Buying a First Laptop

[mtatum4496]

I am thinking of replacing my old desktop with a laptop. The idea basically is to have the convenience of taking my work with me wherever I go. At home I would want to have a full sized monitor, keyboard, mouse, and a docking station. Also, I would like the laptop to have both a CD drive and a disk drive.

With the sort of setup I am looking for, what would you recommend? I've looked at a few laptops, but I hear that not all will work with a docking station. Is this true?

[kelkat]

I was wondering if it's the docking station that lets you down load from the laptop to the desktop? I want the convenience of being able to work anywhere, but I like the larger memory and other features of the desk top.

Is it easy to get the info from one place to the other?

[mtatum4496]

I think if you want to maintain both a desktop and a laptop but just move information between the two, you can do so by either moving the memory card from one to the other, or you can use a cable to connect the two and move data back and forth.

From what I understand, the docking station does not store or move data in and of itself. It is just a convenient way to be able to set up a work station so you have the ability to use the full size monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, etc along with your laptop when at home.

[kelkat]

So all I need it a cable for my USB port? That's even easier than I thought. But I guess it also means I need to stick with a PC instead of moving to an Apple.

[brian]

My understanding is that docking stations are usually USB driven??

In which case, so long as the laptop is USB compatible (and most should be) then in that regard it shouldn't be a problem.

However, when you ask for a "disk drive" do you mean a floppy drive?? That could be your sticking point.

[kelkat]

Is it my imagination, or are floppies becoming outdated? When I got my PC last year, I didn't even bother having a floppy drive installed. My husband said it made no sense to him. But I have a writable disk drive, so what would be the point.

[kisna]

I belive same. The time of floopy is already gone.
I woulnt put any flooply drive if I buy a new pc. I would rather invest that money in a pendrive.

[bangfor]

There is a difference between a floppy disk and a diskette that's not out, whereas floppy disk totally replaced by diskettes. The pendrive is a good investment, but you can buy them for around $10.

[mtatum4496]

Many of the newer models only come with a CD drive, no disk drive, which could be problematic for me as I have a ton of diskettes going back almost ten years. But I do still see a few models being made that have both type drives.

Ah well, maybe after Christmas...

[tater03]

I am glad I ran across this my mother in law is looking to get a laptop. I don't have one yet so this information will be great to pass on to her. That and she'll think I am smart.