Computer/smart phone advice needed

[TheTodd]

Soon I will be taking over a woodworking/furniture repair business. Currently, all of our computer access is at home. I want to have a computer in the office at the shop (mostly for internet access and accounting). I also will need to upgrade from my basic cell phone that just makes calls. I'm figuring I'll get a laptop so I can protect it from the dust that accumulates everywhere.

I have always used a PC (mainly for the price point), but I am willing to spend more for a Mac if it is clearly superior. What are the recommendations for a good, reliable laptop and compatible smartphone?

Thanks

[McLovin]

I have had good luck with the HP & Toshiba brands of laptops. I've always wanted a Mac, but could never justify the price, as I do not do much. if any, design work. I use my laptop for web access (checking email and such) as well as a little web design and Microsoft Office 2010 products. I am the vice president of a small steel fabricating company and I also work as a full-time firefighter, so the PC has always worked good for me.

As for the phone, I've had both the iPhone and the Droid and I prefer the iPhone. I guess when it comes to the phone, it's more a matter of personal preference and what your carrier offers.

Hope this helps,
Chris

[LordUlrich]

I don't like the idea of a laptop in a high dust area as it is harder to clean. I have heard of shop computers being put in a box made of household furnace filters and duct tape, and apparently it works great.
I like hp and dell (I know lots of people hate dell), and would never touch Toshiba, I had one and went through several motherboards (they each lasted about a month) after they decided to get me a new one on warranty they refused to honor the terms of the warranty and gave me a leas powerful machine, and then when I had issues with that one they refused to honor the 2 years left on my extended warranty I paid for.

[Adam]

Macs aren't just for design work. I have had Mac in my business for 4 years and at home 3 years. There is not a single PC in the house. I refuse to go back to PC. There are fabric wraps that allow heat to escape but keep dust out.

[Mylo]

I was a die hard PC guy for years. That was, until I got a MacBook Pro. Yes, it is certainly more expensive than the equivalent PC laptop - but the there are so many little details that make it a superior product - lot the least of which is all the new trackpad gestures on Lion, magnetic power cord, 5N WiFi.

Whatever you choose, dust will kill it. I recommend that you close off a dedicated office space, and put in an electrostatic type filter. If you can't do that, then a laptop is your next best choice. I would only take it out after the dust has been allowed to settle for an hour or so. If you go the "office" route, you can always put in a cheap PC and do the "remote desktop" thing from your phone, iPad, or home computer.

As far as smartphones are concerned, there is one and only one choice in my book - and that is an iPhone. It will, however, integrate fine with a PC - but iTunes still seems slower than on a Mac.


Mylo

[TheTodd]

I already have a dedicated office space. So far, I have gone with an HP laptop that seems to be addressing all of my limited needs (e-mail, Quicken, internet research, porn--you know, the basics). Plus, I can keep it safely in its case when I'm not using it.

I will probably look into an IPhone in the next couple of months.

Thanks for the feedback.

[CaribouBill]

I would recommend Lenovo (laptop or desktop), a bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for.
Their laptops used to be great, but they (and most others) have decided to cheap out on the screen resolution and HD is the highest you can get.
I have used them for years with no complaints...running Linux, but I am sure Windows will be fine too.

Also...just got the Samsung Galaxy nexus....freekin' cool phone...highly recommended

[JakeAndBake]

I just got an iPhone 4 (not the newest one) a few months ago, and I freaking love the thing, so I'll second it. If you go Android, go Galaxy. That's pretty much your two choices, unless you want to (yech) buy a Blackberry.