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07/24/2006 07:18:48 PM · #1 |
Anyway, my last one fell off so I started a new, more relevant thread.
I've narrowed it down...I think I know the answer, but I'm not 100% sure.
1)
Compaq Presario V5207NR
1.46 Ghz
512 MB RAM (PC4200)
CD/DVD RW
15.4" widescreen
60GB HD
2 USB 2.0 ports
802.11 b/g built in
2)
Gateway (this is a new model Best Buy just got it)...
AMD TURION 64 x2 Dual Core
1.8 Ghz
1024 MB RAM (DDR2 (I think this is the same as pc4200))
CD/DVD RW (dual layer)
14" widescreen
100GB HD
2 (or 3) USB 2.0 ports
802.11 b/g built in
The price difference is negligible (649 for the first, 799 for the second). Now I'm thinking I should just go for the second one as it has a bunch more RAM (I'll probably watch a good bit of DVD's on it and so on) and do some photo editing. The 14" screen doesn't really seem to be any different as far as quality goes, although the salesman was assuring me the 14" screen on the second model was much better than the 15.4" screen on the first.
So anyway...
What's your guys thoughts?
How about anyone with a 14" that doesn't like it? Anyone with a 15.4" that thinks it's too big? I also looked at some 17" screens, and those things are just way too big. Portability is a concern, although the difference between the overall size of the 14 and the overall size of the 15.4 is not that much to be concerned with.
The guy also said that the second model's battery would last between 6 and 7 hours...the first one was more like 4 hours.
Thanks.
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07/24/2006 07:31:59 PM · #2 |
Oh yeah also, anyone have a sprint aircard? How fast are those things? Everyone keeps saying "it's as fast as DSL" but I have no idea how fast DSL is. I mean I consider my cable internet pretty quick...is it anywhere near that?
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07/24/2006 07:39:05 PM · #3 |
Neither,
I just went to hpshopping.com and custom designed the following dv5000z notebook for $779
FREE Upgrade to XP Media Center
AMD Sempron 3300+ (2.0GHz)
FREE Upgrade to 15.4" WXGA Brightview Widescreen
1.0GB DDR SDRAM
100GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive (I upgraded here for $100 extra, you can $50 off and go for the 80GB)
DVD/CD combo
Etcâ€Â¦.
So options to get you in the same price range, larger screen, etc... |
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07/24/2006 07:50:30 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by deapee:
Oh yeah also, anyone have a sprint aircard? How fast are those things? Everyone keeps saying "it's as fast as DSL" but I have no idea how fast DSL is. I mean I consider my cable internet pretty quick...is it anywhere near that? |
Not as fast as cable usually but definately faster than dial up. In theory it should be as fast as DSL but real world you'll likely get between 128-256kbps. My aunt traveled the country with an aircard and was satisfied with the speed. |
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07/24/2006 08:01:52 PM · #5 |
| I'd go with the second one. The processor is a dual core, which means that your processing power is going to be greater (apps like Photoshop will benefit, as it is a resource hog), although 1.8ghz is not exactly top of the line, but more than sufficient. The fact that it's a 64 bit chip will also mean that as new apps (and upgraded old ones) are released for 64 bit chips, you will be ready and waiting. You have twice as much ram (always a good thing), AND it's DDR2, which is better than regular DDR ram (which the first one probably has). On top of all that, you have a dual layer DVD burner (which means that you buy those snazzy dual layer DVDr's and can store a ton of stuff on them... I'm not familiar with Turion processors, I imagine it's the AMD version of Intel's Centrino. I would NEVER hesitate to buy an AMD product. They rock. MUCH more value in the second option for an extra 150. |
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07/24/2006 08:49:50 PM · #6 |
1.8Ghz in AMD Speak (notebook line ML-34*) is equivalent to an AMD64 3400+ and actually clocks in just below a Athlon 3700+ in tests.
The Turion is AMDs equivalent to the Intel Centrino for low power and extended battery life...do not count on 6-7 hours out of either...
Remember that on battery the laptops dim the display quite bit to save power and are a bit annoying in certain ligthing situations.
The 1600mhz (800*2 per cycle) Front Side Bus is a pretty good deal on a not so expensive notebook. 1G of DDR2 is an alright place to start as far as RAM.
The second choice don't look like a bad deal...
Andy
Ed: About the Wireless Broadband, I tested the Verizon flavor, when it first came out several years ago, for work. When I was actually on the HS network I was getting around 384K up and downstream, a bit better than ISDN, Quite a bit better than dialup. Coverage was bad back then I think they only had two cities up and running (San Dag and I believe DC area) when you move outside of their hotspots you are dropped down to an older technology that they have in place which is equivalent to dialup. Most likely coverage is a lot better today.
Message edited by author 2006-07-24 20:57:32. |
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07/24/2006 09:04:16 PM · #7 |
| I wouldn't order anything but a Dell but that's just my opinion! |
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07/24/2006 10:34:02 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by macpapas:
100GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive (I upgraded here for $100 extra, you can $50 off and go for the 80GB)
DVD/CD combo
Etcâ€Â¦.
So options to get you in the same price range, larger screen, etc... |
That HDD is gona kill performance |
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07/24/2006 10:44:55 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by coronamv:
Originally posted by macpapas:
100GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive (I upgraded here for $100 extra, you can $50 off and go for the 80GB)
DVD/CD combo
Etcâ€Â¦.
So options to get you in the same price range, larger screen, etc... |
That HDD is gona kill performance |
Pretty slow for sure. |
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07/24/2006 10:53:49 PM · #10 |
OK I've found a new beast all together...
Gateway 512MB DDR PC2700
1.8 Ghz TURION 64
15.4" widescreen with ultrabrite technology
CD / DVD RW dual-layer
80 GB hard drive
Li-ion battery
4 USB 2.0 slots
802.11 b/g built in
has connector for the cable that comes off my current cable modem
and has a plug-in for a Sprint aircard
and so on...I'm going with this one because I really like the 15.4 inch screen.
It's $649...I'll probably also get the USB GPS thing to go with it.
EDIT: Oh yeah I decided on that one after reading a lot about the DDR vs DDR2 RAM thing...basically, what I concluded was that the DDR2 actually has to be DOUBLE the speed of the DDR just to equal its performance.
This new beast is actually upgradeable to 2 GIG's worth of PC2700 DDR.
Message edited by author 2006-07-24 23:00:48.
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07/24/2006 11:01:14 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Megatherian:
Originally posted by deapee:
Oh yeah also, anyone have a sprint aircard? How fast are those things? Everyone keeps saying "it's as fast as DSL" but I have no idea how fast DSL is. I mean I consider my cable internet pretty quick...is it anywhere near that? |
Not as fast as cable usually but definately faster than dial up. In theory it should be as fast as DSL but real world you'll likely get between 128-256kbps. My aunt traveled the country with an aircard and was satisfied with the speed. |
I don't know why people always say DSL is slower than cable. Not only is cable internet shared between the subscribers but there are types of DSL that are multiple times faster than cable connections. The problem usually is that you have to be really close to a phone switch, and it's rather expensive to get that type of DSL. However the cable is faster than DSL assumption is not a hard fact. |
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07/25/2006 12:30:22 AM · #12 |
Hey Hey!
Both Compaq & Gateways stink. The best way to find this out is to check out stores that sell electronics & ask the technicians which 'puter brands they get. The answer is almost always gateways (first & by far the worst) followed by compaqs.
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07/25/2006 12:50:10 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by Rooster:
Hey Hey!
Both Compaq & Gateways stink. The best way to find this out is to check out stores that sell electronics & ask the technicians which 'puter brands they get. The answer is almost always gateways (first & by far the worst) followed by compaqs. |
Agreed, Gateway is not very good at all. Compaq has become a little better after being bought out by HP, but is still towards the bottom of the barrel when it comes to computer brands. I would recommend Dell or HP. I personally have an HP NW8000 and can get 4 hours of battery life out of a 1.8ghz pentium m and full screen brightness. Spin up the CD drive and/or turn on the wireless and the run time drops to about 3 hours, although all those times are with a nearly 2 year old battery. Can't wait to upgrade this beast in the fall.
Edited for spelling.
Message edited by author 2006-07-25 00:50:38.
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07/25/2006 10:51:30 AM · #14 |
| I think price point may be the issue here. There are better brands but for more money.. I would go with a Dell before either of these or check lenovo's website for specials you can get far more Notebook by ordering direct than going through a retailer... |
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07/25/2006 11:11:21 AM · #15 |
The name brand on a system really doesn't matter all that much, because in a manufactured system, you have no choice in many of the components.
I'd have NO PROBLEM trusting an off-brand computer that has quality parts that you get to choose, for example, the brand and speed of the processor and front side bus, the amount of ram, the size of the hard drive, the type of video card, and slots. An onboard network card is secondary, as it's pretty cheap to buy a network card that slides into a PCI slot.
Most all laptops have the standard, internal components, so the name brand is not even a question. I've owned Dells (desktops) in the past, because they put JUNK on the inside, and their customer service sucks. They put them in cheap little cases with little or no room for airflow, and lousy fans and power supply units.
I build my own now, and would NEVER buy a manufactured desktop again.
So, have no fear of buying an off-brand laptop. It's the components that make it, and off brands are selling the same Intel Centrino and AMD chipsets that the name brands do. You can always upgrade the ram or hard drive at a later date for little money, so go for processor speed first.
In other words, I'd rather have a laptop with 512megs of ram that has a processor running at 3.0 and above, rather than a laptop that has a gig of ram, and runs at 1.8ghz for processor speed.
You can't update the processor, but throwing in another stick of ram into a laptop is a cheap and easy upgrade.
I have two laptops. A VPR matrix, which was a Best Buy manufactured laptop. It is about 4 years old, maybe 5. It runs perfectly. The operating system crashed, but that is just typical Microcrap product problems, and is easily reinstalled. The components all work perfectly after all this time, and I've yet to do a single upgrade on it.
I have a Fujitsu that is now my main laptop. It has better specs than most desktop computers, and runs like a charm. With the exception again of Microcrap XP's little hiccups.
So, save your money and religious devotion to Dell/Compaq/Gateways, and buy the best laptop that your money can afford, regardless of name brand. |
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07/25/2006 11:13:33 AM · #16 |
| choice 2 is faster but if you come to TO I can hook you up with the top of the line toshiba for about cost. |
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07/25/2006 11:23:50 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by notonline:
choice 2 is faster but if you come to TO I can hook you up with the top of the line toshiba for about cost. |
Where in Thousand Oaks and what cost? |
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07/25/2006 11:31:01 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:
Originally posted by notonline:
choice 2 is faster but if you come to TO I can hook you up with the top of the line toshiba for about cost. |
Where in Thousand Oaks and what cost? |
I cannot remember the model number but what I do remember was $3700CAN for $1700CAN. I'm trying to get more info for you now. |
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07/25/2006 11:48:35 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by msgoodygal:
The name brand on a system really doesn't matter all that much, because in a manufactured system, you have no choice in many of the components.
I'd have NO PROBLEM trusting an off-brand computer that has quality parts that you get to choose, for example, the brand and speed of the processor and front side bus, the amount of ram, the size of the hard drive, the type of video card, and slots. An onboard network card is secondary, as it's pretty cheap to buy a network card that slides into a PCI slot.
Most all laptops have the standard, internal components, so the name brand is not even a question. I've owned Dells (desktops) in the past, because they put JUNK on the inside, and their customer service sucks. They put them in cheap little cases with little or no room for airflow, and lousy fans and power supply units.
I build my own now, and would NEVER buy a manufactured desktop again.
So, have no fear of buying an off-brand laptop. It's the components that make it, and off brands are selling the same Intel Centrino and AMD chipsets that the name brands do. You can always upgrade the ram or hard drive at a later date for little money, so go for processor speed first.
In other words, I'd rather have a laptop with 512megs of ram that has a processor running at 3.0 and above, rather than a laptop that has a gig of ram, and runs at 1.8ghz for processor speed.
You can't update the processor, but throwing in another stick of ram into a laptop is a cheap and easy upgrade.
I have two laptops. A VPR matrix, which was a Best Buy manufactured laptop. It is about 4 years old, maybe 5. It runs perfectly. The operating system crashed, but that is just typical Microcrap product problems, and is easily reinstalled. The components all work perfectly after all this time, and I've yet to do a single upgrade on it.
I have a Fujitsu that is now my main laptop. It has better specs than most desktop computers, and runs like a charm. With the exception again of Microcrap XP's little hiccups.
So, save your money and religious devotion to Dell/Compaq/Gateways, and buy the best laptop that your money can afford, regardless of name brand. |
It's so sexy when girls talk turbogeek. And that ain't even my team! :) |
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07/25/2006 12:17:28 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by deapee:
... What's your guys thoughts? ... |
I think that buying a Compaq or HP laptop is a mistake. I've used laptops/notebooks by IBM, NEC, Compaq, Dell, and Toshiba. The last one I would reccommend is Compaq/HP. Some of these I have owned, and some supplied by my employer. My Compaq made three trips back to the factory during it's warranty period (thank goodness I bought the additional two years of coverage). Right now I use two Toshiba's, one of mine and one of the boss's. Both are about 4 years old and still not one breakdown of any kind. The other people at work all have newer models, and I could get one too if I wanted. But I'm satisfied and don't want to take a chance. Soon I will have to as our office is going to all wireless and the tech guys are always making hints.
Take a serious look at Toshiba, they make a very dependable product.
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07/25/2006 01:40:23 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
Originally posted by deapee:
... What's your guys thoughts? ... |
I think that buying a Compaq or HP laptop is a mistake. I've used laptops/notebooks by IBM, NEC, Compaq, Dell, and Toshiba. The last one I would reccommend is Compaq/HP. Some of these I have owned, and some supplied by my employer. My Compaq made three trips back to the factory during it's warranty period (thank goodness I bought the additional two years of coverage). Right now I use two Toshiba's, one of mine and one of the boss's. Both are about 4 years old and still not one breakdown of any kind. The other people at work all have newer models, and I could get one too if I wanted. But I'm satisfied and don't want to take a chance. Soon I will have to as our office is going to all wireless and the tech guys are always making hints.
Take a serious look at Toshiba, they make a very dependable product. |
Glad you said that coolhar, I have been glancing that way, my first was actually a Toshiba, 1988 I think :)
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07/25/2006 01:46:00 PM · #22 |
I have a Compaq V5000 series laptop and really like it, I've owned/used Dells, IBMs, Sonys, Pre-HP Compaqs and Toshibas in the past and can't complain about my current choice whatsoever :)
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07/25/2006 03:02:19 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
Originally posted by deapee:
... What's your guys thoughts? ... |
I think that buying a Compaq or HP laptop is a mistake. I've used laptops/notebooks by IBM, NEC, Compaq, Dell, and Toshiba. The last one I would reccommend is Compaq/HP. Some of these I have owned, and some supplied by my employer. My Compaq made three trips back to the factory during it's warranty period (thank goodness I bought the additional two years of coverage). Right now I use two Toshiba's, one of mine and one of the boss's. Both are about 4 years old and still not one breakdown of any kind. The other people at work all have newer models, and I could get one too if I wanted. But I'm satisfied and don't want to take a chance. Soon I will have to as our office is going to all wireless and the tech guys are always making hints.
Take a serious look at Toshiba, they make a very dependable product. |
I have used HP Omnibooks for years (through work) and NEVER had a problem. I also own two HP Pavilion's (laptops) at home and again, no problems. 2 years ago I was handed a Compaq nc6000 at work - the shell had to be replaced a few months ago, but the hard drive is still kicking (and this thing is on for 14-18 hours a day).
My understanding is the "HP" labled PC's are actually manufactured at a different facility then the Compaq's, but I'm not sure.
My brother-in-law's Dell laptop has been in the shop 3 times (since he bought it 6 months ago). He's on his 2nd lemon, as they replaced the first one. Maybe it's just his bad luck... |
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07/25/2006 03:33:34 PM · #24 |
| Well I do agree go with the processor and video card over how much ram and size of hdd you can always upgrade that later. The issue with name brands is a hard one, I work in the IT field and have been working on laptops for years. From my stand point all brands break thats why I have a job. The better of all manufatures for dependabilty are in their commercial lines. Gateway being the exception. Gateway are far inferior to all makes and models offered by other manufatures. Not saying some people don't have good luck with them. They just break more often. But if price is your objective then you will most likely sacrefice quality. |
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07/25/2006 03:41:41 PM · #25 |
I agree. Dell has specials ALL the time and I am on my 6th or 7th Dell now. Do spend the bucks for the 3 yr warranty though. My last laptop was overheating and they sent me a new one!
Originally posted by coronamv:
I think price point may be the issue here. There are better brands but for more money.. I would go with a Dell before either of these or check lenovo's website for specials you can get far more Notebook by ordering direct than going through a retailer... |
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