posted
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 )
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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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.
-------------------- "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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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.....
-------------------- 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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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.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1736 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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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
-------------------- Terry Scott Family Graphics Deerfield Beach, Fl Posts: 58 | From: Deerfield Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: May 1999
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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 ]
-------------------- 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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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.
-------------------- Lee Attewell Graffic Jam Auto Unit 3, 1731 Albany Highway, Kenwick Western Australia 6108 Posts: 102 | From: PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA | Registered: Oct 2001
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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.....
-------------------- 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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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.
-------------------- Mark Neurohr "Ernest" Paintin' Place 141 Sunnyside Road Kittanning, PA 16201
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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
-------------------- Del Badry philmdesign Sylvan Lake, Alberta Posts: 636 | From: Sylvan Lake, Alberta | Registered: Nov 1998
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