Laptop/Notebook

[Don]

I've been looking to pick up one of these for some time now, for use in the RV while traveling. I saw one the other day at Sam's Club that I am not familiar with.

Does anyone have any knowledge of or experience with Averatec? They have a good looking website, but I'm curious about anyone

[n567]

Don, I'd recommend checking out www.cnet.com, in regards to the quality of the laptop in question.

As for cellular technology, There's damn near everything out there; however, with you being in an RV I'd recommend you check out a satellite connection, It'll provide you with much more reliable, and faster service.

I would be surprised if your current RV dish provider didn't have an internet service as well...

[ 06-29-2003, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: n567 ]

[Don]

quote:

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Originally posted by n567:

I would be surprised if your current RV dish provider didn't have an internet service as well...

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Heh, they might. Except I don't have a current RV dish provider. I've just been using whatever the campground had available for a cable hookup. And there have been times that it has been VERY lacking. . .

Thanks for the info. I'm going to take a look at that link right now.

[Don]

n576 I get an error message on that link. It says host name cannot be resolved.

[Neinta]

http://www.cnet.com

There was an extra comma on the end of the address before.

[n567]

http://www.cnet.com/

Sorry, my comma was part of the web address!

http://reviews.cnet.com/Notebooks/2001-3121_7-0.html?tag=cnetfd.glnav - here's the notebook section.

Cellular data-rates are going to be extremely slow, that's my big concern, possibly even slower than a dial-up connection. Satallite connections on the other hand start at about 400 kbs (which is about 10 times faster than dial up) and are much likely to be much faster. The only downside is the hardware cost can get rather prohibitive...

[ 06-29-2003, 09:14 PM: Message edited by: n567 ]

[Don]

Ah, I SHOULD have seen that for myself.

Thanks again. That site seems to have a wealth of information on it!

[Mental Ammo]

Cnet.com is a Great site! I downloaded a free pop-up blocker that works great. NO MORE POP-UPS!

[txinvestigator2]

quote:

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Originally posted by n567:
http://www.cnet.com/

Sorry, my comma was part of the web address!

http://reviews.cnet.com/Notebooks/2001-3121_7-0.html?tag=cnetfd.glnav - here's the notebook section.

Cellular data-rates are going to be extremely slow, that's my big concern, possibly even slower than a dial-up connection. Satallite connections on the other hand start at about 400 kbs (which is about 10 times faster than dial up) and are much likely to be much faster. The only downside is the hardware cost can get rather prohibitive...

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Actually 3G technology now makes speeds up to 144Kbs available from several providers.

I have a Sprint PCS "Vision" phone, and with a cable a laptop I get very acceptable speeds, much better than dial ups.

Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile I know all have advanced networks.

[n567]

Oh yeah? Thanks for correcting me, last time I checked out the technology it was still in its more infantile stages, good to see it maturing.

I do have a question though, how much does it cost?

[txinvestigator2]

I have over 3000 minutes a month and unlimited data on the vision plan for $89 per month.

They have much less expensive plans though.

[CinaC]

Just get one of those "5-subject" binders. They last FOREVER and it's good quality paper, IMO.

[PelicanDriver]

Huh?

[Sparky]

For two-way mobile satellite:
http://www.motosat.com/

I buy hardware from CDW. Good prices.
http://www.cdw.com/

Hey the new G40 IBM ThinkPad with a 3 gig pentium 4, 256 megs of RAM, a 40 gig HD, CD-RW/DVD player, modem, and XP Home for just under $2,000

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?EDC=481342

The Toshibas are also REALLY good these days.

You can hunt around and find some cheaper/older laptops, but for the money, I'd go ahead and buy a newer one.

the newer ones are coming with CD-RW DVD drives. Plenty of hard drive space, and several with built in Wi-Fi which would be handy if you wanted to put that satellite internet in a wireless network... sit outside by the fire and SURF THE NET!

That would ROCK!

But to answer yor qwerstion...

the internet is delivered to your RV by either cellular or satellite. The computer will still need a modem.

The sat receiver would need to send it to the modem for your computer to be able to use the signal.

Now, that could mean plugging the computer in to something, or your satellite receiver could then send it to a Wi-Fi box that sends the signal to your Wi-Fi computer.

this is easier to explain if I can draw pictures...

So yes.. they make laptops that can either use cellular, plug into a satellite receiver, or get satellite internet via wireless network signal...

Don, whatever you want to do.. can be done! And these days.. it isn't even all that expensive!

[ 06-30-2003, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: Sparky ]

[Don]

quote:

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Originally posted by Sparky:
Don, whatever you want to do.. can be done! And these days.. it isn't even all that expensive!

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Yep, I fully agree with that. Thanks to Sparky and everyone else. I'm going to make the decision very soon here. Like probably tonight or tomorrow!

And in line with that, I guess it's time for the announcement now. I will be leaving my job on July 9th. Some of my kids will be here the following weekend, and then sometime in the next couple of weeks after that, I'm loading up the RV and going back "on the road" again for a bit.

I really DO want to stay in touch with Officer.Com which is the MAIN reason for getting this computer!

Again, thanks for all the replys and PARTICULARLY FOR THAT WEBSITE!