RunningBear: I'm just running the stock configuration with 512MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM. I think there's one free SODIMM slot, but I haven't popped open the panel to check. Everybody: My new IBM Thinkpad X31 is model number 2672RHU, which has: Pentium M 1.60GHz, WinXP Pro, 512MB RAM, 40GB hard drive, 12.1" 1024x768 16MB ATI Mobility Radeon, Gigabit Ethernet, 11a/b/g wireless. It runs what I use very well, though the CPU is pegged when I do Chartscript rankings on Wealth-Lab Developer 3.0. WLD doesn't seem to use more than 240MB of the physical memory on average either. (WLD isn't that fast on anything, and it runs at least as well on my Thinkpad as on my Pentium 4 2.0GHz desktop.) The X31 may have too small a screen for most traders, so you might want to consider the Thinkpad T41p (model 2373GEU) for those who need a top-of-the-line road-warrior box with a 14.1" 1400x1050 screen and 128MB ATI Mobility FIREGL T2 video. The specs are the same as the X31 except for the better 1.70GHz Pentium M and 60GB drive. One of my good buddies had a T41, and its screen is truly incredible. (He switched to an X31 exactly like mine for the ultra-portability.) Keep in mind that this thread is about viable laptops and not desktops. I've got some gamer friends with top-of-the-line Pentium 4 desktops that are insanely fast compared to my laptop. If you're stepping down from a desktop to a laptop, I'd recommend some beefier laptops like the HP Pavilion zd7000, which is a true desktop replacement with its 17" screen (road warriors need not apply--it's a whopping 9 lbs!). It's got a 3.06GHz Pentium 4. I saw one of these at Fry's Electronics--better than a desktop, in my opinion.
My new Laptop has XP, I had to re-boot it today because it started blinking and slowed a bit. That's only having it on from this morning at 9:00 AM. Had to do this a few times already and just got the machine. I don't know how you guys do it leaving it on always with no problem.
What's the difference between puting it on standby or in hibernate mode? Any effect on the laptop/notebook's lifespan, performance ?
At home I have a desktop dual monitor setup. I travel almost 10 days a month. Any current laptop will do fine, even the $799 specials at Compusa. I run IB TWS-Quotetracker-Amibroker with no problems at all even with dialup on a Celeron 1.1 ghz with 384 ram WinXP 14" laptop. (almost 2 years old now, and not 1 blue screen of death!). Don't waste your money on a fancy machine for occasional use!
Check this out: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=362700&highlight=ZD7020#post362700