A Few Laptop Questions

[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?

[Arct1k]

I'd like to start with I have both AMD and Intel machines so not a "fanboy" either way.

I would stay clear of the AMD processors at the moment - currently Intel are ahead on the curve at the moment - AMD will catchup but Intel is much better.

I run Vista 64 on my home machine - The only reason to run Vista 64 though is that you can have more than 2GB of memory. 32bit OS can't see all of the 4gb memory.

The only app that doesn't work for me is Castle Link!

One critcal thing to watch for is the video card - beware of skimping in this area it will hurt your performance.

PC's all come down to price - How much do you want to spend?

Happy to do a hunt around for a deal for you...

PM me

PS nothing special required for a laptop to run either vista 32 or 64 but normally unless very high end (vista ultimate) or low end (vista basic) most will come with vista 32 home premium

[aqwut]

I would go for an Core 2 Duo.. they really are kicking butt.. and this is coming from an AMD fan

[BP-Revo]

I agree with the whole Core 2 Duo part. Personally, I'd just go to Dell.com and just build a laptop there to fit your price range. You can get a basic one for as little as a few hundred bucks or a RIDICULOUSLY powerful one for ~4 grand (yes, its a lot, but it makes 99% of the desktops look like they were from the stone age).

If I were you I'd just try to get XP Pro on the computer. Vista is just too new right now. Its got glitches, not enough driver/software support, and eats system resources.

My system could easily run Vista, so its not like I'm just being sour because my system can't support it. I have a 3ghz Core 2 Duo (overclocked). Its a beast...the only time I ever got it to skip a beat was when I had EVERY single Adobe CS3 program opened at once (which is like 12 programs or so). And if anyone is familiar with Adobe CS3 programs, they eat resources like no other...

Its powerful enough where I can render a 12000 frame video and play CounterStrike Source at the same time without any reduction in speed.

[t-maxxracer32]

Originally Posted by BP-Revo

I agree with the whole Core 2 Duo part. Personally, I'd just go to Dell.com and just build a laptop there to fit your price range. You can get a basic one for as little as a few hundred bucks or a RIDICULOUSLY powerful one for ~4 grand (yes, its a lot, but it makes 99% of the desktops look like they were from the stone age).

If I were you I'd just try to get XP Pro on the computer. Vista is just too new right now. Its got glitches, not enough driver/software support, and eats system resources.

My system could easily run Vista, so its not like I'm just being sour because my system can't support it. I have a 3ghz Core 2 Duo (overclocked). Its a beast...the only time I ever got it to skip a beat was when I had EVERY single Adobe CS3 program opened at once (which is like 12 programs or so). And if anyone is familiar with Adobe CS3 programs, they eat resources like no other...

Its powerful enough where I can render a 12000 frame video and play CounterStrike Source at the same time without any reduction in speed.

wow lol that is a beast.

is that a laptop you are talking about?

even though vista has glitches i would still get it. if you want to upgrade to vista later it is quite expensive. maybe its alot cheaper to downgrade from vista to XP but IMO vista is the way to go. everything is alot nicer and more modern.

HP laptops are amazing and that is what i would go with.

[BP-Revo]

No, my system is actually a desktop. But you can get a 2.8ghz laptop. Its the Dell Inspiron XPS M1730. Its the only laptop that I know of that has RAID and SLI Video Cards. It has a Core 2 Extreme processor with 8mb of L2 cash and can be overclocked to 3.4ghz.

[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.

[BP-Revo]

Oh, I almost forgot. If you want wireless, don't waste your money buying a whole new router. Just buy an access point. It plugs into your router like any other computer but it can be accessed by multiple wireless users.

If you end up needing more ports, then just buy a switch. If I'm not mistaken, you can buy a switch/wireless access point in one, but without the router function so you can just use your current router.

[Arct1k]

Just like to add another vote for Intel & Vista... I've run it since Beta and stability / driver issues are pretty much non existent now...

Mine is an intel core 2 duo a desktop - E6600 2.4GHz O/C to 3.2GHz with no issues at all - 50% performance increase for free - Run 4GB Ram with a 8800GTX and a 24" monitor and Vista 64...

I was heavy into PC's before RC!

One thing to consider is do you need a laptop - PC's offer better peformance and cheaper - components can be upgrades too.

[BP-Revo]

Wow...3.2 off an E6600? I just went to 3...its plenty... I have an Overclocked 8800GTX as well, but only a 22" monitor, and just 2GB of RAM.

What do you do on your computer Arct1k? I edit movies and stuff as well as play some pretty graphic-intense games.

[aqwut]

overclocking the video card doesn't do much for me.... the 8800 GT's performance is almost part with the GTX but @ a fraction of the cost... I have a core2 duo 1.8GHz clocked to 3.0, 4GB memory, 6X 15K SCSI U320, 1x 10K 147GB SCSI, I have SLI (old) 7800 GTs.. SB Xi-Fi Elite Pro... 1000 Watts RMS sound system with subs... 22" LCD as well...

But Brijar, if you're just using the laptop to surf the web, almost any system would do.... Either the AMD or INTEL cpus would be fine... just make sure you have atleast a gig of ram & and fast hard drive.. :) those are my thoughts..

[Arct1k]

Hmm Very fast web browsing mainly! LOL...

I built it when I was running a lot of BF2...

Try this

http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?Dx=mode+matchallpartial&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Ntk=Text_Search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&D=IntelSeptember&search=IntelSeptember&Ntt=IntelSeptember&topnav=&cm_mmc=BCEmail_248_US-_-Computers-_-15-_-IntelSeptember_BCEmail_248_US

[brijar]

OK, we have figured out that the only things we will be doing with the laptop are probably using it for homework (MS Word) on the road, being able to browse the internet anywhere at home, and maybe using it to run Viper Racing(very old game, still fun, but easily runs on my 700MHz CPU 16MB video card computer) when I have friends over. Not really going to do much video editing or high end gaming, as that should be left to the Xbox 360's and Desktops.

I'm still confused on the 64 bit thingy. I would also like to be able to use my Castle Link software to program my ESC when I leave my desktops.
Cheaper is better. I would like to keep it under $500 if possible.

Another thing. We have Windows 98SE on all our computers. Where is a good place to get Windows XP for a decent price? I would like to convert at least my computer, if not my dad's and my brothers too, once I upgrade the hardware for playing games like Battlefield 2, Live For Speed, and other resource hogging games.
I don't have very much money, so I would like to keep the upgrading as cheap as possible. Does anyone have any suggestions for upgrading my Desktop's:
1. Motherboard
2. Video Card
3. CPU
4. How much memory to get?

Also, overclocking. I've heard about it. My dad says he did it once on a computer a while ago, but it made the fan run really loud and he didn't like the idea that this was hurting the CPU. I have considered overclocking so I can run better games (I get an average framerate of 10FPS on Live For Speed), but is it really worth it, and how badly does it hurt the computer?

Thanx,
Brijar!!!

[squeeforever]

A bit torrent sites a good place to get XP.

[Arct1k]

OC is like running a MM on a revo - Provided you know what you are doing and take care - No harm done.

For $500 you are better off getting a door buster and going with XP. Don't expect to do much gaming with it.

My best tip is to look here for the desktops:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/...w_cost_system/

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/..._2007_edition/

Drop me a PM - this kind of stuff is my job...