[squeeforever]

Originally Posted by brijar

Me and my family are looking to buy a laptop. We are comparing the Toshiba A215-S7428 and the HP Pavilion dv6439. They both cost about the same with rebates, so we're not horribly worried about that. We have several desktop computers, about 4 or 5, that run Windows 98SE (about 512mb RAM, the slowest running ~700MHz, the fastest running 1.7GHz, others around 1.1GHz and 1.3GHz).
We are looking for a laptop that will be as compatable as possible with our current computers.

1. Should we get 64 bit Windows Vista? I have read a little bit about 64 bit, and it seems to me that it will be incompatable with most of our hardware, due to lack of 64 bit drivers, but will be able to run most of our 32 bit programs with WoW64. Is it worth the trouble to get the extra performance of 64 bit, or should we just stick with 32 bit?

2. If we should stay with 32 bit, how do we get a 32 bit version of the above mentioned laptops?

3. Does anyone have an opinion on which CPU is better in the laptops?
Toshiba - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor TK-55 operating at 1.8GHz
HP - 1.7 GHz, AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TK-53 (512KB L2 Cache)

4. We currently have a NetGear RP114 router (4 wired ports w/ 1 input port). The new laptop will have wireless capabilities. We need a good, fairly cheap(less than $100) router that can do wireless, but still has at least 4 wired ports (I would like more to hook a future Xbox 360 up to ). Any suggestions?

5. What should we be wary of that would not be good to have on a laptop?

I will probably come up with more questions later.

Thanx,
Brijar!!!

Also, we have this fried Toshiba A75 laptop, and it had some kind of Lithium Ion battery pack, like 14.8v ~6450 MaH. Someone spilled coke (the beverage) on it, and it fried, but the battery was OK, we think. We weren't able to do anything with the battery, so it has just sat for about 2 years. Is it still salvagable, or will it be useless? I am under the impression that it is just fine, unlike NiMH packs that self discharge, but I could be wrong.
Is there any way to test it?

Like BP, I just built my computer not long ago and I opted for the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ instead of a Core 2 Duo. Personally, I like the AMD's more than the Intels. Not really bias as I've had both. I think you should go with something with a Turion though since there laptop specific if I'm not mistaken, and should run cooler and conserve power better. Not 100% on that though. I to would go with XP. Try and get Media Center Edition or XP 64 bit edition though. Vista just isn't that great. Besides, its horrible when playing games. As for routers, I have a Motorola WR850G and it works great. wireless is fast as hell and has 4 wired ports as well.