bring a desktop or laptop?

[lazydogg]

ill be starting jax private course in july. my thought provoking question is: should i bring a laptop or desktop - in other words, how much room is in the room?

[Timbuff10]

I went down and stayed the night in the apartments last month in Jax. If I bring any kind of computer, it will be a laptop as a Desktop just isnt really practical, esepecially if all 4 roomies bring a desktop. I dont recall there being desks in the bedrooms and I really dont think you would have enough room to set it up. Also there are no phone lines in the apartments so no internet access.

I will most likely get a Dell notebook, if they have one of their deals going soon.

[lazydogg]

yeah tim, i figured as much. but i think they have cable lines in the apts. for high-speed access.

finally got my polos - geez that box was heavy!

[BobDDuck]

I would go with the laptop. I got one before I came down to Stuart and it has beeen useful. I still haven't taken my writtens so I have the gliem software on it and I also use it to watch DVDs during what little downtime (not studying time) we have. As for internet access... They seem to frown on getting high speed installed. I guess in theory you could, but I would almost think it would be more of a distraction then anything else. All of the locations I have seen (including JAX) have computers that are connected with highspeed and as long as nobody is using them there is no problem with jumping on the web on them. Good luck and I guess I'll see you around the system sometime.

Ethan

[Timbuff10]

yeah, I got my books yesterday too. I didn't have to carry it though since I was gone... My girlfriend picked it up for me and I heard all about how heavy it was.

As far as highspeed internet goes, that would be a bad thing for me. My photography will end up taking up a huge amount of time if I did that. I need to stay away from the internet as much as possible or I will never study. I am thinking the computer at the office will be enough for me to check my email and stay up to date online.

I think I will go with the Dell 5150 notebook though... Would be great for studies and the DVD will be good for a few movies too. Might even put my Flight Sim game on it too. Seems to be the best deal out there for what I want.

[Timbuff10]

Bill, Since we stand about a 50/50 chance that we will be roommates I started thinking... Go for the laptop!

[lazydogg]

[ QUOTE ]
Bill, Since we stand about a 50/50 chance that we will be roommates I started thinking... Go for the laptop!

[/ QUOTE ]

lol - already making demands & starting trouble, huh?
then laptop it is!

[BushPilot]

Hey if you guys have a laptop, you can access the internet through you're cell phone. Call the mfg of the cell phone i.e.(Motorola, Nokia), and they can send you the USB cord that goes from the cell to the laptop. If you've got free minutes at night or weekends, it won't cost you anything. Of course you'll still have to pay that monthly internet charge.

Anyway, just thought I'd give you another option.

Paul

[Timbuff10]

Bill,

Yeah I was thinking of bringing my desktop but for me it just isn't practical at all plus I have limited space in my civic to get it down there. For me I really think a laptop will be far more useful down the road and just make life easier as I can take it along to study when I need to.


As far as hooking up the Cell phone to it, does anyone know if the Dell laptops have the network cards built in for that? I know all the Dell computers come with a free 6 month trial of AOL which would be nice to be able to use on weekends when I have free minutes.

[Captain_Bob]

Tim,

I purchased the 5100 last summer... 5150 replaced it this year. I love it and it is perfect for studying, surfing, finance, movies, a game or two, etc...

Having the wireless network card built in is an option and one I chose. I highly recommend it. If you take your laptop near near the pool (be careful) or the weight room by the main office of the apartment complex in Jax you can pick up their wireless.

Anyway, only other advice I can give you is leave the computer at the apartment during your training, and don't take it on the XC phase either. You won't have time to use it, and it stands the chance of being dropped or damaged.

Good luck to you!

Bob

[lazydogg]

tim, give this a shot:

laptop specs

[Timbuff10]

Thanks guys,

I am at work right now getting my ass handed to me... All my flights are late pretty much and each one snowballs to another. I have been starring at the reply button on jetcareers the past few hours actually and finally just got enough time to reply.

I guess I just need the 10/100 card and the usb cable for my cell and that should get me surfing the net if needed. Will have to do some more research on it. Crap, now one of my flights just aborted takeoff and coming back to the gate with a flap problem... Awwww Geez, what's next?!?!

[Timbuff10]

Thanks for the info guys, I researched the laptops a bit and ordered one last night. Dell's 5150 seemed to be the best buy for what I wanted. I also threw in some goodies so I can play the MS Flight Sim too. Figure it could be helpful in my studies. So the way I understand it, since I have the wireless 1350 network card all I need now is the USB cable to hook up my cell phone with and I should be all set for high speed by the pool in Jax? Does that sound right to you guys?

Here is my setup:

Inspiron 5150
Mobile Intel® Pentium 4 Processor 2.80GHz,15 inch XGA, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition Qty: 1
Base Mobile Intel® Pentium 4 Processor 2.80GHz,15 inch XGA
AMT28LN
[221-4703]

Memory 512MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms
512MB2D
[311-2958]

Video Card 64MB DDR NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX Go5200 AGP 4x Graphics
NV64MB
[320-1227]

Hard Drive FREE 40GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive Upgrade! (from 30GB)
40GBP
[462-2765]

Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
WHXP
[420-3235]
[313-1909]
[412-0408]
[313-2208]

Network Adapters Integrated Network Card
INTNIC
[430-0530]

Modem Internal 56K Modem
56MPC
[313-1917]

CD ROM/DVD ROM FREE 24X CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive Upgrade! (from DVD)
24COMBP
[430-0685]
[462-5322]

Wireless Networking Cards Dell® Wireless 1350 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g, 54Mbps)
TM1350I
[430-0923]

Productivity Software Productivity Pack with WorkPerfect® and Microsoft® Money Standard
ICOREL
[412-0398]
[412-0552]
[412-0556]

Security Software Norton Internet Security™, 90 day trial
NIS2004
[412-0628]

Digital Music Dell Jukebox powered by MUSICMATCH
MMBASE
[412-0516]

Primary Battery 96 WHr Lithium-Ion Primary Battery
BATT
[312-0274]

Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year At-Home Service
S1OS
[950-7830]
[950-9797]
[950-3337]
[412-0360]

Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
AOLDHS
[412-0587]
[412-0625]
[420-3224]

Digital Photography Dell Picture Studio, Paint Shop Pro Trial, Photo Album Starter Edition
DPS
[412-0521]

Dell Media Experience Dell Media Experience™
DMX
[412-0581]

Special Offer SPECIAL OFFER - $100 OFF
OL100
[461-3186]

[lazydogg]

tim, you pimped that bad-boy out!

the wireless that bob was talking about wouldn't require your cell phone. the wireless card in the laptop will pick up the wireless network by the pool. however, if you want to surf in your room and dont have high-speed cable hooked to your ethernet/network card, then youd need to use the USB cell-phone connection.

[Timbuff10]

Ahhh yeah, I gotcha, that makes sense. I might scrap getting the cell phone cable. I forsee that as getting expensive!

As far as the computer setup, I wanted something that will last a while and when I get back I can still get some good use out of. I do alot of digital photography which requires alot of the extras on the notebook so hopefully I break even on the computer with photo sales.

Dell has a pretty good deal going right now, Ive been watching the prices the past few months and at the moment it is the lowest it has been. The only real upgrades were the 64 MB video card and 512 of RAM. That should be enough to get MS flight sim going fairly well.

If you are thinking about getting one do it now.. Free shipping ends tonight at midnight!

Too bad I am broke now

[pscraig]

[ QUOTE ]
Tim,

If you take your laptop near near the pool (be careful) or the weight room by the main office of the apartment complex in Jax you can pick up their wireless.



[/ QUOTE ]

So THAT is where the signal is coming from...very nice "feature" of the complex.

I agree, don't take the laptop on XCs. Your stuff is going to get moved around quite a bit, and you won't have time to use it. I was usually just happy to get something to eat and go to bed.

[Tram]

I bought a laptop just before I came to Dallas.. I am soo glad I got it.. I can check weather in hotel rooms on cross countries, I can watch movies and pass the time by surfing the net.. Prime example.. Me and T-bone got weathered in, in Monroe, La (read - Arm Pit of the Earth) with nothing to do.. So, I checked out the net for a couple hours.. better than just doing nothing..


I'd say.. yes.. bring a laptop, get a good case to carry it in, for flying with it and you'll be glad you did..

[Timbuff10]

Hey Tram, how is your program going down there in Dallas? Zipping on through still?

I just got an email that my laptop shipped today, although now they decided to add taxes to the price so that went up by about $18. Kinda odd since when I ordered it, taxes were listed as $0. Should I call them and complain?

[Captain_Bob]

Tim,

Yes! Complain to them! However, be aware... that Tax amount seems real low for a computer. Be sure that it's not the tax for a peripheral that you added to the computer package. Maybe something in the $300 range?

Anyway... when I ordered my system I was still living in Maine. That meant there was no tax on the system since they did not have a retail outlet in Maine. However, my ship date got delayed several times (about a month) due to my screen upgrade. As a result, I was moving to Texas before the computer ended up being shipped, and I had to change my shipping address to Texas.

Next thing I know I got hit with an additional charge on my CC for something like $180! When I called to enquire, they stated it was because they had to charge me Texas Sales tax since they had an outlet in Texas (heck they are based in Austin) and they were shipping it to Texas.

I went 'round and 'round with them stating that I originally bought it in Maine, but due to their lack of supplies I had to have it shipped to Texas due to my move. The rep said there was nothing he could do... I went up two supervisors and re-explained my situation several more times before I finally got a credit in the amount of the charged tax.

The squeaky wheel wins!

Bob

PS: [ QUOTE ]
So, I checked out the net for a couple hours.. better than just doing nothing..

[/ QUOTE ] He should've been studying!! Keep the laptop at home and use that time to study for your Commercial or CFI-IA.

Tram's crazy... Just ask him! By the way... He's going to be hangin' with the Aliens in Roswell later today!

[Timbuff10]

Ha, thats a pretty good story you got there. Outrageous but I suppose that's how it goes. I think in my case since it was only like $15 I will just drop it. I could see that backfiring on me like you said. I am not sure if I am currently living in the city limits or outside so I think that may be where the charge was? The odd thing was last time I bought a Dell, the taxes were only $3, this time (I have since moved) $15. Oh well, I will survive.

One thing I have noticed is that when you are shopping, you seem to talk to americans but when you have already purchased, you seem to get only get to talk to Apu down at the quickie mart.

As far as Tram needing to be studying instead of playing on the laptop during the x-country, thats what I was thinking too! Ha!

[sorrygottarunway]

I have an interesting story in this matter:

I brought my laptop down, but only use it as a "suitcase" to load some digital photos of the training excitement here in Manassas, look up addresses and phone numbers.... I really had no interest in surfing or keeping up to date. But within the past few days, I gained a roomate that is rushing to sinc up with me, and a flight simulator would be useful in practicing approaches and such at night in the appartment. I have 2 days off coming up, I just might drive home and pick it up for both of our benefit, as I see much to practice coming up in the way of approaches, maneuvers, procedures, and CRM. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother lugging a desktop down unless you agree on using it for that purpose.

[Timbuff10]

Yeah I want to use mine for the flight sim too. I dont see myself surfing the net much other than to check email. Actually I dont know if I will ever get the thing hooked up as it is a huge pain to figure it out. Don't know how to even go about picking up a random signal at the apt.

Oh yeah, gotta put my photos on there too. Will be taking a bunch of those for sure!!

[sorrygottarunway]

yeah its funny, but myself and my roomate are the ONLY ones here in Manassas that do not have a flight sim trainer in the appartment. While I scoffed 6 months to a year ago at FS2004 bludgeoning its existence from my hard drive, I now think that for muscle-memory learning of ATP procedures, it is quite instrumental. ATP has specific calls and profiles you MUST fly everytime you leave the ground, and the only way to learn them is to memorize and chair fly- or more fun, fly actual flight-sim profiles with your roomate. You'll have to quiz each other sooner or later, why not start in the comfort of the appartment?

Now, lugging the CPU box nd monitor down will be a trick...

[lazydogg]

[ QUOTE ]
While I scoffed 6 months to a year ago at FS2004 bludgeoning its existence from my hard drive, I now think that for muscle-memory learning of ATP procedures, it is quite instrumental. ATP has specific calls and profiles you MUST fly everytime you leave the ground, and the only way to learn them is to memorize and chair fly- or more fun, fly actual flight-sim profiles with your roomate. You'll have to quiz each other sooner or later, why not start in the comfort of the appartment?



[/ QUOTE ]

just ordered my 5150 - it ships next week. definitely gonna load flight sim to supplement my training.