Computer Geek Advice, Please: Laptop Edition.

[Seshat]

If travelling, do your backups onto USB sticks. Smaller than external drives and easier to carry around.

The important thing with backups is to DO them.

[Jester]

Jester, you can just use a plain backpack.

Sure I could. But I DO want one designed to hold and protect the laptop, which normal backpacks are not. And as a laptop is a far heftier investment than pretty much anything I keep in my normal backpack, I think I'll spend the money for the special one, thank you very much.

Go to a computer store such as Best Buy or others, and actually stand there and type on the keyboard.

Hard to do when there isn't one within 100 miles of me. No Best Buy. No Circuit City. No computer-specific store. We gots us a Radio Shack, and we gots us an Office Max....and that's IT. They may also have computers in the electronics sections of K-Mart and Sears, but I'm not sure, and not really sure if I would want to buy such a thing there. Sears, maybe. The K-Mart here is staffed by some of the dumbest people this side of Duhsville. Admittedly, I could do this when I am back home in Phoenix next month, but my goal is to actually HAVE my computer by then.

Make sure the laptop has Wireless protocols such as A/B/G and N if you can, Bluetooth and usb ports that are not on top of each other like this sign::: = when they sit that way, the thickness of the usb stick will interfere wit the other port...you'll only be able to use 1. You should have about 4 to 6 usb ports.

Is there a slot..PCIMCA (i think iirc)...on the left or right side, about as wide as a credit card and 1cm thick? You can put wireless air cards in there - if your carrier is ATT or Verizon, you could use that instead of a wired connection (meant for road warriors, but it's an option).

I literally understood pretty much none of this. Did I not mention that when it comes to computers I am pretty fucking stupid?

[fireheart]

I literally understood pretty much none of this. Did I not mention that when it comes to computers I am pretty fucking stupid?

In English, it's different ways of transferring data. Some laptops have the ability to connect wirelessly to different devices via Bluetooth (I've done it with my phone on occasion to transfer music)

Wireless protocols=basically means that you can access wireless internet just about anywhere. As far as the letters go....I'm a bit lost there, but if your laptop can access 802.11b and 802.11g at a minimum, you can access internet anywhere.

USB ports=basically the modern version of a hard disk drive, however you can fit multiple ones onto your laptop. My Toshiba Satellite has 4 ports, some can have 6. You can always increase this with a 4-way hub (basically it plugs into a USB socket, then you can plug other USB sticks into it).

Air carrier cards....not from the US, so I can't help you there. I do have one of those slots though.

Some laptops will also come with a slot just below the power buttons (in most cases), for an SD card, which is used frequently in cameras. So if you're transferring pictures, it saves a great deal of time rather than buying a card reader.

[Minneyar]

As far as backpacks go, this one looks nice and roomy: http://www.brenthaven.com/catalog-ex...-titanium.html
You can use a regular old backpack and toss your laptop in there, but I really like having some kind of padded compartment for the laptop to protect it from bumping into stuff or short drops. You could also just get a padded sleeve and keep it in there when it's in your backpack: http://www.brenthaven.com/catalog-al...html?case_type[sleeve]=sleeve

As far as keyboards go, it's tough to get an impression of what a keyboard is like online, although you can try searching Google for other peoples' impressions of particular models. If you use your laptop at a desk at home, you can always just get a USB keyboard. Plug that, a USB mouse, and your external monitor in, and you won't even notice you're still on a laptop. ;-) On that note, docking stations are highly overrated, in my opinion. The only thing they offer is there's only one thing to plug in (your laptop) when you sit down as opposed to three (a mouse/keyboard/monitor).

By the way, the type of slot Cutenoob was referring to is a PCMCIA slot, also called a PC Card. They're about as wide as a credit card and maybe three times as thick. Years ago they were fairly common on laptop as a mechanism for plugging in wireless cards, but they've become increasingly uncommon nowadays because every laptop has a 802.11g or n (aka WiFi) wireless card built into it. Cellular carriers sell cards you can insert their to access their data network while you're on the road. I don't really see a need for one, since having one just adds extra weight and size to a laptop and you can find a USB version of any peripheral you want to plug in.

[Der Cute]

Sure I could. But I DO want one designed to hold and protect the laptop, which normal backpacks are not. And as a laptop is a far heftier investment than pretty much anything I keep in my normal backpack, I think I'll spend the money for the special one, thank you very much.



I literally understood pretty much none of this. Did I not mention that when it comes to computers I am pretty fucking stupid?

Ok.
USB ports are small horizontal rectangles. They are ways to connect shit. Like Mouse, External Keyboard, USB sticks for storage...printers...hot chicks....
If you have usb ports in this setting == only ONE will work, since the casing on a usb stick is a slight bit larger than the port itself. ---= like that.

Wireless A/B/G/N -----ok, the most common ones now are B and G. N is more and more adapted.
If you go into a Starbucks, a Hotel, a WiFi Hot Spot - there is wireless to use. B G and N are different specs on speeds - that's ignorable. But you NEED to check the specs on the machine to ensure it can talk clearly. If you have an A/B on your laptop, it would only be allowed to use the B flavor anywhere.

Most common now are B and G and (sometimes N) so you need to read the specs on the machine (take our list of advice) it will list the Wireless Flavors it can use.


USB ports are NOT hard drives. Please do not use that.


USB ports are ways to connect external stuff. As I said, mouse, keyboard, usb sticks, external hard drives, printers, hot chicks... ANYTHING with a USB ending.
Go check out backpacks now. Some are actually built to house laptops. If you walk around in a place with a laptop carrying case, you are announcing you have a laptop. Not always smart. Have battery fully charged before leaving for airport. If you walk thru the airport, you'll see people sitting on the floor next to an electrical outlet. They're using that for the laptop.

This is a wireless carrier card: [URL=http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/devices/sierra-wireless-aircard-890.jsp[/URL] Stick it in the side where the slot's at, it can connect to a wireless carrier. you have to pay for that service. As I said, the road warriors use this. I'm explaining this because YOU might use it some time.

This is a wireless carrier USB stick: [URL=http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/devices/att-usbconnect-shockwave.jsp[/URL] Does the same jobby, but with a USB.

This is a wireless keyboard and mouse. Check the bottom right little pic - it's a USB stick to communicate with mouse and keyboard. This would be for desk use; if you decided you don't like the small keyboard, this would be an option.

You could even hook a little coffee cup warmer via USB. See? anything.

Bluetooth: a wireless a little different than Reg Wireless. Bluetooth likes to connect with very close items and can actually trade/show data. Not like wireless..that's just here to somewhere outside.
Bluetooth can SHARE the data - like a smartphone with bluetooth talking to a printer. Or a laptop. and you could transnfer data between them, and it's visible.

The newer the hardware, the more wireless it will be. Remember that.


OK for other people about wireless protocols:
A is the oldest, 54m /sec, but it was mostly used in business settings. Almost dead.
B is younger, 11m /sec, used almost everywhere. Around 1999.
G is newer, up to 54m/sec, used almost everywhere.
N is newest, up to 75 OR 150m/sec depending on setup.

Newer the letter, faster the speed. PERIOD.

BGN are the ones to have.


if you're still confuzzled, ask, ok?

[dalesys]

USB = Canadia, as a derivative of USA...

[fireheart]

O

USB ports are NOT hard drives. Please do not use that.


U

Whoops, I wrote that kinda late and I actually meant to say Floppy Disk Drive.

Although Jester, if you don't already own a USB stick, I'd suggest getting at least one at the minimum. The best brands out there are Verbatim and TDK, although Sandisk isn't too bad either. The one I use at the moment is a Verbatim 4GB Mini Flash drive-basically it's about as thin as a wafer and half the size of a normal USB-the information is printed on one side of the drive. VERY durable (if you bend them out too far, they're toast).

In terms of computer accessories, if you're uncomfortable using a touchpad, optical mice are cheap and easy to get these days and would be ideal. Most laptops and PC's come with a CD/DVD burner these days and would also be ideal for backing up EVERYTHING.

If/when you get it, I'd STRONGLY recommend putting avast! on there-doesn't take up much space and is pretty easy to use. It also self-updates every day. (it's free as well-my boyfriend set up his and mine to say "avast me hearties, yer blacklist of dangerous sea dogs be safely aboard" which is the pirate way of saying your virus database is up to date)

[Chromatix]

I understand how I can check out layout by trying out the keyboard, but how do I know if a particular laptop has bad mechanisms or build quality in their keyboards?

I was thinking, as I stated above, that I didn't think I really needed extra battery life. But as I was typing this, I thought of my upcoming trip to Phoenix. In airports and at bars I can plug in, of course, but on a long flight, if I want to use the laptop as an e-reader, a 3.5 hour battery life won't cut it. So, if I find the laptop I want but the battery life isn't there, is it possible to up the battery life with an add-on? And how much do those cost, ballpark-wise?

Keyboard: if it rattles or flexes or feels mushy when typing normally, it's badly made. You'll notice it.

Battery: many laptops can be given a bigger battery, or you can simply carry an identical spare around. Most will let you change the battery in sleep mode, so you only have a brief interruption in typing when one runs out. The important thing is that you get one with an accessible battery, and keep the spare charged - swap them every week, say.

(There are a few types which can fit two batteries simultaneously, but the only one I've seen in person is the old PowerBook G3.)

[Jester]

Still doing major thinking on all this, but am starting to think that I am going to buy BOTH a laptop AND a Kindle. Spoil myself for Christmas, as it were. Not completely set on that plan, but am giving it some serious consideration.

...if your laptop can access 802.11b and 802.11g at a minimum, you can access internet anywhere.]

And how do I find this out? Lemme guess....ask the salesperson?

USB ports=basically the modern version of a hard disk drive, however you can fit multiple ones onto your laptop. My Toshiba Satellite has 4 ports, some can have 6. You can always increase this with a 4-way hub (basically it plugs into a USB socket, then you can plug other USB sticks into it).

How many would I need?

You can use a regular old backpack and toss your laptop in there, but I really like having some kind of padded compartment for the laptop to protect it from bumping into stuff or short drops.

While the lazy part of me thinks that would be just fine, the smarter part of my brain knows that I am too much of a klutz to trust my laptop in a regular backpack without the padding. It's one thing when all you have in your backpack is clothes, pens, decks of cards, books, and pens. Major electronic investment? Yeah....I need the padding.

USB ports are small horizontal rectangles. They are ways to connect shit. Like Mouse, External Keyboard, USB sticks for storage...printers...

Good to know, and I kind of knew that already. And while I doubt I would be adding an external keyboard, I KNOW I will be adding an external mouse, as I HATE the mousepads that just about all laptops have.

hot chicks....

Now THAT'S my kind of peripheral!


If you have usb ports in this setting == only ONE will work, since the casing on a usb stick is a slight bit larger than the port itself. ---= like that.

If you walk around in a place with a laptop carrying case, you are announcing you have a laptop. Not always smart.

One of many reasons I would prefer a backpack case to a regular case. That and I have been carrying a backpack since junior high, so it is more natural for me anyways.

Have battery fully charged before leaving for airport.

Duh.

As I said, the road warriors use this. I'm explaining this because YOU might use it some time.

Yes. When I am on the road. Precisely why I would use it.

This is a wireless carrier USB stick: Does the same jobby, but with a USB.

So, what's the difference between the two, other than physical design?

You could even hook a little coffee cup warmer via USB.

That would be great....if I actually drank coffee.

Bluetooth: a wireless a little different than Reg Wireless. Bluetooth likes to connect with very close items and can actually trade/show data.

And the pragmatic advantage to each is....what?

if you're still confuzzled, ask, ok?

Pretty much what I do!

The good thing is that, when I get closer to actually buying the fucker, I can always harass my roommate the computer geek for advice.

Although Jester, if you don't already own a USB stick, I'd suggest getting at least one at the minimum.

This is basically a flash drive, right? A drive you can carry around with you, say on a keychain, that you can just plug into your laptop? Or am I thinking of something completely different. (Obviously no, I don't already own one....)

In terms of computer accessories, if you're uncomfortable using a touchpad, optical mice are cheap and easy to get these days and would be ideal.

Absolutely planning on adding on a "real" mouse.

Battery: many laptops can be given a bigger battery, or you can simply carry an identical spare around.

I would almost definitely buy a spare battery, because even if I have great battery life in the laptop, you never know. As they say, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[Andara Bledin]

And how do I find this out? Lemme guess....ask the salesperson?

It'll be on the spec sheet for the laptop you're looking at, along with things like drive space and memory size.

How many would I need?

It depends on what you end up doing. I'd want two, at a minimum, spaced enough apart to use both at once, because one is going to be in use for the mouse at all times. Other uses for USB slots include hooking up cameras, printers, desktop fans, phone chargers, game chargers, desktop toys, etc, etc, etc.

So, what's the difference between the two, other than physical design?

I don't know about the difference, but depending on your carrier and plan, I do know that they can be quite expensive to use.

That would be great....if I actually drank coffee.

It could also be used to keep mulled cider warm, too, you know.

This is basically a flash drive, right? A drive you can carry around with you, say on a keychain, that you can just plug into your laptop?

Yup. Also commonly called a thumb drive. Amazingly useful, and the prices continue to drop like stones. I have half a dozen of the things kicking around.

Boyfriend has one shaped like a poker chip. I have one that was part of the StarCraft II Collector's Edition that looks like a space marine dogtag and had the first game and expansion on it.

My regular use one is a plain Kingston 4g with retractable interface.

I would almost definitely buy a spare battery, because even if I have great battery life in the laptop, you never know. As they say, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Definitely check into how easy it is to replace the battery as well. Some are less complicated than others.

^-.-^

[Jester]

It depends on what you end up doing. I'd want two, at a minimum, spaced enough apart to use both at once, because one is going to be in use for the mouse at all times. Other uses for USB slots include hooking up cameras, printers, desktop fans, phone chargers, game chargers, desktop toys, etc, etc, etc.

Don't really do the gaming thing, don't see why I would plug my phone into my computer when I can just as easily plug it into the wall, plan on having a wireless printer replace my (useless and broken) current printer, don't have a digicam, don't think I need a desk fan (love my ceiling fan!), don't have any (electronic) desktop toys....the only thing I can think of would be to upload/download files between the laptop and the desktop.

[QUOTE=Andara Bledin;842802]It could also be used to keep mulled cider warm, too, you know.[/quote[

Mmmmm.....hot mulled cider with rum......mmmm.....

[Gravekeeper]

Avoid anything that says Win 7 Starter as an OS too ( Lot of laptop companies like to use it to keep the price point down ). You want a full version of Win 7. Starter has too many limitations and you'd likely end up having or wanting to upgrade it.

I will concur with every other opinion: HP bad. ( But their printers good ). Acer or Toshiba are good options. Sony builds laptops like they build, well, everything else, unnessacarily expensive. If you go the Netbook route ( The upper sized ones do have near full sized keyboards and 12-13 inch screens ), the ever persistent eeePC is always a good bet. Tough little bastards, but light. Plus they usually come with a protective case/sleeve.

Don't worry too much about storage. Even Netbooks sit around 160gb on the low end now. With the average laptop sitting around the 250-500gb range. Even on my main gaming PC here I haven't used more than 200gb.

Remember you can always order a second battery too if battery life is a problem. Most companies put rather generous estimates of battery life on the specs, frankly. You can probably expect to get a half hour less than it actually says. Since power consumption is based on system load and companies tend to go by "general use". Which doesn't include watching videos for extended periods.

Crap, work time. >.>

[Jester]

...the ever persistent eeePC is always a good bet. Tough little bastards, but light.

Okay, ya lost me here. What's a eeePC?!?

You can probably expect to get a half hour less than it actually says. Since power consumption is based on system load and companies tend to go by "general use". Which doesn't include watching videos for extended periods.

Usually the only times I watch videos for extended periods are in my DVD player. I.e., movies. I (almost) never watch videos for a long time on my computer. And doubt I would be watching videos much at all when traveling. Just not my thang.

Crap, work time. >.>

Say what? Thought you had "weeks" of vacation time?

[Mytical]

I even advise Win 7 pro MINIMUM..in case you want to play older games

[fireheart]

And how do I find this out? Lemme guess....ask the salesperson?

Should be on the spec sheet like other people have said.

How many would I need?

4 is probably the best at a minimum. If you're using an optical mouse, that takes up one slot, if you're charging up anything that requires a USB cable (i.e. mp3 player) that makes 2.

One of many reasons I would prefer a backpack case to a regular case. That and I have been carrying a backpack since junior high, so it is more natural for me anyways.

If you have them in the US, Targus is the brand I use and it's awesome. They do make a backpack, which I use.

So, what's the difference between the two, other than physical design?

Pretty much physical design I guess.

That would be great....if I actually drank coffee.

There are other peripherals you can get that connect to your USB ports. ThinkGeek.com has some great ones, examples include: aromatherapy oil burner, drum desk top kit and a DJ turntable

This is basically a flash drive, right? A drive you can carry around with you, say on a keychain, that you can just plug into your laptop? Or am I thinking of something completely different. (Obviously no, I don't already own one....)

Yes it is. THere are about a billion different designs on the market. The one I currently use is this one
so I'm not accidentally kicking it and causing it to get bent out of shape.