> From: Ralph Mawyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> My wife is a court reporter whose edit software only runs under windows, NT
>preferred.
We need a new laptop. ... I'm more concerned about durability and longevity than
performance. ... Minimum requirements: Celeron 800MHz, 10-20GB HD, CD, floppy
drive, port replicator capability. ... Thoughts?
Virtual PC on a Mac G3 or G4 500mHz or faster.
Have same problem in our household. I use a Mac (2300 or G3 laptop). My wife's
got
to use a Windows machine. If I had known how much trouble Windows support was
going to be, I'd have bought her an IBook 2 years ago, even a 300mHz unit. When her
current machines have to be replaced, I will probably buy her a Mac for home unless
her
firm is giving us a free machine and support.
By the way, I have VPC Windows 98 for one piece of Windows software I need. Not
fast, but then again, it's only one piece of software. VPC allows me to "save" machine
state. There's very little "startup" time. Cut and paste and file and network sharing
with the
Mac all work fine. Much of the other software she needs may have a Mac version (eg,
Word, Outlook, etc).
If you enjoy Windows support, or someone else is going to support the machine,
then
here are my hardware comments--
PC Mag "Torture Tests" are a good starting point. Dell Inspirons were well rated.
Only
reason we didn't buy one was that my wife didn't happen to like the machine. My
brother
gives his laptops a workout. He has been very happy over the years with the IBM
ThinkPad series (560, 570) and continues to like them the best. Not sure how the
current
IBM ThinkPad numbering goes, but they continue to make a sleek, reasonably durable
machine. (He's using a Dell now 'cause his firm is providing Dells. Says it's OK.)
We compromised on an IBM ThinkPad 560x. Actually have two machines, 'cause she's
got to have ready to run backup. Both were purchased used for <$1000. One has
required a new keyboard. One required a fix to the battery contacts. Dock (port
repolicator) works fine. The 560x is a 233mHx 96m ram machine. Cheep, but probably
not suitable for your wife. (Mine may get another 2 years out of hers running Win98.)
Good luck.
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