Lynda,

I've owned all four of the major brands of Windows laptops (Dell, Sony, Toshiba, and HP).

a) Every Dell laptop I've ever owned, I've *hated*. Problems upon problems. I'll never own another. Desktops, workstations, yes -- laptops, no way.
b) The Sony laptops are excellent (I've owned one, and my mother owns one), but they're expensive in comparison to the other brands. They only read MemoryStick media built-in, and they can be proprietary with internal parts. Purchase with caution.
c) I still own my "retired" Toshiba Satellite 1905-S801 with the detachable keyboard (yes, a detachable *wireless* keyboard on a *laptop*). My wife owns a smaller Toshiba, and I almost bought the Qosmio before I got the HP that I have now. Since I retired it from development, I use it now as a presentation machine and in my music studio for editing with an attached monitor. I'd buy another Toshiba in a second.
d) I currently develop on an HP zd8000 wide-screen Media Center -- and *love* it. I'd buy another. Quick, lots of ports (USB's on the back and on each side), and excellent design except for the vents. Mine doesn't get too hot, but the vents are in an uncomfortable place for me personally. Only one other complaint -- it's so bloody big, it's next to impossible to use on an airplane seatback tray. If you fly a lot, look for something smaller.

HTH.


>I'll be replacing my primary development machine in May and would like some input from others as to notebook machines and configurations that have performed well under the rigorous demands of our work. I use mine 12 to 15 hours many days, rebooting perhaps once or twice a week. The machine 'hibernates' when not in use. I currently have a Dell Latitude and, in fact, have owned nothing but Dell machines for about 10 years. I've bought 14 in all--a mix of desktops and notebooks. Lately though, I haven't had the quality of support from them that I've come to expect. Even with a "Next Business Day On-Site" warranty, it took 5 days to get a replacment hard disk last week--no technician, just a box with a part and no instructions! There have been other lapses in service as well. I recently purchased an inexpensive Toshiba for my husband to use but haven't had much experience with their service or support yet. In any case, I'm open to all suggestions at this point--other than getting
>a desktop!