Devil in the Laptop Details

With no easy way to review the laptop options, I'ld like to ask a few
questions before I order a new laptop. I have searched prior posts on
some of these items and would like to clarify 3 things.

I currently run a 1ghz Dell Inspiron 8000 with 1600x1200 screen
(.0078" pixel size, which needs good eyes for single pixel lines) &
Win 2000.

The Dell M60 is highly recommended by lots of people and a former
co-worker has a 1 year old M50 which he likes with Swks & XP, which I
think is a P4 2.4 ghz (not sure). Hence, on the M60, I'm wondering
about the choices.

So the ?s:

1. 1.7ghz PM (Centrino): Does it really handle Swks that well
compared to P4 processors? Couldn't imagine Dell would use it if it
weren't top notch, but?

2. Win2000 vs WinXP: Do you pay any significant speed penalty with
WinXP compared to Win2000? I've seen the comments about this, but do
note I couldn't get 802.11b wireless to work on my Dell Inspiron
w/Win2000.

System maintenance, stability, 802 wireless and uptime are a
critical item where opinions on Win 2000 vs Win Xp would be much
appreciated.

3. The screen could definately be wider but...Dell offers 15.4" and
then the 15.4" WSXGA Plus Display @ 1680 pixels across (.0078"
across) or...
15.4" WUXGA Display @ 1920 pixels across (.0068" wide).

I find that single lines with .0078" pixel widths are about minimum
for my eyes which correct to 20/20 nominally. WUXGA might be too
faint on thin lines. I am guessing that the WUXGA's 1920 pixels are
going to take more video power to handle rotations and thus may be
slower than the WSXGA's screen. Is that true?

Just wondering how to make the best choices, since I don't like
blowing money in the wind.

It must be said that my 3 year old Dell Inspiron 8000 has served me
faithfully without a hiccup except for a screen cable fix in the first
month and the wireless card which never worked (at least by my hand).
It is just too slow now, though. I'll probably keep it as a backup,
though.

I specifically only run Solidworks and MSOffice, so that I don't
garbage up my machine with crap that causes corruption and downtime,
because I don't have lots of time. I intend to keep that attitude
with the new machine. All my other daily tasks are typically done on
my Macs (just my pref...no evangilism).

Thanks Much - Bo

 

XP runs like a charm on my computer since a year already.
Win2000 is getting old
wouls should get good support for wireless in XP pro.

yes a high rez display take more power to redraw the whole
screen, mostly more memory. So having a 64mb+ memory on the graphic
card is very usefull for some intense graphic programs.

I prefer the p4, because I hate centrino's name

I really liked the Toshiba Satelite series, but they are gone in the
US. their new lineup is not very interresting.
But I don'T like Dell much. I've seen ProE lagging way far behind
while running on a Dell and the Toshiba would scream full speed.
(very similar machines).
but the latest products might have better setup.?.

Dom

 

I have a M60 running on WinXP Pro and can't see any difference from my
workstation (Dell precision 530) which has W2K. I use XP with the windows
classic settings and I must say I like it better then W2K
The workstation is 2x2,8GHz Xeon and the M60 PM seems to be just slightly
slower, hardly noticeable.
I use the WUXGA with1920x1200 resolution and as You say it takes good eyes
to see what happens...but as I never used the other one I can't really
compare them .....this resolution gives a good workspace for SW
though....and the graphic speed is quite okay...at least for me. Use it for
quite big assys....up to 6000 plus components without any problems.
Installed 2Gig's ram from start and has some rather heavy PW2 rendering of
big plant-layouts on it, had some problems with memory but it was a Win
problem

Krister L

 

Krister,
I will soon be upgrading my Inspiron 8000 to a new M60 (unless they
bring out something better!)
Any chance you could post (or email me) the full spec so I can check
out what's what.

Tia.

Kev

 

Ok... I'll scan it in tonight and e-mail it over to You ...no problem

Krister

 

Thanks,

Kev

 

I got to see a first-hand demo at a user conference last year. Very nice,
easy on the hands, extremely cool looking, and REALLY expensive. The model
they showed went for nearly $700.00 then. Online now for only $599.00.

https://www2.journeyed.com/cgi-bin/sgsh0101.exe

Richard

 

When talking about laptops for SW....today I found this one in a magazine...
"Space Traveller" from 3Dconnexions .... really neat and as it looks ..handy
http://www.3dconnexion.com/spacetraveler.htm
http://www.caduser.com/reviews/reviews.asp?a_id=163

Krister L

Bo Clawson <> skrev i
diskussionsgruppsmeddelandet:
....

 

Yepp....talk about love at first sight....I'm gonna order one as soon as
possible.... looks as the price is just above a space mouse, but this will
fit better in the briefcase.

Krister