[Godotology]

I know this was talked about before but I couldn't find it and the search thing wasn't working. So here I go, I was planning on getting a mac book soon. Until yesterday I read a article on PC World talking about Leopard. Should I wait for Leopard to come out? And if I do get a mac book, would I be able to upgrade to Leopard? Thanks.

lol.. you know what, I never heard of "Leopard"

-edit-

after reading it, its still too early to see how Leopard will go. but so far it seems like it'll be similar to vista in that it will have BOTH a 32bit version and a 64 bit version. for obvious reasons, if you got the Macbook now, you can upgrade to only the 32 bit version of Leopard.

[Meemsta]

I'm looking for a laptop that's under 1000. I need it mainly for personal use like writing papers, downloading music, and internet research. I'm willing to put in more money if necessary. I want a small screen for my laptop.. widescreen preferably.

I was thinking of getting a MAC cuz of all those commmercials i see in comparison of a PC and MAC and how they make a MAC so much better, but then I don't know what programs they use.

Do you have any suggestions on what kind of laptop I should get? I read through all the posts in here and I'm still very confused.

Thanks so much for your help.

[Godotology]

I'm looking for a laptop that's under 1000. I need it mainly for personal use like writing papers, downloading music, and internet research. I'm willing to put in more money if necessary. I want a small screen for my laptop.. widescreen preferably.

I was thinking of getting a MAC cuz of all those commmercials i see in comparison of a PC and MAC and how they make a MAC so much better, but then I don't know what programs they use.

Do you have any suggestions on what kind of laptop I should get? I read through all the posts in here and I'm still very confused.

Thanks so much for your help.

people have different perceptions of what "small" is. however I think it's safe for you to not consider anything over 14". and you probably don't want to go under 12" as they get ridiculously more expensive (we're talking 1800-2500). However for something under 1000, you might just be limited to 14" and maybe 13.3", or really old 12". You also won't get any kind of dedicated graphics (video card) in that screen size range and budget range, so it's something to keep in mind.

Dell will be the cheapest as far as having a modern CPU (Toshiba, HP, etc have really cheap budget models, but they use very low end processors while cheaper Sonys and IBMs are usually old models from surplus stock they need to get rid of). the Compaq V3000 series is one of the better deals out there for people who want something under $1000 but want some kind of power as it has both an AMD Turion x2 cpu and the best integrated video card out at the moment (the Nvidia Go 6150).

Dell used to have the 710m series that was 12" widescreen and was cheap, but its been replaced by the XPS M1210.. not sure if you can configure that to be under $1000.

[skwannabe]

lol.. you know what, I never heard of "Leopard"

-edit-

after reading it, its still too early to see how Leopard will go. but so far it seems like it'll be similar to vista in that it will have BOTH a 32bit version and a 64 bit version. for obvious reasons, if you got the Macbook now, you can upgrade to only the 32 bit version of Leopard.

Whats the difference between 32 bit verison and 64 verison? Sorry for asking some much dumb questions. Thanks for replying though.

When I read your reply saying you haven't heard of Leopard, I thought I was reading the wrong section ><.

[Godotology]

Whats the difference between 32 bit verison and 64 verison? Sorry for asking some much dumb questions. Thanks for replying though.

When I read your reply saying you haven't heard of Leopard, I thought I was reading the wrong section ><.

basically one will be used for those with 32 bit processors (i.e Core Duo, Pentium M, etc), and the other will be for the newer 64bit processors (Core 2 Duo/Merom, Santa Rosa, etc). this year and maybe next year will be the last we'll see of new 32 bit processors, it'll be 64 bit form here on out. As for what advantages when running Leopard.. no idea as there's not too much info out on it yet.

[kiwi_mui88]

Hey range!

I'm a first year university student in vancouver, and I want to get a laptop that can handle note-taking, Internet/chat, research, photoshop,and music/dramas/movies (quite a lot actually ). I haven't really decided on which area I will study yet..but there might be a possibility that I decide to take graphic/animations =/ and I plan to use it for a while..

I'm looking at asus XDD W7J , which is pretty nice =D , but are there any other recommendations of other models in the asus line?
-13.3" to 14.x" screen
-Budget to be around $1200 - $1800 (with warranty and shipping included)

Another model i'm looking at is
http://www.anitec.ca/product/6828/asus_f3f...66ghz_notebook/
Is it worth the cost?

Lastly, are there any "trustworthy" companies (online for example) that are good to buy from?

Thanks a bunch =]
Kiwi

[Godotology]

Hey range!

I'm a first year university student in vancouver, and I want to get a laptop that can handle note-taking, Internet/chat, research, photoshop,and music/dramas/movies (quite a lot actually ). I haven't really decided on which area I will study yet..but there might be a possibility that I decide to take graphic/animations =/ and I plan to use it for a while..

I'm looking at asus XDD W7J , which is pretty nice =D , but are there any other recommendations of other models in the asus line?
-13.3" to 14.x" screen
-Budget to be around $1200 - $1800 (with warranty and shipping included)

Another model i'm looking at is
http://www.anitec.ca/product/6828/asus_f3f...66ghz_notebook/
Is it worth the cost?

Lastly, are there any "trustworthy" companies (online for example) that are good to buy from?

Thanks a bunch =]
Kiwi

As far as Asus in Canada goes, I think milestonepc is the best place, very nice people and pretty decent deals. If you go there, tell em "Goren from Notebookreview" sent ya. I've dealt with the owner before, his stores are primarily in Toronto, but his online business will ship to vancouver of course.

the W7J is nice, but do you really need a video card? because the W7J has the Nvidia Go7400 which can play games, but also affects the battery life. You might want to consider the Z35f as an alternative if you don't need the graphics card. the F3f is nice, but you have a 13.3" model and a 15.4" model in your line up..theres a significant size and weight difference that you need to consider, especially since one is about 2lbs more than the other! I suggest you go to a store and play around with different sizes and see what you like first.
another Asus to consider is the A8f, if you don't need a video card.

LG is nice as well, but they are costly.

[kiwi_mui88]

What is the function of the video card? And ya..I've been looking at Z35f as an alternative too, and it is a pretty decent deal on geared2play..hahaha guess I have to go check out some of the stores around first then XD

[Godotology]

What is the function of the video card? And ya..I've been looking at Z35f as an alternative too, and it is a pretty decent deal on geared2play..hahaha guess I have to go check out some of the stores around first then XD

Video card (also graphics card, GPU, etc) is primarily used by those who play alot of 3-d games (i.e Counter strike, Oblivion, battlefield, etc) and require a GPU that can handle all those polygons. It is also used by those who do rendering. If you don't do either of those, then you don't need it as most laptops with a GPU cost more than one with out it, and GPU's create more heat, and suck up battery life.

also, geared2play is now btotech.com, so go there instead if you choose geared2play. But then you're Canadian, so btotech's prices reflect the US prices and I dont know if they sell to Canada.

[RiA]

what's the video memory for? what does it mean when it says shared memory?

[Godotology]

what's the video memory for? what does it mean when it says shared memory?

- playing games that require 3d graphics processing (battlefield, gta, oblivion, half life, etc) 2-d games are generally the exceptions

- rendering programs, CAD

- connecting to a higher res screen

Shared memory means its using the System's RAM instead of it's own RAM.

example:
A) Laptop with 128mb dedicated VRAM for some ATi or Nvidia video card, and 512mb of RAM. when playing games, it will primarily rely on that 128.
Laptop with 64mb dedicated, 64mb shared VRAM (nvidia's "Turbocache", etc) and 512mb of RAM. when doing things that require VRAM.. it will draw some RAM from the 512mb since up to 64mb is shared.
C) Any laptop that has no video card and uses something integrated. meaning, it will use your 512mb of Ram. It will generally not perform certain tasks as well as a system with dedicated VRAM.

[RiA]

^ aah i see, thanks. i guess i won't be needing a separate VRAM since i'm not a gamer anyway...

[xjuyonx]

i've used windows all my life, but i'm thinking about a macbook... who has a macbook here? can you tell me the pros & cons? thanks so much!!

[Godotology]

i've used windows all my life, but i'm thinking about a macbook... who has a macbook here? can you tell me the pros & cons? thanks so much!!

Many feel that Macs have a user friendly interface, in addition to having less instances of viruses. However it should be note that it certainly is NOT immune to viruses and spyware, and the more popular any software becomes, the more likely malware will be developed for it.

As far as the Macbook it self goes, most of them have Intel chips now and can run Windows via Boot Camp. As far as its design.. its a very nice and thin design. infact its height (with the lid up) is even lower than that of the 12" dell XPS M1210. The build is solid and the keyboard is nice, as well as the screen.

However due to the nature of most Macs.. they are HOT. they are very thin notebooks, thus there is not alot of room to dissipate the heat. To make things worse, their models are not vented well either. there's no vents on the sides, and the bottom of the chassis has no "legs".. most of the heat goes out through the keyboard and the rear (although the screen partially blocks it). it is the reason why the macbook gets hot even though it has no video card.. and why the macbook pro that does have a video card, is super hot.

[boka]

hi range, this is an awesome thread you have here i'd like your pro opinion on something - i'm in the market for a laptop that can do wireless/internet, ms word and multimedia without too much trouble.

this laptop will be used to keep me awake/pass the time at work (i do 12-hour graveyard shifts in a hospital where 80% of the shift is spent alone just organising things out of lack of other things to do whilst waiting for a problem to occur ). it's torture trying to stay awake...

i won't be playing games or HD multimedia, but i'd like it to at least be able to play (the slightly more taxing) H.264 videos.

there's an "as-new" second hand IBM that i'm looking at...

IBM THINKPAD X40 (2386-K4M), NOTEBOOK, BLACK, CENTRINO 1.5GHZ, 512MB MEMORY, 40GB HARD DISK, 12.1` TFT, NO OPTICAL DRIVE, SOUND/NETWORK/MODEM/VIDEO ONBOARD, WIRELESS, WINDOWS XP PRO PRE-INSTALLED, AC ADAPTER, POWER CABLE, 2 USB, SD SLOT

you reckon it can play videos ok? i have no idea about laptop processors... it's about USD $300 so it's the cheapest one that sounds like it could do the job

[Godotology]

i won't be playing games or HD multimedia, but i'd like it to at least be able to play (the slightly more taxing) H.264 videos.

there's an "as-new" second hand IBM that i'm looking at...
you reckon it can play videos ok? i have no idea about laptop processors... it's about USD $300 so it's the cheapest one that sounds like it could do the job

I'm guessing it should be able to play it with no problems, laptop processor numbers are a bit misleading when you compare the numbers with a desktop as a 1.5 should be nearly as good as a 3.00ghz p4.

you probably could get one of last years Compaq V2000 series with the ATi Xpress 200m (integrated card yes, but better than Intels) for arond $300-400. however Compaq is by far no IBM in terms of build quality, and the X series is no exception to the great build and best keyboard IBM is known for. It's also pretty light too, but I think this one has no optical drive.

[boka]

awesome, thanks for the info... the compaq one seems more capable, if i can find one at a decent price then i'll get it, but they seem hard to come by in australia so right now it looks like i might get the IBM. i guess i'll keep shopping around for a while

[Godotology]

awesome, thanks for the info... the compaq one seems more capable, if i can find one at a decent price then i'll get it, but they seem hard to come by in australia so right now it looks like i might get the IBM. i guess i'll keep shopping around for a while

another one I'd throw in is the recent Compaq V3000z series.. at a low end spec (with a sempron processor instead of a Turionx2), would cost $100 more, but you get an even better integrated card, the Nvidia 6150. that wuold definitely run those codecs

[boka]

i took a look at other stuff and ended up buying a dell 6400. it has the following

regular core duo 1.86GHz
regular 15" WXGA
1024MB 667MHz DDR2
100GB 7200RPM HDD
128MB X1400
Dual layer DVD burner
Intel wireless, LAN, 56K
Blue quicksnap colour kit
not sure if sound is intel or audigy

the down side is it doesn't have warranty and it doesn't come with any software (the HDD is blank)... hopefully setting it up is not much different to a desktop... and i might look at changing that blue colour kit

[kiwi_mui88]

Hey Range,

I made up my mind to buy the asus z35F for about $1790 (with tax and everything included) ..but it turns out there was a better deal with the w7j (which costs about $15 more considerable of the webcam and 20 more GBs but not much use for the video card) ..which one should i get? @_@