# Laptop recommendations (minimum requirements)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-recommendations-minimum-requirements/72412
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [July 13, 2001, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-recommendations-minimum-requirements/72412 "2001-07-13T19:53:58Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2001, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-recommendations-minimum-requirements/72412/21 "2001-07-16T02:22:48Z")
I have to admit that I wouldn’t think of relying on my PowerBook’s cute little built-in keyboard (let alone the godforsaken touchpad) except when I’m in transit or just booting up for a brief session. I like the big classis Mac ADB keyboard that has all the Fkeys and arrow keys and numeric keypad and the oh-so-perfect touch-typing texture. And the touchpad is a necessary evil when the laptop is literally balanced on my lap, but everywhere else the mouse gets attached.
Nevertheless, I’m used to hooking up all the cables and cords (power; ethernet; analog modem; Road Rocket card; monitor; headphones or speakers; ADB keyboard/mouse; local printer), and if I were to use a docking station, I’d need THREE of the suckers (work, my apartment, my girlfriend’s apartment) and they cost too much for that to be practical.
I’ll admit I might get spoiled to a docking station if I had one, though.
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### Author:  [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2001, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-recommendations-minimum-requirements/72412/22 "2001-07-16T11:40:21Z")
A port replicator is a alternitive to a docking station. It is somewhat stripped and cost less. If you need such a thing check out port reps and docking stations and get the one that will fit your needs.
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### Author:  [@Pergau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pergau)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2001, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-recommendations-minimum-requirements/72412/23 "2001-07-16T12:43:48Z")
It doesn’t matter what sort of machine you buy - my advice is to put your money into adding more memory (RAM) rather than processor speed, but get a decent warranty on the machine - it will break and they’re difficult to fix.
Get a Three year full parts and labour warranty.
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### Author:  [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2001, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-recommendations-minimum-requirements/72412/24 "2001-07-16T13:19:36Z")
If you just want something that’ll get the job done and is dirt cheap, I picked up an old powerbook for 60 bucks on e-bay (okay, I’m more into collecting and fiddling with old macs than I am actually into getting a powerful laptop). It still serves me well as a back up portable. Weighs only 2 or 3 pounds, handles word processing, internet, simple games etc and cost me next to nothing.
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