Laptop Buying Question at DVinfo.net

Chad Solo · March 25th, 2006, 08:00 AM

Hello all,In the past you guys have helped me out allot when I was building my system last year so I thought I would come in here and see if I can get some suggestions on buying a laptop. I'm mostly going to use it for surfing the net playing some games and Photoshop. I will be doing a little editing on it not much maybe not at all.What I might do is have some of my HD files from my Sony FX1 and play them on it. Buying a Laptop is confusing so many different Laptops out there. This is the one I have my eye's on

Acer Aspire AS5672WLMi- XP Home NoteBook Intel Core Duo T2300(1.66GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 1GB DDR2 533 100GB 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility RADEON X1400 - Retail Newegg

I didn't want to spend this much but I would rather spend a few more hundred dollars and get something that will stay with me a few years. So any input would be so much appreciated. Even with the Acer company not heard of them to much so is this a good company? I read the reviews at newegg and they seem to like them.Thank's again all for any input you can give.

Chet

Raza Ahmad · March 25th, 2006, 01:00 PM

I think if you decide to edit and are working with HD Video you will need more hard drive space, since you are going the laptop route that will mean getting an external drive (or two)... factor that into your final cost....

Would also always recommend something that runs XP Pro as opposed to XP home.... hate XP home... this advice is regardless of whether you are going to do any editing...

-raza

Chad Solo · March 25th, 2006, 02:09 PM

Thank's for the reply. I probley won't be doing any editing with it I just thought maybe down the line It would be nice to know that it will do the job if needed. As for XP Home will it make that big of a difference? I have the pro version on my Desktop and I always thought the Home version was the same thing but without a few extra Bells and whistles. I'm just not sure if I should get a Duel core or go with a cheaper one since I probley will only use it for Photoshop and gaming.Thank's again for the reply.

Dan Euritt · March 25th, 2006, 02:21 PM

gaming means that you will need a top-notch video card... how much memory is on that radeon card? at least 128mb? i would look at the games that you intend to play, see what video cards they require.

5400 rpm hdd is a must, as well... take a look at www.notebookforums.com

Raza Ahmad · March 25th, 2006, 02:28 PM

So I don't know what the specific architectural differences between Home and Pro are (I feel like Home is kind of an ME move forward and Pro is a Win2K move forward) but at a practical level I have always felt Pro is more stable and singificantly less trouble prone than Pro...

-raza

Chad Solo · March 28th, 2006, 12:56 PM

Thank's again all for the replies. I really like that www.notebookforums.com forum got allot of info from there. I went with the ACer because the reviews seem pretty good and it's plays most games. Not that it will be used for games but it's nice to know it will play them my kids like that. Thank's again all for the help.

March 25th, 2006, 08:00 AM	#1
Chad Solo Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: St.Petersburg,Fla Posts: 162	Laptop Buying Question Hello all,In the past you guys have helped me out allot when I was building my system last year so I thought I would come in here and see if I can get some suggestions on buying a laptop. I'm mostly going to use it for surfing the net playing some games and Photoshop. I will be doing a little editing on it not much maybe not at all.What I might do is have some of my HD files from my Sony FX1 and play them on it. Buying a Laptop is confusing so many different Laptops out there. This is the one I have my eye's on Acer Aspire AS5672WLMi- XP Home NoteBook Intel Core Duo T2300(1.66GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 1GB DDR2 533 100GB 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility RADEON X1400 - Retail Newegg I didn't want to spend this much but I would rather spend a few more hundred dollars and get something that will stay with me a few years. So any input would be so much appreciated. Even with the Acer company not heard of them to much so is this a good company? I read the reviews at newegg and they seem to like them.Thank's again all for any input you can give. Chet

March 25th, 2006, 01:00 PM	#2
Raza Ahmad Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 61	Gigas I think if you decide to edit and are working with HD Video you will need more hard drive space, since you are going the laptop route that will mean getting an external drive (or two)... factor that into your final cost.... Would also always recommend something that runs XP Pro as opposed to XP home.... hate XP home... this advice is regardless of whether you are going to do any editing... -raza

March 25th, 2006, 02:28 PM	#5
Raza Ahmad Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 61	not a software engineer So I don't know what the specific architectural differences between Home and Pro are (I feel like Home is kind of an ME move forward and Pro is a Win2K move forward) but at a practical level I have always felt Pro is more stable and singificantly less trouble prone than Pro... -raza

March 25th, 2006, 02:09 PM	#3
Chad Solo Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: St.Petersburg,Fla Posts: 162	Thank's for the reply. I probley won't be doing any editing with it I just thought maybe down the line It would be nice to know that it will do the job if needed. As for XP Home will it make that big of a difference? I have the pro version on my Desktop and I always thought the Home version was the same thing but without a few extra Bells and whistles. I'm just not sure if I should get a Duel core or go with a cheaper one since I probley will only use it for Photoshop and gaming.Thank's again for the reply.

March 25th, 2006, 02:21 PM	#4
Dan Euritt Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Carlsbad CA Posts: 1,132	gaming means that you will need a top-notch video card... how much memory is on that radeon card? at least 128mb? i would look at the games that you intend to play, see what video cards they require. 5400 rpm hdd is a must, as well... take a look at www.notebookforums.com

March 28th, 2006, 12:56 PM	#6
Chad Solo Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: St.Petersburg,Fla Posts: 162	Thank's again all for the replies. I really like that www.notebookforums.com forum got allot of info from there. I went with the ACer because the reviews seem pretty good and it's plays most games. Not that it will be used for games but it's nice to know it will play them my kids like that. Thank's again all for the help.