laptop for use with cycling software

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I do not know if this is the appropriate forum for this question so if it isn't, I apologize to the mods:

I am not computer savy whatsoever but I am looking to purchase a new computer (laptop specifically). I am a college student who uses cyclingpeaks, trainingpeaks, etc. on a daily basis. As far as RAM, harddrive space, and processors go what would you guys suggest as minimum standards. I plan to keep all my training/racing files on hand, use cyclingpeaks often, as well as prob keep quite a few of my client's files on my computer. My current old desktop is slow when I have quite a few of these applications running. I want to avoid that with my new laptop. I was thinking 1gig RAM, 80gig hardrive, and an intel duo2 processor. Again I am not computer savy and I am on an 800$ budget. I was thinking Dell, HP/Compaq, or Gateway. Any help is appreciated. Also, is cyclingpeaks compatible with the new Windows Vista operating system?
~Nick

With Core2Duo, you'll be handle plenty of heavy hitting programs. Not a worry there. :)

I
Windows Vista operating system?
~Nick

Might want to go with different OS. Some have had trouble with Vista.

Might want to go with different OS. Some have had trouble with Vista.
Apple MacBook, parallels and WinXP...

Apple MacBook, parallels and WinXP...
The $800 budget kept me from suggesting it.

BTW, VMWare's Fusion works sweet too. Beta 3 out recently.

The $800 budget kept me from suggesting it.

BTW, VMWare's Fusion works sweet too. Beta 3 out recently.
Sorry Im not a computer wiz. Anyone mind translating the last 3 posts for me :confused: :o

Sorry Im not a computer wiz. Anyone mind translating the last 3 posts for me :confused: :o
The last 3 posts recommended an Apple laptop. But since cyclingpeaks doesn't yet run on an Apple, they recommended two different programs that allow you to run a Windows operating system (such as XP, more reliable than the new Vista) on the Apple, so that you could run cyclingpeaks. Unfortunately these are way over your budget, esp. Parallels which requires you buy it (~$75) and also buy a copy of XP. VMWare Fusion lets you run some windows programs without buying a copy of the Windows operating system. My question to that poster is: have you run cyclingpeaks under Fusion? Since I'm currently typing this post on an iMac, I would love to know if Fusion would let me run WKO+ on this machine. But for the original poster, while I personally love Apples, given your requirements and budgets, stay with a Windows machine. I have had bad luck with Dells, I would see if there is an HP or Lenovo in the price range, but I'm no computer expert either.

My question to that poster is: have you run cyclingpeaks under Fusion? Since I'm currently typing this post on an iMac, I would love to know if Fusion would let me run WKO+ on this machine. But for the original poster, while I personally love Apples, given your requirements and budgets, stay with a Windows machine. I have had bad luck with Dells, I would see if there is an HP or Lenovo in the price range, but I'm no computer expert either.
To the original poster: yes, with your budget, get a PC and use Windows XP Pro. Not Vista.

RE: Fusion and WKO+/CyclingPeaks
Yes, I'm using a duo core Intel MacBook w/ Fusion beta and WinXP. WKO+ works fine. Using an FTDI chipset USB/Serial adaptor rather than a Keyspan (works MUCH better). http://www.serialgear.com/usb_serial_adapter.cfm

I've used this set up with PowerTap, Ergomo and Garmin. The Garmin software works too.

Not sure if Fusion will run on the iMac though.

To the original poster: yes, with your budget, get a PC and use Windows XP Pro. Not Vista.

RE: Fusion and WKO+/CyclingPeaks
Yes, I'm using a duo core Intel MacBook w/ Fusion beta and WinXP. WKO+ works fine. Using an FTDI chipset USB/Serial adaptor rather than a Keyspan (works MUCH better). http://www.serialgear.com/usb_serial_adapter.cfm

I've used this set up with PowerTap, Ergomo and Garmin. The Garmin software works too.

Not sure if Fusion will run on the iMac though.
Overdrive: good news & bad news. The new iMacs are core duo Intel powered, so Fusion would run fine. Unfortunately I was thinking of Codeweaver's CrossOver Mac (ref May Macworld) which lets you run some windows apps on the Intel Macs without installing XP, not Fusion. Fusion, like Parallels, requires that you install the whole XP operating system. I'll just have to continue running two computers (Mac & PC) while I wait for the native-Mac cyclingpeaks; it isn't worth installing XP on my iMac for a single application.

Overdrive: good news & bad news. The new iMacs are core duo Intel powered, so Fusion would run fine. Unfortunately I was thinking of Codeweaver's CrossOver Mac (ref May Macworld) which lets you run some windows apps on the Intel Macs without installing XP, not Fusion. Fusion, like Parallels, requires that you install the whole XP operating system. I'll just have to continue running two computers (Mac & PC) while I wait for the native-Mac cyclingpeaks; it isn't worth installing XP on my iMac for a single application.

No, won't work CrossOver. I was only dealing with running a PC for use with cycling apps so it was a simple thing for me to dump the PC and get on with life using a single computer again.

Get a cheap PC laptop. Forget the Mac suggestions. Unless you are very good at computers, you'll just get frustrated trying to run a Mac in parallels, usb drivers, blah, blah, blah.

Funny how all the Mac people boast about how easy they are, but when you start trying to do complicated stuff with them, they are just computers, like any PC.

And in that case, life is simpler if you just get a PC. How ironic.

Hunter

P.S. I have an Intel Mac, so don't think I am just a Mac basher. Just pointing out that in your case, a PC will be easier.

Running Parallels w/XP and WKO isn't rocket science (anymore...). It works and is pretty easy to setup. I've been running emulation software with my mac just for cyclingpeaks for a long time and it has been a hassle but that's just not the case right now.

The ironic thing is that running XP on a Mac is a much better experience than running it on a PC box...