Help choosing laptop, transferring data

myself | 10/22/07 | me

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

I've broken the screen on my PC laptop, and since the cost to repair/replace could be at least half the cost of a new laptop, I'm thinking of replacing it. I've never used a mac, and I don't need the stress of learning a new system at the moment lots going on right now.

We do photo editing, and bookkeeping for our business on this laptop. I also need advice on how to transfer the data and all my photo files -- at least a couple of thousand images. Used Alohabob once, and I do want to move everything, so that might work again. Problem -- can't see the screen -- can I attach an auxillary screen to the laptop? It's an avaretec.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Thanks.

[Perseverando]

If considering a new PC, ck out the latest Consumer Reports mag. They just did a review of laptops and desktops. I don't think HP faired too well in the laptop category.

I only scanned the article briefly, and need to read it more closely.

[Cold Heat]

I'd let the shop guys do it then. These laptops are as bad as video camera's to work on. Makes a PC look simple.

I just bought a new HP PC, they seem to have great service, but I doubt they have a very cheap laptop. I'm guessin around 800 bucks minimum. Dell has some cheap ones, but they are fraught with problems.

That Averetec is a pretty stout little computer for the price. There is not much in that price range that compares.

I have no knowledge of Apple's stuff, so I cannot help with that.

I have two cheap laptops in a bucket already, and that Averatec outlasted both of them and has withstood severe drops. I'd spend some money if I were to buy another. No more cheap ones for me, and get the service.

[ConservativeMind]

Your photo thing is the issue here. Otherwise, one of the cheapest laptops from BestBuy would be just fine, given enough memory. The speed of any of them is more than enough for all business items, especially if your hard drive is at least 5400 RPM (that stands for Revolutions Per Minute).

For photo editing, you ideally need more pixels than standard screens offer. Standard laptop screens typically offer 1280 x 800. The higher-end ones offer 1600 x 1200 or 1920 x 1200 (widescreen). These can be hard to find, but well worth it for large amounts of detail on a laptop screen. I wouldn't want to be without my 1600 x 1200 for Photoshop.

If you base your decision on my photo-editing suggestion, then you need to consider if you want a glossy screen or a anti-glare matte-type screen. Most screens are glossy now, with more saturation and brightness, but much more glare.

You can look at the higher-end Dell Inspiron for the high-resolution glossy screens of those resolutions and the Dell Latitudes (from the Dell Outlet, as you need a special business account to qualify to purchase them otherwise) for the high-resolution matte screens (it seems that business people don't like glare on their screens). I have a Latitude, in part, for this reason.

Other manufacturers have high-resolution screens, too. Look at your needs and determine your comfort level. On the Dells, you can purchase onsite service even with an onsite insurance policy such that even if you drop the computer and break it, it is still covered and replaced in a day or so. You are even covered world-wide with that policy. The cost is minimal, too, and you can get a very similar set of policies with the Latitudes.

Regardless, you havbe many options. Enjoy!

[KoRn]

"Any suggestions on a new laptop?"

I'm into laptops much. Just decide on how much money you want to invest and check out the manufacturer's sites to see which one will give you the most for your money.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Okay - thanks everyone -- you've been a great help.

[TChad]

I like Asus laptops. Actually I like pretty much everything I have purchased from Asus, they are a great company with high quality products. It is pronounced ah-seuss', not ay'sus.

As for your data, it might be easiest to remove the old hard drive, attach it to a desktop computer as a second hard drive, then burn your files to DVD-Rs and use that to transfer them to the new computer. That way you have a backup of the files.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Thanks -- I'll check that out.

The thought of burning and then transferring everything, though, is rather daunting. I have a flash drive, but I have dozens of photo files, some of which are 2 gigs or better.

[peteram]

So, everyone, if I decide I have to buy a new laptop, what do you recommend? Not too expensive

I just purchased a new laptop yesterday. I also do Photo editing. There was an article I read in either Popular Photography or Shutterbug that descrbed the ideal laptop for this type of work and they recommended these parameters:

Dual Core processor: Either Intel or AMD Turion
At least 1 GB of memory
At least 100GB hard drive
At least 128 MB Video memory
At least a CD burner (a DVD burner would be optimum)

Display size is up to you.

Hope that helps
FReegards!
Pete

[stylin19a]

Thanx...

I keep forgetting that most of laptops these days are the branded stuff and XP COA no CD installs which are restricted to that machine only.

It's doable with a retail XP version and a non-branded machine.

FYI
right now, MS is talking allowing only 1 transfer for the retail version of Vista.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Great -thanks for the info. I have Popular Photography but don't get Shutterbug.

[Echo Talon]

IF you want a PC get anything with the Core2Duo processor right now thats is the best... and obviously more memory is better... i'd say 2GB is the minimum that you would want right now.

[Echo Talon]

Take a look at the HP dv9000t laptops(if thats what you want a laptop)

Make sure you customize it to get the Core2Duo(dual core)... 2GB Ram... At least 100GB hard Drive... (check the free upgrade to DVD burner with lightscribe), you can get the blue tooth its only $10 more.. , nicer finish, microphone and webcam is $29... just customize it the way you see fit...

My brother has one very similar to this and loves it but it has the AMD Turion X2(Dual core), he got the web cam and microphone, TV tuner/remote, 2GB Ram, upgraded video card 512MB, WinXP Media Center... 240GB's of hard drive space...

here is a quick link to it here take a look

[Lurker]

My ThinkPad has been rock solid for more than 3 years.

It never, ever crashes.

L

[TChad]

The thought of burning and then transferring everything, though, is rather daunting. I have a flash drive, but I have dozens of photo files, some of which are 2 gigs or better.

If I were doing it without DVDs, I would probably just attach the old drive to an existing computer, then make a direct cable connection from the new laptop to the existing computer and copy the files. I always use a crossover ethernet cable for this sort of thing.

[Echo Talon]

if you can attach an external monitor to your laptop... i'd just to wal-mart,best buy or newegg.com and get an external hard drive... then just transfer the files that way... the external can also be used on your new laptop(they come in handy)

[A CA Guy]

Couldn't he put the laptop HD in one of those portable devices with a USB2 device that can connect to any PC to transfer the work?

Can be bought on sale real cheap I think.
Could later be used for backup and other things.

[Echo Talon]

yep

[RosieCotton]

The ones I saw, you could still see stuff on the screen...but it was really, really dim.

If that helps!

[Echo Talon]

I would rather have an real external though and not go this route with trying to stuck this into the enclosure... especially if the data is very precious. its would be safer to "back it up" on to an external then transfer it or as someone else said, copy it directly via crossover cable or network.