My DH will insist that I get Windows 7, other than a reasonable cost - it is up to me. Is there a processor or screen size that you prefer? Thanks for any help you can give me on this!! Laura

If you purchase a new laptop now it will only come with Windows 7 - that is all the manufacturers are using. I know folks have been able to get Embird to run on Windows 7 (except maybe the iconizer). My laptop is an 15.6" Acer (and we have four of the same one in the family) running Vista(the operating system at the time) and I have been happy with it. My next one will have more RAM (memory) and more hard drive space (I was not doing embroidery when I bought it and it was going to be my "play" machine in my office - now it is chuck full of embroidery). If you are digitizing you may want to get a laptop with a dedicated graphics card (many laptops have one on the mother board instead) so you can connect a high resolution monitor if you like. Agree with classicbeginner - CNET is a wonderful resource. Good luck.

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by dailylaundry 15 Feb 2011

Thank you for your input - you are right - I am looking for more RAM and GHZ speed. Plus, I will upgrade to Window Professional so it will emulate an XP. Thanks! Laura*

PLEASE make sure you specify 32-bit, otherwise you are going to have problems with the Embird iconizer not working (among other things). Never wanted to give up my old XP - in fact I still have Viking 3D installed on it as I can't get it to work with Windows 7 and need it for the converting true fonts function. Have sometimes wondered if a monitor would help with viewing when digitizing, but don't want to clutter up another desk!

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by dailylaundry 15 Feb 2011

Thanks for the info. I have decided I am going to upgrade to Windows Professional, which ever machine I buy. It has an XP simulator on it. Thanks!! Laura*

by philippa 16 Feb 2011

Yes, mine is Windows Professional, and even in XP simulator I can't get 3D to communicate with my sewing machine!

Hi Laura, you may not be aware that Embird is an extremely hungry program and requires a more powerful processing speed to run efficiently, so it is more important that the computer is a minimum of 2.4 GHZ internal speed.

You will find that this is probably why your current laptop crashes all the time, I had the same problem with my previous 1.8 GHZ pc but my faster laptop never crashed. If you have the current version of Norton's it will actually tell you every time Embird is sapping up all your resources.

So whatever you buy make sure it is powerful enough to cope with Embird's requirements.

You should tell the salesperson it is required for WORK and needs a really good graphics card as well as a minimum 2.4 GHZ processor speed and at least 1GB of RAM.

Otherwise salespeople often tend to look at us women and think we only want a computer for emails and family snaps.

If your main interest is digitising, all the rest is only window dressing.

Hugs n roses, Meg

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by meganne 13 Feb 2011

Oh, I forgot to mention, my Laptop is an older Toshiba Tecra S2, running Windows XP Professional. I purchased it, purposefully, second hand on Ebay and I wouldn't part with it for anything.
HNR, M

by dailylaundry 13 Feb 2011

Great info, Meg!!! I was hoping you would have some input! I appreciate it! Hugs, Laura*

by meganne 13 Feb 2011

UR welcome. :-)

I am lucky enough to still have XP. I hope some "Cuties" can give info. about how well your software will work with Windows 7--as this is what you really need to know. There are many great laptops on the market. H&*

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by dailylaundry 12 Feb 2011

I certainly can use the help!! Thanks!*

When i got a new computer i do not know that when i upgraded Embird it would not work on Window 7 64bits.But will on window7 32bits thus I went and got a small taptop with Window7 32 bits and also brought a larger screen .The small lap top is handy to take away .Good luck

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by dailylaundry 12 Feb 2011

I believe there is a workaround for Embird to run and Windows 7 (64 bit). Thanks for your imput!*

by sandralochran 12 Feb 2011

What is a workaround please.When i try to open a folder re designs in folder etc Window Explorer stops working.I have written to Embird re upgrading for 64bits,They say still working on it!!

I'm wondering what you're doing when your lappy crashes...? If its random then you could have an infection (rootkit, virus, trojan, etc). If it happens while you're doing several things at once, say: digitising program is open while you're browsing the net and maybe a few other things are running, then perhaps your lappy doesnt have enough memory or processing power, in which case, RAM and CPU speed will be pretty high priorities in your choice for your new lappy.

Or does your lappy crash every time you use a specific program? lol sorry I'm just curious coz I like to problem solve computer issues.

Personally I'm a Toshiba girl myself (when it comes to buying a lappy) but my main computer is an ole faithful P3 desktop/PC.

Good luck, you have a pretty tough decision to make, but as well as the computer stats (RAM, CPU, drive size etc) and its price I'd also consider the warranty period and if you can buy an extended warranty. :) xXx

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by dailylaundry 12 Feb 2011

Mine is an old Toshiba - it crashes because it overheats very quickly - it is old and it is time for a new one! Thanks!

ttt

I recently purchased the Asus computer....it's a gaming computer....they make mother boards they are very well made.....it's more than I need especially since I got top of the line it litterly replaces my desktop....but I did quick search and there is netbooks etc....CNET is a great place to check on reviews for almost anything my only recommendation is to get the best harddrive and ram you can afford I'm not one for waiting on my computer and of course make sure you have anti-virus software....hope this helps

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by dailylaundry 12 Feb 2011

Thank you for the info and the review site. I appreciate your help, and Welcome to Cute!!! Laura*

by kkcogle 12 Feb 2011

All 4 of our laptops are ASUS...and we love them. The last one I bought in Dec (3 months ago), I bought at Best Buy instead of using Newegg. They had one that I ended up getting for $349.00! I thought I would be using it as a back-up...but now I use this all the time. It's pretty, too... dark brown! It has windows 7, which I really did not want, but was able to get embird and Vikings 4d loaded without any trouble. I had decided that I should do this just in case I had trouble somewhere down the road with the laptop I was using...and then I wouldn't have to scramble in a panic if something DID happen! I can't say enough, how much I love this computer...and windows 7.... The other Asus laptops we have were $1200-$1500 each...and this one performs just as nice.

by kkcogle 12 Feb 2011

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+...

They have it back in stock...it was gone for awhile. It's at $499.00 right now...boy did I get a sweet deal on this at $349.00, hey!