I can't find Marcie's old laptop thread; so I will have to start a new one. Karen and John (and any other computer whiz-kids) - please help me on this issue. I am thinking of getting a laptop to use on our cruises. But can they be used for all of these things: watching our videos from Pat's new video camera (it has a USB connection cord); downloading my digital camera photos onto either disk or the hard drive; and watching DVD movies while we wait at airports. I would get a wireless enabled laptop so that whenever RSSC becomes WiFi, it will work to send messages via the internet. Any suggestions on best brand and model?? I need a fairly decent-sized keyboard; so a very small model won't work for me. I have a Dell Latitude at work which I carry on business trips; but I hate the small keyboard (at the office, I port it and use a standard keyboard). We people with fat fingers just cannot easily use those small keyboards - I end up hitting all the wrong keys, even when I am sober!! And after a long business dinner with lots of good vino, it is a major typing disaster... Thanks in advance for your good counsel. Fred

Freddie, I won't be much help as I don't use a laptop.
I did research them a bit for you and here is CNET\'s top 10 laptops.

I also found Marcie's laptop post and you can access it here.

Freddie,

If you are using it mostly for travel and not for work, buy the least expensive but reliable with a minimum of what you need. On the cruise it's not likely to be stolen, but, in a hotel it could be a different story. Make sure you burn cd's of your valuable photos.

Freddie - maybe something like this?

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/pro...ook4_2?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Masaki

Kathy has a good point. I never worried about my laptop on a cruise. The door always locked and only a few staff members have access. But in a hotel people wonder why I bring my laptop and camera to dinner with me.

Masaki- That's a good system. Just needs MS office and Virus protection.

I guess I could be in for a rude awakening one day, but I've left my laptop in a ton of hotel rooms without a thought. I'm waiting until closer to PARTY to see if I can replace the ship-provided computer in our suite with my own; if I can't, I'll leave it home, but I surely would love to have it. I don't need it for picture storage because I bought that wonderful storage gadget from Epson.

Hi Freddie - A laptop can be used for all the things you mentioned. Let me preface this by saying I'm somewhat biased here, because I sell laptops. I used to buy Dell products, but I got really frustrated with their customer support which has been outsourced to India. When I need repair work, I had to spend a long time on hold and often call back until I could get someone who was able to veer from their script and address my issue.

I now sell laptops that are put together locally here in Portland, Oregon. They are a multinational corporation, but their headquarters are based here. When I need service I don't have to hold forever to speak to someone and I get excellent service. If you're interested, you can send me a private message and I'll give you more details.

The last thing I'll say is that I would recommend you get a Centrino processor, also called Intel M. The battery will last longer with this processor and the laptop will not get as warm if it's actually in your lap. For a long flight, if you plan to watch movies the entire flight, you'll probably still need an extra battery.

Hope this helps.

Lis

Friends - Thanks enormously for all the good info. After spending some time today at Comp USA (and getting a major confusion headache from all the choices), I've decided that with only three weeks to go before PIP, I simply do not have time to organize and learn a new computer. So we will just have to wait until we get home to watch Pat's videos; and I will continue to burn my digital photos onto CD's using the little portable burner I have taken on the last couple of cruises. Lis, when I start looking again (I will want to get something before our Silver Whisper cruise in November), I will contact you again. (I just sent you a private message.) Thanks. Fred

I too have left my laptop in hotel rooms without giving it much thought in the past. Never had one stolen yet. Not to say that it might not happen on the next hotel stay. :D

I also have to admit that Dell's current customer service leaves something to be desired.

Masaki

Dell has a $750 off coupon on their Inspiron notebooks. It does not appear to be advertised on their website, but you can find the code at gotapex.com. Pretty sweet deal...I just ordered one for myself.

Fred:

I don't know about you but I think Pat would like this one:

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c...p;sel=0&rcid=-26367&ccid=1291021

G-15.

Penny has a Toshiba laptop...a two-year old model of above that I am now using and she loves it.

Cheers! Ray

One of my clients showed me his new Sony Vaio yesterday. It weighs 4 lbs including the batteries. No much bigger than a placemat that's two inches thick. Actually smaller than the size of my Mac Power Book. As as PC person, if I were getting a new one, that is exactly what I'd get.

My wife just bought a Toshiba laptop at Comp USA and it was a very good value.

Built-in wireless, DVD player, CD writer, Firewire, 15-inch screen, for $599 after a $150 mail-in rebate.

I agree that you should buy the least expensive computer for your needs. Tom.

Kathy - that must be the new T-series Vaio. Very small. Pretty pricey. :)

Tom - yikes, that's a great deal!

Masaki

Freddie - I agree with MaryLis re: getting the Centrino chip in whatever laptop you choose. I got one & love it. If you're primarily interested in photos & DVDs, Sony may be a very good choice because of picture quality. The Toshibas also get high marks.

I've got a two and a half year old compaq with the wireless connectivity, the centrino chip, the 15 inch screen and the firewire port. I do more data work than picture work on mine and simply love it. Screen is OK and speakers are pretty basic. My aunt has the Sony & there's a noticeable difference between the two for videos. The only negative is it's heavier than I would like. The keyboard is closer to full-size, so that's a big plus given the amount of typing I do. I got mine at BestBuy and found they were a little more helpful than CompUSA.

I might be bringing mine along for PIP; if so, I'll be happy to give you a demo. Bring a DVD along & I'll show you how it works. Cheers, Anne