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02-Feb-2008, 09:20 AM
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03-Feb-2008, 10:25 AM
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03-Feb-2008, 01:17 PM
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| I'll take a crack at it . . . Apple has 2x more memory than the other two...4GB to their 2GB, correct? I am wondering if this is necessary to have this much? I assume it is RAM? They describe it as system memory. Yes, it is RAM and IMO the more the better. They are comparing two 17" screens to a 15" Lenovo. I plan on using it as a replacement desktop but using it as a laptop, so 17" seems unweildy to me. A 17" would be preferable. You'd be surprised how small a 15" laptop actually is. Lenovo has a removable optical drive [DVD player?] and the other two don't. What would be the benefit to a removable optical drive? Any? Could it just make it easy to replace? An optical drive is a CD or DVD burner that uses light or laser. A removable one is an advantage because you can upgrade easily, or if there is a problem you can remove just it for repair/diagnosis, etc. More and more laptops these days come with removable optical drives. Dell has an optical speed of 1 and the other two have 4...is this that important a difference? Optical Drive Speeds Explained Hmmm...the Lenovo has an nVidia Quadro FX570M video chip set and the other two hv GeoForce, 8600M GT which is better? The GeoForce seems more common? The nVidia GeoForce are general consumer orientated graphics cards - so yes, more common. The Quadros are more CAD-3D orientated cards and aimed at professional market, and comply with OpenGL standards. What is the significance of the different ports and interfaces.... Lenovo has PCI Express for an external monitor...while Dell/Apple hv integrated interfaces. Is this for connecting to a TV? Is one better than the other? Both are for connecting to an external monitor. So yes, could be a TV. PCI Express Explained Let me look around for comparisons between PCI Express & integrated EMI. Apple has no media slots while Dell/Lenovo have 3. Could that be because Apple has provided the same function in a different way? Yes - by Firewire or USB technically. (Hook up device directly) or use ExpressCard. Lenovo/Dell come with Memory Stick, SD card, xD picture card and Apple no? Is this just a difference in technology? See my previous answer.  Firewire ports...what are they used for and is 2 better than 1? Firewire Explained and yes, two are better than one. S-Video Ports Dell hs it, the other two don't An S-Video port can be used to hook directly to a TV. Docking Station Port ... Lenovo hs one, the other two don't The Lenovo model has a docking station available. Infrared Port Lenovo hasn't the other two don't An infrared port on a laptop computer can be used to transfer data to and from another computer or a mobile device like a PDA or mobile phone without wires over short distance. Mini PCI Port Lenovo has it the other two doesn't Mini PCI Explained PC Card Slots Lenovo has one the other two don't Also known as PCMCIA card slots - used for memory cards. All hv Express Card Slots ExpressCard Explained.
__________________ Microsoft Certified Professional Mac Addict "It's All About the Pentiums, Baby!" |
03-Feb-2008, 01:28 PM
#11 | ||||||
| More answers . . . I posted before finishing!  Apple doesn't include a modem and Dell/Lenovo do include a V.92...again...difference in technology? Modems are like 3.5" floppy drives ... becoming obsolete. I see two different weights...one with battery and one without. So when I am looking at the manufacturers own specs on their websites, the weight given is without the battery? Looks like it . . . There seems to be a difference in network ports and this would seem to me to be important, correct? Dell has a 10/100 Base T Ethernet and Lenovo and Apple have Gigabit Ethernet. Gigabyte Ethernet is a newer standard. Battery Life...the Lenovo has the 9cell and appears to have longer battery use. Is that because Lenovo specializes in Business machines? Good question. They also seem to have another bay for a second battery and the other two don't. I will be using mine at home most of the time and I normally use the ac/adapter cord. But I am on my 4th adapter cord with this Dell Inspiron and believe it or not I am very careful with it. They are not cheap, so I would like to avoid a repeat of that. Not sure if I should plan on using the battery more? I recommend that if you don't use the battery, don't keep it within the unit. Batteries aren't cheap either - guess they get ya one way or another! Hope that helps.
__________________ Microsoft Certified Professional Mac Addict "It's All About the Pentiums, Baby!" |
03-Feb-2008, 01:49 PM
#12 | ||||||
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04-Feb-2008, 01:21 PM
#13 | ||||||
| ZRBBoss.....On the Linux system, one of the draws with Apple is the lessened security issues, but also the software. How does the OS stack up to Windows and Apple? Which manufacturers are offering Linux as an option? How would tech support for it be different? Oh my goodness, Rose, that article you linked to...I am just starting it, but just the fact that the person who designed the website has read over 4,000 studies and reports on the topic of Mac vs PC is pretty impressive. Thanks, it will take me some time to look it all over. [g] Rose thanks too, for trying to answer all my questions. I sometimes envy people who can quickly make a decision and don't have to think too much about the details. Seems like sometimes they get as lucky as I do without as much work. [g] On the graphics cards...so, the Quadro is better than the Geoforce? BUT, if I am not planning on using the CAD software, maybe I don't need the Quadro? If I want to use Adobe Photoshop will it run just as well on the Geoforce, or would the Quadro be an improvement? As far as the many ports go..brother...! After looking at the links you provided, it would seem to me that this is an ever evolving area and it changes really fast and some of it might be overlap just to make sure everyone has a way to connect everything. I thought the Lenovo and the Apple did pretty well in this department. Does anyone agree/disagree? I think I will not really need to use a lot with the laptop anyway. I don't have mobile devices. I would use, printer/fax/scanner/digital camera and at the moment, I can't think of anything else. I would be using it in a home wireless network, so it would appear to me that either the Lenovo or the Apple would do just as well with my circumstances. I would miss that eraserball pointing device that the Lenovo still offers, a LOT. I wish it were not so important to me. I have problems with my hands and arms and that keyboard is much easier for me. I am hoping I can get used to the Apple MacBook Keyboard while I am using my daughter's to make a final decision on that aspect of whether it will work for me. I am disappointed in the useable battery time on the Apple and not even sure if they offer phone support. An important point to find out about. Well, thanks to all the help I am receiving, I am making progress. Although I had been leaning toward Dell, which is the familiar and I have had good support from them, I am now crossing them off my list. Now it is down to the Lenovo or the Apple. Apple to PC comparisons according to the article I am looking at and answers to questions here on the Mac forum are making the Apple look pretty darn good. I am now still balking at the price and though I hear they are coming out with a less expensive machine soon, I don't know if I can wait. So that is where I am at. If anyone has any further opinions/experiences to share about which system is the most trouble free, I would love to hear it. Thanks John, Rose and ZRBBoss... Very very helpful!adam |
04-Feb-2008, 03:04 PM
#14 | ||||||
| Adam (and by the way, I am not following you!) -I am actually just like you in that I research like crazy anything big that I am going to purchase. I think you are very wise to take the time to ask questions in order to make an informed decision. It is a big investment after all. I'm not a resident expert on graphics cards, but seeing that all three systems are pretty much top of the line, I'd say the Quadro would be fine, especially with PhotoShop. I'm sure if you posted a question about a comparison of the two in the Digital Photography/Imaging or Multimedia forum there'd be lots of folks with experience/knowledge on the two that could guide you in answering if the Quadro would be sufficient for what you intend to do. Actually those links I gave you educated ME as well ... it has evolved at a very fast rate IMO in recent years. Apple does offer phone support - free for the first 90 days (1-800-275-2273) and if you purchase an AppleCare service (3 year warranty) I believe you get phone service for a full year. I've been very impressed with their phone service when I've had to use it. I know what you mean about when you get used to a certain product and have to adapt to something else. I have an Apple wireless mouse that I use with my iMac that is really cool .... you can program all the different buttons to do whatever you want (I realize other mice do that as well.) I understand the OUCH aspect about the price of an Apple product ..... but one thing to consider is that you don't have to spend any extra $$ afterwards on antivirus or firewall software, etc. It comes ready to be off and running as far as security goes. I believe you get what you pay for. Whatever laptop you decide on, you will certainly have a splendid machine. I would be drooling over all three! Good luck!
__________________ Microsoft Certified Professional Mac Addict "It's All About the Pentiums, Baby!" |
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