Laptop Issues

[Guest123456]

I'm fairly new to laptops and I'm getting my first in a couple days, so I've been looking around the 'net for information. I've come across a bunch of things that I don't understand.

First, what is a port replicator? How does it help reduce cpu heat? What else does it do? Is it worth it to get one?

Is a 3Com Mini-PCI card a port replicator? It's pointed out by Dell on their webpage when you click on the Inspiron 4000 series. It helps reduce power consumption and preserve battery life; how exactly does that work? And where would it go on the laptop?

Network cards: What do 16-bit, 32-bit, PCMIA, PC Card, and Type I or II mean? What's the difference? Which would I need for my laptop? If my laptop has a hole for a Cat-5 cable, but no internal network card, would it be possible to order one and install it myself?

Processors: What's the difference between desktop processors and mobile? How do I know which I have?


That's all I have for now, thanks guys for takin' the time to read this, I really appreciate it.

[Jeffbx]

A port replicator is another term for a docking station. Plug your monitor, keyboard, power, mouse, etc. into the port replicator, then just connect your laptop to that rather than plugging and unplugging all those components. There's typically a wide connection on the back of the laptop to make the connection. If you have an external monitor, KB, mouse, etc. it may be worth a couple of hundred to pick one up. Otherwise, don't bother. Ignore the heat reduction claim - that's just marketing hype.

PCMCIA is another name for a PC card - they're the little credit card sized devices that plug into your laptop. A type I card is rarely used anymore - it's usually for RAM or flash RAM. A type II card is most common - network cards and modems are usually type II. A type III card is twice as thick as a type II card, and is used for network cards that you can plug the cable directly into (rather than into an x-jack connection or a 'dongle'), and also for mini hard drives and other mass storage devices.

16 vs 32 bit - data bus is twice as fast on 32 bit. They're faster. You can certainly buy one and install it yourself - it's very easy.

If you have a laptop, you have a mobile processor. They're smaller, use less power, and give off less heat than desktop processors.

Hope that helps!

[Guest123456]

Thanks for answering my questions, but now I have some more...

Type III cards - twice as thick as type II, does that mean they would take 2 of those slots rather than 1? Also, what's an x-jack connection on the Type III cards? I've seen dongles - they're those little things that hang out of the network card and you plug the cat-5 or whatever cable into right?

I saw on some posts about companies putting desktop processors into laptops, and this creates problems with heat. Is this not done anymore?

So it would be possible for me to install an internal network card right? Not too much different than fiddling around with a desktop I assume? And also, what's a good internal network card to get that's not too expensive? And what's a good PCMCIA network card?

And the port replicator makes it kind of like the laptop is a desktop? That's pretty cool.

Thanks a ton Jeffbx, really appreciate it.

[Jeffbx]

Yes, a type III card will take up both slots.

An x-jack is a plug that hides inside the PC card when not in use, and you pull it out to plug the network cable into it. This avoids the possibilty of losing the 'dongle', but x-jacks are notorious for accidentally snapping off. 3Com has supposedly fixed this issue by making their x-jack connections much sturdier.

For a laptop, an internal network card would be a PC card. There are no internal slots in a laptop like there are in a desktop PC. That's what the PC card slots are for. 3Com and Xircom both make excellent network cards - expect to pay about $100-150 for a 3Com or a Xircom. Netgear, SMC, and D-Link are also good products - they can be had for around $50.

[Guest123456]

How do I tell if my laptop supports 32-bit or 16-bit? Also, what is Cardbus? How do I tell if my laptop supports that?

Ever heard anything about Linksys or Ark, whether they are good or not?

Are "integrated" PC Cards just like the cards with the connector built onto the card? Which kind of connection type would you recommend? Seems dongle and x-jack types seem kind of fragile.

And finally, what's the difference between Ethernet and Fast Ethernet?

That should be all the questions I have. You've been a lot of help, thanks.

[Jeffbx]

OK, most laptops will support 32-bit these days. Double check with the manufacturer. Cardbus is a 32 bit bus.

Linksys is good, never heard of Ark.

A PC card with an 'integrated' jack would be a type III card that you can plug a cable directly into, like this one:
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?EDC=128226

I would recommend either a card with an integrated jack or a 3Com x-jack.

Regular ethernet runs at 10Mbps (megabits per second), while fast ethernet runs at 100Mbps. You may notice that virtually every LAN card sold today says '10/100'. This means that it will automatically switch between a 10 and a 100Mbps connection, depending on what it's plugged into.

For connecting to other computers or to a corporate LAN, you will certainly want a 100Mbps connection. For surfing the net or sharing an internet connection, a 10Mbps connection is fine, since a relatively fast internet connection will be only about 1.5Mbps.

So have you decided on a laptop? I'd recommend Dell or IBM if you're still looking at different brands.

[Guest123456]

Yeah, actually, I ordered a Dell Inspiron 4000 a couple days ago, so it should be arriving soon. I didn't order the combo 56k modem + network card, and I feel dumb for not doing so because there's actually a hole in the laptop (from the one I saw at a local store) for a cat-5 cable. And that was what I was originally looking for, a way to replace my internal 56k modem with a 56k/network combo card that would fill up that cat-5 hole built into the laptop.

Anyhow, does this support 32-bit/Cardbus? I can't find anything on the site about this for that model.

Also, what is this card considered?
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?EDC=206649

It looks to me like a credit card type, but with an, for lack of a better term, integrated jack. That would be a Type II, right?

Once again, thanks for your help.

[Jeffbx]

I assume this machine supports Cardbus - you can call Dell tech support to confirm it.

That Linksys is an integrated card - it's a type II, but you'll have to install it in the top card slot or the plug will block access to your second card.

[sbp]

{lets Jeffbx chose a few brews for answering all those questions}

[Jeffbx]

Whew! Thanks, sbp. My mouth WAS getting a little dry...

[eSDee]

Originally posted by sbp
{lets Jeffbx chose a few brews for answering all those questions}

*drooling* Thats so beautiful man....*drooling*

[coleslaw]

Heiny keg cans are not that great... I mean, sure they look cool and all, but to me they just make the beer taste even more skunky. Heineken is inherently a little on the skunky side... which is why I drink Grolsch.