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Am posting this query on behalf of a freelancing friend who is making a switch from Mac to PC at the request of her employer. She currently puts together books & reports using Photoshop, Word, PageMaker, and Illustrator. Photo work involves both B&W and color, and the volume can be considerable for any given publication.

My friend, a seasoned editor but not an an advanced graphic designer, is contemplating purchasing a laptop with Windows XP and a 17" screen for this, since she works both at home and at her office. Aside from the restrictions of the display size itself (usable but cumbersome), what problems is she likely to encounter using this equipment for her projects? Processing speed drag? Color or RAM problems?

This is not a PC/Mac issue, but, rather, a laptop/desktop issue. We're looking for laptop recommendations as well as ways to enhance a laptop for her work. Personally, I think she ought to get a desktop computer, but anyway ...

Thanks.

I didn't change OSs, but had some of the same questions about a year ago. Looked closely at the Sony VAIOs with their XGA displays. Unfortunately, they had not caught up to the Toshiba with regards to display size, processor speeds, and RAM. It seems that my timing was just plain bad, re the Sony. I choose the Toshiba P25-S670, which has been replaced by S690? I upgraded it to 2GB RAM and use a removable HDD, as it's HDD was only 80GB. Aside, I have an additional 80GB drive and bay mounting, which will not QUITE fit into the battery compartment, and in one year, Toshiba has not answered my question as to whether I can shave the bay to get two HDDs!

Regardless of this little glitch, the good:
1.) Fast processor
2.) 2GB RAM
3.) Good video with excellent 2D performance (all one needs for PS and page layout)
4.) Adequate HDD, but 2 physical drives is better for PS
5.) 17" very good monitor
6.) USBs allow me to use Wacom, M$ wheel-mouse, numerical pad, CF card readers, to my heart's content - PLUS my Maxtor 250GB HDDs!
7.) Built-in DVD/CD burner/reader, but not dual layer as on newer models
8.) Built-in wireless G, but I use a LinkSys card which lets me roam more
9.) Allows dual monitors, and I would suggest one - maybe a CRT for color/
density

Bad:
1.) Cannot calibrate for critical density/color, but I do final output and tweaks on my workstation anyway
2.) Heavy for a laptop, and big too, but with 17" what do I expect
3.) No Gigabit networking, but then I don't have Gigabit to my pool, so I
doubt that I would really use it. Maybe newer models offer 10/100/1000 NIC
4.) Power hog, especially with a few powered USB devices. I always run it on
AC, as battery is good for about 1 hr, and then without a full-bright screen, or USB devices.

I have had no problems with the Toshiba, except getting tech support that knows what the machine is capable of, but then what do I want from some un- mentioned country that has never even SEEN a Toshiba?

I'd also see what Sony has, and hope that they have kept that lovely XGA display and built a machine around it.

Hunt

Tony Hwang

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