The Vent and Rant Thread

[Katsunami]

I hate computers. Why can't I find a notebook that is basically a more powerful version of what I have now?

I now have a Dell Lattitude E6500 notebook, which is 7,5 years old (it's 2008 vintage). It cost €1500 back then, and it has got the works: the most powerful dual core CPU at that time (there was only one quad core, offered in a €1000 more expensive Precision), 8GB of RAM, and, since 2011, a 128GB SSD. The keyboard is backlit and it has a magnesium alloy body. The connections are all either at the back, or, if on the left/right, they're at the far end. Replacing the HDD with an SSD, and putting the HDD into the CD/DVD slot using a caddy took like 10 minutes. Replacing a broken keyboard in 2012 took 10 minutes as well.

It came with Windows Vista Business (with which I never had a problem), and while doing a course that took 1,5 years, I had the option of legally upgrading it to Windows 7 Professional. Now, it's upgraded to Windows 10.

Sometimes, I even still use it for work, and because of the SSD and 8GB RAM, I can do everything I need to.

This thing is the quintessential business notebook. Rugged, expandable, upgradable, and it just keeps going and going.

Its only minus is that it has a TN screen.

Now I'm looking for something new, and the only thing I would like is that its successor is about three times as fast, and has an IPS screen.

I can't find it.

The stuff I'm finding for €1500 or less has either top class power (Skylake i7-6700HQ/nVidia 960M or 970M) in a very bad plasticy and wobbly housing, often held together with plastic clips that need a pry tool, or, if the housing is OK, it's underpowered, not meeting my three times as fast criterium, and often neither having an SSD nor 8GB of RAM, which I would then need to purchase seperately.

Where are all the business notebooks in a good housing (magnesium/aluminum) with maintenance plates that just unscrew instead of needing to unclip the entire back side, and just-below-the-absolute-top hardware, for a good price?

The closest I can find is the Lenovo T450, but it still has an underside that needs to be unclipped; same for the Dell Lattitude 5000 seris. The 6000 series doesn't seem to exist anymore. The Lenovo T550 uses old hardware; 4th generation Core i CPU's, and Skylake is the 6th already.

Grrrr. Basically, I just want new hardware in THIS laptop I'm typing this on.

[CRussel]

FWIW, I'm very happy with HP's _business class_ laptops (EliteBook models). I have a somewhat older 8460p that has a quad-core i7, 16 GB of RAM and a 500 GB SSD (that I added), and I can swap in a second SSD or HD. And I have a newer 840 G2 that also has a (newer) i7, 16 GB of RAM and I put a 1TB SSD in it. (I run a lot of VMs, in case you're wondering.) Both have decent docking solutions for when I'm in the office, and usable keyboards when i'm no the road. Display on the 840 G2 is full HD (but I didn't opt for the touchscreen version.)

OTOH, if I were buying today, I might well go with the Surface Book. Very tempting.

[Katsunami]

I have looked at the Elitebooks as well, but the ones having an IPS display start at around €1600, with the lowest CPU (i3) and no SSD. If I get a notebook, I'd like to have a Core i5-5200U at least... and even that CPU is barely faster than the Core 2 Quad in my desktop.

Lenovo does have some computers that still use older CPU's such as 4th generation quad core i7's. I wouldn't mind getting one of those, but as far as I've seen, these notebooks all come with low-end 1366x768 TN screens. No option to get an IPS panel.

[Freeshadow]

Check http://www.tuxedocomputers.com/

They have afair aluminum cases, ips screen and are Linux capable too.
Illuminated keyb as, you asked for too

Something like that?

http://www.tuxedocomputers.com/Linux...k-LTE-opt.geek

[Katsunami]

Thanks for the link. I don't know that company. It looks to be something like BTO in the Netherlands, wo don't get many good reviews. Not because their computers are bad, but because they are unable to properly handle after-sales service.

For me, that means questions like: how long do repairs take? Can I still get a computer repaired after three years? Can I still get parts like a keyboard or screen after 4-5 years without paying through the nose, and install it myself (or have it installed by someone)? With DELL and Lenovo, repairs could take less than a day if you have Next Business Day warranty, and parts can be obtained for *at least* five years after the computer is taken out of production, because they offer a (optional) 5 year warranty.

[PeterT]

GRRRR

How is it some people

1. Don't Listen
2. Don't Think

I work as a driver for a community agency which among other services drives clients to and from Dialysis appointments. Christmas time always mucks up the schedule, so this year Friday clients are moved to Saturday, and Saturday clients to Sunday.

Normally one of the full time drivers takes clients downtown on M / We / Fr, but since isn't working today, one of the casual drivers is filling in for him.

Our route sheets are simple word documents; Driver's name at the top, then a table beneath it listing

• the name of the driver taking the client to the appointment
• the pickup time from home
• the client's name and address
• the Dialysis unit they're going to
• the pickup time to come home
• the name of the driver taking them home

The co-ordinator had just changed the name at the top of the page from REGULAR_DRIVER to CASUAL_DRIVER, but had then left the REGULAR_DRIVER name in the taking to appointment row.

Additionally, one client had been in hospital but was now out, so she had hand-written OUT OF HOSPITAL over his pick-up time (that had said IN HOSPITAL).

I should add that I am filling in for the regular driver tonight on the bring-home part for these clients, so there was also a route printed with my name as the Driver.

I had just come home from Christmas dinner with friends yesterday when there was a ring on my door. I go and answer and surprise, surprise it was the CASUAL_DRIVER standing there with both of our route sheets.

He was baffled as to what he was meant to be doing... He saw his name at the top, but then didn't see his name as doing any pickups I explained that he was meant to do ALL the pickups; that he was filling in for REGULAR_DRIVER and the dispatcher just didn't bother to change all the names on the sheet.

He finally seemed to grasp that, but then asked about the hand written OUT OF HOSPITAL and what he should do with that.

I sighed and explained that he should just pick the client up after the 1st one on his list, and that the client would be waiting for him. I also clarified that yes, I would be driving the clients home.

He finally seemed to understand and left. Now of course, I had been speaking with the coordinator on Thursday and knew full well she HAD explained things to him, and that she had asked him to wait while she got a printout for him, and that when she got back to her desk, he had gone.

SIGH

It's not rocket science; it's common sense.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Thanks for the link. I don't know that company.<snippage> With DELL and Lenovo, repairs could take less than a day if you have Next Business Day warranty, and parts can be obtained for *at least* five years after the computer is taken out of production, because they offer a (optional) 5 year warranty.

FWIW:

I have the Thinkpad Yoga. I don't know how well its specs fit with your needs, but I admit, of all the (myriad) laptops/tablets I tried, for about 2 years, I like it best. It can double easily as a tablet; it's quite speedy; it only has two things about it I don't like--one of which is down to Win8, not the device. My sole comment about the device itself in the negative is make sure, if you buy one (or any Lenovo that comes with a touch-surface and a Wacomm), make sure you buy an additional protection sheet, and apply it IMMEDIATELY. The Wacomm stylus that "comes with" will, absolutely, scratch and damage the non-removable protection sheet that covers the screen. So, apply a second that you can easily replace.

It's quite speedy; it easily folds into the regular, tent, 270-position, and it's a workhorse machine. Recharges quite rapidly. The Surface wasn't as large a screen/workspace as I need, which was the primary reason I went with this one.

FWIW.

Hitch

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Hitch

FWIW:

I have the Thinkpad Yoga. I don't know how well its specs fit with your needs, but I admit, of all the (myriad) laptops/tablets I tried, for about 2 years, I like it best.

FWIW.

Thanks I've been looking at the T450. I've added some pictures of the Dell E6500 and the Lenovo T410. They almost seem like carbon copies; the T400 is bit older than the E6500, the T410 is a bit newer. It's almost as if Dell thought: hey, let's take a Thinkpad and make it look sleeker and shinier

I happen to like the layout of the keyboard and the construction of these computers.

Now, when looking at the T450, I immediately see some things right off the bat that I don't like:

- No buttons for the touchpad... do I now need to use gestures, or the Trackpoint buttons? (I understand the T440 went Apple-style without any buttons at all :X)
- F1-F12 are now secondary functions. If I decide to get the T450, I *hope* I can reverse the FN-functionality in the BIOS. I *NEED* my fricking function keys to work *without* having to press FN.
- They swapped CTRL and FN. WHY?! Now I will forever hit the wrong button! (Unless this can be swapped as well, in the BIOS, but then the labels don't fit...)
- Print Screen right beside the Right ALT, instead of CTRL? WTF?!
- They went jacking around with the home/end/pgup/pgdn/delete buttons again...

I wonder why manufacturers always feel the need to jackass with the keyboard layout. Just create a layout that is as close as possible to the traditional desktop layout, just as on the old Thinkpads, and the E6500 and leave it at that...

Still, I can accommodate to almost every keyboard layout within a few days. I'll have to download the user manual to see if there is a BIOS-setting to reverse the FN-key functionality. If this can't be done, I'm not going to get a T450. Maybe I'm not going to get a new notebook at all.

[Katsunami]

Continuing the laptop ranting:

I've downloaded the manual.

- Yes, F1 and F12 can be set as primary functions.
- Yes, FN and CTRL can be swapped.

So... if there are functions to swap those back to the traditional layout, the manufacturer damn well knows that there are a lot of people who want to use them that way. Then why don't they make a traditional keyboard layout, and create an option to swap it into the 'new' layout? Put the icons and F1/F12 onto the keys in the same size. Also, put CTRL/Fn and Fn/CTRL on the keys on the lower left and make them the same size as well. Or make the physical keycaps swappable.

Another function that unnerves me is "Disable trackpad" and "Disable Trackpoint".

Wait, what? If I don't want to use them, I have to disable them in the BIOS? And what if I DO want to use them, because, for example, I don't have room to use a mouse; first go into the BIOS to enable them again?

A quick glance through the manual tells me nothing regarding this (I might have missed it because I didn't read all 193 pages), but my 7.5 year old DELL has the capability in the driver to automatically disable the trackpad and pointing stick as soon as a USB-mouse is plugged in. Heck, under Windows 10, the operating system even reports: "The internal touchpad has been disabled by its driver, because an external pointing device was detected." (Or something to that extent.)

So, just pulling out the Logitech Nano receiver automatically enables the trackpad and pointing stick. It's one of the nicest things I've seen on a notebook. If the T450 can't do that, it would be disappointing. At the very least, I would expect a hotkey combination to toggle the touchpad/track on/off (or off/on, depending on BIOS settings).

And why am I frantically looking for a new laptop on second christmas day?

That's because I suddenly and unexpectedly got told that I possibly (but not 100% certain yet) can buy a laptop through some sort of "buying private stuff to get work done" tax benefit arrangement. If so, I can deduct the laptop from my taxable income, which would mean I can get 42-50% returned in 2016. To do so, I have to buy and pay for the laptop before 2015 ends, however.

[Cinisajoy]

Good news. Had a wonderful Christmas with my mom. We went out to dinner. Got back home just before the storm hit.

[Katsunami]

Good to know, Cinisajoy You and your mom only? Cozy

===

I'm getting really fed up with this laptop thing.

Lenovo jackassed around with the keyboard, and used plastic clips (in addition to screws) that hold the back cover onto the laptop. According to people on forums, they frequently and easily break when the laptop is opened for upgrades or repair/maintenance.

Dell dropped the entire Latitude 6000 line, but the plastic 5000 line now costs what the 6000 previously cost. In addition, they only waffle about how beautiful, slim, and manageable the laptop is. Yes, yes, you updated the looks and it offers every function a business notebook has ever had and which every other manufacturer also offers. Specs man! Show me the specs! I *can't* for the life of me, find out if their 1920x1080 screen is IPS or TN. And lastly, they now have a SHITLOAD of configurations which can be 'costomized'; which now comes down to selecting which OS you want, and which other software like virusscanners and office you want pre-installed.

I don't want that. Just give me a sane basic, medium and high-end configuration for the series, and then let me adjust it up or down as like I could 8 years ago. Now Lenovo finally has that option, while DELL lost it. In this regard, Lenovo and DELL have switched places.

And HP? If I want a configuration with an IPS screen, it becomes hugely expensive, like €1700+ with a mid-range CPU.

Meh. I'd rather chuck a 1TB drive in this old thing, and install Linux on it for home use. This thing can't run any game if it's 3D or newer than 2000.

*Grumpy* How hard can it be to offer me a laptop with good components that doesn't break when opened, for about €1500? It seems manufacturers ALWAYS have to do some sort of stupid thing that counts as a huge minus against their hardware.

[Cinisajoy]

Me, mom and our respective husbands.
Dinner was much cheaper than we all expected.We were thinking at least $60 and it came out to under $50.
Good luck finding a new laptop.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Me, mom and our respective husbands.
Dinner was much cheaper than we all expected.We were thinking at least $60 and it came out to under $50.

Per person, I hope? In the Netherlands, for €50, you can get an appetizer and something to drink for everyone, and then you're done

Good luck finding a new laptop.

If nothing weird happens, I've decided and will order tonight, despite not knowing if I can use the tax deduction rule.

After considering everything, it comes down to it that I need a new notebook; this beloved but old Latitude E6500 is on its last legs. It runs at 80% CPU-power to play some youtube video's, and 25-30% just browsing the web. Yes, it's clean and perfectly configured. It will not have the power, RAM or storage required to do what I require it to do in 2016. It could, after a RAM and storage upgrade, but that would be very expensive, and things like editing/fixing and converting Delphi Classics in Calibre would take a LONG time. It already takes up to 30 minutes for the larger books on my dekstop, which is twice as powerful as the Latitdue.

Still, I wish to move my 'work' (= non-gaming activities) off the desktop so I can work wherever I want; living room, at the desk after I get the docking station, or even somewhere else if need be.

So, the 'work' will be done on the new laptop, and the old desktop will be torn down, cleaned and rebuilt to serve as a gaming computer. I only have pre-2013 games (apart from Pillars of Eternity) I play at the moment *if* I have some time, so I'll replace the desktop with a midrange one when I ever find the time to play The Witcher 3.

[Cinisajoy]

No, it was $48 for all 4 of us and it was an all you can eat.
Out here only the big chains and fancy places are expensive.
Most places run between $11 and $20 a plate. Non alcohol drinks are $2 to $3 with free refills.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

No, it was $48 for all 4 of us and it was an all you can eat.
Out here only the big chains and fancy places are expensive.
Most places run between $11 and $20 a plate. Non alcohol drinks are $2 to $3 with free refills.

Wow. I would probably die from overeating while there...

Over here, a normal price for a main course in a non-expensive restaurant would be between €16 and €20, with drinks between €2 and €2,50 a piece.