Where to order computers | Desktop Computer Ordering Recommendations | Laptop Computer Ordering Recommendations
The thing about laptops is you really have to know how they'll be used.
1. Are they getting this so they can work while traveling? Is weight important? Will they need a carrying case? Backpack or regular? (I'd buy a backpack carrying case myself and at some place other than Dell...bestbuy or the tech store has them cheaper.)
Ultra light weight laptops are often stripped down versions of normal laptops. They sometimes have parts that you have to add on separately to reduce the weight. (like floppy drives, CD drives). They often have smaller keyboards and monitors. Some people dislike this, and some people don't mind. It's important to tell them that a light laptop might not do everything that they'd like.
2. How big should the screen be? Will they be connecting it to an external monitor in the office? (aka desktop replacement, docking station, etc.) What about the keyboard? Can they work on a smaller keyboard? Will they be connecting an external keyboard? What about the touchpad? Do they feel comfortable on a touchpad or will they need an external mouse?
A big trend is to abandon the desktop for the laptop altogether. I think this is a good idea. One computer can vastly simplify your organization. However, when you start to add peripherals onto a laptop you can get overwhelmed with cables. Some people buy a docking station set up to make this transition easier, but it can add a lot of money onto the cost of a machine. Additionally, some users do not feel comfortable with touchpads and prefer an external mouse. And small keyboards can be troublesome for some so used to a normal sized keyboard. One of my users actually carries normal sized keyboard and mouse with her to use her laptop.
One more thing about replacing your desktop with a laptop? One computer means only one copy of your work. If people are serious about one computer, add an EXTERNAL USB hard drive so they can backup important stuff in case the unthinkable happens.
3. Do they use/intend to use a digital camera? Intend on recording audio? Watching TV?
More and more digital cameras are coming with USB 2.0 connectors, but some also come with the superior and faster IEEE 1394 (aka Firewire) connection. I like to have both if they are using a digital camera so they have options. Some laptops do not come with a Mic input. I have a laptop here at work that I can't record audio onto because there is no mic. This is irritating. The end user cannot create podcasts without that. Additionally, just because the user doesn't intend on using the Mic doesn't mean it isn't necessary. I think that as Skype becomes widely used, people will need this more. Make sure all of your computers (not just the laptops) have decent sound capabilities. A lot of laptops come with an s-video connector to hook up to video monitors, vcrs, dvd players. Nice feature if you are looking for it, but not necessary until they know what they are doing. However, soon I believe we might be seeing internet TV type appliances, and they might like this. Again, it will add weight to the final unit.
4. Hardware: A lot of the hardware requirements for a laptop are similar to my comments in the PC/Mac desktop arena, but I'll sum them up here....
a. Processor speed doesn't matter. Core Duo is probably my top pick for processors but the AMD equiv is okay.
b. Lots of RAM makes me happy. 2 Gigs for users who intend on running Windows Vista someday. (And let's just say that everyone will someday.)
c. Lots of Hard drive space makes me happy. (80 Gigs is not enough...+7200rpms makes me happier (windows vista suggestion)).
d. Lots of slots (USB, IEEE 1394) makes me happy.
e. DVD+RW makes me happy.
f. Networking: Most laptops come with Wireless by default. Sometimes this needs to be turned on, and sometimes this switch is difficult to find, but wireless is a must. They also should have a 10/100/1000 port, but again, this is usually by default.
g. Laptop video must be more than 128 MB of Video RAM. For the eventual Windows Vista conversion. 256 is better but not necessary.
h. if the user has an old printer, you'll want to make sure that the laptop comes with a parallel port or that the user intends on junking their printer, because not every laptop comes with a connector for this.
i. Monitor. I am one of the few who thinks that (on a laptop) the screen size doesn't matter. Everything is so small anyway that you get used to it. However, I realize that this is a minority view. Screens seem to be coming with anti-glare already and a 13-14" screen is the norm. My 12" laptop screen is what you'd expect to see on lightweight model, and that might be a little small for some. I'd encourage possible laptop purchasers to see what is available and try them out at the DoIT showroom. Often, you don't realize what you like and what you don't like until you have computer in your hands. Then it is too late.
***What to ORDER***
PC Laptops:
I'd order PC laptops through the MDS store. I'd look at the specials unless they specifically want the really light or really fully functional models, at which time you'll need to look in the specific areas. A really popular light model of PC laptop is the Dell Inspiron 700m (old model, new model is 640m). it's got a small screen, keyboard and mouse, but it works pretty well.
I use a giant PC Inspiron 9400 for running a test version of Windows Vista, and media production. 17" screen , full size keyboard, really nice. But heavy. 7.9 pounds. Not something I'll be traveling with.
BTW, you don't need to just go with Dell. Fujitusu's, GW, Sony's all not bad machines. Stay away from Acer, Toshiba, HP/compaq. If you have a department purchasing card, you can have the department purchase from anywhere on the web, and sometimes can be happier with the results.
Apple Laptops:
The Tech Store...
http://techstore.doit.wisc.edu/group.asp?absolute=1&login=D&cat=COMP&subcat=APPLE&group=LAPTOP
has 4 choices.
The MacBook Core Duo is my favorite. Not the Black one (you're paying for the color!) but the white one.
http://techstore.doit.wisc.edu/product.asp?login=D&itemnum=C45787
At $1199.00 it's a steal.
I'd bump up the RAM from 1GB of RAM to 2 GB (adding 201.59 to the cost).
You won't be able to run Windows Vista in full vista mode under parallels on this as it comes with only a 64MB video card, and in order to do more you'd need to go with the more hefty MacBook Pro Core Duo which clocks in at $1799 BEFORE adding 201 for that extra GB of RAM. Worth it? Hmm.... maybe.