I'm about to rent space in another signshop. I do all hand-lettering and don't have a signmaking computer, although I do know how to use them.
The guy has offered me the use of his computer. But you know how it is - when I need a sketch or pattern RIGHT NOW I can't just barge in and order his employee off the computer so I can use it.
There isn't enough space for me to set up my own computer/plotter, etc. I was thinking of getting a laptop and maybe keeping it in my office - design a sign there, put it on a disk and pop it into the guy's computer to cut it when ready.
I don't know anything about laptops. Do they have disk drives? Can they be plugged into a printer or plotter? Can I download pictures of hot bikini babes from the internet? (sorry, April Fools on that last one )
Anyone using a laptop???
Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
yes they are just small computers/
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Peter,
Yes, yes, and DEFINITELY!!!
I use a laptop as my main machine these days. I have a mouse, a Wacom digitizing tablet, and my plotter plugged into it full time and there's room to plug in more but I left the other hardware hooked up to the desktop computer and networked it with the laptop, giving me access to those other devices, even the scanner.
Anyway, yes you can do anything with a laptop that you can with a desktop computer, you just waste less space doing it. Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
YES....like jimmy said..they are small computers...i have a mobil sign shop(74 chev step van) and the laptop drives my plotter, scanner, printer.....
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
I have my cutter plugged into my laptop docking station. the cutter is installed just like a printer driver. works great, I have a "portable sign shop" when I go to car shows, rodeos, fairs, strip clubs... okay maybe April Fools on the strip club.
sounds like a good setup, at the end of the day, take the laptop home with you, it is amazing how fast those things disappear.
Posted by Terry Scott (Member # 839) on :
I also use a laptop as my main computer, I am also linked to my desktop computer, Like Micheal and Joe we are a mobile and it works out great. Terry
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
I have been using my laptop for many years as evidenced by the fact that it is only a 486/DX100, outdated but just like the ones the Gerber personnel used to sell the early versions. I have a couple design programs and a different sign software that my desktop. Take it with me everywhere and use it especially late evening when that great idea hits me. I then export the file to the desktop, sometimes by e-mail from home. And I am using it right now too.
Oh, and I disagree about them being small computers, Judi's new notebook is bigger, faster and has more ports etc. than any of our desktops.
[ April 02, 2002, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: Kent Smith ]
Posted by LEE ATTEWELL (Member # 2407) on :
Yep yeppitty yep...
I do most of my design stuff on the desk top though, but it used to all be on my notebook. Now I cut and do small jobs on my laptop. My desktop is just so much faster. If you need to use a bitty one...use it.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
one of my friends came by last nite with his new laptop SONY VAIO...AWESOME MACHINE!!!!$1700.00 but has 30 gig h/d, 256 ram, cd/ cd burner/ dvd player, big screen and no floppy uses a memeory card instead. only bad think was XP HOME EDITION....we might change that.....
Posted by Mark Neurohr (Member # 2470) on :
hey 'ol paint!! There ya go..... I'm using a FOUR YEAR OLD Sony VAIO, Pentium II, Desktop. Never, REPEAT NEVER had to dump this one and reformat it (unlike anything I've ever owned, or touched for that matter)!
Both of my sisters have recently purchased Sony VAIO Laptops. AWSOME machines in little packages!! I'm gonna get one too just to be a little more mobil.
Posted by Del Badry (Member # 114) on :
I use an IBM thinkpad for most of my design work and cutting with my gerber system.... find it invaluable doing layouts with customers...the other bonus is they can see the layout but hmmmmm. dont have a printer with me... cant give ya a copy..hahahahahahah
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
Yup, what everyone else said. I just got a new sony notebook about a month ago that is fast becoming my best friend.
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