Need Advice

[tk1918]

Any of you out there want to advise me on the best digital camera, laptop and scanner/fax/copier combo? I'm going shopping and need to know what everyone else has. I like HP personally.
Thanks!

[mhaymaker]

Go with Dell. You won't get the service from HP that you will with Dell. A good laptop would be a Latitude, and try their A962 Combo Fax/Copy/Printer/Scanner. If you get these get the three year complete care warranty. Trust me it's well worth it. If you have a probem at all within that three years they send a tech to wherever you are to fix it. HP only gives you a year in store and you can buy extended warranty, but if something happens, you have to mail it to them to get it fixed. As for a camera I don't know .

[sbfdco1]

Two thing come to mind when people as my opinion on electronics, Warrenty and Tech Support. Everything is personal opinion. If you're techno challenged I would try and stick with a product that someone you know already has.

Try www.cnet.com as well. Excellent starting point.

Good Luck. :)

[CALFFBOU]

CAMERA- I like the Sony camera line.

COMPUTER- I like the Dell or Sony line as well.

Most of the drivers are already loaded in Windows XP, so software
isnt a problem.

[FireAndy]

For one, let me say do not buy a sony computer, I personally have had nothing but problems with them. Dell has a good laptop, but I have never used their desktops.

I have a compaq (hp) laptop now that has fallen apart over a year. I am tough on my computers because i use them all day long every single day.

For cameras, I recommend Olympus, personally I think they make the best digital camera in the $300-500 range. If you are going for big time cameras then I would recommend the nicer Nikon or Canon cameras that are over $1000.

HTH
Andy

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I have Sony digital cameras. They are a good choice.

Want the ultimate digital camera?

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25206

[tyler101]

Check out both http://www.hot-deals.org/ and http://www.pricewatch.com

[firenresq77]

I agree with the Dell computers. Stay away from HP and Compaq..... Their service sucks. I have had good luck with my Kodak Digital camera. It's older and only 3.1 Megapix, but it works good and takes good pics.

[hwoods]

I don't own a Camera that isn't made by Kodak. Don't want it any other way. Next, My wife has a HP Laptop and loves it. I'm entering this post from my own Computer, which is a Custom built unit. I am NOT Computer literate by any means, and I don't have a clue what a Motherboard is. My son built the Computer, and, according to him, it has 3 motherboards, stacked. He says I'll never run out of memory. (at least not computer memory, anyway.) And so it goes.....

[tk1918]

Thanks everyone for the input.
I personally am very well versed in computers; I'm a senior systems analyst (I maintain computer systems). However, I wanted to know what the fire professionals in the free world were using and what works best for the use and abuse in the field. I want a laptop that is rugged and will endure the abuse (hopefully there won't be any). I found that HP has a rugged model, which seems to be waterproof, shockproof, etc... which would be awesome for us carrying on the trucks, dropping and so forth. It seems pretty awesome, but I'm not limited to that specific brand of course. Here's the dream machine: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/notebooks/rugged/

I know a lot of techies here who use the other suggested brands. My employer buys nothing but gateways and I personally like them alot! But the durability is questionable. That's why I asked all of you.

I appreciate your time and hope that you will continue to give me some good feedback.

[stillPSFB]

Panasonic Toughbooks are fast gaining a reputation among laptops for being able to survive rugged use.

A tip for camera and printer selection - if you intend to print photos you will get better results if your camera and printer are the same brand. I use a Canon Poershot S50 5.0 megapixel camera and a Canon MP730 printer/fax/scanner/photocopier - and I use Canon professional glossy photo paper for the best results