[thegmanifesto]

I was hoping some people that know computers can help me here.

Basically, here are the things that are important to me:

Long Battery
Light (not super important)
Durable (not super important, although I don't want some frail crap)
Really receptive WiFi (very important)
Fast

Also, is there any computers that "amplify" the WiFi in the room?

Is this even something laptops do?

This would be key because I make a lot of WiFi phone calls back to the US.

Money no object, I just need something sick. (At this point, I don't care if I have to hire Bill Gates himself to build it).

(Side note: I am one of the least technological people on earth, so keep your responses somewhat from the layman).

(Side note II: I have never used Apple products so I would prefer not going that way, although if it is the best thing, I am willing to try. Maybe kick down the best non-Apple option and Apple option if you must).

Thanks.

[Moma]

macbooks might the way to go. You might want to try an Ipad, those are so light you might even forget where you put that shyt.

I am presently using an Iphone and I am quite liking that shyt.

I should have picked up the Ipad when they first released it while I was in NYC last year.

Wifi is generally strong on all modern computers. Apple is also good since it doesn't pick up those silly viruses *generally* from some websites since most viruses are designed for Windows machines.

However, you may have to spend a little time getting accustomed to the different interface.

A friend of mine bought a macbook and she never used one prior. It's fast. Boots quickly, picks up wifi if it's there and all the other good stuff.

Step it up, my G. Custom made.

[Dash Global]

id go with a medium sized new macbook pro. its the best of the best....

[thegmanifesto]

Moma and Dash,

Thanks for responding.

What about non-Apple moves?

Also I should add, I just really need to email and check out the Internet on my computer.

It is not like I am producing the next 3-D blockbuster on it or editing the next Nas Illmatic.

I need it stripped down and sleek. Zero crazy programs and crap like that.

Anybody have any ideas on "Also, is there any computers that "amplify" the WiFi in the room? "

Basically, I need the "International Playboy" laptop.

I am mildly surprised none of these computer companies market to this.

[MiXX]

(03-22-2011 01:17 PM)Moma Wrote:  

macbooks might the way to go. You might want to try an Ipad, those are so light you might even forget where you put that shyt.

I rely on computers to make $$$ as a professional film scorer, and film editor. I also travel heavily and hate carrying shit around, and worrying about my expensive Macbook Pro's breaking, being scratched during inspections etc.

So, I agree with Moma, get the new Ipad 2 - perfect for travelling and now its much faster and satisfies all of your reqs above. As fas as "amplifying" wifi, there are devices called wifi signal repeaters, but you'll likely need to have an admin at a hotel set-it up for you, which, will not happen.

G-quote "What about non-Apple moves?"

Don't Non-apple anything, except for Linux Ubuntu and Fedora. Anything with a MSFT OS sucks! Stay the fuck away from windblows!

Mixx

[Khaleth]

[/quote]

So, I agree with Moma, get the new Ipad 2 - perfect for travelling and now its much faster and satisfies all of your reqs above. As fas as "amplifying" wifi, there are devices called wifi signal repeaters, but you'll likely need to have an admin at a hotel set-it up for you, which, will not happen.

G-quote "What about non-Apple moves?"

Don't Non-apple anything, except for Linux Ubuntu and Fedora. Anything with a MSFT OS sucks! Stay the fuck away from windblows!

Mixx
[/quote]

+1

Mixx/Moma are on point once again! I'd maybe add a macbook air into the debate too. The Ipad is sick but I'd be worried about it breaking unless you had a nice cover, and the air is probably just as sleek and light.

[Dash Global]

macbook air would be perfect for just web surfing/email

[Dash Global]

can u upload pics onto the Ipad2? And also download music to sinc to an Iphone or Ipod?

[Moma]

(03-22-2011 03:13 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

can u upload pics onto the Ipad2? And also download music to sinc to an Iphone or Ipod?

Upload them from what, a digital camera or something? I think you can do all of this as long as you go through Itunes. It probably comes with some usb ports and a cable so you can go nuts.

[thegmanifesto]

Thanks for the responses.

Can you type on an Ipad?

Is it good for biz?

(I told you I am the least tech person out there. I barely know what an Ipad is.)

Are there any non-Apple options?

[drymarro]

wtf is with all these steve job ass-kissers?

Get thisgood battery life, and good enough performance)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V4A...B003V4AK4I

and you can put this in for faster hard drive and 2+ hours of extra battery life:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00358V...B00358V5MQ

For better wifi reception, you want to get an individual wifi adapter that you can just plug into your laptop:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JUN...B002JUNDSK

Here's a link to a cellular travel router...(it connects to the phone's network tho and broadcasts wifi.. not sure if that's what you need?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FWH...B001FWH0A0

Cheers.

p.s. Don't get a shitty mac. it's overhyped.

[Lumiere]

Stay away from mac book pros

Worst quality hardware i have ever experienced

In the space of less than 3 years i had 5 betteries 3 of which suffered irreversible chemical failure, a failed cd drive and 2 failed motherboards both outside of warranty

A failed mac motherboard costs the same as a brand new windows laptop

Go for an asus laptop

For price, spec and quality it cannot be beat

[MiXX]

(03-22-2011 05:02 PM)drymarro Wrote:  

wtf is with all these steve job ass-kissers?

Get thisgood battery life, and good enough performance)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V4A...B003V4AK4I

and you can put this in for faster hard drive and 2+ hours of extra battery life:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00358V...B00358V5MQ

For better wifi reception, you want to get an individual wifi adapter that you can just plug into your laptop:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JUN...B002JUNDSK

Here's a link to a cellular travel router...(it connects to the phone's network tho and broadcasts wifi.. not sure if that's what you need?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FWH...B001FWH0A0

Cheers.

p.s. Don't get a shitty mac. it's overhyped.

Well, I am not a Steve Jobs ass kisser, I just think Windows sucks to high hell - period! Who the fuck thought it was a great idea to have the internet changes your registry files W/O YOUR PERMISSION anyway? Oh yeah. MICROSOFT!!! IDIOTS! And hence, the virus is born (only impacting Windows by the way)

So, you don't have to get a MAC, but please, for heavens sake, remove Windows 7 and install a REAL OS - Like Ubuntu or Fedora on it!!!


However, G said he is not technical at all, and that woudl be an advanced task!

G - you don't have to get anything apple, but seriously - stay the fuck away from Windows 7, and have a techie install Ubuntu or Fedora Linux for you. No matter what notebook you choose.

Mixx

[oss_117]

For extra wifi reception you are going to need an adapter that has a jack for an external antenna. for example:

http://www2.proxim.com/wireless-lan/orin...pter.html#

[MiXX]

(03-22-2011 05:35 PM)Lumiere Wrote:  

Stay away from mac book pros

Worst quality hardware i have ever experienced

In the space of less than 3 years i had 5 betteries 3 of which suffered irreversible chemical failure, a failed cd drive and 2 failed motherboards both outside of warranty

A failed mac motherboard costs the same as a brand new windows laptop

Go for an asus laptop

For price, spec and quality it cannot be beat

I agree with you, however, that was a problem with older MBPs from 2009 and below.

And yeah, you can get another notebook from a company like Toshiba, Dell or Sony - but you have one big issue....all of those have Windows 7 OS, which means you'll have to install Linux Ubuntu to make it worthwhile.

Mixx

[speakeasy]

Hey G, I'm with Lumiere. What it sounds like you are needing is an Asus EeePC. That is my go to travel computer. Very small, about the dimensions of a medium sized book, 9x7 inches and about an inch deep when shut. Light weight, super compact, has built in camera and mic for skype, built in SD card slot for downloading photos, 160G hard drive, the wifi antenna kicks ass and some of the latest models have 9 hour battery life. Typing on the tiny keyboard takes about a week to get used to is the only downside.

This is all you need, bro: http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=wxAfnQhtlL70yCov

[oldnemesis]

(03-22-2011 04:38 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

Thanks for the responses.
Can you type on an Ipad?

You can, but you do not want to. I just returned from overseas trip, and was using my Galaxy Tab to take notes everywhere. It kinda felt weird. Good for reading books, watching movies and showing your travel pictures to the girls though.

What I'd suggest is to go to the nearest store which sells laptops, and see what they have. Grab one you like, and try to use it extensively for three days. If you feel like you gonna break it up on day three, return it to the store. Laptops are like cars, you will only like the small subset of them, but you'll never know which one until you try.

Regarding Wi-Fi, it is better to solve it through use of external antenna. Not all laptop Wi-Fi cards allow that; you may consider an external PCMCIA/cardbus wireless card which will have it. Rx/Tx hardware is typically good enough even on the cheapest cards, it is the antenna which is usually piece of crap.

I now use HP Compaq 2510P. It is a business laptop, which has a good set of features. It is light and small, but with 4Gb of RAM and dual-core CPU it is good enough even for some non-heavy video editing. Got an extra 6-cell battery, which is good for 6-8 hours. I also replaced the internal Wi-Fi card with the one which allowed me to use an external antenna. If you find one, try it. Of course it runs Linux, I don't use any Windows crap.

[oldnemesis]

(03-22-2011 06:02 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  

Hey G, I'm with Lumiere. What it sounds like you are needing is an Asus EeePC.

CPU/video sucks. It cannot play even 720p porn.

[speakeasy]

(03-22-2011 08:07 PM)oldnemesis Wrote:  

(03-22-2011 06:02 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  

Hey G, I'm with Lumiere. What it sounds like you are needing is an Asus EeePC.

CPU/video sucks. It cannot play even 720p porn.

I haven't tried to play any large video on mine as I don't use it for that. I bought mine for just shy of $290 brand new. Really can't beat the price for what you get.

[Hokie30]

The newer asus laptop's are your best bet. Do not trust built-in wifi adapters in either the Macbooks or any windows-based laptops if you need range. For that just go out and buy yourself an external usb/pcmcia laptop adapter, something along the lines of this

Also, Mixx over exaggerates the problem with Windows 7. It is a very solid OS compared to the older one's (especially bug/virus infested Windows XP), easy to learn, and not as much of a resource "hog" as the previous MS OS-Windows Vista.

[Caramel Communist]

HP Envy

I dropped 2g's on the first production run...it's powerful and fast. I threw in a ssd drive and life has been bliss. Order online and don't buy through retail...

Only problems have been battery power....last for like 2 hours...mine is always plugged in...they may have improved that...

I'm looking into a Ipad...my bro has 1st gen and loves it...

[Badstuber]

Quote:

Stay the fuck away from windblows!

Not from Windows 7.

[drymarro]

(03-22-2011 10:19 PM)Badstuber Wrote:  

Quote:

Stay the fuck away from windblows!

Not from Windows 7.

Windows 7 is really good actually.

[Brian]

Get the 13" Macbook Pro and you will be happy. They cost a little more then the Windows based computers but are worth it. I bought a Macbook 3 1/2 years ago - my first Apple - and I will never buy anything else. They are incredibly easy to use, very low maintenance, sleek, just an all around great computer. I've taken mine on every trip I've been on and never had any issues at all. I cant imagine traveling w/o it.

[Lumiere]

BTW the laptop I use is is an ASUS N43J

- Intel i5 Processor
- Nvdia geoforce GT graphics card (even plays the latest Call Of Duty : Black Ops great)
- 500 GB hard drive
- 4GB memory
- Wifi : 802.11n+BT
- Blueray drive
- Bang & Olufsen soung system
- 2 years international warranty

Price - I paid about $700 for it and they threw in a free 300gb USB external hard drive (granted I had to go to Singapore to get that deal so you might pay a bit more)

Comes with window 7 which is a very solid OS.



Form factor is about 14 inches which is perfect for me. Small enough and light enough to throw in a shoulder bag but big enough to give you a nice sized keyboard and screen.

In terms of wifi reception, I am in a hotel right now and they told me the wifi will only work for me if I come to reception because only the rooms on the ground floor and 1st floor ever get signal. They had no room on ground floor, 1st floor OR 2nd floor and so put me on the 3rd floor and yet here I am posting this message using the wifi signal from 3 floors below me.