Ferrari 4006 x TravelMate 8204

[Filippo]

Specs:

Acer Ferrari Ferrari4006WLMi

Operating System: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
CPU Type: AMD Turion64 ML-40(2.2GHz)
Screen: 15.4" WSXGA+
Memory Size: 1GB DDR (2x 512MB)
Hard Disk: 100GB (5400 RPM)
Graphics Card: ATI RADEON X700
Price: $2.109,00

Acer TM8204WLMi
Operating System: Windows XP Professional
CPU Type: Intel Core Duo T2500(2.0GHz)
Screen: 15.4" SWXGA+
Memory Size: 2GB DDR2
Hard Disk: 120GB
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon X1600
Price: $2.398,00

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Pros and cons:

Ferrari
64 bit processor
Less 'bugs'
Runs cooler
Slower RAM
Single core
Expensive RAM upgrade

8204
Better graphics
Better HD
Already comes with 2GB RAM
Faster RAM
Dual core fast processor
32 bit
Many bugs and things 'to-do'


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Price and specwise, they are both quite similar... if you spend the $300 spread, you can get give the Ferrari 2GB of RAM and maybe a 7200RPM HDD, however the 8204 still wins because of the GPU and processor.

My question is, wich one should I buy?

The biggest question in my head is future adaptability.... I intend to keep this laptop for at the very least 3 years, but my goal is to have it last 5 years... so even though 64 bit isnt going to be a huge deal this year or next, how about further on the road??

Im positive that in 2008+ we will be using 64bit applications as we use today... the question is, will the ferrari handle it 3 years from now? Because its pointless to buy a 64bit computer worrying about the future, but when the time comes it is just too slow for the technologies available...

any feedback is appreciated, thanks in advance

[Rastlin]

I would go with the 8204, there is a chance you will be able to upgrade it to Merom a 64 bit CPU around the end of this year (I would say it's 50/50) I suspect in a year you will start to see a good offering of 64 bit programs, in 2 years that most programs will be 64 bit, and in 3 years that everything new will be 64 bit, however I do not see support for 32 bit CPU's being pulled for at least 3~4 years.

That is just my guess though, don't take it as writen in stone.

Also note that I am suggesting the 8204 for the GPU, there will likely be some Turion+X1600 laptops showing up soon, the MSI 1039 comes to mind, I might wait for one of those if I were you.

[Filippo]

Originally Posted by Rastlin

I would go with the 8204, there is a chance you will be able to upgrade it to Merom a 64 bit CPU around the end of this year (I would say it's 50/50) I suspect in a year you will start to see a good offering of 64 bit programs, in 2 years that most programs will be 64 bit, and in 3 years that everything new will be 64 bit, however I do not see support for 32 bit CPU's being pulled for at least 3~4 years.

Erm you say that in 2-3 year 64bit will rule the PC world, an yet you suggest the 32bit notebook? o_o

Originally Posted by Rastlin

That is just my guess though, don't take it as writen in stone.

Also note that I am suggesting the 8204 for the GPU, there will likely be some Turion+X1600 laptops showing up soon, the MSI 1039 comes to mind, I might wait for one of those if I were you.

Well the thing is that I cant wait, because I live in Brazil and I have the opportunity to buy a notebook next week and brin it from the USA so..

[wynand32]

I'd make a different prediction: in 3 years, there will be certain applications that support 64-bit, but they will be the exception rather than the rule and will be based principally on the benefit to be gained by 64-bitness (CAD/CAM and video processing will lead the pack).

Most applications will remain 32-bit, to support the hundreds of millions of 32-bit processors still out there. By that time, more applications will finally exploit dual-core processors, which by then will have been available for almost 5 years.

I'm not EVEN concerned that any application that I rely on will 1) require a 64-bit processor or 2) even benefit tremendously from one, in anything less than 5 years.

[czm2000]

[zaphod911]

wait for the ferrari 4200. not sure about its due date, however plan on simalarities to the 8204 in everything but the processor.

[stew]

for the past 3-4 years everyone has been warning about how 32-bit was going to be replaced by 64-bit in the coming 1-2 years. nothing has happened. i wouldn't be surprised if the total transition was only complete in 8-10 years.

[czm2000]

I'm holding out until 128 bit

[efalis]

I wouldn't worry too much about 64-bit yet. My company sells sw development environments for very technical applications. While we've ported our compilers to target 64-bit architectures, even in our market space they're not moving too fast yet.

- Ed