Suggestions on purchasing a notebook computer? and other concerns...

[Jesse Marunde]

Here's the plan;

<O:p

I'm planning to totally redo my web site. I'm also considering moving this forum to a unique url. My plan is to allow and encourage other web sites to link to it. In this manner the forum can belong to many web sites rather be attached to mine only. I'm hoping to increase traffic dramatically. <O:p
<O:p

I'm also in the process of totally redesigning my web site. I want to make available to all of you folks media and contest results within hours, if not minutes, after the final event. I want to dramatically step up with quality and quantity of videos that I put on my server. I also want to have at least 100 pictures from every contest/event I'm involved in. We are planning to create several training videos and we are considering setting up a web cam in the gym so anyone can watch us train LIVE.

<O:p

For all of the above ideas to be realized, I need a laptop. Any suggestions about computers? <O:p
<O:p

Any suggestions, ideas, concerns, or opinion on any of the above will be much appreciated. <O:p
<O:p

Thank you in advance!<O:p
<O:p

Jesse

[Mike Yuen]

i would maybe go to your computer store and ask for a personally customized computer/noteboot...where there is no company that makes it..cause its totally customized by you or a professional. I have a computer that is customized...hella fast...and even has neon lights with a see through screen to see the insides.

if not..the latest Sony laptop you can't go wrong.

[Eric Johnson]

I like your ideas for upgrading the forum/web site sounds great.

For the laptop, unless you like fixing and trouble shooting computers yourself I would stay with a name brand and a decent support package. We use a lot of Dell laptops at work the only real problem we have is the bult in NIC's are flakey, other than that they are pretty solid performers.

[Joshua Davis]

I second the Dell suggestion. I have worked alot with Dells, and find them to work pretty good. My wife's company laptop is a Dell as well.

[nathan fitzgerald]

I have used an HP notebook for years with no problems.Get one with a long lasting battery and definitely go wireless.Since you travel alot you will want to be connected at all times and maybe even have someone take pics and upload them while the contest is still happening.The webcam is a great idea.

[Patrick McGuffin]

you might want to check out alienware and see about either a video editing platform or a gaming platform also, extremely fast and made to handle all sorts of media, also alot of photo and video specialty stores would have computers that will allow you to do what you want, Bhphotovideo.com has alot of them , its pretty spendy though.

theres my .02

[Jonas Dyhrfjeld-Johnsen]

I'll third the Dell suggestion. All the computers in our research lab (desktops and laptops) are Dell and we have minimal problems and maintenance on them. They have a lot to choose from, so it shouldnt be too hard to find one that fits your needs.

[Jim Glassman]

Well I've worked for Dell, Compaq/HP, and Sony. If you want a powerful & lightweight business type computer I'd go with the Evo line from HP. I think they actually still market them as HP/Compaq Evo, or the may have dropped the Evo name and will show nubers like HP/Compaq nc610 fo example.

However, if you don't mind having something that is heavier & larger then take a look at Fujitsu. I just got Heather a new Fujitsu at Fry's and it has the best screen on the market; huge 17in wide screen. It even beats the Sony XBrite screen and was cheaper at retail than what I could buy the Sony for at my employee discount.

PS, when you get it full of spyware and porn give me a call and I'll help you clean it out. :M:

[Clint Darden]

PS, when you get it full of spyware and porn give me a call and I'll help you clean it out. :M:

What's your number man...I have a....

Wait...ummm. Never mind.

Sounds GREAT Jesse!!!!!

Clint

[ChrisD]

Norton Anti Virus, Ad Aware, Registry Mechanic are all very important.

[Mr_T]

I bought my desktop from Dell back in June and love it! I got the 19-inch flat panel upgrade too so now everyone else's monitors look tiny. lol

Dell also has great customer service.

P.S. I like your ideas... they seem promising. The workout webcam would be pretty sweet.

[Ryan Rhodes]

Jim is so on about the Fujitsu. Extemely high quality full featured laptops similar to Sony VAIOs except generally more compact. HP Omnibooks are quality high end and hardy laptops that will last a long time. I've used my Omnibook 510 (similar to the fujitsu stuff) for the last 4 years without any issues. Omnis are also one of the few that are upgradeable. The Panasonic Toughbook will be my next laptop. Do a search on the internet and you'll see why. Nukeproof, features galore and mad styling. That, my friend, is a man's laptop and worth every penny.

UBid.com has the best prices on computers. I've purchased all of my electronics there for years. Check there before you buy.

BTW With 802.11g WiFi, you wont have any problems with live video feed of your training. It's a slick idea, but I wanna see a dinner cam at your house. Thats entertainment.

[Jesse Marunde]

BTW With 802.11g WiFi, you wont have any problems with live video feed of your training. It's a slick idea, but I wanna see a dinner cam at your house. Thats entertainment.

tell me more about this. I'm clueless...

thanks for all the input guys!

Jesse

[Ryan Rhodes]

There's a lot to explain. WiFi is short for wireless fidelity. And is (basically) one way to transmit mass information without the use of wires. Most all new laptops are internally WiFi enabled and if they aren't inherently, they can be with the use of a WiFi PCMCIA card (inserts into the side of laptop). A WiFi access point can allow any number of WiFi enabled devices to transmit information to each other. So, for example, you could use a WiFi enabled video camera to transmit video feeds to WiFi desktop or laptop via a WiFi access point (router) which inturn transmits it live to the internet via a decent broadband connection and not have to worry about wires or portability. My laptop has a range of 1 MILE! The other plus of WiFi is that a number of locations (Starbucks, airports, and hotels most noteably, but many others; Seattle is loaded with them; most other larger cities are as well) have wireless access points that allow you to access the internet for free when your away from your home access point. With your travel schedule, this would be a huge benefit especially for live updates and video (very cool stuff). Wireless networking is the future, my friend. Another option to consider (in addition to WiFi) is Bluetooth wireless. Bluetooth is a shorter range, lower power usage wireless option that many wireless (cell) phones have that allows similar connectivity features as WiFi, but to a lesser extent. The main benefit here is connecting small devices to work in conjunction with each other i.e. connecting a cell phone to your computer to access e-mail or surf the net, or a pda to computer for syncronizing information, pda to phone, phone to earpiece, etc etc. I've found it to be very useful. Bluetooth is good for smaller data transfer within 50 ft. WiFi is is good for larger data tranfer at distances up to a few thousand feet (outdoors; several hundred indoors) and better overall than bluetooth (they're different entities for different purposes, both necessary IMO). I'd recommend getting both since they're available at a low cost together (why not have broader connectivity options?) Fairly easy to set up too. You've got a lot of good ideas and I'd be happy to help make them happen and improve the website so if you have any more questions or when the time comes you need a hand setting it all up let me know (I'm no pro, but I've always built and tweaked mine and my friends' own computers since I was a kid). Maybe I'll roll up and help you out with your networking, and you can help me fix my crappy overhead press.

[Matt Stiefel]

My laptop has a range of 1 MILE!

How did you manage that?


I love my Sony laptop. They are a little pricey but are very good. I am also impressed with the Fujitsus and Toshibas (especially the Qosmio).

No one else has metioned this so it might be a stupid idea, but what about an Apple? Don't they specialize in video editing and stuff like that?

[Ryan Rhodes]

I've got ParkerVision's SignalMax card and router. I've never tried connecting from a mile away, but the setup does have a 1 mile outdoor flat land rating at a transmission rate of 11mb/s. There are faster setups (i.e. the new 802,11g stuff), but many techies agree that for range and signal quality the SignalMax is still the best on the market, especially for the price. It's the one that most businesses, airports etc. use. They're selling on UBid very cheap right now. I've also heard that ParkerVision will be releasing a 802.11g (52mb/s vs. 802.11b's 11mb/s) version soon. I don't get near that kind of bandwidth from my IP, so it's not going to make a difference for me, but it will be cool nonetheless.