Berkeley CSUA MOTD:Entry 10420
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2025/04/04 [General] UID:1000 Activity:popular
4/4     

2003/10/2-4 [Computer/HW/Laptop] UID:10420 Activity:moderate
10/2    Time for laptop opinions again--I'm looking for something lightweight
        and solid that will let me run FreeBSD and VMware/WinXP nicely.
        I don't need a CD drive.  Main conditions are trackpoint rather than
        trackpad, and weight less than 4 lbs/2kg.  I'm considering an IBM
        X31;  only problem is that it's "only" got a 1.4 PIV.  Any opinions
        on similar laptops from personal experience would be greatly
        appreciated.  -John
        \_ I'm using Virtual PC 5.x.  Works way better than the crap VMware is
           pushing.  I don't know of any decent laptops that still use the
           old style thumb breakers.
        \_ Side note: on the video card comments from a while ago...I'm
           currently playing Halo on my laptop (Radeon 7500M chipset).  I have
           to turn off many of the features (and it's not a DX9 chipset) but it
           plays great.  Mostly I'm missing the eye candy (which look great on
           my Radeon 9800 at work).
                \_ GFX card doesn't have to be stellar--I have a good home
                   machine for games.  Virtual PC is nice, agreed, but it
                   does not run on top of FreeBSD.  -John
        \_ Why make your life so complicated? Get a Macintosh. You'll get access
           to the majority of dekstop applications that the majority of users
           care about and you still will maintain full compatibility with unix
           apps which, using tools like fink, are trivial to install on OS X.
           \_ Because it costs about $1000 more for similar hardware?
                \_ Apple's low-end hardware is pretty competitively priced,
                   but none of it is under 4 pounds.  -tom
           \_ Nonsense. Please show me a Powerbook comparable laptop priced
              at $1000. or iBook class laptop sold for $300.
           \_ Only if your benchmark is crap that Dell mostly makes or
              similar.
        \_ Couple things: 1. IBM X-series, as far as I know, never equipped
           with P4 CPU.  I think it has something to do with how much heat p4
           dissipated.  X-series went from P3M straight to Pentium-M.
           2. There is a Pentium-M version of X31.  I am not sure can it
           support booting from an external, USB CD writer or not.
           3. Dell has something that is similiar in spec.  I vaguely remember
           it is called X300.  Pentium M/12.1" screen.  Dell is lighter
           1.7kg vs IBM's 2.2 kg.  The down side, if you call it, is that
           Dell doesn't have dedicated video memory.
           4. Personally, I prefer IBM's build quality and its keyboard.
               \_ why do you like the keyboard?  I hate the ibm keyboard.
                  I am still not used to the the left control key.
                  \_ personal choice.  "Personally I[he] prefer[s] ..."
           Having said that, IBM recently moved the notebook production from
           Taiwan to the mainland China.  Not that I have anything
           against China, but I heard their first couple batchs was not up
           to the par (common issue when one moved its manufacturing
           facilities).  So, when you are hunting for bargain, becareful.
           email me if you have more questions.         -kngharv
2025/04/04 [General] UID:1000 Activity:popular
4/4     

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