Gongshow11 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 Looking for a new laptop, and I only really need it for internet, some online poker, nothing special. I don't want to overpay for anything, and will probably go PC since they are all sub $1000. I really don't even need it for microsoft office, just chatting and surfing when I'm on the road. My question then lies, is it better to get a laptop with an Intel processor or an AMD. I know intell is usually more, but am I paying for the name? I found a sale on an Acer (i think its a decent company with some buddies i know having them) with an AMD that is factory refurbished for sub $500, and has the following in it:Acer Aspire AS5515-5879 15.4" WXGA Thin Notebook, AMD Athlon 2650e, 1.6GHz, 3GB, 160GB, DVDRW, Vista Home Basic Factory Refurblet me know if you think it's a good deal. my last computer lasted me 6 years mind you,, so should this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prhockey2607 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 From what I've experienced, Intel has a better chip but for what you would be doing, you shouldn't notice a difference between the two. I don't know much about that specific processor but I know that with a speed of 1.6Ghz, the computer could be a little slow if you are running multiple programs at once. I don't think this computer will last for 6 years with all the problems with Vista, but you never know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gongshow11 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 k slowness is a concern, my biggest pet peeve is lag on a computer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thockey17 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 What about a Netbook? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gongshow11 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 what is that? and how much do those go for? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hidious 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 There are many notebook reviews on the net and it's a good idea to check some out when you find a deal like that. This way, you can avoid bad laptops with known problems (overheating, unstable components, etc.)With a quick google search, i came to the conclusion that what you found is a bad deal. Looks like Wal-Mart was selling it for 349$ (same specs). Also, many people seem happy with it but this guy, for example, sounds like he knows about laptops and isn't convinced:I bought this laptop because it was cheap and I want to see how good the Acer brand is. I usually stick with HP, Toshiba, and Dell laptops. I find that this laptop run considerably slower than all of my recent laptops. I failed to notice that the Acer laptop runs on single core AMD Athlon 64. Window experience index put it at 2.7 where as 2 of my duo core 2GB RAM Toshiba are 3.2. I notice that the laptop isnt sturdy either, I lifted up 1 corner of the laptop and it bent up, no other laptops I owned have this problem. So I dont recommend people to pick it up with one hand or on the corner or handle it roughly. The second issues is that it run slow and lags a lot, this can be resolve usually by restarting / warm booting the laptop. Sometimes the Interner Explorer suddenly should down or ope tabs uncontrollably but it can just be I.E. problems. I removed all the unnecessary preinstalled sw in the laptop. Over all, it’s very good for a beginner or second laptop for minor usage like mails, school, browsing, online shopping, etc.. Its price is hard to beat.Source: http://gosublogger.com/2009/01/acer-as5515...ter-at-walmart/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chk hrd 164 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 be careful of the Acer laptop. If it has been refurbished see if you can find out what was fixed. If it was the motherboard (good chance of it) pass on it. I had to try and repair my bosses Acer laptop, went through it top to bottom. The motherboard had to be sent to Canada for repair/replacement (only place that could do it) and it took over three months to get back. Still doesn't work and isn't worth trying to fix. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rustpot 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 Netbooks are machines built with low specs specifically for internet and light program use. They're cheap, they're light, they have larger battery life, essentially what a laptop should be when it's your secondary machine.Asus Eee PC is the best IMO. Buy the $350 version on Newegg.com, get a stick of 2gig RAM for $15 more and you've got a no-frills internet machine that does everything you need and you're not paying an extra $500 for media junk, performance you'll never use, graphics card you don't need, etc.I'm on my Eee 1000HA right now, had it for a few months, wonderful machine. I absolutely love it for taking to campus, the smaller size and sub-2.5lb weight is so nice for carrying around. Plus I don't need my charger with a 7 hour battery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gongshow11 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 I appreciate the netbook recommendation, but i would prefer a laptop just incase i would need it for something more in the future Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cptjeff 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 Be wary of acers. They're notorious for crappy quality. They may have decent specs, but the parts they use are cheap and break, even in things like the casing. If you want something cheaper that's also good quality, Asus makes good stuff. They make a lot of the parts and computers for other brands, including macs, but since they're relatively new as their own brand they can be had for a pretty good price. Honestly, the best fit for you is probalby a netbook as mentioned earlier. Small, cheap and are basically built as Internet terminals. Look at the Asus Eee Pc. But an acer is not going to last you 6 years. No way, no how.If you really want full out laptop though, and you want it to last, you're going to want something close to top spec. That's not. It's pretty good, but if you want it to last 6 years with the potential for running as more then a net machine then you're going to be paying more then $500. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gongshow11 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 I do not want a netbook...because in the future i might need to use more features that a laptop would offer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rustpot 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 I do not want a netbook...because in the future i might need to use more features that a laptop would offerI won't go too deep into this, but if you're really concerned about power and how things will be 3 or more years from now, you'll probably be unhappy with anything you buy right now.What do you foresee yourself needing to use? Solid modeling, photo editing, film/music production, gaming? None of those can be run well on a sub-$1000 laptop today. Everything else can be pretty much done via web-based or open source programs, and any little niche computing needs would be best served by dedicated machines that school/jobs provide. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gongshow11 1 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 i want one where i can manage music, pictures, cruise the net, use skype. My most recent computer was 6 years old but lasted till now even with its slower components. But I need a laptop as the one I have now is a desktop, and where I'm going next year, it will be my method of communication. I looked into a netbook after you mentioned it and it just doesn't suit me. Allt he graphic and software stuff comes in handy now and then, so i just want a laptop. in saying i want it to last compared to my other one was too vague, if i can get 3-4 years out of it i'll be more than happy. I am aware of planned obsolescence, so I just want something reliable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prhockey2607 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2009 Since you are looking for something longer term, keep in mind that Windows will be releasing a new os - windows 7. It is scheduled to be released on October 22nd. I don't know if they will change the date but it's supposedly correcting some of Vista's biggest flaws. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shotty 7 Report post Posted June 10, 2009 i would spend the extra and get intel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatwabbit 93 Report post Posted June 10, 2009 Netbooks are machines built with low specs specifically for internet and light program use. They're cheap, they're light, they have larger battery life, essentially what a laptop should be when it's your secondary machine.Asus Eee PC is the best IMO. Buy the $350 version on Newegg.com, get a stick of 2gig RAM for $15 more and you've got a no-frills internet machine that does everything you need and you're not paying an extra $500 for media junk, performance you'll never use, graphics card you don't need, etc.I'm on my Eee 1000HA right now, had it for a few months, wonderful machine. I absolutely love it for taking to campus, the smaller size and sub-2.5lb weight is so nice for carrying around. Plus I don't need my charger with a 7 hour battery.Actually, some netbooks are already on par in terms of the specs to a normal laptop. I agree with Rustpot, the Asus is a good pc. I was intending to get one for my mom last month, but she opted to get a 12.1inch screen Lenovo instead as she sells educational software and needed to show the features to customers. The Asus EEE PC has a new model, the 1000HE. A lot of reviews online, and with 2GB ram, 160GB HDD, it matches most mid level laptops. I tried it out at the store last month, and didnt feel any different from using my normal laptop in terms of typing and ergonomics. Its got an Intel Atom processor, and works very well...The only thing it doesnt have is a DVD Rom drive, but in my case I rarely use that feature anyway. most of my stuff can be stored on a thumb drive... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gongshow11 1 Report post Posted June 10, 2009 I forgot to mention i do watch DVDs often on my PC, and plan on doing the same Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gongshow11 1 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 ok I know i bad mouthed the netbook, but with a sudden lack of finances, i might have to get one as I will be overseas for 6 months. With this i have a few questions:1) can you download music on them?2) does itunes work on them?3) can you watch videos online in them in say divx format?4) can you use skype on one?5) can you watch dvds? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adam14 182 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 Yes to all of the above, you just need to download the appropriate programs. Although might I suggesttjat you also buy an external hard drive to keep it running smoothly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rustpot 1 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 The Asus Eee comes with skype, I have iTunes on mine, watch movies, play music, etc. Just get a set of headphones as the normal speakers are lacking.They are a normal computer sans a disk drive, and without unnecessarily huge specs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usahockey22 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 Actually, some netbooks are already on par in terms of the specs to a normal laptop. A lot of reviews online, and with 2GB ram, 160GB HDD, it matches most mid level laptops. I tried it out at the store last month, and didnt feel any different from using my normal laptop in terms of typing and ergonomics. Its got an Intel Atom processor, and works very well...No, netbooks are not on par with normal laptops; the asus does not match mid level laptops. The Intel Atom processors that are used in these computers are very much lacking in performance compared to processors you will find in even a lower end regular laptop. They were not even originally designed for computers, but for mobile/handheld devices. The benchmarks on these processors are equivalent to old Pentium 4 and celeron chips; also, a max 2GB of ram will not run Vista well at all. If you can only afford a netbook, you'd at least be better off running one with XP.Basically the netbooks are good for being cheap and having a long battery life. If all you want to do is mobile computing, like going to class and taking notes, sending e-mails away from home, or browsing the web in internet cafes, then it would be a good choice. But for a primary computer, they do not suffice.ok I know i bad mouthed the netbook, but with a sudden lack of finances, i might have to get one as I will be overseas for 6 months. With this i have a few questions:1) can you download music on them?2) does itunes work on them?3) can you watch videos online in them in say divx format?4) can you use skype on one?5) can you watch dvds?They will do these things, but some of them they will not do very well. First of all, they do not have optical disk drives, so in order to watch dvds you will need to purchase an external dvd player to connect to it. Watching large divx movies is doable, but it's a stretch; you might not be able to watch some of them smoothly. Also, many of the netbooks can only get very low resolution. I would highly recommend getting a cheap regular laptop over a netbook, if this will be your primary system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
furlanitalia 1 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 What is your budget? I just picked up an hp laptop for my mom's birthday that had hdmi out, wireless N, lightscribe, 4gb ram, 320 hdd, 17 inch screen, full keyboard, and a lot of other high end features she will never use, but the laptop was only $699. For $569 the model down was still very well loaded. IMO opinion netbooks are just for surfing the net. I know you can get some with 160gb hard drives and such, but unless a small screen is your thing, I don't find them very useful. For the extra 200 dollars, you're better off with an actual laptop.EDIT: lol, my 1000th post wasn't even about hockey.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gongshow11 1 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 furlanitalia where did you get that HP...that 569 one sounds good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usahockey22 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 check out newegg.com, they have HPs and other decent brand laptops going on sale all the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bender 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2009 Actually, some netbooks are already on par in terms of the specs to a normal laptop. A lot of reviews online, and with 2GB ram, 160GB HDD, it matches most mid level laptops. I tried it out at the store last month, and didnt feel any different from using my normal laptop in terms of typing and ergonomics. Its got an Intel Atom processor, and works very well...a max 2GB of ram will not run Vista well at all. If you can only afford a netbook, you'd at least be better off running one with XP.That's why the first asus netbooks and linux on them, far lighter on the system than even XP is, perfect for a low powered computer! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
