09-10-2003, 06:41 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 79
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Computer suggestions requested
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?
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09-10-2003, 07:48 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,124
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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.
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09-10-2003, 07:58 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 79
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Clarification (I hope)
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
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09-10-2003, 08:04 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,264
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Re: Clarification (I hope)
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Originally Posted by Jim S
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
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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.
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09-10-2003, 09:05 PM
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09-10-2003, 09:07 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 79
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Re: Clarification (I hope)
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Originally Posted by Goldkey
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.
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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.
Quote:
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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.
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I never said that this made sense! He is into minimal luggage and maximal usability - two very conflicting demands.
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09-10-2003, 09:25 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,264
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Re: Clarification (I hope)
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Originally Posted by Jim S
I never said that this made sense! He is into minimal luggage and maximal usability - two very conflicting demands.
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How about shipping the laptop back and forth every 6 months?
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09-10-2003, 09:59 PM
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,878
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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
__________________
"My eyes are rolling back in my head so far I can see my grey matter bubbling and frothing from reading this thread....bleh." JD
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09-10-2003, 10:43 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 79
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Re: Clarification (I hope)
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How about shipping the laptop back and forth every 6 months?
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Ha! That was the first thing I suggested to him. It got vetoed. (Again, it doesn't have to make sense.)
Jim
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09-10-2003, 10:57 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Re: Clarification (I hope)
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Originally Posted by Jim S
Ha! That was the first thing I suggested to him. It got vetoed. (Again, it doesn't have to make sense.)
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Did you see my suggestion about the little computer? That's really the only solution left if the laptop isn't a consideration.
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