Lawmakers consider new generation of computers

Wednesday, June 14, 2000 | 11:42 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A select committee of legislators is talking about getting rid of the laptop computers acquired just two years ago and getting more sophisticated, lighter and faster computers for the 2001 Legislature.

In 1998 Hewlett Packard laptops, costing $3,000 apiece, were purchased for each of the 63 lawmakers. For many of them, it was their debut into the computer world.

The Legislative Information Technology Subcommittee began discussion Tuesday about buying another round of laptops, again at about $3,000 a copy, for the next regular session, which begins in February.

Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, an expert in computer software, said upgrading a computer does not work out in many cases.

"Usually you're ahead buying a new computer," Beers said. "We might be able to make it through one more session (with the present laptops) but then they will be old."

The current laptops were acquired by the state Purchasing Division, which then leased them to the Legislature. The lawmakers, when finished with the units, will send them back to be used by agencies in the executive branch.

Criticisms of the current laptops were heard during the subcommittee meeting. Lawmakers said they didn't like the keyboard, that it was frustrating that screens would be shifted at the accidental touch of a button and that the laptops weighed 13 pounds with the case and power supply, making them difficult to lug around.

"If we got a problem, why pass it on to the executive branch?" Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, asked about the reason for turning the machines over to other agencies. "If it's a bad machine, get rid of it.

"I don't think we need another computer. Most of us are getting comfortable with this. Let's keep it another session."

Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Minden, who said he experienced some problems, nevertheless said, "I have no problem sticking with what we have."

Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, said the plan two years ago called for the lawmakers leasing the machines for two years and then getting new models to take advantage of the advances in technology.

Beers said the present machines would not handle the "voluminous" data that will be used to figure out reapportioning the Legislature.

"It will require more horsepower than we have now," he said.

The subcommittee didn't make any decision but will meet sometimes in the next two months to look at possible new models.

Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, the chairman of the subcommittee, suggested the price be around $3,000. Two years ago the Hewlett Packard laptops were priced at $4,200 apiece, but the state got them for $3,000.

Allan Smith, manager of information systems for the Legislature, said the laptops "held up quite well considering the treatment they had."

Smith has proposed six laptops for the lawmakers to examine. They include the Sony Vaio, Fujitsu Lifebook, Dell Inspiron, Dell Latitude, IBM ThinkPad and the IBM ThinkPad 570.