[mdlug] [(DIS)RECOMMENDATIONS] used/new laptop

[Robert Meier]

Portables,

My Dell Latitude laptop broke this weekend.
The 3mm square posts and hinge that attached the display to the console
broke at the screw holes.
Though I will attempt to chemically reweld the posts,
I am not confident of success.

I am looking for (dis)recommendations for a used (or new) laptop.

My principle uses include (most-frequent -> least frequent):
   o portable development environment (e.g. text editting)
   o portable training environment (e.g. java sandbox, flight simulator)
   o presentations (via local web server)
   o portable data entry (e.g. PS/2 barcode scanning)
   o sound recording
   o household appliance programming/control

At this time, my priniciple desired features include (most to least important):
   o long battery life (> 2hr)
     o inexpensive (non-proprietary) battery type
   o coaxial power supply plug (to use cheap power supplies at common sites)
     o ideally 12V for car use
   o robust
   o many output options (e.g. SVGA, TV)
   o mid to hi-fi sound input/output
   o support for wireless (either builtin or cardbus)
   o parallel port/serial port (preferably builtin)
   o usb-2.0

Any suggestions for manufacturers/models and/or features to seek or avoid
are appreciated.

TIA,
-- 
Dr. Robert J. Meier