Basil007

"Hamlet, Hamlet wherefore art thou Hamlet?"

In his absence, perhaps some kind reader of this post could offer me some advice please.

I am about to buy one of two Toshiba laptops and need some help in making my choice. The models I have in mind are:

Satellite Pro A300D-14O
http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.c...D-14O/1056624/

Satellite Pro A300-1G0
http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.c...0-1G0/1055623/

Here is a link to a comparison of their detailed specifications:
http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.c....do?service=UK


They both offer:

'Windows Vista® Business Edition (pre-installed, Toshiba-HDD recovery) + Downgrade to Genuine Windows® XP Professional Edition (Toshiba-Recovery DVD)'

I don't understand what this means as I have no experience of Vista or XP (I currently run W2k on an eight year old Dell desktop). Does it mean I can choose whether to run Vista or XP? If this is the case which one should I choose. I've heard one or two bad things about Vista and am a bit concerned that it will be very different from the W2k OS I have been running for years. I understand that XP was developed out of W2k and assume it would be easier for me to pick up and run with. On the other hand would I be missing out by not installing Vista?

As far as I can see the above machines are pretty well identical except that one comes with an Intel processor and graphics and the other with an AMD processor and graphics. It looks as if the AMD processor has the faster clock speed but Intel seem to have the better laptop reputation on Google.

So:

"To Xp, or not to Xp: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The cores and channels of internal Intel,
Or load up AMD against a sea of troubles,
And by computing end them?"

Any advice gratefully received.


Basil.

postal808

it would seem they are almost identical except that one mobo has AMD and the other Intel ... Intels in general cost more, and the latest Intel gen cpu's overclock much more than the AMD's but since it is a OEM i do not think it will be unlocked in the Bios ...

As for W2k to Xp/Vista ... the transition to Vista would be a huge leap for you, but Xp would be a little different not much really ... As for missing out with not going with Vista, yes ... you would be as Microsoft sadly is aiming to make all previous OS obsolete with Vista so ive been told ... i made the leap from Xp to Vista and it has come a long way

in the begining there were quite a few letdowns with Vista but since SP1 it has really improved in performance a lot.

It really comes down to what you want to do. Do you want to make the switch to Vista or Xp ? Vista is a little more user friendly in my eyes. I got it for the Dx10 features for gaming, and ive loved it since i got it even when there was more flaws ... dissapointing at times then but not enough for me to switch back

like i said its up to you, and maybe some other members will give you their opinions to help you chose

good luck

Basil007

Thank you Postal. From what I can tell these laptops come with both Vista and XP in the box
[Operating system:Genuine Windows Vista® Business Edition (pre-installed, Toshiba-HDD recovery) + Downgrade to Genuine Windows® XP Professional Edition (Toshiba-Recovery DVD)]
so I'll give Vista a go and if it's too much I'll replace it with XP.

I'm going to order the machine today and will almost certainly go for the Intel one. It's £20 more expensive and I'm assuming that there is a reason for the price difference and that Intel is therefore better.

Basil

Team Toshiba

If this were to come down to a vote, a lot of people I know would switch back to XP for the sake of comfortability and more predictable problem fixes. However, eventually everyone will be using Vista on Windows computers (XP is no longer in production), so it may be worth it to get used to it sooner rather than later.

Basil007

Thank you TT for your advice. I've bought the Satellite Pro A300D-14O and have decided to give Vista a whirl and if I can't get on with it 'downgrade' to XP.

Basil.