Commuting - Laptop selection help

I am getting a new laptop soon and would like some advice. I will use the computer primarily for keeping research notes and data, so a laptop is my best choice (as oppsed to a tablet, etc.). I'm looking at either the 12.1"-3lb. versions (like an IBM X40 or Dell 300m) or 14.1"-4lb. computers (Gateway 200, Dell 600m). Is the larger size unreasonable? Lighter is better to carry, but the keyboards are so damn small. I would most likely carry it in a backpack or messenger bag and commute ~7mi each way over both smooth and bumpy city roads. Any experiences you can share?

Thanks in advance.

I'm using a Dell precision m50, weighs a ton, huge as all get out. 17 inch.
just got an Arkel briefcase for it, rear pannier. fits great, rides nice. Very happy.

I have a dell latitude, and commute with it in my backpack and have only had one software problem in the two years that I have had it (previously used by a previous graduate student for two/three years before me, it is a hand-me-down) I have been happy with it, the only down side is the A: and D: drives are external, so you have to keep up with them and the cord to plug them in

I have an IBM T20 which is over 4 years old. It does it's job as good today as when it was new. The unit's already a pretty small slim unit but my friend has the X30 which is REALLY small compared to that. If you're going to be traveling with it a lot, a centrino and slim laptop lasts longer and is much lighter. The X's have built in cdrw's. Some of the really really really tiny units by sony and sharp don't but they all come with wireless built in.

Dude,

Do yourself a favour and get an IBM T41. I was almost gonna buy the sony vaio but it was out of stock and i ended up buying the T40. I've had it for 9 months and i've yet to see a blue screen. IBM support if also excellent.

1. Cooling system is the best
2. Graphics card is high end
3. Sound from the speaker is one of the loudest of any laptop.
4. The screen is excellent
5. Fantastic support from IBM worldwide
6. Will last you at least 4 to 5 years
7. Keyboard is the best of any laptop
8. Professional look
9. Light, slim and the material used makes it feel solid.

You really can't go wrong with an IBM. However, 1 last tip. Since it's hard to upgrade a laptop, it's better to go with something high end than something in the middle.

For laptop bags, i use the Timbuk2 Commute ( messenger ) and Burton Transfer pack ( Backpack ) http://store6.yimg.com/I/emiliosskishop_1791_839296

I just purchased an IBM R40 for my boss at work. Very nice machine!

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=547821

Dude,

Do yourself a favour and get an IBM T41. I was almost gonna buy the sony vaio but it was out of stock and i ended up buying the T40. I've had it for 9 months and i've yet to see a blue screen. IBM support if also excellent.

1. Cooling system is the best
2. Graphics card is high end
3. Sound from the speaker is one of the loudest of any laptop.
4. The screen is excellent
5. Fantastic support from IBM worldwide
6. Will last you at least 4 to 5 years
7. Keyboard is the best of any laptop
8. Professional look
9. Light, slim and the material used makes it feel solid.

You really can't go wrong with an IBM. However, 1 last tip. Since it's hard to upgrade a laptop, it's better to go with something high end than something in the middle.

For laptop bags, i use the Timbuk2 Commute ( messenger ) and Burton Transfer pack ( Backpack ) http://store6.yimg.com/I/emiliosskishop_1791_839296

The T42 is now out. I just did some research and told a friend to get one. It is supposed to be an improvement over the T41 in some areas, has the new Dothan processor and you can get a 15" LCD in the same size. Personally, I would get one of the ultra small laptops. Something with around a 10" screen. Not sure what though.

WOW... T42...

You can't really go wrong with a "T" series. Since you're doing research and typing a lot, i suggest a 14.1 inch screen. It'll be easier on the eyes and can fit more on screen. And typing on the IBM keyboard is easy.

I don't work for IBM. I'm just so impressed by it. I used to be skeptical especially cos it cost a lot more than the competitor but in this case, you're paying for genuine quality. I was a computer science major and now a music major =)

Put it this way, my IBM T's been going to school, work, and home with me for the past 4 years and it has NO problems whatsoever except for the battery wearing out. Everything works as new. And I've managed to trash almost everything I had. You pay more but you get what you pay for in the long run.

I've got an HP Pavilllion 5185. I use it for everything, even video production. Works great.

Paul

Put it this way, my IBM T's been going to school, work, and home with me for the past 4 years and it has NO problems whatsoever except for the battery wearing out. Everything works as new. And I've managed to trash almost everything I had. You pay more but you get what you pay for in the long run.

I have to agree. I have a "fleet" of IBM ThinkPads in the field with our medical, clinical, and administrative staff. Even an old IBM ThinkPad 380ed! (over 5 years of service) The latest prior to the recently purchased R40 was 10 of the A20 model a couple of years ago. As an organization we experimented with other brands, none of which held up to the rigors of a highly mobile work force. (Compaq, Dell, NEC, & Toshiba)

To me its like buying a Xmart bike instead of a LBS bike. Good luck whatever your choice.

Bob

The IBM is a good reliable unit. BUT if your really worried about bumps and jars or even dust and liquid then look into the Panasonic Toughbook. I used one of these in conditions that any other laptop would have failed in short order, but the Toughbook model 28 (they also make other models) survived without a hiccup. BUT they are expensive, so it just depends on how valuable your research notes are. But be careful because I think some of the Toughbooks do not handle dust and liquid, but they will handle everything else.

I hate to be "that guy" but I love my 12 inch powerbook. The aluminum casing they're built with is really durable. Mine survived a crash with only a small dent on one corner. Small, relatively light, and good battery life too.

Course if you're not about thinkin different, I'd probably go for a thinkpad. I think they're made o metal too.

BUT if your really worried about bumps and jars or even dust and liquid then look into the Panasonic Toughbook.

Agreed on this. I used to have a Panasonic CF-25mkII (before they started the Toughbook branding). It's the predecessor to the CF-28 (latest is CF-29). You can read up on my impressions from a similar thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=397451&postcount=26). I am currently using an IBM T30. It's okay... fairly solid notebook but nowhere near the class of ruggedness as the Toughbooks. This is my second T30 actually because I tend to be hard on my laptop. My company pays for it but if I had to buy with my own money then a Toughbook would be it.

Try looking at Kim Komando's web site (www.komando.com), I know she has a laptop buying guide. Ok, looked and couldn't find one so don't go there. If your not going to play a lot of games but just take notes, you really don't need a high end machine. Something in the $1000-$1500 would do just fine. Something with 512 ram, 40+ gig hd, cdr/DVD drive would be good. Really don't need a floppy drive anymore, I use a USB thumb drive to share files with other PC's.

The first thing that I do with a new computer is to UNinstall all the extra goodies that come with it and strip it down to the OS, firewall and Antivirus software. Then install the Apps that you need to work with. I also download all the patches that are available.

Happy computing

PS: I bought an HP laptop for my school work at Best Buy at the "Returns" dept. I got the $1200 laptop for $800. Woopie!!

I hate to be "that guy" but I love my 12 inch powerbook.

Yeah Powerbook!

Seriously, I love mine too. No problems at all. The thing just seems well-built. I guess you'd have to be willing to come over to the "dark side" and be burdened with a very user-friendly interface and a painfully stable operating system, though... ;)

Although, to be fair, I guess you might be planning on interfacing with your current computer or sharing software, in which case I have to say that everyone I know who has had a "budget-priced" PC has had problems.

iBook user here :)

Love my Mac.

Although, to be fair, I guess you might be planning on interfacing with your current computer or sharing software, in which case I have to say that everyone I know who has had a "budget-priced" PC has had problems.

$800 HP laptop going strong :D

99.9% of computer problems are user problems anyways.

$800 HP laptop going strong :D

99.9% of computer problems are user problems anyways.

I don't know about that, I guess it depends who you are referring to though. I have set up numerous new Dells and other store bought computers that have software issues and crash during the first day. I have had my computers (most built by me) with fresh installs of XP or various Linux distros run for over 60 days without restart or any issues at all. Only reason they got turned off then is because I was leaving the house for a few days. From my experience one of the best things to do with a new computer is to do a clean install of the OS, not from the recovery disks. Systems sold today seem to be overly weighed down with crap.

Yeah I always run through and uninstall all the HP/Dell/Compaq bundled crap ASAP, install Adaware, Systemworks and Zonealarm and good to go... I pretty rarely have issues so I think the problem is all the crap people either download or the junk thats on all these computers now.

Agreed on this. I used to have a Panasonic CF-25mkII (before they started the Toughbook branding). It's the predecessor to the CF-28 (latest is CF-29). You can read up on my impressions from a similar thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=397451&postcount=26). I am currently using an IBM T30. It's okay... fairly solid notebook but nowhere near the class of ruggedness as the Toughbooks. This is my second T30 actually because I tend to be hard on my laptop. My company pays for it but if I had to buy with my own money then a Toughbook would be it.

I read that site and well, mine did not go through all of that crap! Jeez that was incrediable. I did have to use the Toughnote in conditions that involved blowing sand getting everwhere, extreme heat, very high humity then cold, and rain, then packing in a backpack and hiking around on rough terrain. But the sand and rain and tempertures had no effect whatsover. I was "trying" to be careful with the thing because I needed the thing to last through the ordeal even though the guys that gave me the unit said don't worry about it.

Well, thanks for all the input guys! For those interested, I went with the Gateway 200X with several modifications and upgrades. Only 4.3lbs with everything attached. Battery life isn't great, but that's why I sprung for the extra high-capacity battery... makes the whole package 4.6lbs. Can't wait till it gets here!

Well, thanks for all the input guys! For those interested, I went with the Gateway 200X with several modifications and upgrades. Only 4.3lbs with everything attached. Battery life isn't great, but that's why I sprung for the extra high-capacity battery... makes the whole package 4.6lbs. Can't wait till it gets here!

Great! Nothing like a new toy to play with. :D

Have fun...

Do yourself a favour and get an IBM T41. I was almost gonna buy the sony vaio but it was out of stock and i ended up buying the T40. I've had it for 9 months and i've yet to see a blue screen.

These days, the blue screen is no longer really the issue. Different
laptops are ideal for different purposes. Three years ago I bought
a Sony VAIO superslim with a double size battery, and I couldn't
be happier: I need maximum battery life, and I get about 10 hours
per charge. Mind you, I don't use audio, special graphics, or processor
intensive applications, and I do minimize backlighting and disk access.

But other specific applications will have other specific solutions; the
choice of a computer is never one-size-fits-all. Your IBM T41 may
very well be the best for you, and the orignal poster's choice of a
Gateway may be exactly the right thing for him.

The key thing in shopping for a laptop is knowing what you are going
to use it for; and selecting accordingly.