I love my Apple G4 Powerbook, and I love OSX. But I am unhappy with the Powerbook's processing power (Don’t agree? Try making fink update packages while trying to use iTunes and Firefox). In addition, I need to test Windows based software for work, and Virtual PC is too much of a resource hog. I am happy to hear that Apple is planning on switching to Intel chips, but it will probably be another year before the Intel based Powerbooks arrive. When they do, I will get one, and switch back. But for now, I have decided to switch to the Dell 700m.
The Dell 700m isn’t as polished as a Powerbook, but I am very happy with it’s small size and weight (approx 4.5 pounds with the extended battery). I found a 45% off coupon (via notebookreview.com, expires 9/15/2005), and ordered one last night. Here are the specs:
- Intel(r) Pentium(r) M Processor 745 (1.80 GHz/400MHz
FSB)
- 12.1-in WXGA
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- 1GB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms
- 80 GB Hard Drive
- Integrated Network Card
- Internal 56K Modem
- 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
- Intel(r) PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)
- 8-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (65 WHr) w/ 128mb Memory Key
- Warranty: 4 year Premium Solution Package
Price (after applying 45% off coupon): $1,379.95. Not a bad deal!
I also have a white 4GB iPod Nano on the way. I usually listen to music on my laptop, but the primary use of this iPod will be to hold audio books and podcasts. Here are some of my favorite podcasts:
Nitesh Dhanjani
is a well known security researcher, author, and speaker. Dhanjani has been invited to talk at various information security events such as the Black Hat Briefings, RSA, Hack in the Box, Microsoft Blue Hat, and OSCON.
Comments on this weblog
Showing messages 1 through 7 of 7.
Apple on Intel
2005-09-15 01:14:01
jwenting
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Last week in the Apple store in Amsterdam they said it would likely be 2007 at the earliest before they will hit the market.
They're not sure (nothing official yet) but the first demonstrations are expected at Appleworld next year (so May 2006) with market introduction of first the desktops and only after that the laptops over the year after that.
You'll be very happy with that laptop...
2005-09-14 19:04:22
Jeremy Jones |
[View]
...but not the OS. :-) But since you need to test stuff for work, I guess you get a pass. :-) I've been running Ubuntu Hoary on my Dell Inspiron 9300 (which has some of the same components as your 700m) and have been extremely pleased. Mine only has 512MB RAM and a 1.6GHz CPU, but it does really well. I suppose you'll have less driver trouble, too, if you are running Windows. The ipw2200 driver for Linux has had issues. I don't see where you specify the video card, but the ATI X300 mobility proprietary drivers could use some work. You will be very happy with that setup.
You'll be very happy with that laptop...
2005-09-14 20:48:37
Nitesh Dhanjani |
[View]
Thanks for your feedback!
From 1996 to 2003, I used Linux on my primary laptop. After that, I switched to OSX. I got a Latitude for my wife a year ago, and it runs Microsoft XP. I have had to use it frequently, and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with the stability of XP. I would never again use Linux on my primary latpop - I don't agree that it is ready for the desktop. For example, I don't want to have to patch my kernel to make my laptop suspend to disk. I don't want to have to mess with countless configuration files to make my video card work. I don't want to have to compile kernel modules to get my wireless card working. I really don't have the patience for all this anymore :-( You could say that OSX has spoilt me. For now, I plan on going with XP - coupled with Cygwin, I think I should be able to get my work done, and I will be able to use iTunes natively :-) Besides, I also want to develop some tools using Visual Studio .NET - other IDEs don't seem to impress me (so far).
You'll be very happy with that laptop...
2005-09-14 19:55:27
Robert Daeley |
[View]
I installed Ubuntu Hoary on an oldish iBook, mostly just to see how well it would run. Enjoyed the experience*, but I ran into Airport card problems. Once those are worked out, I could see myself on an Intel Powerbook running Linux some day. Which, frankly, is surreal to say. :)
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They're not sure (nothing official yet) but the first demonstrations are expected at Appleworld next year (so May 2006) with market introduction of first the desktops and only after that the laptops over the year after that.