Laptops

My father is looking to get a new computer and instead of a desktop he wants to get a laptop. Well I've been out of the loop for a while so I really don't know about manufactures performance is doing. I've always like Toshiba and we have four of their laptops in my house hold alone. However, some of my friends have been getting some HP computers and then have been pretty nice too. So I was wondering if anyone has anything to say about different laptops.

I bought three laptops for $400 each. They were cheap but they came with Vista on them which I don't like. I've heard that HP is selling computers that have XP on them but with Vista licenses. I don't know if it's true but I would go for that first. One of the laptops I bought was Lenovo but I wiped Vista and put FreeBSD on it. I like the Lenovo better than the HPees. It seems easier to use. Whatever you buy, try to get it with XP on it.

No matter what brand he decides on, make sure he gets one of the cooling plate things with the fans built in to set the laptop on.

I'm a big fan of the Lenovo ThinkPads; I'm thinkin about getting one myself once I decide to part with my PowerBook. And when I have money.

First off ignore Don2007's opinion of Vista. Vista with SP1 is a very capable O/S.

Second, there is no need for a cooling pad, especially if the laptop is new, If it starts to run hot when it is older then you need to clean it, getting a cooling pad is ignoring the bigger problem.

Third, Lenovo, HP, and Toshiba all make quality products, you would probably be happy with any of the three. I would avoid Dell at all costs (except for maybe an XPS system) and the lower end Acer's are junk.

Best bang for the buck at the moment seems to be HP.

Why should he ignore my opinion of Vista just because you like it? He should ignore your opinion. Many people went back to XP.

Give me one good reason why you shouldn't run Vista SP1 on a new computer?

Don, I have looked at the advice you have given in many threads on this board, you clearly think you know what you are talking about, but the reality of it is you don't.

I'll give you one good reason, XP is better.
That is a widely shared opinion by thousands, if not millions of users. Now, tell me that's not true.

Now there is a really well thought out answer.

Why is it better? what makes it better? How exactly is it better? What exactly does it do better?

It is true when Vista first came out it was a disaster, but now that hardware drivers have caught up it is as good, and in many ways (in particular security) better than XP.

You just gave me one of the many reasons why it's better and you're smart enough to give me some others but don't bother because debates are worthless. It's ok if you don't agree with my opinions, just don't tell people to ignore me.

This thought just occured to me.

If your father is looking to get a new laptop, and is asking you about it, it's probably a good idea to put a great deal of consideration into who has the best warrenty. Not that I doubt you, but you can't be there to watch him and the laptop all the time now, can you ?



There's no need to keep my steak in the fridge because I should cook it before I eat it anyway, but like the laptop on a cooling pad, the steak will keep longer at a lower temp.

You can live like a caveman if you want, but I will be keeping my laptops on cooling pads for the forseeable future.

I asked for one real reason why in your opinion XP is better, and you can't give a reason. The fact is you are clearly just scared of change, something that won't take you far in the computer world, XP is your comfort zone and you won't step out of it, so you insult anything that is different. If this wasn't the case then surely you would have been able to provide one solid reason why XP is better.

I on the other hand did provide one solid reason, security, why Vista is better, there are others, but I was only asking you for one so I only provided one.



Now as for the cooling pad, Laptops are designed to keep themselves cool, just like desktops, the only reason you will need extra cooling like a cooling pad is if you are over clocking (which isn't advisable on most laptops) or if the computer is running hot. If it is running hot a good solution would be fixing the problem (most likely dust) instead of applying external cooling, even with external cooling if your heatsink is caked in dust you will do harm to the computer.

I cooling pad for a laptop is a complete waste of time, money, and energy.

The FUD in this one thread is sickening.

I gave you a reason. You didn't like it although you correctly mentioned the driver problem. If you insist, I'll give you another reason but it will be the last. You can stop "stealing focus" in Vista which is part of Vista security that you like so much. If I'm wrong about that, tell me how to do it.

Yes, I'm comfortable with XP but I also run FreeBSD and Ubuntu. I have a Vista laptop as well. Why shouldn't I use what I like? You do.

Your reason was:



That is really a thought out reason there, boy your right you got me.

XP is better is your opinion, one that the facts don't support.

The driver issues have long since been resolved, so that is a non-issue, unless you are using some antique piece of hardware.

Your comment on stealing focus, XP does the same thing, unless you download something like tweakui, which I haven't tried, but have heard will work in Vista as well.

As for staying with what you are comfortable with, well that is fine, I personally run a laptop with Vista, 2 Desktops with XP and one with Ubuntu, they each serve their purpose.

However you also need to learn to move on with the times in the computer world, nothing stays the same and O/S's change, I am not saying be an early adopter but don't be afraid of something that is different.

What I take great offense to though is you telling someone to avoid something for no good reason. This person has no reason to avoid Vista, they didn't mention any software they need to run that isn't compatible with Vista, they didn't mention an hardware that isn't compatible either. There is no good reason for this person to avoid Vista, in fact with EOL of XP already past and the end of support coming in a few years I would say it is quite foolish to buy a new computer with XP on it, as you are sure to be sitting on a grossly outdated system in a year or two.

Don, you have a proven track record on this forum of spreading FUD, I have read through many of your comments and you don't seem to bother to read peoples posts or you simply lack the necessary knowledge to help the people, yet that still doesn't stop you from posting.

Using your logic, car airbags are a waste of time and money because there's traffic lights and speed limits and everyone should be driving perfect.