Looking at Dell laptops, need help plz..sm
Posted By: Bitterrooter on 2007-06-08
In Reply to:
I am going to purchase my first laptop with Dell but have no clue which one to get. I will be working from home with it so I am not too concerned with wireless internet connection and all that. Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks
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I've had two dell laptops and 5 Dell PCs. Here's the thing...
Make sure you get the extended warranty, again, MAKE SURE YOU GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. And, here is why.
My first laptop went out on my, though it was a couple of years old. Because I had the extended warranty, a service tech came to my house, replaced motherboard, hard drive, heat sink, and keyboard. He was able to back up everything first and restored it once all the new stuff was in place.
One of my PCs kept giving some weird blue screen error and I couldn't get to go even in safe mode. I called up Dell, told them the problem, they looked up my extended warranty and they sent someone out to repair it.
Overall, I have been happy with Dell products. The only drag is that everything Dell sells regarding accessories is proprietary and you have to order it through Dell. No generic accessories will work. My suggestion is if you decide to buy a Dell laptop, make sure you get the car power supply and you might even get a 2nd regular power supply because I have been known to leave town and forget the power supply at the house. Now, I have everything in my laptop bag for when I go out of town and can just throw my laptop in the bag and know everything is there.
Lastly, some Dell laptops require a special aircard to connect to the internet. I ended up getting a 2 cabled USB air card and I'm glad I did because 2 USB plug ins give better reception than one.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. I'm happy to help.
RUN FROM DELL LAPTOPS
Ish will never by a Dell again!!!
I just got my 5th Dell---have 2 laptops and 3 desktops - sm
My laptop which I bought used about 5 years ago has been acting up for about a year, so expect it to die soon, so bought a new/used Dell laptop to replace that (use for travel only basically). My desktop crashed last year, got it fixed, bought a backup though about 8 months ago to replace that one. My everyday one finally died right after Christmas. On my backup desktop used Dell now, but this is supposed to be my younger daughters computer (and just my backup for emergencies); so I went and ordered a new Dell last week (with XP though), just got it and plan on setting it up over the weekend. I am very happy with the Dell product. My first one lasted 6 years, my used laptop is about 8 years old and still going though it is dying, my new/used laptop is about 2 years old and in great shape; my backup is also about 2-3 years old but I expect it will last longer than 6 years as it will not be abused like my regular desktop. I am sure I will be happy with the new one. I had a Gateway before and it died after 4 years, so I find Dell more reliable.
I've searched and not all Dell laptops have the parallel port.
So I just wanted to check to see more specifics from those who have. Thanks.
Go do Dell.com and click on laptops. To the far right is an icon that says "looking for Windows
If you click on that, they offer computers that have XP on them already. I have not checked into this, but the prices listed are the same as for Vista computers. You might check it out, and let us know if it is legitimate. Good luck.
STAPLES is now carrying Dell PCs, laptops, exclusive retail agreement. nm
Paradox
I have both a Dell Latitude Laptop and a Dell Dimension desk top PC and bought both...
off of Ebay. The laptop I paid $300 for had Windows XP and works great. It wasn't wireless, but they sent me a PCI card with it and it works fine. The desktop PC has XP on it as well and I paid $250 for it. Both have Pentium IVs. Both work great for work. I have no complaints and I feel like I got a great deal both times out on Ebay.
Company provides a Dell for work, I have a Dell for personal use, too.
x
Dell customer service is overseas. I have had a Dell, a
Toshiba Satellite, and an HP. The Dell was a piece of junk from day 1. The HP hard drive crashed after 4 to 5 years, but otherwise no problems. I bought a Toshiba about 6 months ago and it is okay, nothing special. I was looking at the Sony Viao and the salesman said that some laptops are made to be portable, but that the Sony was not one of them, but the Toshiba was. My keyboard also has a numerical pad on it, but it throws the other keys off a bit, so when I'm in a portable mode and don't have room for an external keyboard it really slows me down. I have a Duo Core processor and notice no difference whatsoever in speed, the number of programs I can have open, etc. I have also noticed that even when I am not on battery power that every so often the battery is charging. I don't know if this is a defect or something that is supposed to happen, but I need to investigate it.
I don't like Dell. I bought a Dell laptop and it
was a piece of junk, so I'm not the one to ask if you should buy a Dell. I'd get at least double that processor speed. My computer is about 10 months old and I have 5 times that, which means that there is probably something faster out now, or soon will be. It is more than I need for work, but I also use computer to download music/pictures, and a bunch of other stuff. The Dell I had had 650 mHz and it was slow and that was almost 6 years ago. You may have to customize anyway to get XP unless you buy one previously owned, which you can also buy from Dell. It is always a good idea to buy bigger than you need currently just to allow for updates to any software or new software you may add. You need to also think about tech support. I know Dell has tech support in India, which can be extremely frustrating. I don't know that other computer companies don't offshore their tech support, but that would be a question I would ask and find out if there is a locally authorized dealer to handle warranty repairs or if you need to send off the computer. I would not recommend a Gateway computer and I would not recommend any computer that has a Celeron processor. They tend to be in all the lower end computers.
Buy a Dell!! You can't go wrong with a Dell but
I bought an Emachines and had trouble with it from day one. I returned it, as the store I bought it from a six month return policy, so I returned it after about five months. I bought a Dell two years ago and have had no problems since!! Buy a Dell, you won't be sorry!! :)
I am not a Dell lover. My Dell has been
a lemon. I just replaced mine with a Toshiba Satellite and I have seen a few others here recommend this. Dell's customer service is in India. The only thing I dislike about my Toshiba is that because it also has a number keypad the shift key is in a different position than I'm used to and I end up deleting and retyping when I use the laptop keyboard. I normally use an external keyboard, but I travel a lot and try to work on the road and just don't have space for an external keyboard.
Where did you hear that everything you buy for a Dell has to be from Dell?
I have LOTS of peripherals on both my laptop and desktop Dells and they certainly didn't come from Dell. You've been misinformed.
I love my Dells.
Laptops sm
I would appreciate knowing how much memory the laptop needs, as mine is pretty slow. My desktop has more than enough, so could I plug my laptop into the tower of my desktop? Sounds crazy, but I would not have to move the monitor, just the tower case if I'm going to be at another location, that in itself would be so very helpful. Is this possible? Have USB ports available on both. Also (dumb question) do you use a footpedal or function keys? 
for those of you using laptops
I've been looking into getting one for my son who's going off to college - which ones do you use and are happy/not happy with? Thanks!
Laptops
Do any of you work on a laptop and how do you like it? Which one do you have? What do you consider the pros and cons? Thanks
laptops
We bought our son a Toshiba, satellite series laptop 3 years ago and it is a good one, added memory to it also, hope our luck continues with it.
Laptops
A laptop will work FINE with ANY platform including Dictaphone ExText -- I have had mine since 2006 and it is an HP and I run XP Pro on it with Word 2000 -- I also purchased a four hub USB port to plug into my bottom USB port and have four available ports for my other devices -- I also run a Sprint USB card on my laptop and have NO problems whatsoever -- also, for you people that want to know about "wireless" -- if you DONT have a wireless network setup at home be it a laptop or desktop it WILL NOT work!!!! If you have a neighbor that has a wireless network, if it is a private network, you wont be able to access it -- people want the convenience of a laptop and "thinking they can work outside" -- think about battery life etc -- my laptop is plugged in just like a desktop would be and NEVER outside -- also, being outside half the time you cannot see the screen -- wireless keyboard and mouse as well for comfort and footpedal to work with -- think about you "home setup" before buying a laptop cause it may be more headache than it is worth
laptops
I use my laptop and my cell phone as internet connection. I do not use the card slot for the PC but am Bluetooth directly to connection with internet.. I have used my laptop while in the car, hubby driving, of course. It is really great. I use an external keyboard so that does slow me down in the car when i use the keyboard from the laptop but if I need to begin my weekend early I can and travel for the last few hours of my shift
Laptops
Laptops now have just as much memory, hard drive size, and use the same CPUs as desktop or tower computer systems.
Also, the Acer (or other brand) you get from Walmart is identical to the one you'll buy from an electronics store...and you'll pay more.
The only reason I'd go to an electronics store is if I needed something installed on the system, like additional memory or a different operating system than the one that comes "standard" (Vista Home Premium for Acers and many others now) or something like that. And, even if I needed something like that I probably would just order it with whatever "customizations" I needed directly from the company over the Internet.
Advantage of Laptops?
Another poster asked how many MTs use laptops, and that got me wondering what the advantage to a laptop would be. I understand traveling, but it sounds like some use it for home.
I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm trying to figure out how I can transcribe outside on the back deck with a C-phone and computer (I live in a rural area). I guess a laptop, extension cords, and moving with the sun would probably be logical, but are there any problems with that scenario that anyone can think of? Does anyone have any other ideas for outdoor transcription? I get kind of lonely during the day, so I thought the outdoors might help. Also, work wants me to transcribe 2 hours before breaking! Even though I'm new with this company, I haven't met that goal yet. Thought I would try some new scenery, if it's possible! ');>![](https://forum.mtstars.com/smileys/thankyousign.gif")
More about laptops, would you share?
What brand do you have? What specs, actual screen size, hard drive, RAM, ports? Do you have a parallel port for your foot pedal? Do you have a docking station? I'm looking and am curious what everyone else is using.
should not use laptops on laps....sm
Read months ago in news articles that men should not use laptops on their laps due to radiation to their male body parts and affecting sperm counts...
it can be googled for verification
I have 2 laptops, 1 in case something happens to the other, but
99% of the time I have used the same laptop the entire time. I do work full-time and until recently worked 7 days a week, so it has gotten lots of use. I've also traveled quite a bit with my laptop so it has taken lots of wear and tear.
laptops are no different than desktops.
You most likely won't have a serial port or game port connection on a laptop unless you have it customized, but there will be several USB ports and most everything these days comes with USB connections. There will be a place for headphones on any computer. As far as the rest of the stuff it is the same and you would look for the same things as if you were buying a desktop. I was told recently though that the Sony Viao run hot and that they weren't really made for a mobile type situation.
If you want to travel you have to know all your internet options because you'll find yourself in various situations and your primary option may not be available for some reason, so you always have to have a backup plan.
Opinion on laptops.....sm
Would anybody mind telling me which type of laptop pc they prefer....Toshiba vs. HP, type of processor etc. that they prefer ex.AMD, core duo etc. Considering getting myself one but there are so many out there with so many different specs it is getting quite confusing. You are welcome to e-mail if you wish. I would appreicate any input that I can get to help sort it all out.
Thank you so much......
speaking of laptops
how do you sit outside when you need a foot pedal?? laptop knowledge is sort of new to me also. Thanks!!
I use laptops exclusively...sm
I have used a laptop exclusively for years and years and have never had a problem with the screen. I currently have an HP with a 17" screen and keep it constantly during the week. It is about a year old and is just fine. My old one that is for personal use is still going strong after 3-1/2 years.
Any advice on laptops? sm
I'm searching for a laptop to use occasionally. I have a Dell desktop, but have heard some bad things about their laptops. A friend did tell me that Acer has a good reputation for their laptops.
Any/all advice appreciated.
Laptops - I am clueless!
Sorry if this is a really dumb question but are all laptops equipped for headsets and foot pedals? I hate all my wires and am considering going with a laptop and wireless connection to do my work but I'm not sure if you can plug in your foot pedal and headset? 
Laptops and traveling
I have two accounts that I work on. My account during the week we don't have strict times, just a time you have to have files done by, so that does allow for a little more ease. On the weekend I cover for a small 50 bed hospital, so sometimes I may have 20 files, sometimes I may have 2. The one on the weekend has a special footpedal that you can only use with their program, but it really isn't that awkward in the car. The one during the week I can use a foot pedal or use F2 to start/stop, F3 to rewind, F4 to FF. At first I was a little slow with this but now I don't find my speed any different with using F2 or with the foot pedal.
It takes some getting used to, but where i live it takes forever to get somewhere, and it's really nice to be able to get some work done. I actually got to make some extra money the other day. My mom drives for a trucking company and they needed someone to take her to get her truck. So she drove my truck to go get it (about an hour away) and I worked the whole time. Got paid a $100 bucks to ride in my truck and work! Of course that was like a one time deal.
The best for me though is getting to go to Florida and visit my dad who is 6 hours away. I can still take my work and work on the road with a pc card (about $60 a month) and not have to take time off. Just have to make sure you discipline yourself to work and not chat with hubby! :)
Like I said, it takes some getting used to, but it comes in handy!
Employees Using Laptops
If you are working from home as an employee, do any of you have employers who allow you to use laptops? If so, does the company provide those, or are you required to buy your own?
working on laptops
How nice for the MTs out there who can work on their laptops. At Amphion you work from their computer. I tried to be able to get to work on my laptop and got shut down, confidentiality reasons, etc. I only wish I could go outside or be more comfortable than my desk and chair setup. I bet I would be much more productive. Anyone from Amphion who is working on their laptop please let me know how, I would really appreciate it.
Verizon has a card for laptops (sm)
$60 a month for unlimited high speed access from anywhere you can get a signal. I have a Verizon cell phone and get pretty good coverage with it.
problem with laptops is ergonomics...sm
o.k. to do a little here and a little there but can't imagine putting in 6-8 hour days routinely. The keyboards are just too small and set too far back. Plus are you balancing it on your knees at Starbucks or what? For heavy production, you need a good chair and desk set up. Tempting to have one to carry around though and jump on line now and then while at the football game...
RE: For those of you who use laptops - where do you do most of your work, i.e. in a recliner (sm)
at a desk, at the kitchen table, etc.?? Just curious. I'm serious wanting a laptop so I don't have to be chained to this desk
Notebook/Laptops with calculator key pad?
I am in search of the brands of notebook/laptops that have the calculator key pad on the keyboard. I really do not want to have to buy a separate calculator key pad to carry around along with the headphones and a foot pedal. So, can you all tell me which brands have the calculator key pad already on the keyboards? Thanks MT Mom
HP laptops come with keypads. Mine and DH's both have one....sm...
Not all HP's have them. Ours do though. I use an ergo keyboard plugged in via USB though when I'm doing transcription. I just got mine in January so they probably still have some.
laptops and foot pedals
Hi. could you explain a little further how the hot keys works versus foot pedal? thanks for helping me out. I feel so out of it with some of this.
Docs with laptops instead of recording sm
It's happening, docs typing in only what they feel necessary as they see you and your PMH only as necessary, you may have been through a lot in the past but don't think they care, they only want what they can efficiently store & do themselves. That's a fact! It's sad!
Laptops and foot pedals
I just discovered that the foot pedal I use with Bayscribe does not fit into my laptop! The foot pedal has a 9-pin connection and the laptop has mostly only USB portals. I don't want to buy a new foot pedal. Is there any sort of adapters or some other way to make this work?
Laptops and Satellite/Wireless Internet
Does anybody work off a laptop and have a wireless or satellite internet connection? Just wondering because we'd like to do some traveling and it would be nice to be able to work also and not have to use so much PTO time, etc?
All internet-based accounts & laptops...sm
Excuse me for being so dense about this, but what kind of laptop and internet connection do you all get that enables you to work outdoors or on the road? Can this work for anybody on any internet-based account? Do you just plug your foot pedal in your laptop, hook up to internet (but how do you connect to the internet when you are outside or camping?) and go to work. If someone could explain this to me in detail, I would very much appreciate it. TIA
Been using a laptop only for 7 years now. Some laptops aren't
meant to be mobile, at least that what a salesman told me. I was looking at the Sony Viao and he said there weren't really meant to be mobile, at least not as their main function. Get a good padded case, use an external keyboard. Anything you get off the shelf these days should be enough for you to work on. I'd get one that had a DVD player just in case you want to watch movies while traveling. I'd get a minimum of 512 RAM, preferably twice that.
With all the back to school sales now is a good time to be buying a laptop. Also, if your state has a tax-free weekend (ours is this weekend) you can save another $200.
I'd make sure you had enough USB ports to plug in everything you need. You can always buy a USB hub for $20 or less if you need more.
Be sure and get the extended warranty. If you need repairs it will pay for itself the first time.
Whatever you get don't get Vista. It might be hard to find one without it unless you order it. I'm not sure if you can dump Vista and install Windows or not.
Whatever you get give yourself a couple of weeks to try it out at home and make a check list of all you need to take with you. I've traveled and left my external keyboard at home, I've left the adapter to convert my PS/2 keyboard to USB, and I think I even left my power cord once, so it is good to have a checklist so you don't forget stuff.
When I upgrade my Stedman's I get the electronic ones so when I travel I have them on my computer and don't have to worry about carrying my books, or not being able to look things up if I don't have constant internet access.
We have a few Acer laptops in our family. No probs. nm
s
You could start by reading other posts re: laptops on this board.
Click on "See Related Messages" in your OP.
Vista is on all the new laptops, no problem, support will guide you through. nm
.
I am happy with mine...the price was right and it works just fine. No need for pricey laptops IMO.
nm
Yep. I have a couple docs that use laptops and some that prefer Palm Pilots, but they all point and
My Dell
My computer is an Inspiron 5150... it ran about $1200 and I have had it going on 3 years now. Probably more computer than I needed, but I figure if you can afford it try to get the best, especially since I use it mainly for work and got a tax write off for it. Mine has a CD burner and other stuff which I probably could have done without, but I have been very happy with it. 
Dell
You should have gone to Best Buy or somewhere and gotten an E-machine. Superior computer, best sound quality, fantastic amount of RAM, top of the line. Second one for me, have had nothing but success. First one still going strong after 6 years and 1 lightning strike. I think they're now merged with Gateway, but no matter, still the best.
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