PC Peripherals How is this lappy for Dad & Mom

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superczar

superczar

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After some amount of deal hunting, this is what I think I will pick up:Toshiba M55-s141
It's a thin & light lappy (5.3lbs~2.4kg) and is coming for 699+15 USD

Since it is for my parents who will be using it for mostly basic stuff, i don't really need a powrhouse of a machine...

The primay parameters for me are:
- Light weight
- Should have a good screen, preferably widescreen
- Decent battery life

Also, this machine has a Radeon Xpress200m Gfx card...Any idea how good or bad it is in comparison to Intel 900GM?
And is there any AGP Gfx card that I could compare its performance with, e.g is it at par with a Radeon 9200/GF5200 or ir is more like a GF5600/9550

Though the GFX card is a total non-consideration for this machine, it doesn't hurt to have a decent one :)

Also, any other models that you think may make a better buy...Budget is less than 1000$

Detailed specs:

Processor Intel Celeron M 1.6GHz CPU
Cache L2: 1MB
System Bus 400MHz
Memory Slots: 2
Type: PC-4200 (533MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM
Installed: 256MB, 1 SO-DIMM
Capacity: 2GB
Configuration: 256MB, 512MB or 1GB SO-DIMMs
Display Type: Widescreen TFT-LCD with TrueBrite
Size: 14"
Native Resolution: 1280 x 768 (WXGA)
Graphics Display Card ATI Radeon Xpress 200M
(32MB-64MB dynamically allocated shared memory)

Storage and Expansion
Hard Drive Bays: 1
Installed: 60GB, 5400 RPM
Type: Enhanced IDE
Optical Drive Installed: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive

Reads
CDs: 24x
DVDs: 8x

Writes
CD-Rs: 24x
CD-RWs: 24x
PCIMCIA Expansion 1 x Type I/II CardBus

Input/Output Connectors
Ports 1 x 4-pin i.Link/IEEE-1394
3 x USB 2.0
1 x RJ-45
1 x RJ-11
Display Output 1 x 15-pin D-Sub VGA
Audio (Built-in Stereo Speakers)
1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Line, out
1 x 3.5mm MIC, in
Video 1 x 4-pin i.Link/IEEE 1394, I/O
1 x S-Video, TV Out (NTSC/PAL)
Flash Media Slot None

Communications
Wired Built-In 56K V.92 Fax/Modem Adapter (RJ11)
Built-In 10/100 Fast Ethernet Network Adapter (RJ45)
Wireless Atheros 802.11b/g wireless-LAN

General
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home (SP2)
Security Kensington lock slot
Internet Access None
Keyboard 85 key US keyboard
Pointing Device Touchpad
Battery Lithium-Ion (2/hrs)
Power Requirements 75-Watts, AC Adapter- 100-240V / 50-60Hz frequency
Environmental Requirements Temperature: 41 to 95 F (5 to 35 C)
Humidity: 20% to 80% (non-condensing)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 13.5" x 1.17"-1.50" x 9.5"
Weight 5.31 lbs. with standard battery
Warranty and Support 1-year limited Warranty
 
Seems like a decent deal to me too...so i think All i need to do is stick another 512 Stick into it and i'll be a fairly decent performer
 
Thanks Dipdude for pointing that out...The other M55s come with a 6 cell battery giving a bat life of arnd 3.5 hrs....
This one has a 4 cell batt only :(
I never noticed that before asall M55 reviews said good stuff bout the battery life
I guess will have to ditch this model as batt life is an important criteria...
The dell XPS140 is coming for arnd ~920, any thoughts on that?
 
what about dell inspiron 6000

seems to favorite among folks, costs about $1000
http://www.notebookreview.com/
http://www.notebookreview.com/price/default.asp?productFamilyID=526&display=priceDetail
Click to expand...
You can mix and match compontents, compudirect has the best deal.
http://www.compudirectpc.com/cgi-bin/product_view.cgi?HOME_04-102&cnet&System
Click to expand...
the default config comes with 6 cell battery, just add 50$ and upgrade the graphics card to ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X300 64MB HyperMemory™

Default config :
  • Intel® Pentium® M Processor 735 (1.70 GHz/400MHz FSB)12.1-in WXGA
  • 15.4 inch WXGA LCD Panel
  • 40GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive
  • 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
  • CRUCIAL 256MB DDR2 PC2-4200 MEMORY
  • 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
  • Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900
  • Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home (Operating System)
  • 90 days On-Site parts and labor,90 day phone technical support
 
superczar said:
Nahh, I found it a little too heavy and for some reason I did not like the build quality at all
Click to expand...
you have a dilema - weight and size v/s battery life
 
^^ My V2000 gives me 3 -3.5 hrs and is ~2.5 kg/5.2 lb and is not pricey either

I'd have picked the same but don't want to have 2 eactly same looking lappies

SO I was hoping there are any other similar models out there which suit the requirements
 
Dont exactly remember the model number but I think it is V2390. you must have checked that out though.
 
Ok...I found 2 more options

DellXPS M140

Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

splay 14.1 inch WXGA TrueLifeâ„¢ LCD Panel

Memory 512MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM 2 Dimms

Video Card Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900

Hard Drive 60GB 5400rpm Hard Drive

Optical Featured Upgd-8xCD/DVD burner(DVD+/-RW)w/dble-layer DVD+R write capability

Wireless Networking Cards Dell 1370 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g, 54Mbps)

Battery 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (53 WHr)

This for 920 $ shippped

Option II

Dell Inspiron 630m Qty 1

Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (1.73GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition

Everything stays the same but I get a 40GB 5400 drive, DVD combo, and a P-m 740 instead of 60GB, DVD R/W and P-M 750

This one is setting me back by ~850 $ shipped

Comments and suggestions plz :)
 
The only problem I see with the xps is the integrated video. Intel's 2D quality is worse than everyone else.
 
The only problem I see with the xps is the integrated video. Intel's 2D quality is worse than everyone else.
Click to expand...

ya, but the 915 chipset on the sonoma platform is better than the extreme Gfx 2 on the old 855 chipset..

And since my parents are definitely definitely not going to play Doom3 on it :P

I guess that should be OK.....

However, what I am not too sure about is how poor the regular 2D text rendering on the 915 be compared to the radeon 200?

But I wish the screen were a tad bigger
Click to expand...

Umm, not really...I'd actually go with a 14" as 17" inchers get too bulky....and 12 inchers have to small a screen....

so i personally find 14" the right balance between portability and screem size....ot the 15" too, though they just a lil more bulky than desired

So now it's a call between:

XPS M140:

Pros: fast proccy with 2 MB L2 cache, DVD writer, relatively better battery life

Cons: Intel 915 chipset

Toshiba M55:

Pros: Radeon 200M, lower price, slightly less weight

Cons: relatively slower proccy with 1 mb cache, no DVD writer

The price diff is ~200 $ but then since I'll have to upgrade the memory to at least 512 on the toshiba, that'd be arnd 40$

I am leaning towards the XPS though..what say folks?
 
^^Naa the difference is still huge between 915G and say a low cost 6200/X300. Initially my office system had integrated video for a few days. The blurry text gave me a headache :P. After slapping in a video card, the text quality inproved from nearly unreadable to excellent. Intel's integrated video sucks... for everything :P.
 
I chcked the Toshiba M55 in a store today, and really liked it...

What I can't understand is why those morons had to choose a 4 cell battery for that lappy :(

and there is no way i can choose a 6 cell batteryeither...
 
Alright, since the M55 is out (damn the battery)

Here is another possible option that I am considering before i take plunge for the XPS:

Fujisu LifeBook S Series NoteBook

S2110, AMD MT-28, 13.3 CV XGA,XPH, DVD/CD-RW,256M,+256M,40G,WLAN

It's supposed to be a very well built thin & light weigihing 4lbs and a Mg alloy casing...the ony hitch is that it's XGA (albeit a very good XGA) and a Turion (wondering how hot do Turions get)

It's coming for arnd 950 shipped.....

Advice plz
 
Pros:

  • long battery life (7 hrs w/ second battery)
  • amazing screen
  • great build
  • modern style
  • light weight (4lbs)
  • extremely thin (11.54" x 9.31" x 1.29")
  • quiet
  • low heat
  • 64 bit processor
  • customer service (P1)
  • unique (not many have Fujitsu)
  • flexible bay for optical drive or second battery

Cons:

  • shipping from Japan takes up to 10 days
  • typical speakers w/ high treble and no bass
  • no backlight provided for LED display

Conclusion:

The Fujitsu S2110 is one of the best price vs. performance notebooks on the market. Anyone looking for a small and light notebook with 64 bit capabilities will want to seriously consider this notebook. The build quality and portability will amaze you. This notebook is great for all your multi-media vices and will satisfy the casual gamer. Fujitsu came through with a great machine that will last for years to come.

Check the whole review : Notebookreview

Also what about Toshiba Satellite M45-S269, but Fujitsu S2110 looks good :)
 
I did check the review...

However, what I am not sure about is

a) how good is the Turion platform, specifically ML-28

b) I kinda love widescreens which the XPS does offer me

so now it is a very close call between the XPS M140

Pros: 1.86 Gig P-M 750, 80GB HDD, DVD r/w

Cons- Bigger, heavier, 'tis a Dell, Intel 900 Gfx

And the Fujitsu s2110

Pros: Thin & light, Fujitsu build quality, Mg Alloy casing, Radeon 200m

Cons: AMD Turion, 40GB HDD and only CD r/w

The price is more or less the same for both....I am totally confused now..Wish i cld go to a store and compare them nxt to each other...

Unfortunaly, neither dell, nor fujitsu are available in stores :(
 
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