View Full Version : Computer suggestions requested
jim s
09-10-2003, 06:41 PM
Since this site is so full of knowledgable people, I thought I would run this problem by you...
My Dad currently has a laptop that he used in his MotorHome travelling between a winter home and a summer home. My Mom made him get rid of the motorhome for health reasons, so now they fly between homes. He doesn't want to drag his laptop back and forth (talk about a light traveler!) so he asked for his options.
First, let me rule out a Pocket PC. He needs XP, keyboard, mouse, and video large enough to see.
He was going to get a desktop, and take a CF card with his data back and forth, but I pointed out that the programs, updates, etc. would not be up-to-date on them.
His current laptop is no longer available, or I would have suggested buying an identical one and just moving the harddrive between computers.
Two new Dell laptops like the Inspiron 1100 are still a possibility, but I was wondering if anyone know of another solution. Does anybody make a harddrive/cpu/CD or DVD system that is fairly powerful and compact that all he would need to do is plug a K/V/M into? Is there a really small laptop that could have a K/V/M setup plugged into it? Are Tablet PCs a viable solution for this? Remember, size and weight are most definately an issue, cost not so much.
Any ideas?
PetiteFlower
09-10-2003, 07:48 PM
Are you talking about getting him a second computer? Does he already have 1 desktop at his primary location? I'm a little confused here...
If that's what you're looking for, then you could get a laptop or desktop, either one, and then use Remote Desktop to get access to the primary computer from the secondary location? I've never used Remote Desktop so I don't know if this would actually work or not but it would mean that he wouldn't have to carry ANYTHING back and forth.
jim s
09-10-2003, 07:58 PM
He only has one computer presently - a laptop.
No remote control type of solution would work, as he has dialup access only, and he would need to keep a computer on for 6 months someplace with nobody there to reboot it every once in a while when it hoses.
Jim
GoldKey
09-10-2003, 08:04 PM
He only has one computer presently - a laptop.
No remote control type of solution would work, as he has dialup access only, and he would need to keep a computer on for 6 months someplace with nobody there to reboot it every once in a while when it hoses.
Jim
Maybe a really small laptop, like one of the Sonys. For being at a location for 6 months, it should not be to much of a hassle to take it back and forth.
Alternatively, if you get a system setup where you can boot from a usb drive, he could have two identical systems and just take the HD back and forth, as it would have his OS, programs, data, etc. To me though, that seems like a lot of trouble just to avoid carrying a laptop on a flight once every six months.
Jason Dunn
09-10-2003, 09:05 PM
There are some really little computers (http://www.directpc.ca/controler.jsp?trx=CategoryBrowse&id=minipc&catalogPath=Systems%2Fdesktops%2Fminipc¤cy=usd) that you could toss in a bag and carry with you, but what about a laptop that does it all and is nice and small? (http://webshop.fujitsupc.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=P5D) :mrgreen:
jim s
09-10-2003, 09:07 PM
Maybe a really small laptop, like one of the Sonys. For being at a location for 6 months, it should not be to much of a hassle to take it back and forth.
Screen and keyboard are usally too small. Would need to add screen and keyboard at each location. Then you are hauling an extra keyboard and screen as part of the laptop that you aren't using.
Alternatively, if you get a system setup where you can boot from a usb drive, he could have two identical systems and just take the HD back and forth, as it would have his OS, programs, data, etc. To me though, that seems like a lot of trouble just to avoid carrying a laptop on a flight once every six months.
I never said that this made sense! He is into minimal luggage and maximal usability - two very conflicting demands.
GoldKey
09-10-2003, 09:25 PM
I never said that this made sense! He is into minimal luggage and maximal usability - two very conflicting demands.
How about shipping the laptop back and forth every 6 months?
Steven Cedrone
09-10-2003, 09:59 PM
I would go for this: 1 Laptop, 2 docking stations (one at each location), two monitors (again, one at each location), two keyboards and 2 mice (one at each location)...
Then either carry or ship the laptop back and forth (I would carry, since it can be used during the flight)...
Steve
jim s
09-10-2003, 10:43 PM
How about shipping the laptop back and forth every 6 months?
Ha! That was the first thing I suggested to him. It got vetoed. (Again, it doesn't have to make sense.)
Jim
Jason Dunn
09-10-2003, 10:57 PM
Ha! That was the first thing I suggested to him. It got vetoed. (Again, it doesn't have to make sense.)
Did you see my suggestion about the little computer? That's really the only solution left if the laptop isn't a consideration.
rhmorrison
09-10-2003, 11:16 PM
His current laptop is no longer available, or I would have suggested buying an identical one and just moving the harddrive between computers.
Are Tablet PCs a viable solution for this? Remember, size and weight are most definately an issue, cost not so much.
Any ideas?
:treadmill:
Man, talk about a tough nut to crack...
The most cost effective would be to buy a top of the line laptop that is very lightweight and drag it back and forth, however an alternative that would be around the same price but much smaller would be to buy two new identical desktop systems (whether with flat screen depends on your preferences and willingless to spend money for space) where I would add replacable hard drive modules removing the hard drives from both computers and placing them into corresponding housings that plug into the modules on the computer. I would then use both drives for one system (although this would also work for one drive even better as far as transportation but then it should be a very large drive, say 120 to 200 GB). In any case, when going from one location to the other he only needs to remove his hard drive(s) and take them with him. Even if he uses two drives it would still take up much less space (and weight) then a laptop and he could put one in his carry on and one in his wifes. When he arrives at the OTHER location he simply inserts the hard drive(s) into the system and off he goes.
This also has the advantage that should his unattended home get broken into and his computer stolen he doesn't lose any data - just hardware which can be replaced much eaiser than the data that one accumulates over the years. Using this approach should cost no more than buying a lightweight top of the line laptop and is much easier to transport. I had several colleages at work that used this method for transering data between their work computers and their home computers but since they now have company laptops they generally don't use this method anymore.
So that's my solution... What do you think?
GoldKey
09-10-2003, 11:18 PM
Ha! That was the first thing I suggested to him. It got vetoed. (Again, it doesn't have to make sense.)
Did you see my suggestion about the little computer? That's really the only solution left if the laptop isn't a consideration.
Based on what he is saying, I think even the smallest PC would be more than he wants to carry.
I seem to remember a story a while back about a PDA sized device without a screen that was docked into multiple units, it ran XP and seems exactly what he needs, but if I remember correctly, it was just a product concept.
GoldKey
09-10-2003, 11:23 PM
I actually found the story. Step into the wayback machine and look at this.
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=55&highlight=portable+computer+screen
jim s
09-10-2003, 11:34 PM
Goldkey - yeah - that is the type of thing he wants. Now, do they exist? I seem to remember some very small PC's about the size of a paperback book, but can't fine them anywhere on :google:
Jason - I did see those PC's but they didn't seem nearly portable enough.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
Jim
Jason Dunn
09-10-2003, 11:35 PM
Based on what he is saying, I think even the smallest PC would be more than he wants to carry.
If that's the case, then why was the question even asked? I'm all for finding solutions to help people, but if the solution is impossible, then what's the point in asking? :?
If it's just the DATA that's important (it should be), then he should get two complete systems at either location and use a Flash-based storage device to move data back and forth.
JustinGTP
09-10-2003, 11:53 PM
If your dad has luggage, putting a laptop in there wont take up much space. How picky is your dad anyway? 8O I mean, a laptop has XP and it isnt that much of a hassle taking it back and forwards every half a year!
-J.
jim s
09-11-2003, 12:01 AM
How picky is your dad anyway?
-J.
If only you knew :roll:
jim s
09-11-2003, 12:08 AM
If that's the case, then why was the question even asked? I'm all for finding solutions to help people, but if the solution is impossible, then what's the point in asking? :?
I am looking for out-of-the-box (sorry - I hate that term so much) solutions that I hadn't considered.
If it's just the DATA that's important (it should be), then he should get two complete systems at either location and use a Flash-based storage device to move data back and forth.
The problem is maintaining the two systems: keeping them up to date, patched, fine tuned, and yes, you guessed it, it my job to do all this for him, including when he and his computer are a thousand miles away.
Alternatively, if you get a system setup where you can boot from a usb drive, he could have two identical systems and just take the HD back and forth, as it would have his OS, programs, data, etc. To me though, that seems like a lot of trouble just to avoid carrying a laptop on a flight once every six months.
This wouldn't work with XP though.
PetiteFlower
09-11-2003, 12:31 AM
Well, sounds like you need to bring your dad back to reality. Look dad, here are the possibilities:
2 desktops, with various data storage possibilities, but with the requirement of having to spend some time updating each one once every 6 months when he arrives at the new location.
1 lightweight laptop, transported between locations, with a docking station at each place so he can have "real" keyboards/mice/monitors.
I recommend against shipping a laptop; they get stolen too frequently. And if he opts to travel with the laptop, tell him not to check it, either.
Clearly the "ideal" setup that he wants doesn't exist, tell him what DOES exist and let him decide what tradeoff he wants to make.
jim s
09-11-2003, 12:41 AM
Well, sounds like you need to bring your dad back to reality. Look dad, here are the possibilities:
He is a month away from being 79 years old, and has been in reality for most of it already. Not sure I want to drag him screaming back into it if I don't have to! :wink:
Seriously, he is pretty set in his ways (aren't most people nearly 80?) and keeping things as simple as possible is best, for him and me.
Jim
PetiteFlower
09-11-2003, 12:44 AM
Wow, 79 and using a computer at all is pretty impressive if you ask me!
At any rate though you can't make what he wants materialize out of thin air; I didn't mean you had to be harsh on him, but there's only so much you can do, you know?
jim s
09-11-2003, 12:58 AM
Wow, 79 and using a computer at all is pretty impressive if you ask me!
Yeah, he has been using one (with alot of help from me) since he first bought an IBM PCJr. (I tried to talk him out of it.) I just hope I am as curious and adventurous as he is at his age.
Nobody knows of those real small PC's a vaguely remember seeing? About the size of a large paperback for harddrive & CPU, if I remember correctly.
Jim
GoldKey
09-11-2003, 01:26 AM
He was going to get a desktop, and take a CF card with his data back and forth, but I pointed out that the programs, updates, etc. would not be up-to-date on them.
What exactly is he doing on the PC? If it is just Internet/E-mail and office applications, it should not be that difficult to keep to pc's up to date and just move the data. If that is all he is doing, this is probably the best available solution.
Steven Cedrone
09-11-2003, 03:03 AM
Well, I don't think you can find anything much smaller than this... (http://www.cappuccinopc.com/default.asp)
Look at the Mocha P4...
Steve
jim s
09-11-2003, 05:55 AM
Look at the Mocha P4...Steve
That's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks, Steve. You've saved the day again!
Jim
rhmorrison
09-11-2003, 08:28 AM
That's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks, Steve. You've saved the day again!
And HOW is this better than just taking the hard drive which is much smaller? Such small PC's are typically noisy and low powerered. He would still need monitors, keyboards, etc in BOTH locations.
JUST TAKE THE HARDDRIVE!
jim s
09-11-2003, 09:43 AM
That's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks, Steve. You've saved the day again!
And HOW is this better than just taking the hard drive which is much smaller? Such small PC's are typically noisy and low powerered. He would still need monitors, keyboards, etc in BOTH locations.
JUST TAKE THE HARDDRIVE!
It is better because I don't have to keep 2 computers up-to-date! Having 2 monitors, 2 keyboards, and 2 mices (meeses? / mouses?) is a small price (literally) to pay for this simplicity. Also, have you checked the specs? They look pretty good to me. Noise isn't too much of a problem as my Dad's hearing isn't very good,
Jim
rhmorrison
09-11-2003, 10:58 AM
It is better because I don't have to keep 2 computers up-to-date! Having 2 monitors, 2 keyboards, and 2 mices (meeses? / mouses?) is a small price (literally) to pay for this simplicity. Also, have you checked the specs? They look pretty good to me. Noise isn't too much of a problem as my Dad's hearing isn't very good
:multi:
H E L L O - Is ANYONE HOME :onfire:
THE HARD DRIVE IS YOUR COMPUTER, when you take it with you and insert it into the OTHER COMPUTER and turn it on YOU ARE UP-TO-DATE. Everything is installed and works :!:
WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND :?:
:takethat:
:multi:
H E L L O - Is ANYONE HOME :onfire:
THE HARD DRIVE IS YOUR COMPUTER, when you take it with you and insert it into the OTHER COMPUTER and turn it on YOU ARE UP-TO-DATE. Everything is installed and works :!:
WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND :?:
:takethat:
You can't use Windows XP in this manner, which I'm sure is the operating system his father will be using.
Steven Cedrone
09-11-2003, 01:13 PM
That's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks, Steve. You've saved the day again!
Good luck!!! :way to go:
Once you get it set up, let us know how everything works out...
Steve
rhmorrison
09-11-2003, 02:50 PM
You can't use Windows XP in this manner, which I'm sure is the operating system his father will be using.
And may I ask WHY NOT? Do they encode a CPU ID now or something else sinister? It did work for Win 9x/NT... 8O
Jason Dunn
09-11-2003, 03:17 PM
That's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks, Steve. You've saved the day again!
Maybe I'm missing something, but I pointed you towards the IN22 Little PC earlier in this thread, and you didn't even comment on my suggestion - and now suddenly you're interested in Steve's suggestion? The IN22 Little PC is only slightly bigger than the Mocha, but if you had said that my suggestion was close to the mark we could have drilled down for something in the same vein but smaller.
Mocha
198mm x 62mm x 161mm
IN22 Little PC
232mm x 75mm x 244mm
Helping people can be so frustrating sometimes. :roll: Anyway, I hope this solution works for you. :way to go:
ux4484
09-11-2003, 03:50 PM
HA! LOL.....that just because Steve is just SO nice :D ;)
You can't use Windows XP in this manner, which I'm sure is the operating system his father will be using.
And may I ask WHY NOT? Do they encode a CPU ID now or something else sinister? It did work for Win 9x/NT... 8O
Microsoft's "Product Activation" nonsense. It won't like the constantly changing hardware.
rhmorrison
09-11-2003, 04:53 PM
Microsoft's "Product Activation" nonsense. It won't like the constantly changing hardware.
Too bad, it would have been the BEST solution given the constraints involved. Personally I would just buy a top of the line laptop and drag it back and forth... I mean for only twice a year what's the big deal!
I find it amazing that someone at his age has gotten into using computers. My father was the director of engineering (Eastern United States) for AT&T Long Lines (when it was called that) and at work he never had to use a computer because he had a secretary that did it for him (including his email). After retirement he did eventually buy I computer that I helped him pick out and did manage to use the internet to find information on things of interest but he never really was any good with the mouse or many other programs. He kept saying he was going to take a course but he never did. My hat off to the elderly gentleman that is trying to stay on top of technology.
Jason Dunn
09-11-2003, 05:09 PM
Microsoft's "Product Activation" nonsense. It won't like the constantly changing hardware.
The suggestion was to purchase two identical systems (ie: same components), so I believe the product activation wouldn't know the difference.
Pat Logsdon
09-11-2003, 05:14 PM
The mocha is pretty nice - there are a few people I know of that have built in-car systems by stashing one of those under a seat.
Steven Cedrone
09-11-2003, 05:25 PM
The IN22 Little PC is only slightly bigger than the Mocha...
Yes, but the Mocha looks cooler!!! :wink:
Steve
Mike Temporale
09-11-2003, 05:41 PM
You can't use Windows XP in this manner, which I'm sure is the operating system his father will be using.
And may I ask WHY NOT? Do they encode a CPU ID now or something else sinister? It did work for Win 9x/NT... 8O
Microsoft's "Product Activation" nonsense. It won't like the constantly changing hardware.
It can be done. I've seen it. One of the local software training companies has set up the lab with identical hardware and removable hard drives. When it's time for a class, they grab an empty hard drive and image it according to the course requirements. All machines in the lab are identical, and they all run XP Pro.
I'm not sure if they had to do something special to get this to work, but it worked very nicely.
jim s
09-11-2003, 05:44 PM
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to provide suggestions on this issue. I guess I need to apologize to everyone that I didn't narrow down the requirements better at the beginning, but I didn't want to narrow it down to one particular type of solution and miss out on some other solution that I had never thought of.
Jason - I did see your remark about the PC's you mentioned, and commented that they didn't seem small enough. If you look at the specs, they are more than twice as big as the Mocha. In this case, size is everything. Any solution requiring more than one computer is out, as it doubles the maintenance for me (I have enough servers to maintain at work as it is.) I didn't jump on them as the solution at that time as I was still hoping for some other unthought of solution.
Anyway, thanks for the input. I will discuss the options with my Dad tonight and see if any are OK with him.
Jim
GoldKey
09-11-2003, 05:49 PM
You can't use Windows XP in this manner, which I'm sure is the operating system his father will be using.
And may I ask WHY NOT? Do they encode a CPU ID now or something else sinister? It did work for Win 9x/NT... 8O
Microsoft's "Product Activation" nonsense. It won't like the constantly changing hardware.
It can be done. I've seen it. One of the local software training companies has set up the lab with identical hardware and removable hard drives. When it's time for a class, they grab an empty hard drive and image it according to the course requirements. All machines in the lab are identical, and they all run XP Pro.
I'm not sure if they had to do something special to get this to work, but it worked very nicely.
I thought XP does not have product activiation. I thought product activation was mostly for the home market. When activation is required though, doesn't it use the serial numbers from some of the parts, so even two identically configured machines would have different serial numbers.
PetiteFlower
09-11-2003, 07:06 PM
Rh, you really need to cool it with the yelling and the angry tone; why so upset?
Anyway aside from any other problems, transporting the hard drive would mean that his dad would have to open up the computer and remove the hard drive, and then open up with other computer and reinsert it when he gets to the new location. This may be more "hands on" then he wants to get, and Jim is only going to be available to help at one location!
Also aren't hard drives pretty delicate with all the moving parts? I'd think that carrying it on a plane like that without even the rest of the computer as protection might damage it.
Am I mistaken or are those micro-PCs still bigger then a laptop that your dad doesn't want to transport?
jim s
09-11-2003, 07:37 PM
Am I mistaken or are those micro-PCs still bigger then a laptop that your dad doesn't want to transport?
They are about the size of a thick paperback. All I can do is suggest the options. He has to decide what he can live with. I am guessing he will stick with his laptop, once I explain all the pros/cons of the other solutions.
Jim
Janak Parekh
09-11-2003, 07:44 PM
I thought XP does not have product activiation. I thought product activation was mostly for the home market. When activation is required though, doesn't it use the serial numbers from some of the parts, so even two identically configured machines would have different serial numbers.
Not entirely correct. You can get XP Pro as a standard retail package, in which case it has activation, or a company can get a Corporate License Version, which does not have activation. The latter is what I use at work. :)
--janak
Janak Parekh
09-11-2003, 07:46 PM
Anyway aside from any other problems, transporting the hard drive would mean that his dad would have to open up the computer and remove the hard drive, and then open up with other computer and reinsert it when he gets to the new location.
Not always; there are removable solutions. But it sounds like the Mocha might do exactly what he wants.
--janak
The suggestion was to purchase two identical systems (ie: same components), so I believe the product activation wouldn't know the difference.
I'm fairly sure it would.. the network card would be the big thing, but I have never tried to do this, so I cannot be sure one way or the other.
It can be done. I've seen it. One of the local software training companies has set up the lab with identical hardware and removable hard drives. When it's time for a class, they grab an empty hard drive and image it according to the course requirements. All machines in the lab are identical, and they all run XP Pro.
I'm not sure if they had to do something special to get this to work, but it worked very nicely.
I'm sure they were running Corporate edition.. ;)
Mike Temporale
09-14-2003, 01:49 AM
It can be done. I've seen it. One of the local software training companies has set up the lab with identical hardware and removable hard drives. When it's time for a class, they grab an empty hard drive and image it according to the course requirements. All machines in the lab are identical, and they all run XP Pro.
I'm not sure if they had to do something special to get this to work, but it worked very nicely.
I'm sure they were running Corporate edition.. ;)
In that case, yes I think they would be using the Corporate version too. However, the version that comes pre-installed on brand-name machines does not require Activation (not all brand name machines, but some like IBM and Dell). So you can still do this. It might not be the solution that was ultimately choosen here and it might not be the best solution to this situation, but it can be done.
jim s
09-25-2003, 10:12 PM
After discussing the pros and cons of all the possibilities, my Dad decided that it wasn't so bad to just haul his laptop back and forth! Thanks to all for the suggestions. Too bad there isn't a solution that would let someone insert a cf card into ANY computer and boot it up with the OS, Apps, and data on the cf card. Total portable computing anywhere. Kiosk computers in coffeeshops and airports - all you need is a cf card/credit card combo. Maybe I'll patent the idea! :lol:
I guess the hardware drivers would be the problem, though...
Jim
After discussing the pros and cons of all the possibilities, my Dad decided that it wasn't so bad to just haul his laptop back and forth! Thanks to all for the suggestions. Too bad there isn't a solution that would let someone insert a cf card into ANY computer and boot it up with the OS, Apps, and data on the cf card. Total portable computing anywhere. Kiosk computers in coffeeshops and airports - all you need is a cf card/credit card combo. Maybe I'll patent the idea! :lol:
I guess the hardware drivers would be the problem, though...
Jim
Ehm... that is quite possible btw. :)
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