puchasing a new computer

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

I am going to get my first Laptop (notebook) computer, and was wondering
what things should I look out for, especially which models are the best
(below $1,500). I have my eye set on a Toshiba Satellite SA60-332, but
am also considering the Satellite SA50-432 (I want toshiba cause of the
3 years int. warranty)

However I have some questions;

Which is better; Pentium 4, 2.8ghz processor or Centrino 1.5ghz?
What is the bus speed and which is best?
What is the difference between Level 2 cache and the standard one, I
know it's the temporary ram on the chip, but what else. And will a Level
2, 2mb cache really be that fast?

Also, I don't mind changing brands as long as I get a really tough
notebook, I don't care about the weight or the size, be it 15kgs, but I
want toughness more than anything, can anyone recomend a specifc model
(other than the panasonic toughbook)

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

Dave C. wrote:
>
> If you need a notebook, look for 15" TFT active-matrix display at
> 1024X768 or better, P4 (NOT celeron) or Athlon XP-M processor,
> 512MB RAM, 64MB or more video ram (NOT shared), 60GB hard drive or
> better, CDR/W drive (or DVDRW), built-in wireless lan, built-in NIC
> (for when you are not in a hot spot) and several USB 2.0 ports
> built in. Anything that doesn't meet those minimum requirements is
> not worth considering, unless they literally give it to you for
> free. -Dave

I just picked up two of the following:

Toshiba S126, Celeron 2.8, 512 MB RAM, 64 MB Shared Video RAM, 60 Gig HDD,
DVD-CDRW, 15.4" TFT, built-in wireless (G), built-in LAN, plus case, plus
Lexmark Z715 printer, all from Best Buy at about $700 each (including sales
taxes) after rebates. I bought one on a Sunday, and went back the following
Thursday for a second. There are intended as "Internet appliances" for
various locations on my home network.

Based on your comments (and being aware of the drawbacks of certain aspects
of these particular machines, in particular Celeron processors), I still
think that the package price of $700 _almost_ qualifies as a give-away. Do
you agree?

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

Matt wrote:
> Armond Perretta wrote:
>> Dave C. wrote:
>>>
>>> If you need a notebook, look for 15" TFT active-matrix display ... (NOT
>>> celeron) ... 512MB RAM ... video ram (NOT shared), 60GB hard drive or
>>> better, CDR/W drive (or DVDRW), built-in wireless lan, built-in
>>> NIC ... and several USB 2.0 ports built in. Anything that doesn't meet
>>> those minimum requirements is not worth considering, unless they
>>> literally give it to you for free. -Dave
>>
>>
>> I just picked up two of the following:
>>
>> Toshiba S126, Celeron 2.8, 512 MB RAM, 64 MB Shared Video RAM, 60
>> Gig HDD, DVD-CDRW, 15.4" TFT, built-in wireless (G), built-in LAN,
>> plus case, plus Lexmark Z715 printer, all from Best Buy at about
>> $700 each (including sales taxes) after rebates. I bought one on
>> a Sunday, and went back the following Thursday for a second.
>> There are intended as "Internet appliances" for various locations
>> on my home network.
>>
>> Based on your comments (and being aware of the drawbacks of
>> certain aspects of these particular machines, in particular
>> Celeron processors), I still think that the package price of $700
>> _almost_ qualifies as a give-away. Do you agree?
>>
>
> I am afraid that you have made not one but two foolish purchases,
> since they do not meet Dave C's mimimum requirements. It's too
> bad, but the best you can do now is throw that junk in the trash
> and try again.

Geez, I guess I didn't realize that meeting Dave's minimum requirements was
mandatory. Or did I just get trolled?

My point of course was that for $700 this smelled pretty good to my
non-professional nose.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.home.comcast.net/

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

"Matt" <matt@themattfella.zzzz.com> wrote in message
news:k4tXc.4025$5t.2059@news02.roc.ny...
> Armond Perretta wrote:
>
> >>I am afraid that you have made not one but two foolish purchases,
> >>since they do not meet Dave C's mimimum requirements. It's too
> >>bad, but the best you can do now is throw that junk in the trash
> >>and try again.
> >
> >
> > Geez, I guess I didn't realize that meeting Dave's minimum requirements
was
> > mandatory. Or did I just get trolled?
> >
> > My point of course was that for $700 this smelled pretty good to my
> > non-professional nose.
>
> The Celeron is not too good, but overall you did pretty well I guess.
>

Geeze, let the guy enjoy his 'puter. You never want to know the 'profit'
that car salesman made off you with that 'GREAT' deal you 'think' you got.
But why spoil the enjoyment anyway. It's good we have money to burn on
these 'toys' anyway.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

>
> I just picked up two of the following:
>
> Toshiba S126, Celeron 2.8, 512 MB RAM, 64 MB Shared Video RAM, 60 Gig HDD,
> DVD-CDRW, 15.4" TFT, built-in wireless (G), built-in LAN, plus case, plus
> Lexmark Z715 printer, all from Best Buy at about $700 each (including
sales
> taxes) after rebates. I bought one on a Sunday, and went back the
following
> Thursday for a second. There are intended as "Internet appliances" for
> various locations on my home network.
>
> Based on your comments (and being aware of the drawbacks of certain
aspects
> of these particular machines, in particular Celeron processors), I still
> think that the package price of $700 _almost_ qualifies as a give-away.
Do
> you agree?
>

For an Internet appliance only, YES, that's a great deal. If you want to do
any real work with a notebook, then no, those are not good deals, as they
are overpriced after rebates. -Dave

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

Dave C. wrote:

>>I just picked up two of the following:
>>
>>Toshiba S126, Celeron 2.8, 512 MB RAM, 64 MB Shared Video RAM, 60 Gig HDD,
>>DVD-CDRW, 15.4" TFT, built-in wireless (G), built-in LAN, plus case, plus
>>Lexmark Z715 printer, all from Best Buy at about $700 each (including
>
> sales
>
>>taxes) after rebates. I bought one on a Sunday, and went back the
>
> following
>
>>Thursday for a second. There are intended as "Internet appliances" for
>>various locations on my home network.
>>
>>Based on your comments (and being aware of the drawbacks of certain
>
> aspects
>
>>of these particular machines, in particular Celeron processors), I still
>>think that the package price of $700 _almost_ qualifies as a give-away.
>
> Do
>
>>you agree?
>>
>
>
> For an Internet appliance only,

That's just plain silly.

> YES, that's a great deal. If you want to do
> any real work with a notebook,

Define 'real work'.

> then no, those are not good deals, as they
> are overpriced after rebates. -Dave
>
>