As some of you know I was in Seattle for the MVP Summit a couple of weeks ago. While I was there the screen on my Toshiba m200 tablet decided to break. There had been a small scratch on the screen for a couple of months but it had not interfered with the display or even with handwriting recongition (gremlins were no worse than usual anyway) so I figured that I would send it in whenever I found a replacement machine since I have an extended full coverage warranty.

Once the screen decided to break I couldn't send it in while traveling because a) it was the only computer I had with me, and b) there was data on the computer that is proprietary and could not be allowed out of our business hands. I've had my list of required specs for my next computer finalized for some time but nobody other than Toshiba made a machine that was close to my specs. Since I have been very unhappy with Toshiba driver support (no updates since SP 2 was released for XP and no drivers for Vista which it is perfectly capablie of running despite Toshiba's statements to the contrary. After all I've been running Vista on it for a year now.)

Today a computer that matches my requires was announced. My requirements are pretty simple:

• Vista Premium/Ultimate capable graphics
• Core 2 Duo
• Screen resolution 1400x1050
• 12" Tablet PC form factor - either slate or convertible
• optional but with a strong preference a view anywhere screen

Until today when Motion announced the LE1700 (http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_le_series.asp) the Lenovo (formerly IBM) x60 was the closest contendor. What the x60 was missing was a Core 2 Duo having only the 32bit Core Duo and while it had the 1400x1050 screen resolution I consiider essential their view anywhere screen was the lower resolution version.

So today I ordered the LE1700 and accordig to my confirmation email it will be shipped April 3.

What would you consider your minium specs for a new portable computer?

Considering my only functioning laptop is an ancient thirdhand P 120 Dell running Ubuntu linux, anything would be an upgrade. I'd settle for big memory, graphics adequate for web work/photo editing, XP, modem, and looooong battery life. Almost wish I could find one of those old IBMs with the foldout butterfly keyboard and put new guts in it; most laptop keyboards make my typing get even worse. I've worn out 3 Northgate Omnikey 102s and am presently pounding the (inferior) Avant Stellar clone of same to tattered plastic.

-Steve 

Some of the 17" laptops have full size keyboards. While I am not generally a fan of Acer laptops (except the Ferrari line) I do like the slightly curved keyboards they use.

I've been using my MacBook more while waiting for my new tablet to arrive and I can't decide if I like the spacing they use on their keys or not.

As for the IBM with the fold out keybaord watch on ebay.

I would love a new laptop, I am hoping that I might get one for Christmas

It would have to be a core 2 duo with at least 1gb and 256mb Graphicsand wxga resolution.

I love the look of the HP pavillion range Link

Also for 12inch screen the Phillips X56 is a bargain but without seperate graphics card.

Currently I have Advent 7075 which I bought as a cheap refurbished deal for £230 Its only a celeron

That was to (temporarily at least) replace my HP NC4000 Pentium M, which my 2 year old threw down the stairs while I was at work.

But he is soo cute I couldn't be angry with him (really my wifes fault for letting him get to it in the first place!)

It seems computers are much cheaper in the USA (I got my HP while I was on holiday to florida).

David
 

 

Laptops are generally the same price in dollars as they are in pounds in the UK. I don't know how the pricing in Ireland compares.

I was really surprised at teh number of folks from the UK in Orlando when I was there for TechEd the first week of June. If Maimi is Havana North then Orlando must be UK South.

I'm in Northern Ireland so we count as the UK and have the same prices as them, down  South though they use Euros and are a wee bit more expensive in general.

 

I'm surprised that the Republic of  Ireland is more expensive than the UK. I would have thought it would be less. Oh well, goes to show what I know. One of these days I'll get to Ireland. So far the closest I've come is England (or is Scotland closer/) though I went to school in France for awhile many years ago.

I always envied people with laptops, until I got one myself. The only plus point I can chalk up is portability and not having to lug around a regular when you have to move. Otherwise i'm sticking to desktops. The Compaq R4200 I bought two years ago is a decent machine. Desktop replacement, therefore heavy ample dedicated video mem, DVD burner etc. all the essentials. But screen size, keyboard size i'm not to thrilled about. Upgrading being almost impossible doesn't help either. Plus they're too darn expensive.

If i ever get a laptop again, it'll have to be eye candy (not a company) just something light, sleek about the size of a notebook i can take to the coffee shop kinda machine and hardly used for anything else. Give me a 2 ft tall tower any day. 

I never ever thought I would like a laptop. My first one was a tiny one I got from by brother for $200. Used it when we were travelling to write our journals and check email. I hated it except that it let us stay in touch with family. I bought a Dell Inspiron E1705 earlier this year. It has the 17" wide screen and 2gb of memory. I absolutely love it. It is taking me awhile to get used to the keyboard and I bought a wireless mouse to go with it but it is nice to site in the living room in the evening with my hubby and be able to work. I had no intention of taking it with me when we do travel which is a good thing cause it is heavy but I enjoy working on it. Now I wonder why I waited so long.

 

pat 

I've gone the other way. I no longer have a desktop but I do have laptops that high end. True the graphics cards are not as good as in a desktop but with Core 2 Duos or AMD 64 bit dual core cups and 2gig or greater ram I don't have any performance issues (though I wish I could put a faster drive in my tablet but the 1.8" form factor is a limit there until the hybrid or solid state drives become more availalbe and affordable.) Our other laptops and tablets run 7200 rpm drives.