Posted by RickinVA on 9/28/09 7:24pm
Msg #305479

OT New Computer, Old person. Need GURU

Well, I bought a new laptop and need someone tell me why my thinking is messed up.
I also bought a dock, which I plan to use for this laptop, using my 19" monitor and
leaving it on most of the time. By leaving it on as opposed to shutting it down now and
then, am I limiting it's useful life, or extending it? The dock allows all my USB peripherals
to be always plugged in, as well as a monitor. It supports wireless printing from any
configured computer, and will allow wireless printing from my sole parallel inkjet printer,
as soon as I buy a parallel to USB cable adapter.

My thinking is that I would like to get rid of my old desktop computer running XP and use
the new one (also XP) to print and store the files I get for signings. The other laptop will
go with me when I go out of town, or stay in the room I normally stay during the day,
watching TV or whatever. The desktop XP is 9 years or so old, with a slow processor, and
poor memory, even though advanced for it's age. The new laptop has a 2.1 mhz processor
and 2 gigs of memory, upgradeable to 4 (32 bit) or well more than that (64 bit). So, do I
donate the desktop, even though it's got storage well beyond anything I will ever need?
Or what? Any takers? If required, I can return the newest laptop for a full refund. I have
about 5 years minimum before I have to upgrade the OS.

Reply by PAW on 9/28/09 7:53pm
Msg #305482

I am not in favor of using a laptop as a desktop unless the user travels a lot. That is, if the laptop will remain stationary (docked) for more than a day or two, I think it much better to get a regular desktop machine to work in concert with your laptop. Desktops have much better duty cycles than do laptops, primarily due to the battery. Even when plugged into AC power, the battery is still in use. Of course, removing the battery is an option, but nonsensical.

When I was ready to replace my old desktop machine, I too thought of going totally mobile, using the laptop with a docking station. But I was talked out of it by a couple of IT friends for the reasons stated above. I am perfectly happy using a very powerful but inexpensive desktop and a wireless small office network. The laptop is used fairly infrequently, so the desktop is the horse and is on all day, everyday. New computers are not as sensitive to voltage spikes during startup, so the old philosophy of keeping them on 24/7 doesn't stand up any more.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 9/28/09 8:27pm
Msg #305486

PAW are you using a netbook for a portable?

If I may ask which one. I've been eyeing the HP netbooksd but I have been leery of what HP has done recently. I purchased a couple of HP wireless print servers for my office for a couple of older HP printers that don't have a wireless card and found out that there is no support for the print servers

Reply by PAW on 9/28/09 9:17pm
Msg #305489

Re: PAW are you using a netbook for a portable?

No, I have a full size notebook. 17" screen. I've thought about the netbook but that's as far as I've gotten with the idea. Just a thought.

Reply by PAW on 9/28/09 9:21pm
Msg #305490

Use "LogMeIn" when away

Whenever I'm "on the road" and need something, as long as I can get connected to the web, I can access my desktop using LogMeIn. If I need a file, I can get it through LogMeIn, or establish a FTP session to upload it to my server, then download it to my laptop or other computer that I'm working on.

Reply by PAW on 9/28/09 9:27pm
Msg #305491

Which print servers?

HP technical support or the print servers won't support the printer? If it's the latter, then that is basically true, but usually some type of jerry-rig works. Like telling it that a different printer is attached. Haven't had that issue though.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 9/28/09 11:35pm
Msg #305519

Re: Which print servers?

The Hp wireless G Printer Server. I purchased several of these to work with some of the older printers I have in my office namely two 4100s and a 1320. I tried to get help through Hp since the software wouldn't configure them and they told me that I needed to get on their discussion group and inquire if anyone else had problems configuring these. I thought it was lousy of them. Hp has always been great and needless to say I was very disappointed. I've used Hp since I got my Hp35 in college.

Reply by PAW on 9/29/09 6:50am
Msg #305529

Re: Which print servers?

Wireless G ... that makes sense why older printers aren't supported. HP can sometimes be unfriendly with their products that aren't officially supported, but that doesn't mean the server won't support your printer, just that HP won't spend the time on it. I don't have a wireless G server, so I can't offer any assistance. But I am thinking of getting one for my 1300 and/or 3330, neither of which is probably supported. (Don't hold your breath, though. It will be some time before I separate the printers from their current computer connection.) I do recommend using the HP user forums. Real world solutions are often better than laboratory generated results.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 9/29/09 10:55am
Msg #305565

Re: PAW are you using a netbook for a portable?

Charles,

I'm using a netbook - an ASUS EEE 1000HE. Works great, 6+ hour battery life, normal size keyboard... the 10" screen took a little getting used to, but even with my poor eyesight I don't have a problem.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/29/09 5:40pm
Msg #305616

Netbooks: I tried out a Dell 10" and was

fascinated with it but decided to return it. I did not feel it was adequate for the constantly typing notary (me). I type so much that I have to assure I keep good wrist health. I felt slightly uncomfortable with my hands on that small of a keyboard and I have small hands. So, I returned it and got a new Dell laptop. You can see fine on the netbook screen but if you are keeping an eye toward electronic signings and so forth I would stay with at least a 15" screen. For not that much more you can get a laptop which will be a better worker.

Reply by John_NorCal on 9/29/09 11:06am
Msg #305569

Charles......

I bought an HP netbook for my wife. It was especially useful for our trip to Europe, I think that's the best use for it, as a small travelling connection. I find it too small for any other use, the key board is way to small for most guys and then the screen is only 9.5 inches. I bought the HP because I heard some horror stories about Acer and their customer service. The HP has worked fine, as a matter of fact I bought her another one because it had a larger (160 gig) hard disc instead of the 16g of the first one. She can store more things on it and leaves my 17 inch Dell lap top alone!

Reply by Charles_Ca on 9/29/09 2:15pm
Msg #305597

Re: Charles......thanks John, appreciate the info! n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/28/09 8:21pm
Msg #305485

I did the same thing - used my laptop for all my

bookkeeping - had all my invoices and mileage on it - stood up one day to take laptop to printer to print out a report - tripped over dog, hit the deck (as did the laptop) - hard drive crashed - all info gone...poof....

I spent days recreating my current year's bookkeeping (thankfully part of it was on my desktop so I had a headstart)...my bad for not backing up as often as I should have

Now, all my "work" is on my desktop, period. No more relying on the laptop for record keeping or working for me...

Now you may not fall - but it CAN be dropped - and a lot of info can be lost .....

My exp.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/29/09 10:58am
Msg #305566

One word for you: Carbonite n/m

Reply by PAW on 9/29/09 1:30pm
Msg #305587

A word of caution with Carbonite

If you have shared drives (aka networked hard drives), Carbonite will not back them up. I use iDrive which will backup continuously (as well as scheduled) files from all disks, including networked drives. This is necessary considering my particular configuration where an external USB drive is the "data" drive and shared among all network users.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 9/29/09 2:19pm
Msg #305599

Re: A word of caution with Carbonite _ I agree with PAW

but I also have a personal problem with storing my files on someone else's server; I don't have complete control over the files or their use. I use Data Robotics DROBO which has worked fine for me and its extremely simple to install. Best of all I am still the only one who has access to my files. I suspect that since I am required to retain client files, unlike loan signing notaries I am probably more paranoid about my data being compromised.

Reply by PAW on 9/29/09 7:21pm
Msg #305633

A word of caution with Carbonite _ I agree with Charles_Ca

I too have files that are not backed up by iDrive, but by me and archived off site. As a broker, those files can be extremely sensitive and we are bound by privacy regs up the wazoo. Most backup programs allow you to pick and choose which files. Personal data files are not included for obvious privacy issues and concerns.

Reply by jba/fl on 9/29/09 1:32pm
Msg #305589

Caution: One word for you: Carbonite

http://tinyurl.com/b4snca

Reply by jba/fl on 9/29/09 1:56pm
Msg #305594

Re: PC magazine review of carbonite

http://tinyurl.com/yewfz97

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/29/09 5:00pm
Msg #305612

I am satisfied with Carbonite from personal experience.

I have it on two laptops. I can access my files on my Carbonite here at my work desk...or files from one laptop to the other at home.

Very, very nice since I have many projects which require adequate retrieval to remain effective. You just have to remember what you checked.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/28/09 9:41pm
Msg #305494

I learned a hard lesson by using a laptop as a desktop, Rick. I started with a laptop a few years ago to save space. It was working great for this business, too. Then it crashed & burned (just over 3 years old). I've gone to a Dell desktop. I've been told by many people that the life-span of a laptop doe not compare to a desk-top, as PAW points out above. I can attest to that. I now have a laptop also, for e-signings (hahaha). LOL

Reply by RickinVA on 9/29/09 8:48am
Msg #305544

Thanks Paul & Marilynn. I think I got hijacked, but I got answers too!
Unfortunately, because of my set up, my desktop nand laptopn are in
different rooms. I back up religiously but have to have that separation.
Maybe back to the drawing board...

Rick

Reply by PAW on 9/29/09 10:00am
Msg #305551

>>> my desktop [n]and laptop[n] are in different rooms <<<

Rick, sounds like a perfect environment for a wireless LAN. That way the desktop and laptop can be in communications with each other as well as share devices and peripherals. My laptop wanders from the kitchen to the living room, bedroom, office, garage, backyard. With a wireless networking solution, everything works just like it is all sitting on the desk in front of me.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/29/09 1:26pm
Msg #305586

Funny, Paul. So your "laptop wanders from the kitchen to the living room, etc.". It must be housebroken if you give it the run of the house. hahahehehe

Reply by PAW on 9/29/09 1:36pm
Msg #305591

Let's just say it is 'paper trained' and leave it at that.