[RESOLVED] New LapTop Recommendation

[Hack]

I need to say right up front, that I am not a hardware guy.

However, my Chief Financial Officer and real boss (i.e., wife) has given the green light for me to get a new laptop and she made the mistake of saying I could get anything I wanted (silly girl )

I want a laptop with a wireless internet connection and enough wherewithal to run Windows Server 2003, SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005.

I like to hear recommendations from the hardware guys out there? If you could get pretty much anything you wanted, what would it be?

Also, can I dual boot between 2003 Server and XP Pro? If I could, would I be able to get, programmatically, from XP Pro to SQL Server 2005 (which would be on the 2003 Server side)?

Or, should I just slap myself for even thinking about it and just run everything from 2003 Server?

[visualAd]

As your wife said anything you want; I would recommend an 80GB and at least 512MB RAM. If possible get a laptop with a separate graphics card.

And yes, you should slap yourself for even considering dual boot when you can have both OS's running simultaniously with VmWare. Install XP as the host OS as 2k3 Server isn't really designed for laptops.

[Hack]

As your wife said anything you want; I would recommend an 80GB and at least 512MB RAM. If possible get a laptop with a separate graphics card.

So Noted

And yes, you should slap yourself for even considering dual boot when you can have both OS's running simultaniously with VmWare. Install XP as the host OS as

So slapped. I didn't know about VMWare, I'll check it out.

2k3 Server isn't really designed for laptops.

Really? I had a laptop back in the day that I had setup to dual boot between Windows 98 and NT4, and that worked fine.

SQL Server 2005 will run on XP Pro? I thought for SQL Server you had to have a Network OS.

[GaryMazzone]

I think that 512Meg for memory is a little on the short side. I would look for a minimum of 1Gig memory. For a hard drive I would look for at least 100 Gig. I'm looking at replacing mine and that is my starting point. I'll be running XP Pro, VS 2005 and Oracle DB for development.

[sevenhalo]

I bought a new latptop about a month ago (HP dv8000z). I love it. I got it almost loaded (AMD 64 Turion ML-40, Single stick 1gig Ram, 2x80gig HDD, 1680x1050 res). The whole thing ended up at 2k (US$), but it's by far the nicest laptop I've ever used.

---Edit------------
I almost forgot one of the nicest features. It has a seperate, built-in 10key. It took me forever to find one.

[visualAd]

SQL Server 2005 will run on XP Pro? I thought for SQL Server you had to have a Network OS.

The Server OS's run fine on a laptop, the reason I recommend XP Pro as the host OS (if you go down the VMWare route ), is that it is more frirendly for general use.

Windows server is a lot more secure by default than XP and you may find yourself spending a lot of time configuring applications such Internet Explorer for general use.

As for SQL server; not sure whether it needs an OS capable of joinging a domain. But both XP Pro and Home are networked operating in that they can connect to an communicate with other netowrked PC's, the only difference is XP Home cannot be configured to join a domain.

I have a PDC set up on my home network and my borther uses XP. He can access the printer, broadband and any other PC's, be just cannot make use of his roaming profile.

[Hack]

The Server OS's run fine on a laptop, the reason I recommend XP Pro as the host OS (if you go down the VMWare route ), is that it is more frirendly for general use.

There ain't gonna be no general use. This baby is mine and mind alone. (One of the reasons I got the go ahead for a new one for me is because my wifes laptop is dying a slow death, so I told her she could have mine if I could get a new one. )

[visualAd]

My definition of general use is, browsing the Internet, Word Processing, playing games, chatting, wrtiting articles ... etc. etc.

Whereas, if I have a test server OS, I would use it for development and testing only.

[Hack]

My definition of general use is, browsing the Internet, Word Processing, playing games, chatting, wrtiting articles ... etc. etc.

Whereas, if I have a test server OS, I would use it for development and testing only.

Well, I definately intend to do internet stuff on it and I'm sure I'll load Office 2003 as well, but there definately will be no games, no chatting or any kind of stuff like that. My favorite game is still Monoply played on a board, and when I chat, I lean over the fence in my backyard and talk to my neighbor.

[Hack]

I think that 512Meg for memory is a little on the short side. I would look for a minimum of 1Gig memory. For a hard drive I would look for at least 100 Gig. I'm looking at replacing mine and that is my starting point. I'll be running XP Pro, VS 2005 and Oracle DB for development.

I like the 1GB recommendation for memory. What model(s) are you looking at?

[Hack]

I bought a new latptop about a month ago (HP dv8000z). I love it. I got it almost loaded (AMD 64 Turion ML-40, Single stick 1gig Ram, 2x80gig HDD, 1680x1050 res). The whole thing ended up at 2k (US$), but it's by far the nicest laptop I've ever used.

---Edit------------
I almost forgot one of the nicest features. It has a seperate, built-in 10key. It took me forever to find one.

Did you go with the 17.0 screen? How is that?

[sevenhalo]

Yep, 17inch 1680x1050. It's gorgeous. I can work in my IDE on half and have enough room to leave enterprise manager up on the other half.

[Hack]

Yep, 17inch 1680x1050. It's gorgeous. I can work in my IDE on half and have enough room to leave enterprise manager up on the other half.

Enterprise Manager huh...so that means you are running SQL Server. What version? What OS do you have loaded?

[sevenhalo]

Windows XP Professional and SQL Server 2000

[Hack]

Windows XP Professional and SQL Server 2000

Ok. This was a question I had earlier. So, XP Pro can handle SQL Server. I'm assuming the same would be true for SQL Server 2005, so maybe I'll go with Pro instead of 2003 Server. Thanks for responding sevenhalo!

[sevenhalo]

Ya, I can vouch for 2k, no idea about 2k5

[GaryMazzone]

I've been looking at the HP laptops (my current one is and HP also and I like them). I'm going to scimp on the screen size though only 15.4.

[sevenhalo]

They get heavy. The one I have is 9.8lbs.

That's one of the downfalls. The other is that there's a fan on the bottom of the laptop. If you leave it on your lap for more then 2 hours, the back-left side of the laptop (where the batter plugs) gets extremely hot.

[-TPM-]

I'm a big fan of the AMD Compaq laptops. If you goto compaq.com you can customize them to your needs. I'd recoment you get the fastest RPM HDD you can. 80GB should be more than enough. Go with the 12 cell battery so you don't need to be plugged in all the time. If your not going to be playing games or doing 3D work you don't need to wory about the GFX card too much, although the price difference on the compaq at the moment is tiny for the increase. I'd also point out that a larger screen means more weight and more power drain. Remember you can always plug a monitor in when your at home/work.

[Hack]

HP and Compaq huh? Ok, I'll check them out.

I gather no one is a fan of IBM or Dell.

How does the wireless internet thing work?

[sevenhalo]

The wireless works a little too well if you ask me... By just a click of a button, it brings up all of the networks I can see and even tells me if they're secured or not (by default).

[-TPM-]

You'll notice that HP own's Compaq now, and both use compaq parts. You'll probably also notice compaq's cheaper for the same thing I have a friend that swears by IBM, but I've never had great experiance with them. Dell are so, so..

You'll need to get a wirless access point.

[Hack]

You'll need to get a wirless access point.

What is that?

[-TPM-]

What is that?

One of these: http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper
(You could do Ad-Hoc without it, but you'd be better off getting an AP)

[dglienna]

You should turn off Ad-Hock connections, as it allows rouge users to log on to your connection, and possibly hack you. Even while you're connected via WEP or WPA.

[RobDog888]

Here is your minimum requirements for VS 2005.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/library/4c26cc39.aspx

[Hack]

Here is your minimum requirements for VS 2005.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/library/4c26cc39.aspx

If you were going to run SQL Server 2005 and VS 2005 on a laptop, what you would get?

[-TPM-]

If you were going to run SQL Server 2005 and VS 2005 on a laptop, what you would get?

Remember you'll have more than just those 2 apps running. Always get more than you need

[RobDog888]

SQL Server 2005 minimum requirements.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143506.aspx

And Server 2003:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...s/default.mspx

[Hack]

According to that link SQL Server 2005 will not run on XP Pro, so I'm back to Windows 2003 Server. No big deal, but just thought I'd pass that along.

So far I've had recommendations for an HP and a Compaq laptop.

Since I've heard no advocates for any other vendor, I think I'll start my actual research with these two brands.

[szlamany]

I just got an HP nw8240 - very nice laptop!

2.00 GHz processor - 1 GB ram...

74 gb harddrive - DVD burner - wireless out of the box...

Wide-screen - I run it at 1680 x 1050...

I've got VS 2005 installed - works beautifully.

I've got MS SQL 2000 (developers edition) installed on it - works perfectly. Sometimes I've got two other developers hitting that SQL instance on my laptop along with me at the same time.

I won't be installed MS SQL 2005 on this box for quite some time (we got that installed on a server here at the office right now).

[szlamany]

According to that link SQL Server 2005 will not run on XP Pro, so I'm back to Windows 2003 Server. No big deal, but just thought I'd pass that along.

So far I've had recommendations for an HP and a Compaq laptop.

Since I've heard no advocates for any other vendor, I think I'll start my actual research with these two brands.

But SQL 2005 developers edition will run on XP PRO - right - I see that in the link...

Developers=enterprise - with use-restrictions...

I had DELL laptops prior to this HP - they were great as well...

[RobDog888]

What OS are you running Steve?

Hack, HP and compaq are one in the same. I think everything will be HP now.

[Hack]

I won't be installed MS SQL 2005 on this box for quite some time (we got that installed on a server here at the office right now).

Did you experience any problems installing it on your server? What OS is the server running?

(BTW: What OS are you running on your laptop?)

[szlamany]

My new toy: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...&lang=en&cc=us

Laptop is running XP PRO - comes standard with that "mobile workstation" laptop...

We had to re-install our server 3 months ago - put SBS 2003 on it. When I went to install SQL 2000 on it, it would not install - due to the fact the CD was not already "service packed". Apparently SBS 2003 requires SQL 2000 with SP already on it!

At any rate about the same time I got the SQL 2005/VS 2005 install kit - so I went and put SQL 2005 on that box instead.

Installed easily on the server - client tools installed on this laptop also (I bit different install experience for client tools - makes you think it's doing a "sql instance" install until you get way into the process - scared me at first). Old QA still works with SQL 2005 - so that's nice. Old EM does not work with SQL 2005 and I have yet to get used to the new MANAGEMENT STUDIO - it's very different then the old lightweight EM (although I've complained about EM for years - now it's like an old sweater...)

[-TPM-]

Hack, HP and compaq are one in the same. I think everything will be HP now.

For the moment at least the compaq brand is still around (and hopefully will be for a while)

[szlamany]

Do the 3D product demo at that link (I really do love this laptop - plus it was a gift from a customer - so that made it even better!)

[RobDog888]

The merger was made about 2 years ago. Guess Compaq hardware will eventually dissapear from the warehouses as sales are made.

I liked Compaq better then HP but both are definately better then Dell.

[szlamany]

For the moment at least the compaq brand is still around (and hopefully will be for a while)

My laptop say HP and Compaq on it at the same time...

[RobDog888]

Sounds like its got "issues" with identity.