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Computers are the main
tool of today's mobile professionals, students and
writers. More and more Laptop Computers are
replacing desktop units. Laptop Computers enable us
to write anywhere, inside or outside. We can take it
with us to the library to do research, or to the
lake or mountains to soak in our setting. Using
wireless technology, even the internet is available
outside the office environment in such places as
coffee shops, libraries, hotels, cafes and airports.
Choosing the right
laptop for your needs can be daunting with the many
choices available today. My website,
WritersLaptop.com, will help mobile
professionals, students and, in particular, writers
to make that choice easier. The laptops on this site
are very light, ultraportable, feature rich
computers. They are perfect for writers as well as
anyone else wanting a laptop that is easy to use and
carry.
My Experience
When I started writing
my first book I used a laptop. I soon found that the
laptop I was using was very slow. I started looking
around at what technology was available. The new
technology at the time was the "ultra portable"
laptop.
Because I was using my
laptop in a variety of different locations, I wanted
a machine that was first and foremost - small and
portable. It also needed to use the latest programs
and be fast enough to create and edit graphics. I
wanted to have enough hard drive space to contain
several books, graphics and the programs that I
regularly used. I also wanted enough battery life to
be able to write most of the day at the local Barnes
and Noble Bookstore (which I still do), for example.
At the time, one of
the most advanced technologies on the market was the
Fujitsu Laptop. One of the newest models was the
P2046, which was 3.4 pounds and included a built in
CD-ROM/CDRW drive. It also had a battery life of
almost 7 hours. I have found this machine to work
very well when traveling, because of its light
weight. I also use this machine extensively on the
internet, and on my wireless network. In fact, this
is the machine that I am using today.
I have had very good
luck with my Fujitsu P2046 laptop. It has served me
very well and trouble free for 5 years. It is
somewhat slower than the newer models (700 MHz as
opposed to 1.2 GHz or higher). It still runs
Microsoft Office 2003, Adobe InDesign CS2, Adobe
Photoshop CS2 and AutoCAD Map 14.
When my daughter’s
Fujitsu (the same as my P2046) was stolen in
college, we replaced it with an Averatec model 3250.
The 3250 was much faster than the Fujitsu (1.8 GHz),
was larger in size, but was the same weight. It was
also much less expensive. It is a nice machine, but
I still like the Fujitsu that I use. The one that we
bought my daughter is featured on this site -
Averatec 3250 H1. For more information about these
ultraportable laptops - click
HERE.
The Choices
Today, there are a
number of other laptop brands and models that would
work very well for any mobile professional, student
or writer. These laptops are:
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ASUS
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Averatec
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Dell
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Fujitsu
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Sony
-
Toshiba
Each of these brands
has strengths and weaknesses. However, one thing
that is not generally known is that the components
for all of these brands are manufactured by a very
few manufactures in the world. About six
manufacturers make all of the world’s laptop
components. The components are assembled and then
shipped to the distribution points.
For example, Dell has
its laptops assembled and shipped to its
distribution points. The components are not made by
Dell nor assembled by Dell. They are made by others
under the Dell label and to Dell’s specifications.
This allows Dell to concentrate on its strength
which is marketing.
Kits called “white
boxes” are available to resellers. These non-branded
laptops have exactly the same components and
specifications as the Dell or Toshiba or Sony. While
the non-branded laptops have not yet caught on with
the general public like they have in the desktop
models, it is not much different with laptops. I
have seen and like the ASUS laptop kits that are
available and plan on building some of them soon.
They have all the same features as my Fujitsu and
are much less expensive when bought in “white box”
form.
Laptop vs.
Desktop
In June 2005 for the
first time, Laptop sales were higher than desktop
sales.
In fact, I recently
bought a Dell Latitude on EBay and replaced one of
the desktop machines in my small network. Since the
desktop had failed, I needed to either fix it or
replace it. With electricity rates going up, I
decided to find an older laptop to save energy and
expense. I was surprised to find this 1.2 GHz Dell
Latitude for under $500.00 on EBay. I installed a
new hard drive for about $75.00 and the machine has
worked perfectly ever since. I plan on replacing all
of the desktops in my network, except perhaps the
server, in the next few months. These laptops run so
much quieter and are so much more energy efficient
than the desktops that this just makes sense in
these days of high energy usage and expense.
Software
In addition, there are
two software packages that are also essential to
anyone wanting to write. Microsoft Office
Professional 2003 provides the tools necessary to
put together research, articles, novels and books.
Microsoft OneNote 2003 is an excellent tool for any
writer needing to put together research and notes.
For more information about this software, click
HERE!
Portable
Storage, and other laptop features
Typically, laptops,
and in particular ultraportable laptops, have
smaller hard drives and less storage capacity than
desktop computers. The ultraportables also have
fewer USB ports, as well as other input-output
ports.
As laptops are used
more and more, storage space becomes increasingly
important. Additional storage space is critical, not
only because data is important but because programs
themselves are increasing in size. Microsoft Windows
XP is much larger than Microsoft Windows 98.
One solution is to use
a portable hard drive. These are external drives,
attached by a USB port. Portable hard drives have
become much smaller in the last two years, with 100
GB of capacity not uncommon. Not only do these
portable hard drives serve to increase storage
capacity, but they also provide an easy way to
transport data from one computer to another. They
can be moved to any computer that has a USB port.
These drives can also serve as backup units for the
laptop, and provide protection for critical data.
How to Choose
the Right Laptop CD-ROM
In order to help in
making the choice of which laptop is the best laptop
for you, I have put together a CD-ROM entitled:
How to Choose the
Right Laptop for Your Needs
With this CD you will
discover;
·
How to make an
informed choice between he many laptops available
today
·
What the
different categories of laptops are and which will
work the best for you
·
How to make an
apples-to-apples comparison while cutting through
the “technospeak”
You can purchase this
CD for only $14.95 at:
WritersLaptop.com
H. Court Young
Geologist, author and publisher
Promoting awareness through the written word
http://www.hcourtyoung.com
http://www.tmcco.com
(303) 726 8320
©August, 2007 |
The
Orphan Boy mine was started in Colorado's glory days. It was reopened in
1948 by one man, Herbert T. Young, who had a passion for mining. He was
a member of the "greatest generation."