h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So this is just like an extra memory thing to store everything on, which i can just unplug and replug back in?

I just got told a couple minutes ago about memory sticks - are these similar in function?

Ahh, now the travelling bit's a little bit difficult with a desktop machine

However, the removable hard disk is pretty simple to fit...

Instead of the cables running from the motherboard to the disk directly, you buy a sort of plastic 'socket' which fits into the front of your machine (the same size as your CD-ROM/DVD) - the computer is cabled up to this socket...

The disk itself fits into its own plastic carry case which slots straight into the front of your computer (and can be locked with a key)

Two ways of doing it... either have one hard drive in each machine and a socket fitted to each one for a second drive - just save the info you want to move onto your removable drive and away you go (consider it to be a 40 GB re-writable CD - but a lot quicker)
Or
If you've two identical PCs and only need one to be operational at a time there's nothing to stop you using a single hard drive for both machines... that way the desktop, favourites, and -all- programmes you put on one machine are automatically available on the other whenever you move the hard drive.

Once again there's multiple types. There's things like memory stick, compact flash and sd cards which are used for things like digital cameras and mp3 players. These would need a card reader to use on the computer.

Or there's things like memory vaults/keyfobs which is a memory storage device small enough to go on a keyring and has a usb connection, just a matter of plugging into a spare usb port.

Compared to portable hard drives though, the capacity of memory cards and vaults are tiny (>20Gb for hard drive, <1Gb for a memory vault) and cost more per megabyte.

Ah, ok - that clears things up a bit...

Additional to Whisky's comment. You might want to consider how much you use the keyboard. Unless I've missed any recent improvemtents, laptop keyboards are a lot more easily damaged than you standard PC keyboard and if you are using it a lot and/or you have a heavy handed style they often only last for a relatively short time. It's a good idea to get a peripheral "normal" keyboard to reduce this problem.
If you want to play games on the run as it were, then you better check the laptops battery lifetime.

You mean, like an extra keyboard plugged into the laptop?

Exactamundo

Have you considered getting an IBM Portable PC, model 5100

$3000AUD is about £1 250GBP is it not? But I've seen many laptops nowadays for £600 to £700 with 40GB HDDs and 2GHz processors.

Are they more expensive in Australia?

By the way I'm using a Toshiba Satellite laptop and having no problems. It's slightly on the bulky side but can play DVDs and has a 15" screen.

Do not mistake Laptops for being 'portible', the battery life, if it is good to start with (five hours if you are lucky, running it with all power conservation modes on full, thereby reducing processor speed/power), Will run for about two hours one year later, and less from thereon in.

As for Mac versus Windows; Did you say this machine would be used at University?; You'd be best off finding out what they are using in your department, my guess is, and as it normally seems to work, if youre doing Science/English lit/sociology etc, you'l be better off with a Windows machine, but if your doing design/graphics stuff, and some music tec courses, you'l maybe be more better off with a Mac.

Laptop keyboards are nortoriously useless, if your going to be doing hours of typing on it, for coursework, disatations, web access etc., you'l definately want an external keyboard to use when your in your rooms using the machine, these are pretty cheap.

As for makes, Del ain't too bad, fairly robust. Toshiba are reported to have good customer support, and their recent Satalite Laptops are pretty good, albeit a bit pricey; supposidly this pays for their good customer support, with which I have no knowledge. The sony machines are just cuel... Having a Cuel laptop, is the main reason for getting one... Its a nice wizz flash thing... that won't do half the things you'd like a computer to do cause it won't ever have the processing ability, insufficient memory onboard the video and sound cards...

If you plan on using it like a desktop, for many hours of use, then it will overheat chronically, and start crashing a lot, I've found this with just about every laptop I've ever used.

For your money, Expect to spend £700ish, for a half decent, easily upgradible PC with power to do whatever you pretty much want to do, and £1200 for alaptop that won't be as powerful, won't last as long, and won't be very easily upgradible...

I've given a fairly negatative attitude towards laptops; I have two at the moment, and used them all the time whilst at Uni (I got through three laptops in four years, combined total of about £3900),
So they do have the good.
But, DO YOU REALLY *NEED** one?
If you can manage with a desktop, you'd be better off that route... You can always look out for a laptop later on; a lot of students at uni will advertise them for sale as they come up to the end of their courses, and I've seen a few good bargans; with a couple of year old machines for £400 or less, that would be, glorified note taking machines, that can do a bit of computing/web access on

http://oldcomputers.net/ibm5100.html - looks good!

So, a Notebook is not very good to use for long periods of time...

I use a Toshiba Satellite Pro 1405 S151 and have been running it almost every day next to my desktop on a typing stand since July, 2002. I have often used it while traveling, on planes, on job sites ( sometimes with power sometimes without ) and in motel rooms - plugged in. I get a bit over 3 hours computer time on batteries, and I have never replaced them. Although it will shut down if not used on battery for a few minutes it still drains faster than when shut off properly. If your main intent is to swap files with your PC I would recommend either a Read-Write CD or a flash card adapter. I use the latter with both computers and my digital camera. Just my and not a guarantee or endorsement of any kind.

F S

Out of interest, what sort of items should i be looking for in the specification, if i want to play 3D games - as from what i've heard, some notebooks just won't work with them...

Justin

Ok, I am now the proud new owner of a NEC Versa M320 - i'm getting it tomorrow... I'll probably post again to tell how it all goes, and what it's like...

Justin

Don't spill it in the keyboard...

To play 3D games you will probably need:
Higher than 1.5GHz processor speed;
256MB RAM, but 512MB recommended;
30GB Hard Drive or higher;
Mobility Graphics Card 64MB, preferably higher;
CD drive.

Could you post the specifications of your new laptop?

ok, i don't have everything here, but...:
2.6Ghz
512MB RAM
60GB Hard Drive
60G (not sure - i think the graphics card)
Cd-Burner/ DVD-Read
Windows XP Pro

on the website, it says [15" XGA TFT P4 2.6 512MB DDR 60GB Combo Win XP Pro with Wireless Lan]

Does that enlighten you, by any chance? If not, i'll hunt down the bit of paper with about a page of specs...

Aha, this (i think) is it...

http://www.newcomputers.com.au/productDetailed.php?categoryID=96&productID=5265&template=productDetailed