http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4545456&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4545456&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs)
Princesca needs a new laptop for work. I was pushing her to get a netbook, since she always bitched about her last laptop being a pain to lug around, but a friend of hers suggested this offering from Acer.
Only thing I can see "wrong" with it is that it's got 32-bit Vista. At this point I would prefer a 64-bit OS, and while it will qualify for a free Win 7 upgrade, the upgrade will also be the 32-bit version... you can't get a free upgrade to 64-bit, it seems. :unsure:
Whenever I buy anything prepackaged (which I don't usually do, since typically I build my own desktops from components), the first thing I do is reformat the HD with the included install disc. :smarty:
So I guess your question is an important one and I ought to see if I can find the answer.
Someone once remarked to me about getting a free upgrade to Win7 when you buy Vista - where are the details on that?
If you buy a license (for home use only, I believe) for Vista after June 23rd, 2009, you get a free upgrade to the equivalent version of Windows 7.
You mean Windows 7 will still have 32-bit versions? Seriously? :lmfao:
:huh: Yes. Not everyone has a CPU capable of running a 64 bit OS, believe it or not. Yet, Micro$oft likes being able to sell their products to as many people as possible. :mellow:
Granted, my home desktop is on Vista 64, of course.
and apparently there are still people running 16-bit legacy code that a 64 bit Windows simply can not run.
Quote from: Barrister on July 29, 2009, 01:07:46 PM
and apparently there are still people running 16-bit legacy code that a 64 bit Windows simply can not run.
When I saw that you'd posted I assumed I'd be reading an unwanted Apple ad.
I'm proud of you for refraining Beeb :hug:
I could still give you an Apple ad if you wanted.
You know they dropped prices of their laptops and you can get a very nice MacBook for under $1000. :)
Is 64-bit that much of a "must" for a laptop (espec. if it's for a girl)? Anyway, I say go for it. Amazing how cheap you can get a decent laptop for these days.
Those still with 32bit CPUs won't have enough memory to run that Win7 fluently, or even at all. As for legacy code users, those would be stupid to upgrade at all (which is part of why Vista business penetration is abysmal).
Quote from: derspiess on July 29, 2009, 01:20:27 PM
Is 64-bit that much of a "must" for a laptop (espec. if it's for a girl)? Anyway, I say go for it. Amazing how cheap you can get a decent laptop for these days.
It's really only a RAM issue for most people I believe. And since this particular laptop maxes out at 4GB of RAM I wouldn't think it is an issue at all.
Quote from: derspiess on July 29, 2009, 01:20:27 PM
Is 64-bit that much of a "must" for a laptop (espec. if it's for a girl)?
Normally no, but she plays computer games. :wub:
Quote from: Caliga on July 29, 2009, 12:44:05 PM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4545456&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4545456&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs)
Princesca needs a new laptop for work. I was pushing her to get a netbook, since she always bitched about her last laptop being a pain to lug around, but a friend of hers suggested this offering from Acer.
Only thing I can see "wrong" with it is that it's got 32-bit Vista. At this point I would prefer a 64-bit OS, and while it will qualify for a free Win 7 upgrade, the upgrade will also be the 32-bit version... you can't get a free upgrade to 64-bit, it seems. :unsure:
:o That's an amazing deal! I bought a desktop with similar stats a little more than two years ago for 3 times that much. Before the hard drive difficulty it still ran anything I installed on it without problem.
I found this
http://pcdecrapifier.com/
for the pcilliterate this will get rid of most of the crap you get pre-installed on your computer.
It'll be a good work laptop. It's going to be hot, very hot tho.
Quote from: Iormlund on July 29, 2009, 01:22:50 PM
Those still with 32bit CPUs won't have enough memory to run that Win7 fluently, or even at all. As for legacy code users, those would be stupid to upgrade at all (which is part of why Vista business penetration is abysmal).
:huh: Have you tried it with a 32-bit processor? 'Cuz I have Windows 7 RC running quite well on an old 2.8ghz celeron processor with 1GB memory. I haven't tried it on mine, but I hear that Win7 even runs great on netbooks. It should run fine on this Acer laptop.
Quote from: Viking on July 29, 2009, 01:49:31 PM
I found this
http://pcdecrapifier.com/
for the pcilliterate this will get rid of most of the crap you get pre-installed on your computer.
I prefer the Cal approach: zap the hard drive & start from scratch. Some friends of mine recoiled in horror when I suggested that, so I've pointed them towards the decrapifier, which seems to do a really good job.
Quote from: Grey Fox on July 29, 2009, 01:52:35 PM
It'll be a good work laptop. It's going to be hot, very hot tho.
I tried to warn her about this, too, but she doesn't care... even though overheating issues effectively killed her last laptop.
D
Quote from: Iormlund on July 29, 2009, 01:03:13 PM
You mean Windows 7 will still have 32-bit versions? Seriously? :lmfao:
Isn't 32 bit still the most common kind of computer out there?
I know mine is.
Quote from: derspiess on July 29, 2009, 02:11:06 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on July 29, 2009, 01:22:50 PM
Those still with 32bit CPUs won't have enough memory to run that Win7 fluently, or even at all. As for legacy code users, those would be stupid to upgrade at all (which is part of why Vista business penetration is abysmal).
:huh: Have you tried it with a 32-bit processor? 'Cuz I have Windows 7 RC running quite well on an old 2.8ghz celeron processor with 1GB memory. I haven't tried it on mine, but I hear that Win7 even runs great on netbooks. It should run fine on this Acer laptop.
That's quite interesting, I gather they've listened to complaints about Vista performance then.
And no, I haven't actually used Win7. My field of work (supervision and control) places emphasis on robustness and stability. Upgrade cycles are long and legacy issues paramount. Which is why we're still installing XP on new workstations. My last project, for example, involved upgrading a Pentium III running NT in control of a waste water treatment plant. It was a pain to deal with both old software and hardware (had to switch from DDE to OPC->DDE vía obsolete I/O server among other things). Needless to say, Vista wasn't even considered for the job. Thank Hod.
Quote from: Iormlund on July 29, 2009, 02:51:36 PM
That's quite interesting, I gather they've listened to complaints about Vista performance then.
I can't say what they actually did, but it just seems to scale really well to low-spec systems.
QuoteAnd no, I haven't actually used Win7. My field of work (supervision and control) places emphasis on robustness and stability. Upgrade cycles are long and legacy issues paramount. Which is why we're still installing XP on new workstations. My last project, for example, involved upgrading a Pentium III running NT in control of a waste water treatment plant. It was a pain to deal with both old software and hardware (had to switch from DDE to OPC->DDE vía obsolete I/O server among other things). Needless to say, Vista wasn't even considered for the job. Thank Hod.
Our stuff is banking software that runs on XP & will for a long, long time-- especially since Win7 will have an XP mode :)
The apps we design at work don't seem to work on Vista (I have tested for that actually), and I'm talking about both a webapp built in J2EE and a terminal (IBM iSeries Access) that connects to an AS/400 greenscreen app.
All Acers run hot, and I would actually look into HOW hot it runs- certain Acer power bricks have been linked to fires.
Quote from: Caliga on July 29, 2009, 03:15:22 PM
The apps we design at work don't seem to work on Vista (I have tested for that actually), and I'm talking about both a webapp built in J2EE and a terminal (IBM iSeries Access) that connects to an AS/400 greenscreen app.
With Vista you will have a BSOD app!
Looks good, I'd buy it. But is up to 3 hour battery life enough?
I just bought that laptop, plus two WD Caviar Green 1 Tb hard drives (one for me, one for her). My porn collection shall grow: exponentially! :w00t:
As for battery life, I mentioned that to her, but when she's on the road she's almost always at an office, where she'd be able to plug in.
Quote from: Tyr on July 29, 2009, 02:16:45 PM
DQuote from: Iormlund on July 29, 2009, 01:03:13 PM
You mean Windows 7 will still have 32-bit versions? Seriously? :lmfao:
Isn't 32 bit still the most common kind of computer out there?
I know mine is.
This is what I thought also. I thought 64bit runs into more compatibility problems and what ever else? But I'm not real up on where things stand. My computer is a Vista 32 bit.
Quote from: KRonn on July 31, 2009, 08:02:20 AM
This is what I thought also. I thought 64bit runs into more compatibility problems and what ever else? But I'm not real up on where things stand. My computer is a Vista 32 bit.
Definitely true when 64 bit first debuted (especially on XP), but I have Vista 64 and have no compatibility issues whatsoever.
Quote from: Caliga on July 31, 2009, 08:04:05 AM
Quote from: KRonn on July 31, 2009, 08:02:20 AM
This is what I thought also. I thought 64bit runs into more compatibility problems and what ever else? But I'm not real up on where things stand. My computer is a Vista 32 bit.
Definitely true when 64 bit first debuted (especially on XP), but I have Vista 64 and have no compatibility issues whatsoever.
It works well with games, older ones also? Some just don't run anymore anyway, but I wonder if the issues are about the same as with 32bit?
I can run Crusader Kings on Vista 64 with no problems, which I think says alot. :ph34r:
There are none of them left, I was thinking of getting one to bring with me to Korea. :(
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 10, 2009, 11:52:59 PM
There are none of them left, I was thinking of getting one to bring with me to Korea. :(
She won't be won over with your trinkets, fool. :ultra:
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 10, 2009, 11:52:59 PM
There are none of them left, I was thinking of getting one to bring with me to Korea. :(
I've noticed that Tiger Direct has a tendency to run out of shit faster than NewEgg (which is my normal vendor). NewEgg didn't have that particular laptop, however.
One ghey thing about that laptop: doesn't qualify for a free Win 7 upgrade, for some odd reason.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 10, 2009, 11:52:59 PM
There are none of them left, I was thinking of getting one to bring with me to Korea. :(
Buy one there. Probably cheaper and it will have a Korean keyboard.
Quote from: Iormlund on July 29, 2009, 01:03:13 PM
You mean Windows 7 will still have 32-bit versions? Seriously? :lmfao:
Various Linux distros still have 32-bit versions, and will for a while. As has already been pointed out, there are many legacy boxen out there. Additionally, all of the Atom processors (except the high-end ones) are 32-bit chips, as are several other embedded processors. Then are application compatibility issues. Surprisingly, there is a lot of code out there that still isn't 64-bit clean, so owners of such code need a 32-bit OS running on 64-bit hardware next to a 64-bit OS in order to squish bugs in the 64-bit version.
Quote from: Caliga on August 11, 2009, 05:37:56 AM
I've noticed that Tiger Direct has a tendency to run out of shit faster than NewEgg (which is my normal vendor). NewEgg didn't have that particular laptop, however.
One ghey thing about that laptop: doesn't qualify for a free Win 7 upgrade, for some odd reason.
:huh: That's virtually identical to the Toshiba Satellite I just picked up for my birthday, and that qualified. Is Acer participating in the upgrade program?
Watch you card charges with Tiger Direct. They used to have the rep for plinking extra shit on your credit card.
Quote from: DontSayBanana on August 11, 2009, 08:03:28 AM
Quote from: Caliga on August 11, 2009, 05:37:56 AM
I've noticed that Tiger Direct has a tendency to run out of shit faster than NewEgg (which is my normal vendor). NewEgg didn't have that particular laptop, however.
One ghey thing about that laptop: doesn't qualify for a free Win 7 upgrade, for some odd reason.
:huh: That's virtually identical to the Toshiba Satellite I just picked up for my birthday, and that qualified. Is Acer participating in the upgrade program?
Yes, they are. But when I logged onto their Win 7 upgrade site and entered the laptop serial number, it said "this model does not qualify for a free upgrade". They had a list of models which qualify elsewhere on the site, and sure enough the model wasn't listed, even though dozens of similar models are. :mad:
This might explain why the laptop was such a steal. I'm not that concerned though, as it's not the primary PC for either one of us, so I'm going to have to buy Win 7 no matter what.
Quote from: Caliga on August 11, 2009, 08:10:18 AM
This might explain why the laptop was such a steal. I'm not that concerned though, as it's not the primary PC for either one of us, so I'm going to have to buy Win 7 no matter what.
If you had pre-ordered early, you could've gotten the Win7 upgrade for $40-$50 :contract:
This a good deal?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115586
DP, I want it mostly so I can write home, I don't want a korean keyboard.
I'd buy it.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 11, 2009, 09:44:33 AM
This a good deal?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115586
DP, I want it mostly so I can write home, I don't want a korean keyboard.
Ok. But it would have English too. If you change your mind you can buy stickers to put on your keys.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 11, 2009, 09:44:33 AM
This a good deal?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115586
DP, I want it mostly so I can write home, I don't want a korean keyboard.
Weight and battery life are pros, but everything else could be found in a $400-500 notebook, as opposed to a $550 netbook. You're paying for increased portability, but if you don't mind that, it sounds like a decent deal. Note also that the customer reviews highly recommend wiping the hard drive and using a clean OS install.
I agree with DP, Tim. Buy a laptop in Korea.
I look forward to Tim posting a thread saying he is "in Korea" and everyone snickering and asking if Ide is aware.
Quote from: Caliga on August 11, 2009, 11:16:15 AM
I look forward to Tim posting a thread saying he is "in Korea" and everyone snickering and asking if Ide is aware.
Yeah, that'll be the best thing ever.
Good or not good?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220569
I'll note that I own Cryisis and World in Conflict and may one day get the grpahic busting HOI3! :o
I wouldn't buy anything for which there are not yet any reviews, even though the quality of user reviews tends to be fairly spotty.
Quote from: Caliga on September 08, 2009, 03:06:57 PM
I wouldn't buy anything for which there are not yet any reviews, even though the quality of user reviews tends to be fairly spotty.
:huh:
What? I didn't see any reviews associated with that laptop.
Quote from: Caliga on September 08, 2009, 03:20:47 PM
What? I didn't see any reviews associated with that laptop.
...which you wouldn't trust anyway, based on your other comment, so why do you care?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 08, 2009, 02:22:53 PM
Good or not good?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220569
I'll note that I own Cryisis and World in Conflict and may one day get the grpahic busting HOI3! :o
I am sceptical of AMD/ATI based systems, and would tend to recommend Intel/NVidia.
If your big concern is video games however I'd try and research that 4870 vid card and see how good it is, as that will largely determine how effective that laptop is for a gaming machine. It does seem pretty cheap to run games like Crysis at acceptable levels.
"Tends to be fairly spotty."
I mean if there are 100 reviews saying the battery life sucks or the power connector always breaks off, then I think you need to take those seriously.
Quote from: Barrister on September 08, 2009, 03:23:29 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 08, 2009, 02:22:53 PM
Good or not good?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220569
I'll note that I own Cryisis and World in Conflict and may one day get the grpahic busting HOI3! :o
I am sceptical of AMD/ATI based systems, and would tend to recommend Intel/NVidia.
If your big concern is video games however I'd try and research that 4870 vid card and see how good it is, as that will largely determine how effective that laptop is for a gaming machine. It does seem pretty cheap to run games like Crysis at acceptable levels.
Looks okay.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 08, 2009, 03:25:13 PM
Looks okay.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html
QuoteDemanding games like crysis only run in low-medium detail settings in decent frame rates.
Define "acceptable."
Quote from: ulmont on September 08, 2009, 03:30:53 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 08, 2009, 03:25:13 PM
Looks okay.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html
QuoteDemanding games like crysis only run in low-medium detail settings in decent frame rates.
Define "acceptable."
You have to have a freaking supercomputer to play Crysis at better than medium settings. The current computer I have (Nvidia GeFroce 8600GTS) plays it at medium and it looks amazing.
Computer looks good for gaming. Should run any game at good settings and fps until the next gen consoles come out. Except maybe HoI3.
Quote from: Caliga on July 29, 2009, 01:04:49 PM
:huh: Yes. Not everyone has a CPU capable of running a 64 bit OS, believe it or not. Yet, Micro$oft likes being able to sell their products to as many people as possible. :mellow:
Granted, my home desktop is on Vista 64, of course.
Granted.
Anyone know anything about ASUS? What kind of reputation do they have?
There's a similar laptop by them with a NVIDIA card but, it only has a 250GB hard drive.
It has good reviews.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220547
Which is more valuable, the NVIDIA card over the ATI or the extra drive space?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 08, 2009, 03:55:45 PM
Anyone know anything about ASUS? What kind of reputation do they have?
They have an extremely good rep for motherboards (the best or close to it). However, I have no idea if an "ASUS laptop" is really something they assembled or rather some other company that is licensing the ASUS name.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 08, 2009, 04:45:55 PM
There's a similar laptop by them with a NVIDIA card but, it only has a 250GB hard drive.
It has good reviews.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220547
Which is more valuable, the NVIDIA card over the ATI or the extra drive space?
Remember 250 GB isn't exactly "small". It should be plenty for everyday needs.
But this will be your only system, right? So are you going to use it to store 1000s of songs, movies or pictures?
Overall I would feel more comfortable with the Intel/NVidia setup this system has though.
It's probably cheaper to get an external 1TB HDD then a laptop with one.
Quote from: Barrister on September 08, 2009, 06:11:21 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 08, 2009, 04:45:55 PM
There's a similar laptop by them with a NVIDIA card but, it only has a 250GB hard drive.
It has good reviews.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220547
Which is more valuable, the NVIDIA card over the ATI or the extra drive space?
Remember 250 GB isn't exactly "small". It should be plenty for everyday needs.
But this will be your only system, right? So are you going to use it to store 1000s of songs, movies or pictures?
Overall I would feel more comfortable with the Intel/NVidia setup this system has though.
Is notebookcheck good for reviews?
Looks like the ATI card is better to me.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-G-102M.16313.0.html
Radeons have come a long way since the glitchy 9200 chipsets. To give some perspective, the 3100 in my laptop won't run Crysis, but the system runs Sims 3 on medium settings with pretty much no lag.
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 08, 2009, 06:15:03 PM
It's probably cheaper to get an external 1TB HDD then a laptop with one.
That was my thinking.
And Tim - I dunno about Notebookcheck - never heard of them before. And I don't have any grand surveys or statistics to back me up other than I've owned 3 ATI cards (2 desktop and 1 laptop) and they've all subjectively sucked (and the desktop ones just stopped working), whereas the couple of NVidia ones have worked well. I know othes on Languish have had similar anecdotal reports.
Plus you have AMD vs Intel. I want to like AMD, I really do. But reviews the last few years have put Intel chips ahead on both efficiency and performance. Plus it's always safer (although not always cheaper) to go with the market leader in terms of compatibility.
Then it seems you and DontSayBanana must now fight to the death. God will favor the right. -_-
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 08, 2009, 07:07:56 PM
Then it seems you and DontSayBanana must now fight to the death. God will favor the right. -_-
Actually, I'm no ATI fanboi, but I didn't have the option of nVidia; I did find the 9200/9250/9500/9550 to be a total waste of money and won't argue that ATI cards of that vintage sucked.
I thought you guys were more computer savy than this. :(
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 08, 2009, 09:08:28 PM
I thought you guys were more computer savy than this. :(
It's not an Apple - I'm kind of working outside my comfort zone here. :P
Speaking of which... -_-
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=NzcwNjc1NA
Quote from: Barrister on September 08, 2009, 09:19:30 PM
Speaking of which... -_-
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=NzcwNjc1NA
Boo!