Category: Geeks r Us
I think I'm gonna go with the IBM ThinkPad X32. Has built-in parallel, wifi, 56k modem, two pcmcia card slots and a docking station with even more stuff, including serial and cd rom. I found some with a 2ghz processor, 1gb ram (expandable to 2gb) and decently-sized (40 and up) hard disks. This is a very light, computer (about 3.6 lbs..) relatively small (12.1 in.) and made by IBM before they completed the agreement to partner with Lenovo. So this one's got good parts. I think I can partition the drive and put DOS in one part and keep XP Pro in the other. I just need to make sure that DOS doesn't see that XP is installed and that I can do it without any problems booting. Since it's got a pcmcia slot and a dedicated compactflash slot, I can put the KeyNote VoiceCard synth in one and keep the other open for a floppy drive, a cf card etc. And the parallel port will let me hook up to my embosser and printer. I was aiming for a Toshiba, a Compaq/HP, a Sony or better still, something from the Fujitsu Lifebook E series. But the first ones were either too slow or too heavy/large and didn't have my ports/slots most of the time and I can't find any of those Lifebooks with both ports, though I've seen them mentioned. It's pretty much impossible to find any computer of any brand under 12 in. with these specs, so I had to give up on that.
Well, I found two really nice ones but need to choose between them. Each has it's own advantages and disadvantages. I'm providing the links here incase anyone can help me or wants to look.
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-X32-2672KBU-2-0-GHZ-1GIG-60GB-12-1_W0QQitemZ200442659056QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptops_Nov05?hash=item2eab5040f0#ht_1845wt_962
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-LENOVO-THINKPAD-X32-PM-1-86GHZ-1GB-60GB-12-1-TFT_W0QQitemZ290388794940QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptops_Nov05?hash=item439c855e3c#ht_1157wt_962
The first is in good working condition with a few scratches and comes to about $281, including shipping, if the price holds. It's got a 2 ghz processor, 1gb ram and a 60gb hard disk. The second has been refurbished and is in mint condition. It comes with a dvd dock (I'm guessing that's the full docking station) and it's $395 and shipping is free. It's got a 1.8 ghz processor, 1gb ram and a 60gb hard disk. To complicate things, I found an ultrabase at
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-X3-Ultrabase-Dock-Media-Slice-X30-X31-X32_W0QQitemZ330358922419QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptop_Docking_Stations?hash=item4ceaed1cb3#ht_920wt_736
for about $30 including shipping. So I could get the cheaper one and then buy the base for about $70 less than the refurbished model. . But I'm wondering if anyone sighted can check out the used one and tell me what you think? I mean, does it look okay? I ask this for reasons of usage not vanity. Finally, is there a big difference between 1.8 ghz and 2.0 ghz? Mom says I should just go for the expensive one, but why if the other is just as good and a lot cheaper?
Btw, here's a description of the ultrabase.
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/UltraBase_X3
I don't technically need it at this point but It's got alot! of ports, including serial and extra options like stereo speakers, and room for either another drive, an extra battery that can be used to enhance the time I can go wireless or a cd rom drive, which doesn't come on the laptop itself.. But I do have an external usb one.
I just saw now that it's a stock photo, so that won't help much. Also, it says 1gb ram in the usual specifications, but in the description, it says 512mb. But they also say that those are standard specs. So I'm guessing this one really has 1gb? Must ask. If not, how difficult would it be to upgrade the system? I don't know anything about memory upgrades. They actually say it can go up to 2gb which is wonderful.
Be ware of the clunkers and go to an actual computer place and get them to build you one. Del will do it but I don't really like them anymore. Most places take requests and will try to build what you want.
True but 1. I doubt they could really meet my specs and 2. they're very expensive. Maybe, when I have the money, I'll try that and have a nice ultraportable made.
"I doubt they could really meet my specs." Are your standards that high? Yes, it can get costly. Happy hunting!
This is just great. I lost the laptop! And I don't even think anyone bid except me. I think it was a reserve. But I can't even view it to find out. In any case, the only one left on EBay at that price only has 512mb ram and a 1.8 ghz processor. There's another for $299 and all the rest are over $300. None have the 2 ghz speed like this one and none are over 1gb ram, though this one wasn't either. UBid.com doesn't have any at all and it looks like Amazon's all out. I'm not happy today, not at all. Maybe, I'll go for that Toshiba Libretto at $30 or for the Thinkpad for DOS at $1.
Opa! I stand corrected. The other one at $269 is 2 ghz and is in excellent condition, minus a few scratches. PIt's got a buy it now sign and has a cd rom drive is being included and the shipping is only $2 more at $14. It does have 512mb ram, which they say can be upgraded all the way to 2gb for a decent price. In the meantime, how will it run XP with 512mb? No one in my house except me has technical ability (very basic computer users) so how difficult would it be for them to install the ram once bought? Could I take it to a local computer place and have them do it? Come to think of it, can I have them install Enhanced DR-DOS on my other laptop once I get it?
got it! *huge smile*
To top it off, I got the docking station too for $9 plus $12 shipping and $1.something tax so about $22 altogether, which is cheaper than the first one I saw for $35. I checked my XP desktop, which has a 2.33+ ghz processor and 512mb ram so now I know the kind of speed to expect. It can definitely be done, though I'd like to get the 2gb for about $69 or so when I can. Hopefully, that concludes my laptop escapade for XP and now I can focus on DOS.
you and I should talk on skype sometime. Perhaps I can talk you out of this dos phase.
I've been in it for at least 14 years. I just never had the proper equipment, the time or the money to proceed until now. However, I'm Therebetisa on there. Also, feel free to add me to whatever messengers we have in common, since it's easier to reach me that way and by e-mail. If they're not on my profile, I can pm them to you.
Cool, better to pm this info.
It's okay, since they're on my profile anyway. *smile* I don't use them for anything but messaging in any case. Just my e-mail I won't put here.
I got you on my skype now.
Bravo. I'm mostly on messengers but I'll definitely log in so that we can chat.
Wow! I wish my Macintosh had all the ports your laptop has!
Yeah, you can add that to the list of why I don't like my macbook.
To Margorp: I just saw your post. For XP, I want a machine under 12.1 inches, with serial and parallel ports, at least one pcmcia card slot, a 56k modem, wireless, and ethernet. If they could include a cd rom too, that would be great but it would make the machine very heavy and I'm trying to go for lightness so external cd is totally fine. I would be willing to except a docking station if I had to, but only if the parallel, pcmcia and wireless were built-in. It also must have at least a 1.6 ghz processor (no atoms allowed), 1gb or better of ram and at least a 30gb hard disk. I certainly don't need anything with hundreds of gigs. I also want the battery to last at least five hours. For DOS, all the above applies except the minimum speed is 486 mhz, the maximum ram is 64mb and the maximum hard disk is 7gb, possibly lower, the serial port must also be directly built-in to the machine and I'd prefer a longer battery life than on the XP one. Not sure if they could built either machine.
CD-rom, serial ports, and parallel ports are a given. Those things are standard. Not to sound like a jerk, but perhaps you should read up more on computers and such.
I'll gladly take your mac. I know some one who could use it. No, its not me. haha.
The only laptops I know of today that even have parallel and serial ports are in the Lifebook E series from Fujitsu. It's almost impossible to find anything else containing them, and yes, I've looked, for several hours straight for a few days. All I could find, oddly enough, were people looking for laptops with these ports. I'm not referring to docking stations, port replicators or pcmcia adapters that add them to the machine. I want them actually built-in. Cd roms are standard now but some machines, like the Macbook Air and most netbooks, don't even have those.
Tiff, every laptop has such ports.
Trust me, they don't. There have even been articles in magazines, on foruums etc. Serial was the first to go in the early 2000's and then parallel. Look at the spects on most modern machines and you won't see the words RS-232, db9 or serial mentioned and parallel is very rare. If anything, you'll see something about legacy ports and desktops are more likely to have them or laptops that are built for industrial use. That's why there are companies who make cards with serial and parallel connectors on them, so that people can add them if they wish.
Paralell port is the port used for printing. That is standard. period, end of story.
Serial is still around as it is used by repair people such as myself. U S B for other electronics.
Most printers today, especially for home users, use usb. Yes, some still use parallel, specially in businesses, and there are some who still use older tech. But the majority is usb and the few dot matrics printers I've seen still being sold, which I'm assuming are parallel, are ridiculously expensive.
I don't have a dot matrix printer and I use paralel.
Very interesting. I say that sincerely. What kind is it? This is really neat!
Oh for all that is good and merciful in the world. Somebody help me out.
*takes a deep, shuddering breath*
I have a color printer. I must tell you that all computers use parallel port to communicate with a printer.
Then why are all the modern printers in my house connected via usb and why have I constantly kept seeing references to home printers mostly using usb these days?
You have many options:
Wireless, infrared, U S b...I'm sure they will come up with more.
That's awesome. Then I can buy a new printer and use it on all my systems. Nice. I'm not into the usb ones myself, though some do come with scanners.
Yeah I don't much care for the usb ones.