Buying a Laptop

[EpidemiK]

I am going to buy a Laptop soon, and I want to know if this deal is good:

Intel Pentium 4 Processor at 2.4 GHz
512MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (256MB x 2)
15" XGA Display (1024 x 768)
NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go graphics controller with 32 MB video memory
40GB HDD (4200rpm)
DVD/CD-RW
Agere 128-bit Wi-Fi™ Mini-PCI Card (IEEE 802.11b)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
3-USB (2.0) ports
iLINK (IEEE 1394) port
Infrared port
SD media slot
TV-Out port
10/100 Ethernet
V.92/56K modem

$1,555.00

It's a Toshiba one and the full specs are at http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/satellite_2430.pdf

[el crapo]

seems like a nice deal to me........

[EpidemiK]

Originally posted by el crapo
seems like a nice deal to me........
Ok, but I am having trouble deciding between P4-M and P4 ..

[el crapo]

If you can afford it, I would suggest the P4M, otherwise the P4 would do just fine.

[EpidemiK]

Originally posted by el crapo
If you can afford it, I would suggest the P4M, otherwise the P4 would do just fine.
Does P4-M use less electricity?

I do not plan to do anything mobile with this, I just want a desktop replacement so I don't care about battery life as long as it is 2 Hr+. :p

[Daniel]

P4M uses less energy and it doesn't operate at higher temperatures.

But I can build that system for under $1.5k.

[EpidemiK]

Originally posted by Daniel
P4M uses less energy and it doesn't operate at higher temperatures.

But I can build that system for under $1.5k.
So does that mean P4's will overheat? :confused:

[Daniel]

Originally posted by EpidemiK
So does that mean P4's will overheat? :confused:

It justs means it'll run at a higher temperature and may burn your crotch like that other poor fellow...

[KBC]

Originally posted by Daniel
It justs means it'll run at a higher temperature and may burn your crotch like that other poor fellow...

LoL...

What about the GeForce FX Go Series Epidemik?

[EpidemiK]

Originally posted by KBC
LoL...

What about the GeForce FX Go Series Epidemik?
Huh?

[Daniel]

Originally posted by KBC


What about the GeForce FX Go Series Epidemik?

Graphics card doesn't really matter in a laptop unless your going to be playing Doom3 or something.

[dawizman]

Graphics card doesn't really matter in a laptop unless your going to be playing Doom3 or something.

What????? Yes it does. For avid LAN'ers like me, sometimes it's nice not to lug 80 pounds of computer around.

[Daniel]

Originally posted by dawizman
What????? Yes it does. For avid LANN'ers like me, sometimes it's nice not to lug 80 pounds of computer around.

Key Phrase:
Unless your going to be playing Doom3.

A Geforce 420 Go is enough for most games. It will run games like UT2k3, CS, Quake3, whatever just fine.

[EpidemiK]

I'm not trying to run Battlefield 1942 on it or anything .. I just need a small desktop replacement that I will be using to code HTML with.

[KBC]

Originally posted by EpidemiK
I'm not trying to run Battlefield 1942 on it or anything .. I just need a small desktop replacement that I will be using to code HTML with.

... hehe... sorry... I thought you were a hardcore gamer. :biggrin2:

[EpidemiK]

Originally posted by KBC
... hehe... sorry... I thought you were a hardcore gamer. :biggrin2:
I'm a hardcore forum poster and web designer. :p

[_Street_Fighter]

Originally posted by EpidemiK
I am going to buy a Laptop soon, and I want to know if this deal is good:

Intel Pentium 4 Processor at 2.4 GHz
512MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (256MB x 2)
15" XGA Display (1024 x 768)
NVIDIA GeForce4 420 Go graphics controller with 32 MB video memory
40GB HDD (4200rpm)
DVD/CD-RW
Agere 128-bit Wi-Fi™ Mini-PCI Card (IEEE 802.11b)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
3-USB (2.0) ports
iLINK (IEEE 1394) port
Infrared port
SD media slot
TV-Out port
10/100 Ethernet
V.92/56K modem

$1,555.00

It's a Toshiba one and the full specs are at http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/satellite_2430.pdf if its this one (http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11204637&m=488&cat=494&scat=495) then get it for $1600 - $100 rebate - $150 rebate = $1350... the specs look similar...

here (http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11206045&m=883&cat=884) is a sony for $1600 - $150 rebate = $1450 if you like sony or something...

- SF

[trenzterra]

seems like a good deal.


toshiba used to suck, but i guess its good at computers now.


i recommend intel centrino though, but if your budget is tight, go with the p4

[Toefur]

Originally posted by EpidemiK
I'm not trying to run Battlefield 1942 on it or anything .. I just need a small desktop replacement that I will be using to code HTML with.

Why on earth are you getting a beefed up system like that for, then? :confused:

[tandoc]

I still use my mum's Toshiba with a slow processor.. 96mb of PC66 Ram, and Win 98.. its good for webdesign...

[EpidemiK]

Originally posted by Toefur
Why on earth are you getting a beefed up system like that for, then? :confused:
It's not beefed up .. I just like running 10 internet explorer windows at once and not have it crash (like my current computer)

Street Fighter: Thanks for finding me a better deal! :D

[_Street_Fighter]

no prob ;)

- SF

[EpidemiK]

Nevermind that's the wrong one. I need S255 w/ WIFI

I really need the Intergrated 802.11b so I can take advantage of a new wireless router. :p

[_Street_Fighter]

eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3412957919&category=38123)! =P

ask about WiFi (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3412556334&category=38123) for this one

You can buy a PCMCIA wireless network card =P they're around $50 ($30-$40 on eBay) i think... $1350+$50=$1400... you save about $150 =P its not like ur using those PCMCIA slots anyways...

<edit>
or u can go to your local comp stores (Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, etc) and see if they have those with the WiFi THEN tell them to price match it for you with Best Buy's deal... if they dont believe you, then just have them call up Best Buy and confirm the deal & rebates... I know Circuit City gives 110% difference in prices (just make sure that they give you the extra 10% =P)...

they wont know/care about the WiFi part, so just dont mention it and they'll think its the same as the one at Best Buy...
</edit>

- SF

[Todd]

I've mentioned them before and I'll mention them again:
http://www.pricegrabber.com
http://www.pricewatch.com

Two great sites for price comparisons. Apart from that if you buy Dell use Google to search for Dell coupon codes as they are always running promotions. For those really looking to squeeze every penny out of their purchase look at ebates if the store you're buying it from is listed: http://www.ebates.com

[shizzle]

I use a Pentium 1 Super Old Toshiba Satellite Pro for AIM, MSN, and IE. It runs them fine. I do whatever I want on my PC, then use the laptop to talk to people and maybe look something up. It works great when the sister is on the PC.

[Toefur]

Likewise, I use an old and outdated laptop. I have a P2 333 with 128mb ram, and it runs XP without lagging at all, and it only cost me $300 US or so, I use it for webdesign and all that, it can run 10 explorer windows at once, it can run dreamweaver and photoshop, etc.

I just wonder, is it really necessary to get such a powerful machine for that much money, that will be outdated in a few years anyway, when all you need to do is code html and all that?

I'm just thinking of your wallet here. :classic2:

[Daniel]

I got a P3 500mhz, 256mb pc133 ram, and a 15gb harddrive and it works and it can run not only 10 IE at the same time, but also Dreamweaver, Excell, and Photoshop. If I try to run something like Word all at the same time, it starts to lag but other than that, it works fine. :rolleyes:

[EpidemiK]

Hmm .. this is seriously confusing me... :confused2

[Moonman]

Originally posted by EpidemiK
Hmm .. this is seriously confusing me... :confused2
Why all everyone is saying is that if you go for that original laptop it is overkill for what you are doing, it's pretty simple really. Something like a P3 500mhz and 256mb Ram will be fine. Remember the more ram you get, the better for you.

[dawizman]

It's not quite overkill. What happens when you need to run some programd that wont run on a P3 500. If you buy this laptop now, at least it will last a while down the road.