posted
Considering rolling the G3 over to a laptop, it will be very handy for client presentations etc. and I could run my cutter easily from my truck.
Back in my studio I would link it to a full size keyboard, mouse, graphics tablet, large monitor (possibly split screen), so I would have everything that I have now but with the portability as well.
The G3 (mac) has been dreadfully unreliable and my 21" studio monitor just shat itself on the very day of our last lease payment, can you believe that.
So, I am seriously considering crossing over to PC, I've had enough of overpriced bad apples.
Interested in your comments.
Thanks
RobC
-------------------- Rob Clark Rob Clark Design 11 Lassig st Moore Park Queensland Australia 0741598092 Posts: 421 | From: Australia | Registered: May 1999
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Rob, Try to get one that can handle being dropped. These things happen (Don't ask me how I know. One drop the right way can kill one. At best crack a case. Try to treat it like a carton of eggs unless you have lots of money and time to waste.
Debbie
-------------------- Debbie Posts: 674 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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About a year ago I was shopping for a laptop for the same reasons you mentioned. I ended up buying a used older "Gateway" laptop that came with a full-size docking station, 17" monitor, keyboard, mouse etc. the laptop mounts onto and connects to the docking station, which you can hook everything up to just like a desktop computer, when you are on the go, pop the laptop off the station... best of both worlds! I found that I use my laptop more like a desktop, so I'm glad I found that option. It is about time to upgrade, but the full-size docking station will be the first requirement.
BTW.. I have my 3 computers networked together, when I need to take the laptop to show a client, I just move the files over the network onto the laptop.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1738 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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i have an IBM 433 celeron thinkpad. really sturdy built machine. i use it in the SIGNS HERE & NOW sign shop on wheels(74 chev p-30 stepvan) and i have yet not to get the job...when i get the client lookin at the laptop. and i get less hassel on prices when iam sitting in their office or at there place of business. got it loaded with same programs as desktop...but sometimes donr have the same fonts..
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Rob, I'm now using a laptop as my main machine and frankly, I can't see myself ever buying another desktop computer again because these notebooks are just so handy, portable and dont take up any desk space.
This laptop is a refurbished Dell system and it runs all my software flawlessly.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I bought a laptop a while back for the same reasons you mention. BUt 4 weeks ago I traded it away to do a top notch upgrade on my desktop.
I found the laptop harder to use with the smaller keyboard and all.
I love a big fast desktop.
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8778 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi have been using a laptop and a desk top, they are both on my desk. The laptop is only used for work. I have the same programs on the desktop computer. We do a lot of onsite work and about twice a month we go to the drag strip and we take the laptop and the cutter with us. Our laptop was in our last trailer when it got flipped over in an accident, It worked fine but I sent it in to be checked out and it was fine, just make sure you have a good case for it. Terry
-------------------- Terry Scott Family Graphics Deerfield Beach, Fl Posts: 58 | From: Deerfield Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: May 1999
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As others have said, I also have virtually every program on the laptop as I do on the desktop. It can and has had to be the "work" computer at one time when the desktop went down due to a virus (YES, I learned my lesson a couple of years ago and I have Norton Anti-Virus on both machines now!)
It has sold more jobs, dollar wise, than it cost me when I bought it, so it is a valuable asset.
It is also a very nice toy to take on vacation...How else can a person keep up with whats happening when he's away?? Laptops and internet ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh..did I mention that the laptop is also a great toy that is a tax write-off???
Final comment...buy the fastest laptop you can afford and with the largest screen you can afford. Laptop's are not know for their trade-in value, so you may as well get the best there is at the time. Mine is a Fujitsu with an AMD 450 processor and 192 meg of ram...it is real slow compared to today's crop of laptops but it was pretty much as fast as I could get 2 years ago!
In conclusion...BUY A LAPTOP!!!!!!!!! You will NOT regret it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
I have to agree with everyone that luv s theres.. I have a PIII ibm , it replaced a 700 Celeron Dell, that was stolen.... the IBM keyboard is laid out better.. plus has other functions that i like better.... i use it for all my cutting now, and have it networked to my desktop....
Customers luv the functionality of being able to have designs done in there own space...
would highly recommend anyone going this route..!
-------------------- Del Badry philmdesign Sylvan Lake, Alberta Posts: 636 | From: Sylvan Lake, Alberta | Registered: Nov 1998
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not having very much $$ spare for yet another toy i got a second hand ex govie one that i figured would just be my internet machine when im away from home or work... WRONG!
i too have my workshop puters networked and so as the hub has an extra port i just plug the laptop in and copy stuff around devo uses it to transfer bookwork files so that he can work at home... yes i know i could burn the files onto cd for him but using the briefcase means that all tidy
a mate needed a 2nd puter at work and also a faster one at home, when he worked out the cost of 2 new systems he figured a state of the art laptop was a better idea.... the bonus now is that he is selling bigger jobs by being able to show the customer on the screen how bloody clever he is at designing its all presentation!
when my lil old laptop dies i will get a wiz banger, and yes it will pay for itself in no time flat
cheers gail
ps; so glad to see you join the rest of us in pc land rob
-------------------- Gail & Dave Hervey Bay Qld Australia
gail@roadwarriorproducts.com.au
sumtimes ya just gota! Posts: 794 | From: 552 O'Regans Creek Rd Toogoom Qld 4655 Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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I am using my laptop now and have most of my design and pricing software on it. Older and slower than my desktop but it gives me the freedom that I need sometimes. It is easy to trade files and I can keep up with the "paper" work this way. We always buy Dell and have had the best luck with their equipment. We have 3 older Latitude laptops, 1 Inspiron laptop Judi uses for programming and hope to get a newer Inspiron for me for graphics. We have a couple docking stations but I prefer moving files, external zip works great and I prefer the way my desktop works for regular operations. As good as the newer laptops are, I prefer the bigger computer and monitor for now, I may change my mind if I had one with power similar to the desktop.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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Before to move to PC, just consider Apple iBook or Titanium options…
Add Adobe Illustrator and MagiSign. For 3000 USD, you have a 14 inch REDAY TO CUT with CD-RW and new software : OSX and 9, iDisk, iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, Mail, Explorer, … For 4000 USD, you have a 15 inch Titanium with DVD Writer.
Consider the option to link this one with your current G3. You could use this one as slave for the plotter while you create on the laptop (yes, NCS MagiSign Server is included in the price and allow to drive the plotter on a remote Mac).
Consider you will keep by the way all your current investments in devices and software.
Compare all this with the price of a PC running in similar conditions.
I keep at your disposal for further info
-------------------- Philippe JACQUES info@magisign.com
Take a look at our NCS MagiSign plug-in for Adobe Illustrator : Posts: 185 | From: Ottignies Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium | Registered: Mar 1999
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-------------------- Rob Clark Rob Clark Design 11 Lassig st Moore Park Queensland Australia 0741598092 Posts: 421 | From: Australia | Registered: May 1999
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