Kaido
Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Buy.com link
$369.95 + Free Shipping. 2nd Day shipping is $5.49. You can get $30 off if you sign up for the Buy.com Visa card ($339.95 + Free Shipping). This is a great little 14" laptop for basic tasks. The series is eMachine eMD620 and the model is eMD620-5133. This is a plain-jane 14" laptop with a single-core CPU and integrated graphics. Basically, if you're looking for a netbook with a real keyboard and screen, pick this baby up 😀
eMD620 Series Support Page
Features:
-14.1" TFT WGXA (1280x800) Glossy Widescreen
-AMD Athlon 64 2560e (1.6GHz, Single-Core) 512kb L2, 15w
-2 gigs of RAM (DDR2-800mhz), upgradable to 4GB
-Curved keyboard (ergonomic-style, but not split)
-802.11b/g Wifi
-DL DVD burner
-Integrated ATI Radeon X1200 Graphics
-Windows Vista Home Basic
-160gb 5400rpm hard drive
-6-cell 4400mAh battery
-65w Power Adapter
Note that this model does not have a Webcam or Bluetooth.
Ports:
-Front headphone/line-in jacks
-(2) USB 2.0 ports
-Network Jack (not sure if it's 10/100 or Gigabit)
-VGA port
-Physical Wifi on/off switch
-Kensington lock slot
Dimensions:
-5.29 pounds (with battery)
-13.03" x 9.76"
-1.61" thick
<Initial Impressions:
The build quality is good - it doesn't feel super cheap, but it's no Thinkpad either. Doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart (surprising at this price). It's definitely not a "thin & light" 14" laptop, but the weight is average at under 5.5 pounds. The first big surprise was the screen - it's FANTASTIC! It's glossy enough to bring out the colors, but not so reflective that it's a total mirror. Very very very good quality. I'm am EXTREMELY impressed, especially given the sub-$400 price.
The second big surprise was how quiet it is. There's one tiny fan on the rear right side and it's extremely quiet. The trackpad is small. I hate trackpads with a passion and use a notebook mouse, but still, I think they could have gone bigger on the trackpad. It's usable, though. I really like the curved keyboard. I use an ergonomic keyboard at home, so this was a welcome addition. I don't think that it's so curved that you'd have to learn how to type on it like a real split ergonomic keyboard, it's just a *bit* curved.
Speakers are about what you'd expect. Treble is fairly clear, absolutely zero bass. They don't even try, haha. There's plastic covering where you'd expect the webcam to be, since it's not an available option on this el-cheapo model. Which is fine, because I don't use webcams anyway...or know anyone who does, lol. There's no Bluetooth either, which I don't personally use either, but you can get a micro USB adapter if you really need it.
Vista is surprisingly responsive. They give you the crappy Home Basic version without the Media Center, which is probably fine for what this laptop is targeted towards. Personally I am putting Windows XP on it - it should FLY with XP. I am also upgrading it with a 320gb 7200rpm hard drive, so I get more space and better speed. If you plan on keeping Vista, it'd probably be worth slapping 4 gigs into.
Recommended Upgrades:
1. Hard Drive: Right off the bat, I'd say upgrade the hard drive. The existing 160gb 5400rpm is absolutely fine, but if you want to pimp it out a little, get yourself a 7200rpm hard drive. I got a WD Scorpio 320gb 7200rpm drive for $85 from Buy.com. There are a few 500gb drives on the market too - avoid the 7200rpm for now (only Seagate makes it) because it's been getting mixed reviews. The 500gb 5400rpm drives are pretty quick thanks to modern improvements, so they will feel faster than older 5400rpm hard drives. Newegg has it for $89 shipped:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136280
2. Memory: If you're going to "downgrade" to XP, then 2 gigs is great, but if you plan on sticking with Vista then you'll probably want 4 gigs of RAM since Vista is a memory hog. This plus a 7200rpm would really give Vista a nice boost on this laptop. Newegg has a 4 gig G.Skill kit for $45:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231156
3. Bluetooth: Useful for cell phones, stereo headsets, and Bluetooth headsets. Newegg has a micro USB Bluetooth adapter for $19:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833242001
4. Mouse: I hate trackpads. My favorite mouse is the Logitech VX Revolution, which is a wireless (RF) laser notebook. It's not cheap at $49, but it's awesome! The USB receiver tucks right inside the mouse for easy storage and the whole thing runs off a single AA battery. HIGHLY recommended:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826104016
5. Webcam: If you really need a webcam, you can slap a USB model on it easily. I'll recommend Logitech because of past good experiences. Here's one for $50:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826104068
6. Backup drive: If you need a backup drive, WD Passports are really nice to go with - they come in large capacities and run solely off USB power. Newegg has the 500gb 2.5" Passport for $115:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136301
As far as other upgrades go: a padded bag is nice. I use an Ogio backpack, which has a padded zipper pocket in the back specifically for the laptop (that way I can carry my textbooks as well). Windows XP will perform nicely on this laptop, so that may be another good upgrade for you. A car power adapter would also be a good addition, just make sure it's at least 65 watts.
$369.95 + Free Shipping. 2nd Day shipping is $5.49. You can get $30 off if you sign up for the Buy.com Visa card ($339.95 + Free Shipping). This is a great little 14" laptop for basic tasks. The series is eMachine eMD620 and the model is eMD620-5133. This is a plain-jane 14" laptop with a single-core CPU and integrated graphics. Basically, if you're looking for a netbook with a real keyboard and screen, pick this baby up 😀
eMD620 Series Support Page
Features:
-14.1" TFT WGXA (1280x800) Glossy Widescreen
-AMD Athlon 64 2560e (1.6GHz, Single-Core) 512kb L2, 15w
-2 gigs of RAM (DDR2-800mhz), upgradable to 4GB
-Curved keyboard (ergonomic-style, but not split)
-802.11b/g Wifi
-DL DVD burner
-Integrated ATI Radeon X1200 Graphics
-Windows Vista Home Basic
-160gb 5400rpm hard drive
-6-cell 4400mAh battery
-65w Power Adapter
Note that this model does not have a Webcam or Bluetooth.
Ports:
-Front headphone/line-in jacks
-(2) USB 2.0 ports
-Network Jack (not sure if it's 10/100 or Gigabit)
-VGA port
-Physical Wifi on/off switch
-Kensington lock slot
Dimensions:
-5.29 pounds (with battery)
-13.03" x 9.76"
-1.61" thick
<Initial Impressions:
The build quality is good - it doesn't feel super cheap, but it's no Thinkpad either. Doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart (surprising at this price). It's definitely not a "thin & light" 14" laptop, but the weight is average at under 5.5 pounds. The first big surprise was the screen - it's FANTASTIC! It's glossy enough to bring out the colors, but not so reflective that it's a total mirror. Very very very good quality. I'm am EXTREMELY impressed, especially given the sub-$400 price.
The second big surprise was how quiet it is. There's one tiny fan on the rear right side and it's extremely quiet. The trackpad is small. I hate trackpads with a passion and use a notebook mouse, but still, I think they could have gone bigger on the trackpad. It's usable, though. I really like the curved keyboard. I use an ergonomic keyboard at home, so this was a welcome addition. I don't think that it's so curved that you'd have to learn how to type on it like a real split ergonomic keyboard, it's just a *bit* curved.
Speakers are about what you'd expect. Treble is fairly clear, absolutely zero bass. They don't even try, haha. There's plastic covering where you'd expect the webcam to be, since it's not an available option on this el-cheapo model. Which is fine, because I don't use webcams anyway...or know anyone who does, lol. There's no Bluetooth either, which I don't personally use either, but you can get a micro USB adapter if you really need it.
Vista is surprisingly responsive. They give you the crappy Home Basic version without the Media Center, which is probably fine for what this laptop is targeted towards. Personally I am putting Windows XP on it - it should FLY with XP. I am also upgrading it with a 320gb 7200rpm hard drive, so I get more space and better speed. If you plan on keeping Vista, it'd probably be worth slapping 4 gigs into.
Recommended Upgrades:
1. Hard Drive: Right off the bat, I'd say upgrade the hard drive. The existing 160gb 5400rpm is absolutely fine, but if you want to pimp it out a little, get yourself a 7200rpm hard drive. I got a WD Scorpio 320gb 7200rpm drive for $85 from Buy.com. There are a few 500gb drives on the market too - avoid the 7200rpm for now (only Seagate makes it) because it's been getting mixed reviews. The 500gb 5400rpm drives are pretty quick thanks to modern improvements, so they will feel faster than older 5400rpm hard drives. Newegg has it for $89 shipped:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136280
2. Memory: If you're going to "downgrade" to XP, then 2 gigs is great, but if you plan on sticking with Vista then you'll probably want 4 gigs of RAM since Vista is a memory hog. This plus a 7200rpm would really give Vista a nice boost on this laptop. Newegg has a 4 gig G.Skill kit for $45:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231156
3. Bluetooth: Useful for cell phones, stereo headsets, and Bluetooth headsets. Newegg has a micro USB Bluetooth adapter for $19:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833242001
4. Mouse: I hate trackpads. My favorite mouse is the Logitech VX Revolution, which is a wireless (RF) laser notebook. It's not cheap at $49, but it's awesome! The USB receiver tucks right inside the mouse for easy storage and the whole thing runs off a single AA battery. HIGHLY recommended:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826104016
5. Webcam: If you really need a webcam, you can slap a USB model on it easily. I'll recommend Logitech because of past good experiences. Here's one for $50:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826104068
6. Backup drive: If you need a backup drive, WD Passports are really nice to go with - they come in large capacities and run solely off USB power. Newegg has the 500gb 2.5" Passport for $115:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136301
As far as other upgrades go: a padded bag is nice. I use an Ogio backpack, which has a padded zipper pocket in the back specifically for the laptop (that way I can carry my textbooks as well). Windows XP will perform nicely on this laptop, so that may be another good upgrade for you. A car power adapter would also be a good addition, just make sure it's at least 65 watts.
