laptop advice

**crokett** · 11-01-2007, 11:17 AM

I'd go with a Lenovo (formerly IBM) Thinkpad, especially if you travel. I've used a T40 daily for the last 4 years and it is a tank. It has survived 6 falls from the coffee table onto the floor in the last 4 months.

**Tequila** · 11-01-2007, 11:23 AM

I shopped around a lot last year for a laptop that had a built in numpad. HP, Toshiba, and Fujitsu were pretty much it at the time - not sure if there's more out there now. I was looking for a desktop replacement, so I wanted a 17" screen - not the best option for travel, since those things are HEAVY.

I went with the HP dv9000 series. It gets more abuse than it should, and so far it's only suffered one key that's popped off. A year of full accident coverage ran an additional $99, so that will be getting repaired in the very near future.

Are you sure you NEED the built in number pad? If not, you get a lot more options you can look at. You can use a full sized keyboard when you dock it, and there are plenty of USB-attached number pads available for under $40 that you can use when you travel.

And to comment on Crockett's message, I have a work-issued IBM thinkpad (model T42) that has held up to years of travel and abuse. No number pad, the touchpoint took some getting used to, and the price is higher than you'd expect, but it is definitely the most rugged laptop I've ever used.

**Jeffrey Schronce** · 11-01-2007, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by Tequila

I shopped around a lot last year for a laptop that had a built in numpad. HP, Toshiba, and Fujitsu were pretty much it at the time - not sure if there's more out there now. I was looking for a desktop replacement, so I wanted a 17" screen - not the best option for travel, since those things are HEAVY.

I went with the HP dv9000 series. It gets more abuse than it should, and so far it's only suffered one key that's popped off. A year of full accident coverage ran an additional $99, so that will be getting repaired in the very near future.

Are you sure you NEED the built in number pad? If not, you get a lot more options you can look at. You can use a full sized keyboard when you dock it, and there are plenty of USB-attached number pads available for under $40 that you can use when you travel.

And to comment on Crockett's message, I have a work-issued IBM thinkpad (model T42) that has held up to years of travel and abuse. No number pad, the touchpoint took some getting used to, and the price is higher than you'd expect, but it is definitely the most rugged laptop I've ever used.

I have HP 17" DV9000 series as well. Only had it about 6 months but it has taken some pretty rough handling. I actually transport my laptop quite a bit. There is a nice Targus bag that fits it perfectly. I have the DV9205. They are selling at Frys and other places for around $600 right now. 17" monitor and it has a connection for external monitor which you can use as a primary or secondary and as an extension or mirror image. I have mine connected to a 20.1" Dell and use the Dell as primary and laptop screen as an extension. This unit has wireless G, comes with 1mg of memory, though I upgraded to 2 GB. Took about 3 minutes and cost $40 after rebates from Circuit City. Includes 80gb hard drive. Includes number pad, though in the office you will want to use a regular keyboard and mouse.

As far as "beat the crap out of it" toshiba has its "work tough" line or something like that. Two of my adjusters have them. They are overpriced, vastly. You are an accountant, not a on site construction project manager! I know you are trying to man up and everything being as how you are an accountant . . . .

**Russianwolf** · 11-01-2007, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by Jeffrey Schronce

As far as "beat the crap out of it" toshiba has its "work tough" line or something like that. Two of my adjusters have them. They are overpriced, vastly. You are an accountant, not a on site construction project manager! I know you are trying to man up and everything being as how you are an accountant . . . .

But
I'm a West Virginia Accountant...... we are a different breed.

(go ahead and poke fun at that)

I have one of the USB 10 keys for my previous laptop. When I work on the train it is VERY annoying. So, no, I don't want to go that route.

My traveling is 99% train commuting, so nothing major. As long as it can survive bumping up the curb in my travel bag, we're good. (unless of course I have to use it to smack Jeffery up side the head)

**Jeffrey Schronce** · 11-01-2007, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by Russianwolf

But
I'm a West Virginia Accountant...... we are a different breed.

I have one of the USB 10 keys for my previous laptop. When I work on the train it is VERY annoying. So, no, I don't want to go that route.

(unless of course I have to use it to smack Jeffery up side the head)

WV? Oh, then you mean 9 key. You know because it only has 9 keys because of the inbreeding and everything. BLAHAHAHAHA!

Again, the Targus would come in handy for smacking up side the head.

**movnup** · 11-01-2007, 01:15 PM

For another perpsective take a look @ CNET.com for reviews & editor picks by use / budget / lowest cost available on-line, etc. I work in the industry (software side) and I would not buy anything computer related personally or corporate without looking there first.

It's a very robust site and is one of the first go to sources for people working in the valley (silicon) or here in Seattle ....

**KenBurris** · 11-01-2007, 01:26 PM

Dell Vostro 1700
$799 - 17" - built-in keypad 7.6 lbs.
don'y have one - just searched for you
$659 & up from Dell Outlet(refurb with full warranty)

I guess you got a new job? - congrats.

**Hellrazor** · 11-01-2007, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by Russianwolf

But
I'm a West Virginia Accountant...... we are a different breed.
(go ahead and poke fun at that)

Are you sure you need a full keypad to count teeth? I figure anything over 5 is overkill

I have a Lenovo 3000 N100.. but it doesn't have a keypad.

**dkerfoot** · 11-01-2007, 05:41 PM

I'd second the vote for a ThinkPad, but I'd probably avoid the 3000 series. I sold quite a few IBM/Lenovos at one point. They really are built to higher standards. Also, Lenovo has a really slick application that protects your hard drive from being jostled while running.

Laptop hard drives fail at least 10x more often than desktop hard drives. They are much more fragile (due to small size) and a laptop lives a hard life compared to a desktop. Be sure you figure in a good backup system.

Finally, laptops are the only electronic equipment I recommend buying a three year warranty for. They do fail and when they do, they nearly always need a new LCD or motherboard. Figure $300 - $500 for the part, plus labor. Get at least a 3 year, next day service warranty. I have made a lot of money off of people who didn't.

**Tom Slick** · 11-01-2007, 06:18 PM

My Dad is a CPA and I think he has an HP with a 10 key that he bought for $900-$1000 a year ago. he had to call them an ask about an inexpensive model with a 10 key and the one he bought isn't normally listed in their ads.

**JimD** · 11-02-2007, 06:21 PM

I use a lenovo X60. I has no drives built-in but has a CD/DVD in its docking station. I got it because it was the lighter of the two options my company offered me. I use it both at work and at home. At work it is in the docking station but I do not use a separate keyboard or monitor although a lot of my co-workers do. It does not even have a completely full sized keyboard so it obviously has no separate keypad for numbers. It uses the jkl keys for 123, uio for 456 and numbers 789 for 789. M is 0. I do not know how well this would work for an accountant but it seems like a very similar layout. I find it fast enough for Word and Excel. It can use 2G of memory but mine only has 512, I think I need to upgrade because it slows down noticably when I have a half dozen applications going at once. I am using it with the built in wireless to write this.

Jim

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