Question on labtop and doing paper work?

I think you would be better served if you were to give us an idea of exactly what it is that you want to accomplish. We have many interests and therefore many configurations. Some drivers are avid Gamers (Video Games) and need faster microprocessors w/overclocking (adjustable BIOS that can produce processing speed beyond the manufacturer's setting, with resultant heat generation) and more fast memory; there are those involved in video-streaming and downloading music and videos. These all have hardware/software requirements for the configurations needed by them. None of which would be appropriate for you, unless you share those interests. If your need is limited to emails, scanning/copying paperwork, logs, etc. Then you would do fine with the more inexpensive units in the $400-$500 range. Internet providers? You don't need an internet provider if you're using it on the road, because you will get your internet access via WIFI or USB Modem (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, etc.). The last question? Pretty much any 3-in-One printer will meet your needs; easily found for under $100. I have an Epson Stylus 7400 that I bought for about $70. It scans, copies, and prints color/BW. It has proved trouble-free over the last year.

Ultimately, you should understand that without a comprehensive list of what your intended use will be; nobody can tell you what will best suit your needs; not even a computer salesman. Your first priority in considering a system is: What do I need it for NOW; and, MIGHT I need it for in the future? When you can answer that; WE can answer YOU!

Good luck with this; you will one day understand that getting a laptop with internet capability was one of the smartest decisions you'll ever make; whether a company driver or O/O (But, especially, an O/O).

 

I've got an old HP nc6000 laptop that does everything pretty well. I mostly use it for watching downloaded video that I use my home connection to get, play music on it, look up addresses, and a couple games that aren't too graphics heavy. The verizon aircard I have does pretty well in town and along the interstates. I'm in Lynchburg, VA right now, just south of town and it's running about half speed. Up in the mountains around Summersville, WV it's as slow as a cheap cell phone though. I don't mind, it's worth it to not have to worry about finding a truck stop or an empty lot next to a hotel with wireless.

I need to get one of those printer/scanners. Doing paperwork in photoshop can be annoying.

 

First off, Photoshop is by no means an applications suited to managing paperwork. I am sending a link to one of a number of shareware (also called freeware) download sites. You will find a 'Word' download, which is an app with the look and feel of MSWord. Also, a number of extensions are available on the site. As this is a quick response, I have to say that I have not tried out these particular programs, as I have MS Office Suite. But, if you feel they're not what you are looking for; Google shareware wordprocessing downloads; and/or spreadsheet downloads (for Excel-like apps).

This is a totally free Office Suite Shareware application (no trials, or obligation to buy anything). I have downloaded this Suite (148 MB), installed it, and found it to be a GREAT program. The Suite offers a spreadsheet and various other add-ons. This is right down your alley:

http://download.openoffice.org/index.html


As for printers, I left BestBuy not more than an hour ago, I was looking at several low-end models for my own needs. I have an Epson Stylus CX7400, for which I paid approx. $75, a year ago. It still works great. I was at BestBuy to pick up ink for my printer. Understand, when you buy a lwo-end printer, like mine, essentially, they give the printer away for free---you are really just buying the ink. This model, which is a 3-in-1: scanner, copier, and printer. The Epson Stylus CX7400 has evolved into the Epson Stylus NX105 (looks almost identical to the earlier model) and is selling at BestBuy for a whopping $69.99! Now, why did I say the printer was virtually free? Well, the four-cartridge ink set totals up to $58.29 w/tax; so; you get the printer for $11.17. Not, a bad deal, huh? Everytime you need an ink cartridge set, just throw away the printer and get a new one for just $11.18. Talk about your 'disposable society'! BestBuy also offers a Canon 3-in-1 printer (scanner, printer, copier): Canon MP240, also priced at $69.99. As ink purchases are by far the greatest cost for your printer, it is always important in evaluating printers to research ink usage. Like in an auto purchase, you want to avoid a gas-guzzler; with printers, you want to avoid an "ink-guzzler". Some printers use one cartridge, some up to four; it's irrelevant. The question you want answered is: What is the cost per page?

Your Verizon Aircard? I have one, also. As I am not driving at the moment; I am using it at home in my basement apartment. As with you, I get marginal reception, so I have a slow connection. How much better is a slow connection; as compared to NO connection? On the road, if there is cellphone coverage; there is AirCard coverage, so once again: How much better is a slow connection; as compared to NO connection? You GOT it!

Basicly, your needs are very modest and you are less than $100 away from achieving the level of productivity you desire. I hope this helps and good luck!

 

Thanks for the advice. I just got home for the weekend (3am lol) so I've got some time for shopping.

I wasn't complaining about the aircard, I love mine. The half speed it was running at was still good for about 90KB/s, well within broadband speed. The slowness I was talking about is insanely slow. It took about ten minutes to load a single map on mapquest. I don't mind at all though, since you just roll down the road a bit and it's back to full speed. The bandwidth monitoring program that comes with it is amusing. It claims I downloaded over 2 Gigs in one session with no ip assigned.

I'll try that open office out and see about getting one of those printer deals.

 

Not quite. They sell it like that, but in reality there are quite a few spots where the phone works and the internet doesn't. It happens mostly in areas that are covered by service agreements with other carriers. They have an agreement in place for the phone, but not for the internet.

 

5 gigs isnt all that much if you sitting for a reset i regullarly used 80-90 gigs a month when i had mine alltel might still be unlimited but im not sure since they were purchased by verizon although if you use to much roaming they will terminate you contract not that you can turn roaming off. personally im currently using my blackberry as a modem speeds are not as good but its 30 instead of 60 every month

 

i have the sprint air card and i rarely ever hit a dead spot,also its totaly unlimited on time and downloads....no roaming either.i use verison for my cell phone and sprint for my internet when im on the road....

 

hey toddes. I have the verizon aircard you are talking about. There is no way you go over your 5gb plan. I really like mine works pretty good while driving down the road. Never once got even close to 2gb a month. Only a few spots did I have trouble getting a signal such as like in T.A. truckstop on I 80 in mill city nv. Hope this helps. Oh yeah also if you buy the aircard from bestbuy they dont charge for equipment or setup, but verizon will if you buy from them.