Re: Help ...Which laptop model to buy????

One thing to be aware of when buying low cost laptops these days, is how the memory is configured, especially if it comes with Vista.

These days with Vista, I've found that while it will run acceptably with 1gig of ram, Vista really wakes up with 2gig of ram.

With XP, it seemed that 1gig was the 'sweet spot'. Increasing the ram beyond 1gig with Xp had demising returns.

With Vista, that spot seems to be 2gig.

The reason I mention that is that you may decide to upgrade the laptop to the 2gig mark. Most laptops only have two slots for memory. If the laptop you buy has 1gig of ram, check to see if they use a single 1gig stick of ram, or I'll bet they use two sticks of 512meg ram.

This makes a difference when it's time to upgrade. If it came with a single stick of 1gig, then all you do is add one more 1gig stick. However, if it came with two sticks of 512meg, then you'll have to buy two sticks of 1gig ram to upgrade it.


Another thing to watch out for is the processor. If it uses an Intel processor, what speed and family is it. Don't forget that with Intel things can get confusing.

In general terms,

Core 2 Duo current family
Core Duo 1 generation back
Dual core 2 generation back.


This in no way is meant to say the laptop configuration you found for $499 wont perform just fine for your needs. It's just meant to be a head's up for others that get attracted to a laptop because of the very low price.


No matter what brand or price laptop you choose, I'd suggest you make sure the manufacture includes all the individual CD's/DVD's needed to reload the system if needed. Especially check to see if they include the Windows OS CD/DVD no matter what version of Windows it comes with.


"Barry Watzman" <WatzmanNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:46b5fe24$0$7992$4c368faf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That is a LOT of money for a laptop these days.

Two weeks ago at Best Buy I bought a Gateway MT6711 for $499:

Intel Pentium dual-core mobile processor, 1GB RAM (expandable to 2GB if needed), 160GB hard drive, DVD burner, Vista Home PREMIUM, 15.4" widescreen, PC Card slot, Firewire, card reader. Intel chipset, GMA950 video (powerful enough to run Vista Aero Glass).

That was $499 (no rebates) and this is a totally adequate laptop in almost all regards for almost all users. A very few users would want a more powerful CPU or graphics system, but while it's not a "high end" CPU, this isn't a Celeron, either. And for a $499 laptop, this has quite a few surprising extras (160GB hard drive (5,400 rpm), DVD burner, Firewire, PC card slot and built-in card reader).

This deal is no longer available (although it could come again), but I am seeing LOTS of laptops essentially identical to this one for $549 to $599, although most have a smaller drive and Vista Home Basic (and sometimes leave out some of the other features).

In any case, however, it should not be necessary to spend more than about $900 for a laptop that meets the needs of all but the most extremely unusual buyer.


Capt Nemo wrote:
Need to buy another laptop for a daughter going to grad school.

I have priced out 2 different models, an inspiron 1520 ($1,363) and a vostro 1500 ($1,340). Both have the same or nearly the same options. The inspiron 1520 only comes with vista and the vostro 1500 comes with XP or vista.
Previuosly, for my wife and other daughter (1 year & 2years ago) I've bought them the inspiron 6000. No problems with them.

Any recommendations between the two?
Thanks

.

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