[Ham-Computers] RE: Choosing a compatible laptop

[Hsu, Aaron]

Rolly,

No specific recommendations, but some general advice...

With laptops, stick to a "top tier" vendor.  When it comes to desktop PC's,
you can go generic as just about everything works with anything when it
comes to peripherals/memory/etc.  But, with laptops, things get quite vendor
specific and production cycles are often short.  Trying to get a new battery
or replacement floppy/CD-ROM drive can be a daunting challenge 2-years from
now - even from the top-tier vendors.

What's a "top tier" vendor?  IMHO, these would be HP/Compaq, IBM, and
Toshiba.  These are laptops that you can get just about *anywhere* and have
broad support from both the manufacturer and 3rd party companies.  Sorry, I
don't included Dell in this category yet as you can't get them
*anywhere*...only direct.  Also, their customer support line is not the
greatest, especially since they outsourced their telephone help center
overseas to India (the accent might take some getting use to).  Sony's VAIO
line is "neat", but QC and service are a bit shoddy.

Get a model designed for "business".  These are less heavily loaded with
"crap" and are less likely to have conflicts with any HAM-related software
or peripherals.  Even then, there's often a lot of built-in "add-ons" that
can get in the way (e.g. programmable function keys, "jog" wheels, etc).
Business models also usually sport a longer warranty (upto 3 years on some).
What's a "business" model?  HP/Compaq's "Evo" series, Toshiba's "Tecra" and
"Portege", and I believe IBM's "X" and "A" series.

If you can, make an "image" of the laptop's HD before allowing it to boot
into the OS for the first time.  This allows you to do a quick recovery
should you "trash" the OS.  Yes, most laptops come with a recovery CD, but
having a "GHOST" type image works *MUCH* faster and is *MUCH* simpler.
Also, sometimes the recovery CD is not as up-to-date as what was shipped on
the HD.

Not for the "faint-of-heart", but I usually "blow-out" the installed OS and
re-install from scratch.  This allows me to "control" what features of the
laptop are enabled or disabled.  For example, many laptops have programmable
"hotkeys".  The drivers for these hotkeys can sometimes conflict with other
drivers/programs.  To avoid these types of problems, I usually don't install
the hotkey software.  Some companies (e.g. Toshiba), include software that
automatically updates drivers in the background.  I like to keep track of
the drivers installed, so I don't intstall this type of software.  So you're
asking, why not just "un-install" the software rather than blowing-out the
entire OS?  Well, most un-installs are never "complete".  They leave
"footprints" of various kinds behind (such as DLL's, registry entries, data
files, etc).

IMHO, if I were to get a system for the radio room, I wouldn't necessarily
get a laptop.  Desktops are more flexible.  I currently use a laptop for
logging, but don't use it for rig control.  Also realize that laptops are
more port limited, so you'll need to make sure any additional ports you get
will work properly with the software you intend to use.  I know this a a lot
of info, but a laptop is a *BIG* investment - you don't want to spend $$$
only to realize that the laptop won't do what you hoped it would.

GL & 73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O (ex-KD6DAE)
    {nn6o}@arrl.net
    {athsu}@unistudios.com
    No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006
    . -..- - .-. .-   ".... . .- ...- -.--"
 




-----Original Message-----
From: Rolly (W7DGX) & Sandra Goodspeed [mailto:rollyg@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 7:40 AM

I am considering buying a new (or later model used) laptop. I understand
some of the computers and / or sound cards are not compatible with the
various software packages used for transceiver monitor and control,
PSK31, and other digital and slow scan modes.

I hope this list can provide guidance as to which brands and models to
avoid and why.

Thanks for reviewing this and thanks in advance for any responses.

        Rolly  W7DGX

_______________________________________________


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