RESOLVED if I get this one can I upgrade the way I want

**newbee_4** · 04-20-2007, 04:49 PM

hi,
I'm interested in buying a laptop. This will not replace my desktop. Mostly I want it for wireless access in hotspots, and also I was thinking of trying Skype (opinions on Skype anyone?) In fact, I basically plan not to put much on it other than these things.

I do want to be able to back up with Firewire (my desktop computer does not and cannot have USB2, it's not compatible with the motherboard). So I was thinking of buying this --

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...no~7181039.asp

and trying to put in a card like this

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...no~7181039.asp

to add Firewire. Will this work? Also please can someone point me to something where I can educate myself on these slots. Sorry if this is a lame question, I'm trying to avoid making a purchase I'll regret.

I'm hoping to keep it cheap, and also hoping for XP rather than Vista, so that 's why I'm especially interested in this one.

**TheMatt** · 04-20-2007, 08:46 PM

Hi,

Not sure about the second link (it is the same as the first), but you can always get one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16839150004

Also, this is a good laptop to take a look at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834147277

The ExpressCard I linked is only compatible with the Compaq and not the HP you listed.

**newbee_4** · 04-21-2007, 03:35 AM

Thanks for replying. Sorry about that link, now I see ExpressCard vs Cardbus seems the laptop I was looking at is Cardbus.

How about this card -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815158006

for the first machine?

I don't know why but I have an impression that Compaqs are very hard to maintain and tend to be unstable. Is that an old impression not true since HP took over (or never true)?

**TheMatt** · 04-21-2007, 10:36 AM

Yes, that will work. You might want to take a look at this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815124014

Cheaper, and has good reviews. Sometimes there are bad products out there, and you don't want to end up with one.

BTW, ever since HP bought Compaq, Compaq has been pretty good. The reason I suggested that laptop was because it had better overall specs (processor, hard drive, graphics), and more room for future upgrades.

In addition, the Express card interface is much faster than the PCMCIA/CardBus interface, so you would see much faster transfers through firewire.

**newbee_4** · 04-22-2007, 04:57 AM

Thank you!

**TheMatt** · 04-22-2007, 09:38 AM

You're welcome. If you have any other questions on this topic, feel free to post back here.

04-20-2007, 04:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
newbee_4 I helped the forums. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 159 OS: win xp	RESOLVED if I get this one can I upgrade the way I want hi, I'm interested in buying a laptop. This will not replace my desktop. Mostly I want it for wireless access in hotspots, and also I was thinking of trying Skype (opinions on Skype anyone?) In fact, I basically plan not to put much on it other than these things. I do want to be able to back up with Firewire (my desktop computer does not and cannot have USB2, it's not compatible with the motherboard). So I was thinking of buying this -- http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...no~7181039.asp and trying to put in a card like this http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...no~7181039.asp to add Firewire. Will this work? Also please can someone point me to something where I can educate myself on these slots. Sorry if this is a lame question, I'm trying to avoid making a purchase I'll regret. I'm hoping to keep it cheap, and also hoping for XP rather than Vista, so that 's why I'm especially interested in this one. Last edited by newbee_4; 04-20-2007 at 04:50 PM.

04-20-2007, 08:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: if I get this one can I upgrade the way I want Hi, Not sure about the second link (it is the same as the first), but you can always get one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16839150004 Also, this is a good laptop to take a look at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834147277 The ExpressCard I linked is only compatible with the Compaq and not the HP you listed. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides Last edited by TheMatt; 04-20-2007 at 08:54 PM.

04-21-2007, 03:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
newbee_4 I helped the forums. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 159 OS: win xp	Re: if I get this one can I upgrade the way I want Thanks for replying. Sorry about that link, now I see ExpressCard vs Cardbus seems the laptop I was looking at is Cardbus. How about this card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815158006 for the first machine? I don't know why but I have an impression that Compaqs are very hard to maintain and tend to be unstable. Is that an old impression not true since HP took over (or never true)?

04-21-2007, 10:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: if I get this one can I upgrade the way I want Yes, that will work. You might want to take a look at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815124014 Cheaper, and has good reviews. Sometimes there are bad products out there, and you don't want to end up with one. BTW, ever since HP bought Compaq, Compaq has been pretty good. The reason I suggested that laptop was because it had better overall specs (processor, hard drive, graphics), and more room for future upgrades. In addition, the Express card interface is much faster than the PCMCIA/CardBus interface, so you would see much faster transfers through firewire. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

04-22-2007, 04:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
newbee_4 I helped the forums. Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 159 OS: win xp	Re: if I get this one can I upgrade the way I want Thank you!

04-22-2007, 09:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: if I get this one can I upgrade the way I want You're welcome. If you have any other questions on this topic, feel free to post back here. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides