Potential Laptop purchase...

Antneedshelp! · 09-14-2007, 09:45 AM

hi, im thinking about buying this laptop;

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...e=ZXh0ZW5kZWQ=

are there any foreseen problems with it? Its at the top end of my budget and wont be used for any intensive gaming [more web surfing and office applications].

thanks for any feedback anyway.

info;

> 15" screen
> no particular brand
> doesnt need a particularly long battery life
> I will be multi tasking. doing things like media player, internet, office application [would like it to run nice and smooth while theyre going on]
> not much gaming and no calculations [whatever they are!]
> storing music and pictures [80gb is minimum]
> cd/dvd burner is preferable
> would like to know wether vista is worth having? [but no preference really]
> live in the UK

**TheMatt** · 09-14-2007, 05:16 PM

That looks like a nice laptop. The only thing I see that might be a problem is that it comes with Vista Home Basic which doesn't have any of the cool eye candy Home Premium comes with. You can always install Home Premium later or even XP if you feel you don't like Vista Home Basic.

The hardware looks good in that. Just don't expect to do any gaming.

Antneedshelp! · 09-15-2007, 05:44 AM

will it run 'the sims 2'?

**TheMatt** · 09-15-2007, 08:08 AM

I doubt it. If it will, it will be at the lowest settings.

Antneedshelp! · 09-15-2007, 10:17 AM

why wouldnt it run the sims 2? I had the impression it wasnt too bad graphically.

[ive looked at so many i might be getting mixed up though]

**TheMatt** · 09-15-2007, 01:34 PM

The Via integrated graphics solutions are some of the lowest end on the market. Look for the Radeon Xpress series or a dedicated card to run the Sims.

Antneedshelp! · 09-15-2007, 05:11 PM

what do you think of these matt?

> http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3Jldmlld3M=&product_uid=126329

that one ^ has the ati graphics that are better than the fujitsu [i think?] but obviously for the money im paying; not high end or anything.

> http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3NwZWNpZmljYXRpb25z&product_uid=130389

^ that one has a slower processor speed [think thatll make a difference?] has a bigger HD, but are the graphics bad?

> http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/131843

that one ^ as a TOP budget alternative, i think it could be worth paying that bit extra for graphical performance and also the HD is bigger on this and its dual core.

i would like enough graphical power to run the sims 2 and also maybe even archicad [not bothered if its not rapid, just running]

what are they like compared to the fujitsu siemens? [in general]

**TheMatt** · 09-15-2007, 06:46 PM

The Acer you posted will have the best performance. It is also a quality laptop.

BTW please watch the language.

Antneedshelp! · 09-16-2007, 02:30 AM

appologies.

thanks for the advice

Antneedshelp! · 09-16-2007, 04:37 PM

do you reccomend the acer over the HP one?

what do you prefer about it if so?

also what processor speed is the HP i cant determine it?

**TheMatt** · 09-16-2007, 05:04 PM

Acers overall in general are higher quality and last longer. We have very few Acer laptops that come into the shop that have hardware problems.

For example, when I opened up my Acer, there were two things that stood out at me. One was the solid capacitors found entirely across the motherboard and not just at the CPU voltage regulator, and the other was the copper heatpipe/fan assembly used for cooling.

Unfortunately we have had more Compaq's (not so much HPs but they are now the same company) that had dead motherboards.

The Acer has a 2.2 GHz single core processor I believe with 512 KB of L2 cache. The HP has a 1.6 GHz dual core processor with 2 x 256 KB L2 cache. While the HP has a better processor, the Acer in fact has better graphics.

Antneedshelp! · 09-16-2007, 05:12 PM

hmmm

which will run more smoothly? will it fluctuate depending on what tasks are being performed?

**TheMatt** · 09-16-2007, 06:12 PM

You will be OK with basic multitasking but if you will be doing more intensive things then I would look at going with an Acer with a dual core Turion X2.

Antneedshelp! · 09-16-2007, 06:21 PM

hmmm thats both combined, haha.

either way will be a massive improvement and a big bonus so ill have a think and hopefully you wont see me posting about problems for a while!

**TheMatt** · 09-16-2007, 06:49 PM

Post back when you decide.

Antneedshelp! · 09-17-2007, 09:56 AM

althought the HP has worse graphics itll still run the sims and other medium end graphical programs wont it?

**speedster123** · 09-17-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

You will be OK with basic multitasking but if you will be doing more intensive things then I would look at going with an Acer with a dual core Turion X2.

Get the 2 gigs of memory also.

Antneedshelp! · 09-17-2007, 12:02 PM

how much will all that cost?!

anyone answer the graphics question please?

**TheMatt** · 09-17-2007, 01:48 PM

It will run it OK but you will get much better performance out of the Mobility Radeon X300 in the Acer. The GeForce 6100/6150 really weren't that high performing. It is better than the Via graphics though.

Antneedshelp! · 09-17-2007, 04:19 PM

how do you rate this one?

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=131200

and this...

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/131841

09-14-2007, 09:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Potential Laptop purchase... hi, im thinking about buying this laptop; http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...e=ZXh0ZW5kZWQ= are there any foreseen problems with it? Its at the top end of my budget and wont be used for any intensive gaming [more web surfing and office applications]. thanks for any feedback anyway. info; > 15" screen > no particular brand > doesnt need a particularly long battery life > I will be multi tasking. doing things like media player, internet, office application [would like it to run nice and smooth while theyre going on] > not much gaming and no calculations [whatever they are!] > storing music and pictures [80gb is minimum] > cd/dvd burner is preferable > would like to know wether vista is worth having? [but no preference really] > live in the UK Last edited by Antneedshelp!; 09-14-2007 at 09:51 AM.

09-14-2007, 05:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... That looks like a nice laptop. The only thing I see that might be a problem is that it comes with Vista Home Basic which doesn't have any of the cool eye candy Home Premium comes with. You can always install Home Premium later or even XP if you feel you don't like Vista Home Basic. The hardware looks good in that. Just don't expect to do any gaming. __________________ - 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

09-15-2007, 05:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... will it run 'the sims 2'?

09-15-2007, 08:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... I doubt it. If it will, it will be at the lowest settings. __________________ - 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

09-15-2007, 10:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... why wouldnt it run the sims 2? I had the impression it wasnt too bad graphically. [ive looked at so many i might be getting mixed up though]

09-15-2007, 01:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... The Via integrated graphics solutions are some of the lowest end on the market. Look for the Radeon Xpress series or a dedicated card to run the Sims. __________________ - 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

09-15-2007, 05:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... what do you think of these matt? > http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3Jldmlld3M=&product_uid=126329 that one ^ has the ati graphics that are better than the fujitsu [i think?] but obviously for the money im paying; not high end or anything. > http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3NwZWNpZmljYXRpb25z&product_uid=130389 ^ that one has a slower processor speed [think thatll make a difference?] has a bigger HD, but are the graphics bad? > http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/131843 that one ^ as a TOP budget alternative, i think it could be worth paying that bit extra for graphical performance and also the HD is bigger on this and its dual core. i would like enough graphical power to run the sims 2 and also maybe even archicad [not bothered if its not rapid, just running] what are they like compared to the fujitsu siemens? [in general] Last edited by TheMatt; 09-15-2007 at 06:47 PM. Reason: Language

09-15-2007, 06:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... The Acer you posted will have the best performance. It is also a quality laptop. BTW please watch the language. __________________ - 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

09-16-2007, 02:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... appologies. thanks for the advice

09-16-2007, 04:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... do you reccomend the acer over the HP one? what do you prefer about it if so? also what processor speed is the HP i cant determine it?

09-16-2007, 05:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... Acers overall in general are higher quality and last longer. We have very few Acer laptops that come into the shop that have hardware problems. For example, when I opened up my Acer, there were two things that stood out at me. One was the solid capacitors found entirely across the motherboard and not just at the CPU voltage regulator, and the other was the copper heatpipe/fan assembly used for cooling. Unfortunately we have had more Compaq's (not so much HPs but they are now the same company) that had dead motherboards. The Acer has a 2.2 GHz single core processor I believe with 512 KB of L2 cache. The HP has a 1.6 GHz dual core processor with 2 x 256 KB L2 cache. While the HP has a better processor, the Acer in fact has better graphics. __________________ - 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

09-16-2007, 05:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... hmmm which will run more smoothly? will it fluctuate depending on what tasks are being performed?

09-16-2007, 06:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... You will be OK with basic multitasking but if you will be doing more intensive things then I would look at going with an Acer with a dual core Turion X2. __________________ - 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

09-16-2007, 06:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... hmmm thats both combined, haha. either way will be a massive improvement and a big bonus so ill have a think and hopefully you wont see me posting about problems for a while!

09-16-2007, 06:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... Post back when you decide. __________________ - 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

09-17-2007, 09:56 AM	#16 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... althought the HP has worse graphics itll still run the sims and other medium end graphical programs wont it?

09-17-2007, 12:02 PM	#18 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... how much will all that cost?! anyone answer the graphics question please?

09-17-2007, 01:48 PM	#19 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... It will run it OK but you will get much better performance out of the Mobility Radeon X300 in the Acer. The GeForce 6100/6150 really weren't that high performing. It is better than the Via graphics though. __________________ - 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

09-17-2007, 04:19 PM	#20 (permalink)
Antneedshelp! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 242 OS: Xp My System	Re: Potential Laptop purchase... how do you rate this one? http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=131200 and this... http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/131841 Last edited by Antneedshelp!; 09-17-2007 at 04:28 PM.