Laptops (1 Viewer)

[jake2.0]

Hey ppl, i want to buy a new laptop, something for around 2000. I've come up with a few which i quite like but cant decide which one to pick. Here are the main contenders;
Acer Travelmate 4224WLMi Dual Core T2500 Notebook

- Intel Core Duo T2500 2GHz
- L2 Cache: 2MB
- Memory: 1GB DDR2 RAM (2GB Max)
- Hard Drive: 100GB
- Display: 15.4" WXGA TFT (1280 x 768)
- Graphics: ATI Radeon X1300 (PCIe) w/ up to 512MB HyperMemory Video RAM (64mb dedicated)
- Optical Drive: DVD-SuperMulti ±Dual Layer Drive
- FDD: Optional
- Audio: Intel HD-Audio
- Modem: 56k V.92
- Network: Fast Ethernet, 802.11a/g WiFi
- PCMCIA: 1 x Type II CardBus
- Pointing Device: Touchpad

- Interfaces: 1 x VGA, 3 x USB 2.0, Mic, Headphone, 1 x RJ11, 1 x RJ45, 5 in 1 Card Reader
- Dimensions: 358 x 265 x 30-36mm
- Weight: 2.7kg
- Battery: 8 Cell Li-Ion / 4440mAh / up to 5 hours

- Microsoft Windows XP Professional

$1999.00
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ASUS F3JP

Operating System - Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition

Screen - 14.1” WXGA with Colourshine Technology
CPU - Intel® Core® 2 Duo Processor T5500 (1.66Ghz/1M)
Memory - 2x 512MB DDR2-667Mhz
Memory Slots - 2xSo-DIMM
Max Memory Supported - 2GB
Hard Disk - 80GB SATA 5400RPM
Optical Drive - DVD Super-Multi Drive + Dual Layer
Graphics Card - ATI® x1700 with HyperMemory™
Video Memory - 512Mb Hyper-Memory (256Mb Dedicated plus 256Mb shared if required)
Touchpad - Touchpad

Keyboard - 19 mm Full Size 88 Key with MS Windows function Keys

Bluetooth - 2.4Ghz Integrated

Audio - Built in High Definition Audio Compliant Chipset
Speaker - Built in Stereo Speakers (1.5w)
Battery Life - Up to 2.5 Hrs Battery Time
Dimensions - 40.5mm x 365mm x 269.5mm (HxWxD)
Weight - 2.95Kgs

USB - 4 x USB 2.0 ports IEEE 1394 - 1 x IEEE1394 port
Video Port - 1 x VGA Port, 1 x DVI Port, 1 x S-Video Composite

Audio Ports - 1 x Headphone-out jack, 1 x Microphone-in jack

$1,963.50

I'm leaning towards the Acer because its got better specs (faster CPU, 40gb more) but the Asus is Core 2 Duo, so would that make much of a difference? I want to run Vista when it comes out and was wondering if 64mb dedicated graphics (from the Acer) would be enough to run all the features (like aero)?

And btw if you have anyother suggestions please post them.

Thanks guys.

 

[Collin]

Not enough of a difference to offset Yonah's 300MHz+ advantage. Just go with the Core Duo.

The Radeon X1300 will run Aero.

If you're concerned about Vista performance, I'd be more worried about only having 1GB of RAM.

 

[Collin]

4GB won't be necessary for most users.

If wanting a laptop for maximum Vista experience is your goal, consider waiting for Intel's upcoming Santa Rosa platform, designed for Vista in mind. Higher FSB for existing Merom chips, the Robson NAND tech for faster booting and application performance, new integrated graphics chip for Aero, a load of battery saving initiatives and more.

As for Vista upgrades, I'm pretty sure you could grab a upgrade edition of Vista, or just a normal full edition and do a reformat & install.

 

[Templar]

2GB DDR2 modules for laptops are also awfully expensive. Not to mention hard to find.

I'd go with the Acer too...although I haven't seen a X1700 GPU before.

 

[Collin]

Templar's definitely right about the cost. With practically all mobo chipsets having only 2 slots, you'll be forced to get two 2GB sticks. They're VERY VERY expensive right now.

As for Santa Rosa, Intel has it slated for a Q1 07' release.. but they said it will be out before Vista. I'm expecting January/Feb. It will be Intel's 4th generation Centrino platform.