Adrian wrote:
>[...]
>
>I want to know what are the best specifications for a laptop in order
>to run Stata with a big dataset, that keeps growing. I am not doing a
>lot of statistical simualtions, but from time to time need to run some
>marginal effects for logits/ probits and when I RESHAPE some of the
>databases, it takes over 20 minutes in my current laptop (over 3 years
>old).
>
>One of the main issues i am facing in my current laptop, is that if
>keeping other applications running (excel, or outlook) makes stata to
>fail to save files back in my hardisk
>
>Laptop is important because I telecomute and mobility is a plus. I
>guess the question can be framed as what is more important RAM versus
>proccessor speed? Or AMD versus Intel processors? Speed of hard disk?
>
>is there any other configuration specification that I am overlooking?
>
>I you have bought a new laptop recently to run stata, i appreciate if
>you can let me know the particular specs and budget
>
>thanks
>
>Adrian
David wrote:
Let me step around your question. When you experience these episodes of
slow performance, you might be using virtual memory. If so, then a
memory upgrade may be what you need, rather than a whole new computer.
Generally a memory upgrade can significantly improve performance in many
situations, and is much more economical than getting a new computer.
You said that the presence of other applications causes Stata to fail to
do certain things. That shouldn't happen; it might slow thing down to a
crawl, but it shouldn't cause any other effects within Stata. If that's
really happening, I'd call it an operating system problem.
On the other hand, when I need to use large amount of memory, I'm
inclined to close down all those other applications (and run only one
instance of Stata) -- to avoid those problems.
If you do get a new computer, and if you run procedures that involve a
lot of temp files (e.g., -reshape-), then you may want to go for a fast
hard drive.
If you do get a new computer, and it's a PC, you may be forced into
getting Vista, which some people find to be a disadvantage. That's a
whole other story.
HTH
--David
*********************************************************************
Adrian,
I used Stata v9 in a Compaq, HP and Lenovo laptops. I do not remember
tech specifications but I like lenovo pretty much. I am not clear
that if was lenovo itself or the fact that the laptop included few
applications.
Any laptop will be ok as long as you have large amount of RAM available
and a fast processor. Note that "RAM available" implies to have few
application running at the same time. Running Stata I used to close my
messenger, that is a negative shoch in productivity anyway.
Laptops do not last forever, but you could keep yours in good shape:
(1) Avoid to running it for very long time, (2) Let it breathe (do not
cover the bottom), (3) Do not use it in "shaking trips" like commuter
trains in Boston.
My two UF's ("Unidad de Fomento" indexed chilean currency)
Rodrigo.
PS: I have no relation with IBM.
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