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Is this a good laptop?

M

mmebane

Member
I've been shopping for a laptop for school, and I've almost settled on this. Good screen, pretty good price, and overall good Linux support. I don't have much experience with laptops, though, so I'd like to know if there's anything I'm missing.

I do have one decision I have to make: the laptop comes with 802.11 b and g. I can add either 802.11a or Bluetooth, but not both. I'm leaning towards 802.11a, but I'm not sure. Any suggestions?

Here's the config I have:

http://thecarpentersshop.com/ninja/Laptoppy 2.pdf
 
Originally posted by: 7earitup
Not bad at all. 802.11a would probably be the best, but its your call =)
Click to expand...

Thanks. The mouse I'm getting is USB, and my cell phone isn't very fancy, so I think I will go with 802.11a.
 
looks like a pretty decent computer, seems a bit expensive though, espcially considering the graphics card kindof honks in it. have you had a look at laptops by hp, acer and abs? if you have, and you think this is still the best deal then go for it.
 
I have looked at Acer, and while I do like their overall packages, I couldn't find a way to get the model I wanted without the super-bright screen. I've seen that it stores, and I didn't really like it.

I haven't looked at HP notebooks, yet, and I've never heard of ABS.

I know there are much better deals, but I'm getting part of this paid for as a high school graduation present, so I'm able to go for a bit more power than I would otherwise.
 
OK, HP and ABS couldn't give me what I want. I'm now going to look at IBM/Lenova offerings.

If I do go with the Dell, I can save about $50 by getting the base memory configuration, then adding two 512MB sticks from NewEgg. I was thinking these, in particular.

Kingston 512MB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM Notebook Memory - Retail

Would that be a safe thing to do? Based on Kingston's site, it sounds like their memory is what Dell uses, anyway.
 
802.11g is backwards compatible with 802.11b so it gives you a little greater compatibility for hotspots. g is also a little bit faster. a is ok, but never really took off as a used protocol so you'll find that b and g are more widely used.
 
Oh, one more thing. Is the Radeon Mobility X300 a chip integrated into the laptop motherboard, or is it a seperate card? I just want to know if it would be upgradeable in the future, seeing as that's one of the very few components I would ever want to upgrade.
 
Wow, this thread is all the over place

Let's first get this straight: what are you looking to use your laptop for? Screen size preference? Portable or sitting @ a desk?

In regards to RAM, just get whatever stuff is the cheapest at NewEgg; almost all of it should work. Pay more for Kingston if you like, it SHOULD all work.

I would get Bluetooth before 802.11g. I find it HIGHLY unlikely that you will be in a situation where 802.11a is your only option, but you never know I guess. Bluetooth is useful if you ever pick up a Bluetooth mouse and there are a few other common bluetooth devices. Keep in mind, you can probably take the basic wireless card out of whatever machine and substitute in something like an Intel 2915ABG card or for Thinkpad's the IBM a/b/g II card.
 
School, mainly. Some light gaming, but not more that Quake 3 or UT99. Screen size, I want an SXGA+ or WSXGA+. I presume usage would be some lap, mostly sitting at a desk, either at home or at various places at school. This will be my first semester, though, so I'm not sure of the usage pattern.

It seems that I have to purchase the 1GB RAM from Dell to get over the $1899 mark, so I can use my $750 off coupon. :/
 
Well, I just asked a Dell support person, and he said:

"Me: If I go with a system with Intel 900 graphics, would it be possible to add a new video accelerator later?
Him: Yes. You can do that."

So, I'll go with the Intel integrated gfx for now.
 
Originally posted by: mmebane
Well, I just asked a Dell support person, and he said:

"Me: If I go with a system with Intel 900 graphics, would it be possible to add a new video accelerator later?
Him: Yes. You can do that."

So, I'll go with the Intel integrated gfx for now.
Click to expand...
Ummmmmm.........yeah..................no?

To my knowledge the only possibly upgradeable Dell systems are the 9300 and XPS2. All the others that use GMA900 or X300/X600 graphics have the GPU SOLDERED onto the motherboard. You need to make sure you're talking to a technician at Dell and not the idiot trying to get you to buy stuff 😛
 
Well, it was the online chat link from the catalog page. I have a transcript; if he was wrong, I'll call Dell and bitch.
 
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