Laptop computers

[Warren]

Most laptops today come with a wireless card pre-installed, which
should be compatible
with the ship's wifi hotspots.

If the L300 does not have an internal wireless card installed, I'd
select a different model to purchase.

Warren

On Jan 19, 11:23*pm, tathraman <bandwago...@**********> wrote:
> Computer savants - I'm going on Dawn Princess round the world in May
> and plan on buying an entry-level laptop - a Toshiba L300. *Toshiba
> tells me I'll need some sort of device to be able to log onto the net
> if I want wireless connection. *Would I need some sort of
> international device? *Will I be able to connect directly in the
> ship's internet cafe?
> Thanks!

[LVTravel]

"tathraman" <bandwagon30@**********> wrote in message
news:d88e4b3b-3661-480d-a576-127bfd72e642@30g2000yqu.************.com...
> Computer savants - I'm going on Dawn Princess round the world in May
> and plan on buying an entry-level laptop - a Toshiba L300. Toshiba
> tells me I'll need some sort of device to be able to log onto the net
> if I want wireless connection. Would I need some sort of
> international device? Will I be able to connect directly in the
> ship's internet cafe?
> Thanks!

I'm jealous. I want to do the around the world trip but don't think I will
be able to make it until possibly the year after next.

I can't seem to find any exacting specifications for this laptop from
Toshiba's web site. If you see the box that the computer comes in or if you
are talking to a salesperson see if it has a built-in WiFi B, G, or N. If
so then it should be able to connect with Princess' WiFi on their ship
without any other hardware. My HP laptops connect just fine. From the
information I have seen the L300 does come with WiFi built in but as I said
I can't find a full description of the components of this computer and when
I look at the Satellite Pro L300 the information is really limited.

[Tom K]

"tathraman" <bandwagon30@**********> wrote in message
news:263405fb-4ed7-46c7-b45f-390be6a5f270@c34g2000yqn.************.com...

This might help you identify it. I'm rather keen on it as it is $399,
with an option of 2GB for $29. Also has a webcam and it can burn
dvds
Satellite Pro L300

Part Number - PSLB9A-058001

I'm a believer in "you get what you pay for"...

So here's my take. The 2 highest rated quality computers are Lenovo's
ThinkPad (which used to be IBM ThinkPad) for Windows, and Apple's Mac.

I don't recall either Toshiba or Acer has having very good quality at all.
With Acer especially bad. I don't care for Dell or Sony either. The only 2
I'd consider are Lenovo or Mac.

If you're going to be on a world cruise, that means you won't be anywhere
near a USP or FedEx center to return the unit if and/or when you have
problems with it. Further... if you're on a world cruise, it's not like
you're going to get any "second chances" if you bought junk and it's not
working or you had to send it back.

With all you spent on the world cruise... to me the computer (or camera)
isn't the place to go "cheap".

I'm typing this on a 5 year old IBM T42 ThinkPad laptop. When I got it, I
actually bought 3, one for me and one for each of my kids (one in and one
finished with college). Of the 3, only 1 ever needed to go in for
servicing, and I got the extended contract on all 3. They're quality units.
A bit more expensive, but "you get what you pay for".

If it's me... going on a world cruise, I would get the Lenovo if I wanted a
Windows unit, or the Mac if I was comfortable with Apple's operating system.
Especially since you're doing something where there are no second chances.

--Tom

[Tom K]

"Stu" <info@foodforu.ca> wrote in message
news:6qqel5tsea1ljkhgjapj0hap695ceg04lp@********...
>>
>
> As for connecting to their internet, last cruise it cost us $0.55
> min., had to buy a block of minutes, otherwise I think it was $0.75
> min. Whatever you do, don't use your cell phone while on the cruise,
> it's very expensive.
>
>

Not completely true(about the cell phone)... I found that's actually about
the cheapest way (using text messages) to stay in touch with the kids and my
mom at home while I'm gone. Outgoing texts aren't as expensive as a few
minutes on the internet, and incoming are even cheaper. Plus with a text
message, it's instantaneous, you don't have to stay connected a few minutes
while the connection is made, your mail opens, etc. like when using the
internet.

But you're right... don't use voice on your cell phone. Those minutes are
big bucks. But text messages are cheap and an easy way to stay connected.

--Tom

[Mark (SF)]

I concur with the others - get a decent computer.

Seriously, you'll be crippling yourself with inadequate hardware.
Personally, I've become a big Mac fan - but if you want to buy a
Windows machine - just get a computer that isn't obsolete out of the
box. I checked the Toshiba site and it appears that that model isn't
even in their current lineup.

As far as brands go, each has their supporters. Personally, I had a
Satelite Pro a few years ago and it was a champ. IMHO I'd look at
(besides Apple) HP/Compaq and Toshiba first - I'm wary of Acer.

A few months ago I found some really excellent configurations at cheap
prices at Costco.

Mark

[Tom K]

"Mark (SF)" <mark@markkatzenberger.com> wrote in message
news:c64c7708-66f2-401e-a04c-4841829fbd66@l30g2000yqb.************.com...
>I concur with the others - get a decent computer.
>
> Seriously, you'll be crippling yourself with inadequate hardware.
> Personally, I've become a big Mac fan - but if you want to buy a
> Windows machine - just get a computer that isn't obsolete out of the
> box. I checked the Toshiba site and it appears that that model isn't
> even in their current lineup.
>
> As far as brands go, each has their supporters. Personally, I had a
> Satelite Pro a few years ago and it was a champ. IMHO I'd look at
> (besides Apple) HP/Compaq and Toshiba first - I'm wary of Acer.

Not Lenovo?

--Tom


> A few months ago I found some really excellent configurations at cheap
> prices at Costco.
>
> Mark

[MAS]

On 1/20/2010 8:52 AM, Tom K wrote:
> I'm a believer in "you get what you pay for"...
>
> So here's my take. The 2 highest rated quality computers are Lenovo's
> ThinkPad (which used to be IBM ThinkPad) for Windows, and Apple's Mac.
>
> I don't recall either Toshiba or Acer has having very good quality at all.
> With Acer especially bad. I don't care for Dell or Sony either. The only 2
> I'd consider are Lenovo or Mac.
>
> If you're going to be on a world cruise, that means you won't be anywhere
> near a USP or FedEx center to return the unit if and/or when you have
> problems with it. Further... if you're on a world cruise, it's not like
> you're going to get any "second chances" if you bought junk and it's not
> working or you had to send it back.
>
> With all you spent on the world cruise... to me the computer (or camera)
> isn't the place to go "cheap".
>
> I'm typing this on a 5 year old IBM T42 ThinkPad laptop. When I got it, I
> actually bought 3, one for me and one for each of my kids (one in and one
> finished with college). Of the 3, only 1 ever needed to go in for
> servicing, and I got the extended contract on all 3. They're quality units.
> A bit more expensive, but "you get what you pay for".
>
> If it's me... going on a world cruise, I would get the Lenovo if I wanted a
> Windows unit, or the Mac if I was comfortable with Apple's operating system.
> Especially since you're doing something where there are no second chances.
>
> --Tom
>

I have an Acer laptop that's 8 years old and have never had a single
problem with it. It gets heavy use. With that said, I agree with you.
Get a known reputable laptop, especially if you need to rely on it on
your world cruise. I'd go with the Lenovo.

Marsha

[Brian]

On Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:52:34 -0600, Stu <info@foodforu.ca> wrote:


>As for connecting to their internet, last cruise it cost us $0.55
>min., had to buy a block of minutes, otherwise I think it was $0.75
>min. Whatever you do, don't use your cell phone while on the cruise,
>it's very expensive.

And it's very slow; not like what is normally thought of as broadband
speed.

[J Carnaghie]

tathraman wrote:
> Computer savants - I'm going on Dawn Princess round the world in May
> and plan on buying an entry-level laptop - a Toshiba L300. Toshiba
> tells me I'll need some sort of device to be able to log onto the net
> if I want wireless connection. Would I need some sort of
> international device? Will I be able to connect directly in the
> ship's internet cafe?
> Thanks!

Regardless of which machine you finally decide to purchase, when you get
it, plug it in and run it for at least 72 hours straight. Get a "memory
test" program and exercise the heck out of it. Charge and discharge the
battery at least two cycles. If you don't have any problems, you are
probably "good to go." Most major brands have "worldwide" service,
which you hopefully will not need.
Bottom Line = You get what you pay for.

Cheers,
John in LALALand (On the Left Coast)

[Fred Kay]

How about Netbooks? Or the forthcoming apple tablet? Fred