Laptop questions

Netdroid9 · Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:37 pm Post subject:

What are the specifications on the laptop? 2gb RAM is overkill for Vista, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't use it down the track. Linky to specifications: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/05/23/windows-vista-minimum-and-recommended-system-requirements/

Don't let them con you into a machine you don't want, do your research, decide on a model and stick with it. That way you can know if your chosen laptop has any known issues (IE Noise, over-heating, exploding batterys, et cetera), and you know you aren't going to get conned into buying an inferior machine.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't grab a bargain when you see one, though.

Fort · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:22 am Post subject:

Screw him and get Linux. Wink

As far as I'm aware I'd have thought Networks would have been made to account for people with diffrent versions of Windows, concidering not all students wouldn be able to upgrade to Vista, but then I amn't a computr engineer so I can't tell you for sure.

LordPsycho · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:29 am Post subject:

Well Fort I am Wink

But I agree with you, if at all possible, you should give Linux a good hard look.

It's just a matter of forgetting everything you've learned to be true about computers and learning everything from scratch, and then some.

Fort · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:31 am Post subject:

Yeah, like only clicking on Desktop icons once to open them, that drove me stark raving crazy that did...

LordPsycho · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 9:20 am Post subject:

Fort, you can change that.

Fort · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 9:30 am Post subject:

Really?
*Twich* *Twich*
I've got some bones to pick with my Dad. Mad

Kat_05 · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 10:37 am Post subject:

I feel the need to copy DP and ask for specs. Computers are not RAM alone, believe it or not. They might be close, but they aren't...

Cloud · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject:

If you are going to use it just for typing up things in word and using other such Office tools then I say there's no point in the 2GB. It will just be wasted money, that is unless you really want to play some high end games then it may be worth it. But in that case I would suggest lowering the RAM and getting a laptop with a better graphics card.

Obviously if money is no object then by all means get the best laptop in the business. Wink

Netdroid9 · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject:

Don't go Linux, WiFi support is shot to hell. It's good for desktops, though.

UncleAsriel · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:16 pm Post subject:

Alright, then. I've narrowed my choices down to the following models:

Toshiba Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology With Intel Core Duo Processor T2050
*1024 MB DDR2 Memory
*100 GB SATA (5400RPM) Hard Drive
*Dual layer Super-Multi Burner
*128 (shared) intel GMA 950 Graphics
*6.16 lbs
Price: $899

Horizonbook 3000
*Intel Pentium M Processor 2.6 Ghz- Free upgrade to new powerful Intel Core 2 Duo Processor $240 Value!
*15" LCD Display
* 1 GB DDR 2 High Performance Memory
* 100 GB High Performance Hard Drive
*Intel 9000 Graphics MEdia Accelerator.
*DVD Burner
*3d Sound

*Free upgrades for 160 GB Hard Drive, 15.4" Widescreeen with LCD, Double Memory, Super Highspeed multi DVD burner, Canon multifunction Printer/Scanner/Copier, Canon photo printer, Digital 3-in-1 camera, Wireless Router: Plug & Play, Microsoft Software package, Corel Wordperfect Office, MP3/MP4 audio-video player.

*Mircrosoft Bundle Included (With System Purchase, After Mail In Rebate): MS Word, MS Works, MS Money, MS Encarta, MS Picture It!, Streets & Trips (road map prog.)

Price: $899

HP Pavilion Notebook COmputer
*AMD TUrion 64 X2 1.8 GHz dual core processor
*15.4 " WXGA LCD
* 2 GB SATA hard drive
*DVD Super Multi drive
*Wireless G Connectivity
*NVIDIA GeForce 6150
*6.6lb
*Free express upgrade to Windows Vista
*Free HP PSC3180 All-in-one printer

Price: $1249.85

# 1 seemed like a good basic model, something viable and good to work with.
#2 looks very tempting, but all of the free stuff (only if I do a lot of mail-in rebates) tends to make my spider sense tingle in a bad way.
# 3 was what I was tempted to go for, a lot of good stuff and a "free" printer, but for a high price.

What does the wise populace of Blackstar think?

LordPsycho · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:01 pm Post subject:

That wait on the first one is a little concerning...it may not seem like much, but combined with books, calculators, pencils, pens, notebooks, and then something to carry everything it, it adds up

My experiences with HP have been great. Their laptops are of okay quality (so long as you don't run them over )
<.<
>.>
<.<

And their service (when required) is excellent. (they got the laptop back to me before they even reported online that it left the repair center!)

Horizonbook...I can honestly say I have never heard that name before.

And I work with tech. My Advice: Though the price is tempting, and the "freebies" are too, don't go for them. Stick with a familiar name, it will pay off.

drlupinmario · Guest

DP and fort, Do not make me go flamethrower on your comments on how "LOLWINDOWZSUKS OP3NSURCEPWNZLOL".

Anyways, Get the third one if there is a way you can afford it or something. Notebook computers are awsomely cool, Plus it has a Nvidia gfx card. It may not have a Intel pentium 4 processor, But... Whatever. Notebook computers are cool, So if you can get one, Get one.

By the way, DP, I am not trying to go all flameie on you, But I think that charger has a better use then just a paperweight...

Netdroid9 · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:41 am Post subject:

Avoid number 2, it's not brand name and I'm pretty sure you can't directly upgrade a Pentium M to a Core 2 Duo anyway, they use different chipsets. Number 1 sounds good, but if you can I'd go for number 3. Not the best processor in the world, but the nVidia card'll last you a while and the free upgrade to Vista isn't something to be taken lightly, especially since a lot of Microsoft products will rely on things added to Vista, and it wouldn't surprise me if Office is one of them. Plus, the printer'll be extremely handy for school stuff.

EDIT: They're all notebooks, DLM. Laptops and notebooks are the same thing (I think).

Cloud · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:03 am Post subject:

As far as I know notebook is just a posh word to make it seem as though you're getting something better than a laptop. Maybe someone has a copyright on Laptop so not everyone can use it. Wink

Ahem, anyway, I'm with Net about avoiding the 2nd one. I don't like the look of the Intel 9000 Graphics MEdia Accelerator, it sounds cheesy plus it's Intel. Razz

The 3rd one is by far the best, but also the most pricey but get it if you can afford it. As for the 1st one, the shared memory graphics card concerns me, I'm not sure how much trouble it would have to run any games but if that's not what you're buying it for then by all means get it. Although from experience everyone ends up playing games somewhere down the line. Very Happy

I've just realised I've probably contradicted myself about the Intel Graphics card since the 1st one is also Intel. Oh well.

Fort · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:00 pm Post subject: