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When I made the move to contractor I started with a laptop. I had the
added reason that we moved to Europe, and I knew a laptop would work
with the different curent, I could buy it in America and bring it with
me, has a US OS, etc. I bought an HP because it was solid, had a 3-year
warranty, and I could get it with NT (a long story there). At the time
it was a pretty hot machine, but it's pathetic already (4 years). I got
a y-cable for the keyboard and mouse - you *must* do that if you'll be
writing, just to save your wrists. Other than that, I had no
peripherals - not even a printer. I took files to a local shop if I
needed something printed out. This setup lasted for 2 years... I loved
the quiet, the contained package, and the small size of that machine.
And I basically had an uninterrupted power supply, which came in handy
when we had the electricians re-do our house.
Constantly using the laptop had two down sides... The heat from the
constant use sort of warped the super-thin aluminum base for the
keyboard, and so the keybard sort of arches upward now. I don't think
it pushes against the screen when I close the lid, but it is a little
goofy. Also, the battery isn't at optimal condition because I wound up
charging it significantly more than discharging it.
When I was established enough, and tired enough of a small monitor, I
decided to get a new machine. That, plus I was sick of NT's lousy font
problems and I needed more power for a regular gig I got to generate
huge catalogs in PDF... 233 mHz didn't cut it any more. I got a
machine built by a neighborhood shop, and installed my own Win 2000
(from the US). And, since apartments are small here (hence my desk is
small) I got a 15 in flat screen. The whole thing cost about $3,000 - 6
months later I saw laptops with 15 in screens 20 meg disks, 1 gHz, R/W
cd - basically the same machine for about $3,000 but a laptop. I will
say that I benefit from adding another HD and a DVD, but otherwise I
would prefer a laptop. (Oh, and I finally ponied up for a printer.)
I still need my laptop from time to time when I go to a site.
So what's the point? I guess a laptop is where I suggest you start, and
right about when it becomes obsolete you can buy a desktop machine. A
15 in screen is good enough for gvmt work - I got by with 12 in for
years. Travel light (minimal peripherals) and you'll have fewer issues.
Get a Pentium, whatever you do. Get a fast connection to the net.
--
Chris Despopoulos, maker of CudSpan Freeware...
Plugins to Enhance FrameMaker & FrameMaker+SGML http://www.telecable.es/personales/cud/
cud -at- telecable -dot- es
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