Arghhhhhhhh ! Help !
I've been trolling the world wide (!) web for the last few days for a new laptop to buy but still can't find one yet. The good news is that I've managed to narrow it down to 2 choices.
Step forward the Acer Aspire 1802 WSMi and Acer Aspire 2023 Wmi.
Here are the specs :
Acer Aspire 1802 WSMi : Microsoft® Windows® XP Home ; Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 530 with HT Technology (Chipset - Intel 915Express, 3.0GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB); 512MB (256/256) PC2700 DDR333 SDRAM; 4200rpm 80GB hard drive; integrated Super Multi Write Plus (DVD –RW, +RW, -RAM) slot-in drive; 5-in-1 card reader; 17.0" WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT display; ATI® MOBILITY™ RADEON™ X600 graphics, 64MB DDR with PCI Express; 802.11b/g WLAN, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem, Bluetooth, SPDIF & 2.1 surround sound + subwoofer and etc.
Acer Aspire 2023 Wmi : Microsoft® Windows® XP Home ; Intel® Pentium® M Centrino 725 (Chipset - Intel 855GME, 1.6GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 400MHz FSB) ; 512MB (256/256) PC2700 DDR333 SDRAM; 4200 rpm 60GB hard drive; integrated Super Multi Write Plus (DVD –RW, +RW, -RAM) slot-in drive; 4-in-1 card reader; 15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT display; ATI® MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9700 graphics, 128MB DDR; 802.11b/g WLAN, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem, Bluetooth, SPDIF & 2.1 surround sound + subwoofer and etc.
I've read many reviews, forums and all the horse**** that usually comes along with buying an expensive 'toy'. My main criteria in a laptop are mainly for university work and hopefully career/jobs-related work. So a processing muscle and good graphics is important so I can chill out after a stressful day with some addictive games ! (I love sports and strategy/simulation games - can't wait to try out FIFA 2005 !!!).
Now...I've had mixed reviews so far regarding both their graphic cards. And how bout the Centrino ? Is it enough to play games and run word-processing, AUTOCAD, Visual.net, image processing and video-editing tools ?
Which of these two will last me the longest ? I plan to keep either one of these laptops for at least 5 years (I know bout the Longhorn - darn !). I also rang Acer UK, the guy said that at the moment, PCI-E in theory is scaleable and can be upgraded which means the GPU can be changed in future. However, at the moment ACER does not offer anything of such so it's useless. 1) Acer has to make compatible GPUs to replace the pathetic 64Mb X600 2) Only Acer techies are certified to replace such a thing and if done so, the warranty will be terminated
So you see my dilemma. The centrino one is slightly cheaper than the P4 (10-20 pounds or $30-50 US dollars). It's also lighter, sleeker and less bulky. However, the ergonomics of the keyboard for the centrino is quite poor. The buttons and volume control interfere with the user's wrist and can be uncomfortable. In contrast, the 1802 P4's buttons are at the side, and not on the wrist pad area, so it's not in the way. The P4 also has a full-size keyboard (100+ keys).
Yesterday I almost decided to screw all the thinking and decision making and get a 1714 instead but then again, I don't like the weight and size. After measuring the 1802, the size is not much of a difference as compared ot the 1714, although it's way much lighter. 17" or 15.4 " widescreen ? Hmmm i really can't decide to be honest.
If you guys were in my position, which one would you go for ? Please advise. Would really appreaciate your feedback. Thanks !
I've been trolling the world wide (!) web for the last few days for a new laptop to buy but still can't find one yet. The good news is that I've managed to narrow it down to 2 choices.
Step forward the Acer Aspire 1802 WSMi and Acer Aspire 2023 Wmi.
Here are the specs :
Acer Aspire 1802 WSMi : Microsoft® Windows® XP Home ; Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 530 with HT Technology (Chipset - Intel 915Express, 3.0GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB); 512MB (256/256) PC2700 DDR333 SDRAM; 4200rpm 80GB hard drive; integrated Super Multi Write Plus (DVD –RW, +RW, -RAM) slot-in drive; 5-in-1 card reader; 17.0" WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT display; ATI® MOBILITY™ RADEON™ X600 graphics, 64MB DDR with PCI Express; 802.11b/g WLAN, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem, Bluetooth, SPDIF & 2.1 surround sound + subwoofer and etc.
Acer Aspire 2023 Wmi : Microsoft® Windows® XP Home ; Intel® Pentium® M Centrino 725 (Chipset - Intel 855GME, 1.6GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 400MHz FSB) ; 512MB (256/256) PC2700 DDR333 SDRAM; 4200 rpm 60GB hard drive; integrated Super Multi Write Plus (DVD –RW, +RW, -RAM) slot-in drive; 4-in-1 card reader; 15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT display; ATI® MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9700 graphics, 128MB DDR; 802.11b/g WLAN, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem, Bluetooth, SPDIF & 2.1 surround sound + subwoofer and etc.
I've read many reviews, forums and all the horse**** that usually comes along with buying an expensive 'toy'. My main criteria in a laptop are mainly for university work and hopefully career/jobs-related work. So a processing muscle and good graphics is important so I can chill out after a stressful day with some addictive games ! (I love sports and strategy/simulation games - can't wait to try out FIFA 2005 !!!).
Now...I've had mixed reviews so far regarding both their graphic cards. And how bout the Centrino ? Is it enough to play games and run word-processing, AUTOCAD, Visual.net, image processing and video-editing tools ?
Which of these two will last me the longest ? I plan to keep either one of these laptops for at least 5 years (I know bout the Longhorn - darn !). I also rang Acer UK, the guy said that at the moment, PCI-E in theory is scaleable and can be upgraded which means the GPU can be changed in future. However, at the moment ACER does not offer anything of such so it's useless. 1) Acer has to make compatible GPUs to replace the pathetic 64Mb X600 2) Only Acer techies are certified to replace such a thing and if done so, the warranty will be terminated
So you see my dilemma. The centrino one is slightly cheaper than the P4 (10-20 pounds or $30-50 US dollars). It's also lighter, sleeker and less bulky. However, the ergonomics of the keyboard for the centrino is quite poor. The buttons and volume control interfere with the user's wrist and can be uncomfortable. In contrast, the 1802 P4's buttons are at the side, and not on the wrist pad area, so it's not in the way. The P4 also has a full-size keyboard (100+ keys).
Yesterday I almost decided to screw all the thinking and decision making and get a 1714 instead but then again, I don't like the weight and size. After measuring the 1802, the size is not much of a difference as compared ot the 1714, although it's way much lighter. 17" or 15.4 " widescreen ? Hmmm i really can't decide to be honest.
If you guys were in my position, which one would you go for ? Please advise. Would really appreaciate your feedback. Thanks !
