laptop advice

[doc Russia]

Hey Folks!
I am looking at buying a new portable computer (laptop) or tablet.
It would be mostly for work applications, but not exclusively.
I want to be able to use it for presentations by plugging it into a HDTV/ PRojector.
Power point is a must
Also would be better to be usable for short periods in the field (like in the back of an APC) for data entry
PLusses would also include being able to take it on road trips and let my daughter watch DVD/blu-ray on it.
I am a clinician and a field guy, definitely not tech savvy. Can spend serious money on it, but don't want to waste it.
I could really use some input on what I should look into.

[doc Russia]

Oh and you probably missed this:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19744&p=204074

FIFY

[doc Russia]

I've got a lot of general recommendations, but I need to know four things:

1. How portable do you need it to be?
2. How big a screen do you want?
3. Since you want a BluRay drive, is an external drive acceptable?
4. Since you can run both MacOs and Windows on one, and run MS Office natively, but don't support BluRay internal, is a Mac acceptable?

1. Portable enough to fit in a small computer case
2. 15", maybe? Not as big a deal as resolution is to me
3. blu-ray is a plus, not a "must have"
4. Mac is acceptable

[HTRN]

All I can tell you is that laptops have a very high failure rate. It comes from sticking so much into so small a case.

You might be interested in this warranty claims survey.

[Rich]

Just from observation, the health care types I've seen here in El Paso seem to be about 50-50 laptops and tablets. They are mostly therapy and home health care types. Haven't seen EMT types carry much in the line of computing capability.

[blackeagle603]

Don't bother with things like built in 3g,

I'm a Mi-Fi fan too though a unit with Gobi is pretty nice. I admit having a vested interested in it...

Gobi chips allow for true world-phone compatibility. It is worth noting that almost every 3G iOS device since the Verizon iPhone uses Qualcomm’s Gobi platform

If you travel you can't beat Gobi. Esp the latest units. More and more laptop mfg's just install Gobi in all their product for all markets and that way only have to manage one SKU for any model worldwide. It's a big deal logistically for them. If it's not embedded insise your laptop you can get Gobi wireless cards/dongles from various wireless module manufacturers.

[Yogimus]

My advice for purchasing computers

1- Know what you want (BE HONEST!)
2- Know your price limit
3- if you can exceed your requirements within your price limits, DO SO.

[Netpackrat]

That previous version is still available; and is even available from Apples refurb store for really great pricing. Also, my absolute favorite feature... You can get one WITHOUT THAT STUPID SHINY SCREEN.

Yeah. I love my 13" MBP, but the stupid shiny screen, is stupid... and shiny. My mac nut buddy tells me I can send it off and get the screen replaced with the new non glare unit for a couple hundred bucks.