The subject line pretty much sums it up. I want to buy a new,
top-speed computer that is both portable and can be expanded. It does
not have to have a built-in monitor (i.e. it doesn't need to be a
laptop, though it could be). My observations so far follow.
- The closest system to the one I seek which I have found so far is
the Dell Optiplex SX 270. It meets all criteria except for the
expansion slot (it weight 7 lbs., etc.). It's big brother has the
ability to get a PCMCIA slot, but weighs 14 lbs. Both cost around
$1000.
The SX270 only has USB slots, and no official offering of a PCMCIA
slot (even though it's bigger than a laptop -- sheesh). The only
expansion slot which *might* be able to house a PCMCIA slot is the
slot it has for a laptop CD-ROM or floppy drive. I have sought, yet
been unable to find, a PCMCIA slot that is made for such a
CDROM/Floppy port. Dell doesn't have one. Finding such a slot would
also constitute a complete answer if the SX270 has the right PCMCIA
controller. I couldn’t find out if it has one at all, however, on its’
motherboard.
- Laptops don't have the top-of-the-line speed available in desktop
computers. Currently I understand that speed to mean Pentium 4 with
hyperthreading CPU and a 800Mhz front-side-bus. However the answer
must be for a computer with the highest-speed CPU+memory system
available to consumers at the time the answer is given. I.e. if, say,
MRAM is available to consumers when you answer this question, then the
answer must point to a computer with MRAM.
- Laptops *can* be expanded upon, as they have a PCMCIA slot, and
docking stations exist that hook up via PCMCIA slot. The docking
station I own is the Mobility EasiDock 5000, which can be seen at:
http://www.mobilityelectronics.com/compatibility.asp?ProductID=1034&Action=PerInit&View+Information=View+Information
http://www.mobilityelectronics.com/products/photos/photos.asp
http://www.pangolin.com/LD2000/dock/easidock.htm
It can only expand systems that a) have a PCMCIA slot and b) a PCMCIA
contoller from Texas Instruments or is the Toshiba ToPic controller.
If the system you find doesn't have a PCI slot, but it does have a
PCMCIA slot, yet the PCMCIA slot isn't controlled by one of the
above-mentioned controllers, then your answer must also contain a link
to a different docking station with 2+ PCI full-height slots that a)
*can* expand your system and b) is connected to the system at PCI bus
speed. The reason for this is that I need to be able to connect an
external hard drive to the system at internal hard drive transfer
speed. My plan for this is to connect it via iLink/Firewire 800. USB 2
and Firewire 400 can *not* transfer data as quckly as data is
transferred from an internal hard drive. My plan to hook up a Firewire
800 link is via PCI or PCLCIA card -- both of which are available on
the market. I do not need a link to the Firewire card, as I know where
to get one.
As such would e.g. connecting the system to an docking station via a
USB plug would NOT be fast enough. As you can see, I don't care
whether the expansion slot is PCI or PCMCIA. As long as it's as fast
as the PCI bus it works for me. Otherwise it doesn't.
Many desktop systems meet all of my needs except for weight. There are
even several SFF (small form factor) systems that meet my needs, but
are still too heavy. The HP, Compaq, and IBM systems are examples of
this -- the lightest one weighs 12 pounds. I set 10 lbs. as my limit
because that's how much the heaviest laptops weigh and is thus the
heaviest weight that is reasonable to carry around with you.
Which brings us to my lack of need for a monitor. I will have one at
every location I take the omputer to. The same goes for keyboard and
mouse. I will also carry the external hard drive with me.
A correct answer will be one or more URLs to web sites that offers a
computer for sale that meets all of the criteria described above. If
any of these criteria are not met by your system suggestion, then your
answer will be wrong. Any answer but a perfect answer will be a false
answer. |
Request for Question Clarification by
chellphill-ga
on
26 Sep 2003 10:43 PDT
Hello match0-ga,
I have found a computer with the following specs,
2.85Kg Net Weight. (6.27lbs), 4.65Kg Gross Weight (10.23lbs)
Front Panel : USB * 2, MIC * 1
Back Panel : PS/2 Keyboard & Mouse * 1, Serial Port * 1, RJ45 * 2, USB * 4
Extension Bay : 5.25" * 1, 3.5" * 2
Mainboard:
FB62
CPU Socket : Intel Socket 478, support 400/533/800MHz FSB CPU
Chipsets : North bridge:Intel 865G, South bridge:ICH5-R
Memory : DDR 266/333/400 * 2
VGA : Intel Extreme Graphic 2
Audio : Realtek ALC 650 6 channel audio
Expansion Slot : PCI * 1, AGP * 1
Would something like this meet your requirements?
Thanks,
chellphill-ga
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