that I use all the time (an old ThinkPad 600e) and another that's ready to go (a ThinkPad 570) in case the first fails. I take special care to keep all my data files in one directory branch and I routinely copy that entire branch to a network file server that's accessible to both notebook computers. I also try my best to pamper these systems during my travels.
...
Future PC Visions -- Another view. Name: Bill Malthouse Posted At: 17:54 GMT 11/27/2002
-- http://forums.zdnet.com/group/zd.Tech.Update/it/itupdatetb.tpt/@thread@12349@forward@1@D-,D@ALL/@article@12349?EXP=ALL&VWM=hr&ROS=1Oh give me a BREAK! Plunk all the brains in a 1/2" thick 2048 x 1680 8.5" x 11" flat panel that weighs 3 lbs. It projects a visual keyboard on the desktop, or lets you type or scribble on the screen while you are in the airline seat, and it has a clip-on wireless mouse/microphone. When it gets to the office it wireless links to whatever perhiperals you want, like a 19" LCD and a real keyboard/mouse, and to the same stuff at home etc.
NOTE, it has to keep ALL DATA on board at all times ... no disks in the desktop components etc., although that might be a nice place for a disk or tape backup device. Of course it has wireless connectivity to email and the web built in.
My lifestyle can not cope with a PDA sized gadget I can't read or type into without loose pieces that get lost like folding keyboards etc. I agree that the "brains" need to be in the mobile part, but there sure as hell should be no need for physical connections to perhiperals. IR, Bluetooth or whatever, I NEVER want to see a wire between A and B, or have to deal with faulty contacts on some #@$& docking station.
All have square pixels and a aspect ratio of precisely 4 x 3, just like legacy TV and photographs. HDTV has a 16 x 9 ratio.
-- http://home.ubalt.edu/ntsbarsh/zero/ZERO.HTM... Ancient Greeks were mostly interested in geometry, since their numerical system was based of denoting numbers to alphabets. The word geometry was derived from measuring (metry) and geo (land, earth). Before 400 B.C., Thales and Pythagoras among others, proved theorems that are still useful and being taught in schools. These ancient mathematicians had their own laptops. A laptop was usually a wooden tray contains smooth sand. They used a finger or a stick to draw and provide their convincing arguments about geometric figures. To restart the laptop, they smoothed the surface and started another session. This was the first laptop.