I'm looking to buy a new laptop and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions of the best model/brand to get for excellent Eclipse compatibility? I bought a Sony Vaio last year and have had nothing but problems with freezing or "encountering problems" and the computer needs to shut down during Interactive Realtime. About 90% of my jobs are where I'm hooking up to an atty's laptop with realtime and I have to have a very stable system. I've been troubleshooting for months and am ready to give up and buy a new computer (again). This time, I want to do my research to ensure I get the best computer for the job.
Help!
Thanks,
Sherri
I'm not trying to talk you out of a new computer because Lord knows if I want a new computer, I want it now! And I know that once you have a problem with a certain manufacturer, you're leery of buying it again. But I just want to say the my Sony Vaio has been absolutely great! I've had it for three to four years now and I love it. The sound quality is awesome. I can monitor the audiosync with headphones during realtime. I use USB connections for my writer and PCMCIA connection for LiveNote hookups. I'm just giving some love to Sony for anyone out there who was wondering. :)
Well, I've really been happy with the IBM Thinkpad laptops I've gotten through Eclipse. The first one lasted five years and my current one is two years old. It has a great internal microphone, no external needed. If Eclipse isn't selling them now, you can always get them from the website. Never had any problems with hookups. Good luck! Barb ;-)
I purchased a Toshiba Tecra S1 four years ago from Toshiba direct, with the 3-year no-fault warranty which I believe cost $99 at the time. I've loved the machine. Any repairs were handled at an authorized repair facility very close to my house (I'm 45 miles south of LosAngeles) It uses Centrino processor, which is very cool-running and the fan is rather quiet, when it does come on (rarely)
My daughter has a Toshiba Satellite, also with Centrino, but the fan is always running, very loudly.
S.A. Scott, CSR, SAS Depos
Is Fujitsu that much more reliable than a Dell? Dells are a lot less expensive. Anybody have experience with a Dell?
Yes. If you buy a Dell, buy a Latitude (business line) and not an Inspiron (home user). My personal experience with three different Latitude line computers has been great. From what I've heard and seen, Inspirons are not the way to go.
Laura
Yes, Inspiron is what I have, even though I told the sales rep that this was my business, my life. She assured me this is the way to go. So much for reps knowing what they're talking about! Wish I'd talked to Laura first. ☺
Where to begin? First of all, if you get a Dell, get a good warranty. Mine came with a four-year. Within the first year, I replaced the motherboard, the keyboard, and the power cord (twice). Before the third year was up, I'd replaced the motherboard again, the keyboard again, the power cord multiple times, and had a total hard drive failure. The external floppy drive was replaced twice before I just gave up on it. Others have had no problems, but my daugher's Dell, bought two months before mine, had similar issues, but hers wasn't worth fixing as it was out of warranty. These are both notebook computers. I have no experience with desktops at all.
Brenda
I bought my Fujitsu four years ago and it's still going strong, even with all that travel. I don't know what the new ones are like, but this is my second Fujitsu (first one was during Windows 3x) and, when I have to, I'm planning on buying another one (if not a Mac). I had a Vaio in between and hated it. Fujitsu's support is also great and it's easy to reach a person (Sony never seemed to want to talk to me). They also have really small computers that have combo drives, so you don't need a docking station to install software or watch movies. It aslo fits great on the tray table on planes and won't exceed your carry-on weight limit :).
Julie,
Which small Fujitsu are you using? Are you running XP? Is it running hot/fan noise?
Thanks
Elizabeth Campbell
Hi, Elizabeth.
It's the old P5020 model. It's so old that, recently, when I needed a new battery, I had to go through tech support to buy it..
It runs a little hot on the forward left of the computer (that's where the processor is). As long as I keep the computer directly off a solid surface, it stays cooler. Regular cool pads don't work because they're built to let air move through the back of the computer, but I have found ways around that. It is a Centrino, so it's supposed to run cooler and quieter than the regular models. I have this vague memory of adjusting my settings, when I first got the computer, to have the fan run less, but I have no recollection of how I did that. I really never hear the fan, unless my computer's bogged down, when I have too many heavy programs running at once and the computer has to make an extra effort.
Oh, yes, and I'm using XP. I'm trying to hold on to this computer until service pack 2 for Vista comes out.
Julie
I really don't think it's your computer that's the problem. Without knowing what exactly your problems are, I would say it's your connections that are the problem.
XP and USB connections/drivers are not great companions. There are lots of problems, and with different drivers/USB cables, you'll get different results. That was why I went to Stenocast because it bypasses the drivers. The problem with Stenocast, though, is that you have to download USB drivers onto the client computers, and there's always some massaging to do. I now just use ethernet cables because there's no compatibility issue to deal with, no downloads. Once the reporter does the first-time setup on her computer, connections are a breeze. I actually had two first-time clients connect to realtime in under one minute.
Vista is a major improvement on USB connections. But if you go Vista, expect to work out some kinks in other areas.
Whatever you do, don't buy a Gateway. We just purchased 3 of them. The 3 court reporters in this district transcribe the CD's that are recorded from the courtrooms that use electronic recording equipment. When I put any of these CD's into the new Gateway, I can't even hear them when I have the volume turned up all the way. Also, when recording using audiosync in court, the mic has to be right up next to the speaker to hear it when played back. I know it's the computer and not any other equipment because I'm using the same mic, etc., as I did with my older Gateway, and everything worked great with it. I've even gone back to using the old laptop. I've been through several techs, and now I'm dealing with one of the higher-up tech guys from Gateway, and he's at a loss as to what the problem is. I've wasted hours on the phone and by email trying to solve this. The tech gave me some nonsense bout it being new Windows' audio requirements that they had to install on their computers, so I went home and tried recording onto my husband's new Acer laptop, and it's very loud and clear. I also tried recording to and playing from a friend's new dell laptop, and it was also loud and clear. Therefore, I know it's a Gateway problem. I'm sending the laptop into the tech for him to look at, but since all 3 computers are having this problem, I'm guessing it's just the way they operate. I told him I'd let him try to fix it, but if I get it back and it's not, then Gateway's getting all 3 of them sent back!
Has anyone else experienced this same problem?
Thanks,
Melody
Yes, I hear great things about the Sony Vaio, and I have personal great experience with IBM and Toshiba Tecra laptops. I would buy any of those three.
I would NEVER touch a Gateway OR a Dell EVER because I have horror stories.
I found the Centrino processors to be quiet, too.
Your best bet is to find a computer where the repair place is local NOT MAIL IT TO WHEREVER. And you don't need all the bells and whistles like a super screen for a laptop which just requires more power. (I learned that the hard way.) I use my desktop for the bells and whistles and just get a workhorse for taking to depos daily.
I purchased three-year onsite service with my Gateway, and it was out of commission, not working and not in my hands, for OVER 3 months each time. And no tech ever came out. Yes, I could have sued for my money back on the service contract, but I don't have time for that nonsense.
Now I use a Toshiba Tecra and the service place is 5 miles away but I haven't ever had to go there.