Laptop Decisions

[CookieMonster]

Alright I'm not very computer savvy. I know how to use them but not the brains of them.

So I want to be able to run Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Firefox, Winamp, FTP Software, and a few couple more programs at the same time. When I work I like to work as a whole working from all aspects.

At the moment I am running:

Toshiba Satellite L25-S1216
Microsoft Window XP Home SP2
Intel Celeron M Processor 1.6 GHz
ATI Radeon Xpress 200M 704 MB of RAM

I'm looking for something a little more powerful than that. The problem is I'm not sure about the Processor not RAM. I don't know what would be overdoing it nor under doing it.

Here are the common options for Processors on laptops:
---
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7400 (2.16GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™ DUO T2350 (1.86GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5300 (2MB Cache/1.73GHz/533MHz FSB)

Here are the common options for Memory on laptops:
---
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz


Video cards are a problem too:
---
256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS

I was looking at a Dell Inspiron E1705 custom built to a Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB), 256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory, 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced.

[Gaucho8788]

For the things your looking for I'd go with something like:

HP Pavilion dv9500t

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz/4MB L2Cache)

Display: 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050)

Ram: 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

Hard Drive: 240GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)

Networking: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection

Primary CD\DVD Drive: Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support

I've always went with HP after I bought my first comp, which was a Dell, and It gave me hell. I'd look around HP website, pick and choose, customize and find it more towards what you want. I would recommend AMD core but since what you'll mostly be dealing with is applications I picked Intel for this recomendation. Hope this get you started ok.

[CookieMonster]

Thank you for the input, I think 260 GB is too much for me, and 2GB of RAM seems too much as well. Isn't it more for a gamers, I game don't get me wrong but it isn't as important to me then running my programs smoothly. HP was a choice but a $1,500 is too much for me. I have to save up for this and that is just going to take too long.

Being 18 and no credit sucks, I wanted the zero percent for 6 months and I could easily pay that off in 2. It's saving up that is hard for me to do, all I save up is for bills and the rest I blow of on stupid things that are useless. I guess I have to put my foot down more on the purchases I make. :|

[Gaucho8788]

Yeah I understand ya their. Only reason I put the 250 was storage for movies, music etc, and the 2 gb is a must if your going to use Vista because it requires a lot of your memory. In any case I'm hoping you get the laptop you want, and good luck with whatever you get.

[ShadowClaw]

2GB of RAM seems too much as well. Isn't it more for a gamers...

While this is true, you will also want a lot of RAM if you want to run most of the programs that you mentioned at the same time. This is because when ever you open a program its uses up RAM, just not as much as a game.

Also want Gaucho said about Vista is true. It uses a lot of RAM, if it possible try to get Win XP, I believe that you'll have a better experience in terms of program support. Also, on a side note if you have an Ipod it won't work with Vista.

Just my two cents.:)

~Shadowclaw

[Gaucho8788]

Also, on a side note if you have an Ipod it won't work with Vista.

I didn't know that. Thats just one more reason that I'm not getting Vista.

[CookieMonster]

Yah, I completely forgot about Vista. 2GBs of RAM sounds about right now that I think about it. Thanks guys you helped me make a few good decisions. I'll look at the HP a little more and compare the price and whatnot. Thanks guys. Your knowledge helped out a lot.

[Sypher]

Video cards are a problem too:
---
256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS

I believe the X1400 uses at least shared graphics (hence the HyperMemory) - meaning it'll cut down on your available RAM. A dedicated graphics card (such as the X1600 or GeForce 7600 Go) won't hog the RAM, meaning more for all those applications. A 7900 will be a tad overkill if you're not planning on using it for much gaming. A X1600 would suffice for more modest needs and leave that RAM alone. :)

[M2M]

I believe the X1400 uses at least shared graphics (hence the HyperMemory) - meaning it'll cut down on your available RAM. A dedicated graphics card (such as the X1600 or GeForce 7600 Go) won't hog the RAM, meaning more for all those applications. A 7900 will be a tad overkill if you're not planning on using it for much gaming. A X1600 would suffice for more modest needs and leave that RAM alone. :)

I might want to add, that you can't change videocards in a laptop. If you are stuck with one, you will be stuck with it untill you buy a new laptop. Ram, processor, Harddrive, diskdrive dvd drive keyboard pcmcia cards etc. are all upgradable in a way, motherboard and videocard (soundcard on the motherboard) are not.

I know it is quite an investment, therefore look good around, see what's out there and make your choice. Besides, look @ the weight of the thing. I'm currently walking around with 4 kgs of laptop on my shoulder, not including powercords etc.

[JJFZ3000]

If you'll be playing games on it at least get the 7900GS or the 7950GTX.

[CookieMonster]

It isn't going to be used to HEAVY gaming just the occasional ones. It's mainly going to be used for a multimedia laptop, a lot of programs to run.

I understand it isn't easy to update a laptop. I already have one that is running old and I'd much rather buy a new one them try and make the best out of this much older cheaper one.

Toshiba Satellite L25-S1216, very cheap but was a gift 2 years ago. :|

[pieman224]

Alright I'm not very computer savvy. I know how to use them but not the brains of them.

So I want to be able to run Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Firefox, Winamp, FTP Software, and a few couple more programs at the same time. When I work I like to work as a whole working from all aspects.

At the moment I am running:

Toshiba Satellite L25-S1216
Microsoft Window XP Home SP2
Intel Celeron M Processor 1.6 GHz
ATI Radeon Xpress 200M 704 MB of RAM

I'm looking for something a little more powerful than that. The problem is I'm not sure about the Processor not RAM. I don't know what would be overdoing it nor under doing it.

Here are the common options for Processors on laptops:
---
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7400 (2.16GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™ DUO T2350 (1.86GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5300 (2MB Cache/1.73GHz/533MHz FSB)

Here are the common options for Memory on laptops:
---
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz


Video cards are a problem too:
---
256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS

I was looking at a Dell Inspiron E1705 custom built to a Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB), 256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory, 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced.






you could get an hp pavilion dv2000. Its what im using right now. you can get firefox and everything else with it. I wouldnt advise getting a Dell because people have been complaining about them a lot