Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 09:06:11 -0400
From: "Stacey Tenen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: L1 Opinion
> Any opinions on the L1 yet?
Hello Folks - I shadowed this list a while back when I was a 50CT, 100CT and
1100v owner... I purchased my L1 about a week ago and I can't tell you how
much I really like it. The keyboard is as good or better than any IBM laptop
on the planet - keys are large and feedback is the best I've ever had on a
laptop. My concern before I bought was about the performance of the machine
with the Crusoe processor... I was one of the first people around to buy the
Sony C1VN and I ditched that machine faster than I ever had... it performed
horribly. I suspected that the OS on the machine was the problem, but there
weren't any w2k drivers available at the time, so I couldn't load a new OS.
Now that I have the L1 (256MB RAM/20GB Hard Disk) with Windows 2000 loaded
on it, I can safely say that the processor wasn't the limiting factor on the
speed. I'm very, very happy with the performance of the L1. The screen is
what really drew me to the L1... 1280 resolution is just what I was looking
for. My Titanium PowerBook has a 1152 line horizontal resolution on a 15.2"
screen - and I have thought that that real-estate was severely
underutilized... now I see why. The screen on the L1 is, again, the best
I've ever seen on a laptop.
Downside? Well, I really expected the machine to have better power
utilization what with the Crusoe power saving features. These are fully
supported by Toshiba's new utilities under w2k, but I expected runtimes with
the standard battery to reach 3+ hours... and it barely tickles that.
Portege batteries work on the L1 - although they are the wrong color and
thickness - and the Portege high-cap battery puts it over the 3 hour mark
comfortably. I believe that the power signature of w2k may have something to
do with the disappointing battery life (yes, disappointing for 3 hours - my
G4 PowerBook runs 4+ hours easily - 5 hours if I stretch it), but, the
mitigating factor here is that the suspend and hibernation features of w2k
work very, very well, unlike previous iterations of the Windows OS. An
interesting note; the hibernation feature doesn't require special
partitioning, finally... the hibernation writes a file to the hard disk in
the system partition.Also, I jones for an IrDA port, but I'm learning to
live without it.
The last thing I'd like to say is that I'm also learning to live very
comfortably with USB and Firewire as the only external interfaces. If I need
serial connections, my Keyspan USB/Serial converter works like a charm...
and I make full use of the Firewire interface for an external hard disk and
CD-RW drive which both work flawlessly and FAST.
Yes, the L1 breaks all the 'rules' that some people use to judge a Libretto.
They really enjoy setting their Libretto's on the top of a video tape cover
and say to themselves, 'Wow - look what I can do with something this size!'
Well, I was one of those people, but the speed tradeoffs were something that
I couldn't deal with. Also, the screen resolutions didn't suit the way I use
my computer. I'm perfectly happy trading some size (and I do say 'some size'
conservatively - I find the L1 as light at the 100CT - it's thinner also)
for the added functionality and excellent screen and keyboard, built-in
modem, etc. So, yeah, you may be considered an outcast in the Libretto
community for owning one, but you'll be a VERY happy outcast... believe me.
If you have any questions, feel free to drop them here.
Peace,
Stacey Tenen
IS Manager
Immuno Labs
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