[Kooler]

Hey Guys and Gals-I need some help from "experts" in the notebook world.I have a job that requires me to have a notebook but the tech dept at this job will not give me specifics nor help me. they say they are only responsible for the correct running of the web platform.what it is I do is a Wellness/fitness Coach for movie stars, fortune 500 Company Executives, people with a lot of money, etc. I work for the American College of Sports Medicine and Wellcoaches using what they call a web platform where I meet my client online at this platform. we are both signed on, have cameras either camcorder, eye notebook camera, or a camcorder like thing that clips onto the notebook, headphones, and a mic. We both have access to the numerous benefits the platform has to offer. I can pull articles from the library and send them to her right then and there. We can view each other and assess certain exercise techniques and if the picture is bad I can send them pictures of how certain exercises are done correctly-even as a video clip, pictures of muscles, anything that is available to me from the platform or the web.So I need the eye camera which I do not prefer but it can work, Bluetooth technology, zero (if possible bloatware/ad ware), Core2Duo Processor. I do the coaching about 80% in an office with the notebook plugged in and 20% on the battery. I have not been using WiFi because I do not have it but I would like to learn about it if the security is good enough.I need at least 2 gb RAM, business type cover to the notebook. I am not a fan of Vista but I think Microsoft will be putting less and less time into the other OS's so I best get use to it. I need ethernet connection. Bluetooth wireless mouse. 120 at least for the HD. Processor speed, size and those numbers I have never understood but I know things can get too advanced and the HD and RAM/processor can get plugged up if one is too fast for the other or something like that.I will be using a few programs that are not partt of the webplatform at the same time so that I can send things to the client such as nutrition analysis from a software called First Databank. I also have a fittness and Motivation program that I have no idea how large it is. I sometimes use that but use that at my regular job daily. I will need Office too and would like the notebook to last me about 5 years. the one I have now, I have been using for 6 years and it is a Gateway but I never see Gateway in any of the "editor's picks," so I have no idea how they are doing. things are way outdated and I think my hard drive is going to crash soon.I have looked at all sonys and do not want to deal with that company. I looked at Asus or Asis (and got all confused). so I have had some good input but still have not come up with a notebook I feel comfortable ordering. I want to try and avoid getting it and having to send it back.I am pretty hard on things so the quality has got to be decent. I would prefer some kind of security in regards to the touchpad.any help. Thanks sop much.

[KellieCM]

Have you considered a Mac? It sounds like a Mac Book Pro would meet all of your needs including processor, bluetooth connectivity, built-in camera, wireless networking, etc. You can easily add more RAM by pre-ordering it or ordering it and installing it yourself.If your platform is a Web one, it should work fine on a Mac, probably best to use Firefox as it is the most stable Mac browser for cross-platform web apps. Office also runs on Mac (not the new Office 07 though) however some of your other apps may not.Just a thought, there are certainly a lot of Windows-based notebooks that would fit your needs too.

[Kooler]

Yes I have. However the Nutrition and Fitness Programs will not work on a Mac.But it certainly has been tempting because I hear they would suite my needs.thanks.

[KellieCM]

No problem. Not to keep beating the Mac drum, but if you really did want to get the Mac you could also get a copy of Windows and use either Parallels or Boot Camp to use the Windows OS for your work programs, and the Mac OS for anything else you wanted.

[rgreen4]

Go to the HP.com website and click on notebooks, then entertainment (don't be turned off by the heading) and look at customizing the dv6000t. With the following:Vista Home PremiumIntel Core2Duo T5600 Processor (1.83Ghz)2 GB DDR2 MemoryBUILT IN WEBCAM AND MICROPHONEIntel Pro 802.11 a/b/g w/ Bluetooth120GB HarddriveSuper Mult 8X DVD+/- R/RW w/ Double Layer support12Cell Lithium BatteryRecovery DVD (you don't have to burn your own)$1494Yes it comes with the internet service ads you can blow away. It also comes with MS Works unless you add MS Office 2007 Basic for $149. (You can buy it cheaper elsewhere). Somepeople (including me) consider MS Works bloatware, but others that don't care about interchangin files with MS Office users, are glad to have a no cost program that they can use for casual letters, etc.You will need to find out if your other programs will run in Vista. I do not know if it is possible to install XP as a dual boot option on top of Vista. I know you can install Vista as a dual boot option onto an XP machine.You could simply put the recovery DVD's away in a safe place and install XP. the trick then would be to find drivers for the built in microphone and webcam for XP.By the way, on a machine that has the resources to run it, Vista is truly a thing of beauty.

[Kooler]

I have had Gateway, ordered 4 Sonys and sent them back and have seen a few HPs. I saw this Asus Ji8 or something like that and thought that is a machine that will stand up to my "hardness". what is your feeling about the quality of HP and the ability they have to moving disconnecting, traveling, hooking back up, my clumsiness, etc?so You like vista. Hmmm I tried to get rid of all the freee ware, bloatware, adware on one of the Sonys and I had no idea to get rid of most of it. I have heard there are brands that I do not see in stores but I guess are sold elsewhere that do not install that stuff.finally, do you think I should wait for this Santa rose chipset?Do you make house calls?thanks!!

[rgreen4]

I have a 31/2 year old HP zv5330us that has seen periods of heavy use and periods of light use. I got it in the fall of '04. I had recently taken over as the Advisor the the local Boy Scout service organization and needed something to use at events at camp to keep the records and show movies at night. I hadn't used a laptop in years since the company quite trying to use them as desktop replacements in the Accounting Deptartment.I have used it at camp for training sessions. This past Feb and March we had two major training sessions running a second monitor on the back wall and two overhead projectors for images on the front wall of a building all coming off the laptop. I wasn't sure it would handle it. The boys have used it and it has a few scratches on the outside, but it has held up well. The only problem is that with the older video card, Vista is not supported, so I am trying to decide between a dv6000t or a dv9000t (the 17" version of the 6000 with 2 hard drive bays). The only item that has been replace is the battery because the original will not run the machine for more than 30 minutes. Rechargeable batteries lose their full range if you keep them plugged into the chargeer and over time. I now take the new battery out and put the old battery in when running off the AC adapter for movies, etc. When you get your new machine, immediately after initializing it, go to the recovery console and burn the backup DVD's. It will walk you through that process. Be prepared and have at least 4 or 5 DVD/r's available. Label them with a marking pen (I like Sharpies), put them in the jewell cases and put them in a safe place.These instructions are for Vista Home Premium and will vary from the XP version:Click the Windows Button (it no longer says start), Control Panel, Programs, and then Programs and Features. It will open automatically to the task of Uninstall Programs first. Review the list and determine which you can do without. I usually start with the programs to sign up for a financial service or internet service. I had trouble on my machine when it came with XP Media Center because it would not let me uninstall Microsoft Works without the original disc (which of course doesn't come witht he machine!). Its ok for a casual user, but I need MS Office to exchange files with other Scout Leaders and at work. MS Works files are not compatible with Office. I had to just delete the shortcut and the Works folder, so until I did a clean install of Vista, it was still listed in the program list, but did not infact remain on the machine.If you were within a reasonable distance, I would. I have been known to do that. mphenterprises who has been on other posts in this forum does, but probably not from New Jersey.

[Kooler]

Sounds good but I am not sure I followed you all the way through. My job has tech support but they will not get into helping the coaches put together a machine. I work with people who expect the best so all the accessories and the actual notebook need to be nearly perfect. I also need to start using wireless but do not know how that will all play out with the HIPPA rules with client confidentiality and ethical issues. I need to find out how to make sure the WiFi coaching session is 100% secure. I would like to go to a place like Milestone, I think it is, in Canada, but get a Vji8 or something like that with Santa Rosa. I need the company to do the OS clean install with no ad ware, bloatware, or remnants of that stuff in the registry once it is removed. I also need something a little better than a eye camera and I am not sure if any notebooks come with a camera that can be live but also good picture quality. As the coach, my camera or camcorder needs to be much better picture quality since the coaching sessions are live and I demonstrate a lot. I work with some movie stars who are nice but do not have a lot of time so the web platform we meet at through the American College of Sports Medicine in conjunction with Wellcoaches is who employees me. They expect the best from their coaches since they are probably the most respected and well known wellness coaching online company out there. I would also like the headset with the mic like the singers use to be Bluetooth. The touch pad cannot be so sensitive because I have to sometimes be looking in my nutrition software while coaching through the camera, trying to look for an article from the web platform library so I can send it to the client right then. I am not sure if any notebooks even come with a camera that is better than the eye camera most of them have. Anyway, some good help. Thanks.[quote name='rgreen4']I have a 31/2 year old HP zv5330us that has seen periods of heavy use and periods of light use. I got it in the fall of '04. I had recently taken over as the Advisor the the local Boy Scout service organization and needed something to use at events at camp to keep the records and show movies at night. I hadn't used a laptop in years since the company quite trying to use them as desktop replacements in the Accounting Deptartment.> > > > I have used it at camp for training sessions. This past Feb and March we had two major training sessions running a second monitor on the back wall and two overhead projectors for images on the front wall of a building all coming off the laptop. I wasn't sure it would handle it. The boys have used it and it has a few scratches on the outside, but it has held up well. The only problem is that with the older video card, Vista is not supported, so I am trying to decide between a dv6000t or a dv9000t (the 17" version of the 6000 with 2 hard drive bays). The only item that has been replace is the battery because the original will not run the machine for more than 30 minutes. > > > > Rechargeable batteries lose their full range if you keep them plugged into the chargeer and over time. I now take the new battery out and put the old battery in when running off the AC adapter for movies, etc. > > > > When you get your new machine, immediately after initializing it, go to the recovery console and burn the backup DVD's. It will walk you through that process. Be prepared and have at least 4 or 5 DVD/r's available. Label them with a marking pen (I like Sharpies), put them in the jewell cases and put them in a safe place.> > > > These instructions are for Vista Home Premium and will vary from the XP version:> > Click the Windows Button (it no longer says start), Control Panel, Programs, and then Programs and Features. It will open automatically to the task of Uninstall Programs first. > > > > Review the list and determine which you can do without. I usually start with the programs to sign up for a financial service or internet service. I had trouble on my machine when it came with XP Media Center because it would not let me uninstall Microsoft Works without the original disc (which of course doesn't come witht he machine!). Its ok for a casual user, but I need MS Office to exchange files with other Scout Leaders and at work. MS Works files are not compatible with Office. I had to just delete the shortcut and the Works folder, so until I did a clean install of Vista, it was still listed in the program list, but did not infact remain on the machine.> > > > If you were within a reasonable distance, I would. I have been known to do that. mphenterprises who has been on other posts in this forum does, but probably not from New Jersey.