Laptop Recommendations

[Pimander]

I didn't know Android is Linux. The Swype part of it sucks. I can absolutely nail a word on the keypad and it will totally f**k it up.

I find touch screen irritating too.  A keyboard is just so much more efficient and finger friendly.  A screen is meant to be viewed so it helps if your fingers are not in front of it.

[Pimander]

IIS is Windows only.
Windows is only unstable on unstable hardware. All the servers I manage, both at work and at home never give me problems and stay months without being turned off, and when that happens is usually because of lack of power.

Relatively unstable.

I'd expect on a home server or many businesses it is stable enough.  I think ISPs servers are under massive strain and if Windows is 98% uptime vs 99.9% uptime (for the sake of argument as I don't know the figures) then  Windows would be down 20 times as often.  If you are supplying businesses or internet access to consumers that is significant.

[spacemaverick]

I have found that refurbished products from credible retailers or even from the factory have worked just fine for me.  In fact, I am using a refurbished computer right now.  I'm using a Dell Latitude E6400 that was hooked up to a network at a business.  Been using it for quite some time.  My tablet is a Samsung refurbished tablet bought 2 years ago and still working fine.  To each their own I guess.

[ArMaP]

I think ISPs servers are under massive strain and if Windows is 98% uptime vs 99.9% uptime (for the sake of argument as I don't know the figures) then  Windows would be down 20 times as often.

If we ignore external reasons, the 6 servers I manage have 100% uptime, the same as the Linux and Windows 7 computers I also manage at work.

[Pimander]

If we ignore external reasons, the 6 servers I manage have 100% uptime, the same as the Linux and Windows 7 computers I also manage at work.

What about when you update or install something?  Don't you have to reboot?  You don't in Linux (unless you have to update the kernel).

Even if Windows was as good, lean, stable and secure as Linux (which I don't believe for a second) it costs more money to do the same thing.  It is not open source either.  for me there is no contest.

[ArMaP]

What about when you update or install something?  Don't you have to reboot?

It depends, older versions of Windows required much more reboots after updates than modern versions. As for installs, I don't remember the last time I had to reboot a computer after an install, as most ask for that without a real need to reboot, specially those that install services.

[thorfourwinds]

Recent research published in the journal Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health concluded that the "Laptop is paradoxically an improper site for the use of a LTC [laptop computer], which consequently should be renamed to not induce customers towards an improper use." [emphasis added]

What lead these reseachers to reach such a seemingly drastic conclusion?

In the study referenced above and titled "Exposure to electromagnetic fields from laptop use of "laptop" computers," researchers found that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by laptop computers likely induce currents within the adult body, and the bodies of developing fetuses exposed by proxy, to unsafe levels.  They found that in the laptop computers analyzed EMF values were "considerably higher than the values recommended by 2 recent guidelines for computer monitors magnetic field emissions..."

Furthermore:

When close to the body, the laptop induces currents that are within 34.2% to 49.8% ICNIRP recommendations, but not negligible, to the adult's body and to the fetus (in pregnant women). On the contrary, the power supply induces strong intracorporal electric current densities in the fetus and in the adult subject, which are respectively 182-263% and 71-483% higher than ICNIRP 98 basic restriction recommended to prevent adverse health effects.

— Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health, 2012 Jan; 67(1): 31-6
The fact that laptop computers may have adverse health effects was confirmed late last year (Nov. 2011) in the journal Fertility and Sterility, which we reported on in this article.  In summary, researchers discovered that laptops connected to the internet through Wi-Fi decrease human sperm motility and increase sperm DNA fragmentation. This was the first human clinical study of its kind to establish that laptop-associated radiation can cause substantial harm to male fertility.

Read More at Source  Why Laptops Should Be Renamed To Protect Consumers


Laptop radiation dangers may be greater than you realize.

If you use your computer for many hours a day, this may be the greatest source of electromagnetic radiation danger you're exposing yourself to, even with all the other sources of radiation in the environment today.

But if your computer is a laptop—or a tablet—you're facing even more complex dangers. Especially if you use it on your lap.

Ironically, laptops are not safe on lap tops.

Although the results of studies about electromagnetic radiation danger from computers are controversial, there is abundant research concluding that laptops are particularly dangerous, especially when used on the lap.

If you look in the small print of your laptop user's manual, you will probably find wording something to this effect: "Warning: Do not place on lap." If a user's manual actually indicates a warning like this, you know this is something you need to pay attention to. And if you research the subject, you'll find that the FCC report regarding safety from EMFs back in 1996 states that a laptop needs to be placed at least 20 cm from the body (about 8 inches).

Additionally, the 1996 FCC regulations were only measuring thermal dangers of laptops (which are serious enough in themselves). However, what most researchers are concerned about these days are the non-thermal hazards of laptops—the long-term effects on the immune system and the links being drawn between laptop radiation and serious conditions and diseases.

(much more at link)

[biggles]

It is just and right that we sue.

[A51Watcher]

[ArMaP]

In the study referenced above and titled "Exposure to electromagnetic fields from laptop use of "laptop" computers," researchers found that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by laptop computers likely induce currents within the adult body, and the bodies of developing fetuses exposed by proxy, to unsafe levels.  They found that in the laptop computers analyzed EMF values were "considerably higher than the values recommended by 2 recent guidelines for computer monitors magnetic field emissions..."

Seeing that most modern monitors, both in laptops and desktop computers, use a different system (LEDs instead of LCDs with fluorescent lamps), I suppose we need some new studies.

[petrus4]

Irene, do you actually need a "laptop" in today's world??

There are those of us, rdunk, who do not consider today's world an improvement over yesterday's.

I am probably the only person here who does not think in terms of corporate brand names, Irene.  I have been using a computer for thirty years.  Aside from the monitor, I know how to assemble a very capable and still man portable computer from parts, for a price within the region of $600 AUD.  My current computer is a laptop, but truthfully I would prefer to replace it with one with that case.  I do not use a mobile phone, as I consider them a means of enslavement masquerading as a form of technology.

In order to buy any computer, including a pre-built laptop, however, it is important to have some idea both of your intended uses of the machine, and the amount of money that you can spend.  If you can give me some idea of those considerations, then I may be able to help you find something appropriate.

While I will admit that I wouldn't normally buy from Dell myself, this example may be suitable for you.  It contains a medium grade current generation processor, and its' other specifications are adequate for non-gaming use.  It comes with Windows 10, which you will most likely find acceptable, although I would not.

EDIT:-  On reading Thor's recent post, I again feel vindicated in my own pattern of computer use.  I have consistently observed that the more mainstream and supposedly advanced computer technology has become, the more dangerous and degenerate in overall terms it has also.  The safety of radiation from mobile phones is still questioned in some circles; and I never noticed a degradation in my eyesight until I moved from CRT to LCD monitors.

[ArMaP]

The safety of radiation from mobile phones is still questioned in some circles; and I never noticed a degradation in my eyesight until I moved from CRT to LCD monitors.

But you got older too, so who's to blame?

I didn't notice any difference when I moved from CRT to LCD, and I spend some 12 hours or more each day looking at a monitor.