Laptop suggestions? - Page 2

IB Adrian · #16 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpounds

Also, if you haven't already, get a USB adapter for your old hard drive. Although it won't boot, you might be able to connect it to the new system and retrieve some of your data. You can get one for less than $20.

I borrowed one actually!
But I have just purchased one that does both 2.5" and 3.5" drives

Strange thing is my old hard drive boots, but it won't load.

tojoski · #17 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 10:08 PM

Looks like a nice machine for that price.

Just to make sure, is it for home use or will you be connecting it to a Domain?

In order to join a domain you'll need 7 pro or ultimate.

Those led displays are sharp.

ctubutis · #18 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 10:25 PM

Are you sure you can use a 64-bit OS? Will your software be OK with that?

Also, slower hard drives use less power,extending battery life.

IB Adrian · #19 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tojoski

Looks like a nice machine for that price.

Just to make sure, is it for home use or will you be connecting it to a Domain?

In order to join a domain you'll need 7 pro or ultimate.

Those led displays are sharp.

As in a network - yes I will need to join one (have a wireless router setup at home for the interwebnets and sharing printers and the like).
I didn't read the fine print to say that Windows 7 Home couldn't do that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctubutis

Are you sure you can use a 64-bit OS? Will your software be OK with that?

Not all of my engineering programs will run on a 64 OS (only solidworks can to the best of my knowledge, which is the only program I use with any degree of regularity).
My intention is to (as I don't use these programs often - if at all nowadays) buy a faster and larger hard drive install it into this laptop (or the one that I choose to purchase)
Use the hard drive that comes in this laptop and install a 32 bit version of XP, and clone my old hard drive onto it with all of the 32 bit supported programs. Using the USB adapter, I can shut down, load 32 bit XP and open programs like ANSYS and Solid CAM etc.

Thats the plan anyway.

tojoski · #20 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 11:29 PM

You can join a wireless network just fine, even a workgroup to share files and printers...

But you cant join a domain, that has a centralized server for security, like in a corporate environment.

IB Adrian · #21 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 12:19 AM

Ok - thats alright, I can't envisage that I will need to, and if I do, I can always boot up in XP professional.

hawk · #22 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 01:29 PM

Lenovo not allowed at my work as they a chinese company and have been found to have been installing tracking hardware onto their system boards.
sony nice machines but when they break their service blows!