Q:
I recently purchased a laptop that has
CD capability. My old computer has floppy
disks, but no CD. I also have an external
Zip drive. What do you recommend as the
best way to transfer my files to the new
computer?
A:
If your external Zip drive connects via
a port present on both PCs, such as a
USB or a parallel port, I suggest you
use it on both machines, in turn, to make
the transfer. First, hook up the Zip drive
to the old PC to copy your files, then
unplug it and connect it to the laptop
to move the files over to that machine.
You
may have to follow these steps more than
once if the files you are transferring
won't fit on a single Zip disk. If you
are transferring a really large amount
of data, it may be better to buy a program
like Detto IntelliMover and transfer the
files via a cable.
Q:
I am trying to decide between two little
laptops, the new IBM ThinkPad X40, and
the Sony Vaio TR. My primary need is to
take notes. Watching DVDs on the plane,
doing e-mail, and working in Excel and
PowerPoint are also important. Which would
be better for me?
A:
I reviewed both laptops favorably, and
believe both are solid machines. The ThinkPad
is thinner and lighter and less expensive,
but the Vaio has an internal DVD drive.
So, if playing DVDs on an airplane is
"important" to you, you have
to go with the Sony. Both laptops can
easily handle the other tasks you cite.
Q:
I am interested in converting my extensive
VHS library to DVD, and I am fairly tech-savvy.
What is the best solution for the do-it-yourselfer?
A.
The best device I have ever tested for
converting videotapes to DVD, and the
only one I recommend, is the $275 DVD
Movie Writer dc3000 from Hewlett-Packard.
It combines an analog-to-digital converter
for converting VHS video to the format
a PC can use, with a DVD burner. It's
easy to use, and in my tests last year,
it produced good quality DVDs that played
fine on set-top players. My only caveat
about it is that H-P is likely to be replacing
it with a new model soon.
Q:
My son up at Cornell has his sights set
on an Apple Macintosh PowerBook. He is
a heavy Internet/basic word processing/spreadsheet
user, with heavy music storage and CD
read/write needs. Is the Apple a good
choice, or should I buy him a Windows
laptop?
A:
Yes, the PowerBook can handle all of this
easily. It comes with a very good built-in
Web browser and music jukebox program,
and handles writing CDs and even DVDs.
If you buy the Mac version of Microsoft
Office, it will also do a good job on
word processing and spreadsheets.
Many
Windows laptops can also handle all of
this. The only reason to avoid the Mac
would be if the college didn't support
or recommend them. But, a quick check
of the Cornell Web site shows that the
university supports both Windows and Mac
computers.
