Laptop recommendation

[scracha]

Funny, I always get a better response here than Geekzone.

After a laptop between 14" and 16".
Must have eSATA
Must have HDMI
Would like serial port (remember them) but not essential
Must not be Acer
Would like it to be under 2K.

Best recommendation gets two beer tokens

[mashman]

Funny, I always get a better response here than Geekzone.

After a laptop between 14" and 16".
Must have eSATA
Must have HDMI
Would like serial port (remember them) but not essential
Must not be Acer
Would like it to be under 2K.

Best recommendation gets two beer tokens

wotcha gonna be using it for? Graphics, development, word processor, games, internet dating etc...

[scracha]

Bit of CAD. Mostly general purpose stuff, nothing too taxing. Serial would be nice as hooking it up to PLC's but current USB->Serial interface dongley thingie works OK. Not sure if it'll work on 64 bit or Win 7 so plannning on using booting XP from external drive....thus the eSATA requirement. Oh, and watching filthy bike video's so the HDMI is needed. Must be Win 7 Pro with downgrade to XP Pro or Vice Versa

[mashman]

I've been a Toshiba convert for many years now. This isn't exactly top of the line, so you'll likely be able to get it cheaper somewhere else... but this should do the trick

http://www.mytoshiba.co.nz/products/notebooks/satellite/l500/psls9a-025012/specifications#details

[bane]

...but this should do the trick

http://www.mytoshiba.co.nz/products/notebooks/satellite/l500/psls9a-025012/specifications#details

yep, but the problem is the requirement for W7 Pro. There are a number of Toshiba/HP laptops that would fit the bill if W7HP was okay (std "home user entertainment" laptops). If you're stuck on W7 Pro, you'll need to track down a business laptop.


btw, isnt this selling freezers to eskimos? dont you fix and sell computers for a living?


Do you have a Tech Pacific a/c (Ingram Micro)?

if yes, something like this might do the trick

HEWLETT-PACKARD: HP ProBook 4510s Core 2 Duo T6570 2GB W7 +Bag+Mse (HNB4512B)
PROCESSOR : Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6570
2.10 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB
MEMORY : 2048MB (1 x 2048MB) DDR3 1333MHz DIMM
MEM SLOTS : 2 slots supporting dual channel memory
STORAGE : 250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard disk
OPTICAL DRIVE : DVDRW Super Multi Double Layer with LightScribe
DISPLAY : 15.6-inch diagonal LED-backlit HD6
RESOLUTION : 1366 x 768
CAMERA : 2 MP webcam
COMM : Marvell Ethernet (10/100/1000 NIC), Intel 802.11 b/g/n,
Bluetooth 2.0
GRAPHICS : ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 graphics with 512 MB dedicated
video memory
AUDIO : High Definition Audio, stereo speakers, stereo headphone/
line out, stereo microphone in, integrated microphone
PORTS : 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI, 1 x stereo microphone in,
stereo headphone/line out, 1 x RJ-45, power connector
SLOTS : 1 x ExpressCard/34 slot, Media Card Reader
OS : Windows 7 Professional
DIMENSION : 31.5 x 371.8 x 249.6 mm
WEIGHT : Starting at 2.59 kg
Battery : 8 Cell to support discrete graphics
+++ BUNDLED WITH HP ELEMENTARY CASE PLUS HP BLUETOOTH MOUSE +++
(~$1200 +GST) - but looks like lacks esata...

OR:
HEWLETT-PACKARD: HP ProBook 4710s Core 2 Duo P8700 4GB 17.3+Mouse (HNB4711B)
PROCESSOR : Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 processor
2.53 GHz, 3MB Cache, 1066 MHz FSB
MEMORY : 4096MB (2 x 2048MB) DDR3 1333MHz DIMM memory
MEM SLOTS : 2 slots
CHIPSET : Mobile Intel PM45 Express Chipset
STORAGE : 320GB 7200rpm hard disk drive
OPTICAL DRIVE : DVDRW Super Multi Double Layer with LightScribe
DISPLAY : 17.3-inch diagonal LED-backlit HD+
RESOLUTION : 1600 x 900
CAMERA : 2 MP webcam
OS : XPPro Installed with Windows 7 Pro Lic Both Media in box
COMM : Marvell Ethernet (10/100/1000 NIC),
Intel 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.0
GRAPHICS : ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330, with 512MB dedicated video mem
AUDIO : High Definition Audio, stereo speakers, stereo headphone/
line out, stereo microphone in, integrated microphone
PORTS : 4 x USB 2.0 ports, VGA, HDMI, stereo microphone in, stereo
headphone/line out, power connector, RJ-45/ethernet
SLOTS : 1 ExpressCard/34 slot, Media Card Reader
DIMENSION : 32 x 410.6 x 270 mm
WEIGHT : starting 3.08 kg
(~$1500 +GST) - but again looks like lacks esata...

[PuppetMaster]

IPAD...........
The first one Bane posted above looks nice, cept I'd double the RAM.

[mashman]

yep, but the problem is the requirement for W7 Pro. There are a number of Toshiba/HP laptops that would fit the bill if W7HP was okay (std "home user entertainment" laptops). If you're stuck on W7 Pro, you'll need to track down a business laptop.


Any reason why? Just for my own knowledge.

I've had a few HP's that have been a PITA over the years (once worked for them), drivers always seemed flakey and 64-bit support always seemed to be lagging for their hardware. Just my experience though...

[SPman]

Just got a Dell Studio 15 - it's got similar specs to the HP 4710 above, but it's got an eSATA port & 500GB HD - but only 2 USB ports!!!
Last laptop fell victim to the dreaded Nvidia GS8400 meltdown, so now whilst it runs, you can't see squat, and I don't want to pay $450 for a new MB (the GPU is soldered to the MB), although I beleive if you bake the MB at 375F for 8 mins, it can cure the problem.......

[golfmade]

Don't know about prices down there but I've not had too much trouble with HP/Compaq laptops in the past. Wife just got a monster of an HP laptop with Win7 and it works great. I don't like Acer as well but Asus has good parts, most of my desktop computer is Asus parts. I know they've mostly been making a bazillion different variations of the EEE pc but should have 14-16" laptops with the specs you need.

[scracha]

http://www.mytoshiba.co.nz/products/...ations#details

Would be great if any of the distri's actually stocked it.




btw, isnt this selling freezers to eskimos? dont you fix and sell computers for a living?

Kindov mate, but I'm more into fixing them and IT "consulting" rather than flogging them (that's where the money is). Have you ever actually tried ringing HP/Toshy/Asus or went to their website or dealt with distris (I won't name names but one starting with 'I' for example) etc to try and find a laptop based on actual features? They've all got pretty "flash" websites that deliver nothing when you try and do a proper search. HP have NEVER EVER called me back as promised.

Sold a few pro-books but hate the keyboard to be honest. MUST have eSATA. You'd think it were rocket science.

I'm a toshy junkie myself but Synnex came to the party, actually seemed to have some product knowledge and I've ended up going above budget and getting:.....


Asus N61JQ i7-720QM
http://www.asus.co.nz/product.aspx?P_ID=ZfpnPRZ5UxVOtrHJ


Mashman had the best suggestion though. Beer token address please?

Scary how cheap you can buy them off the shelf in Aus though. Were I not in a rush there'd be one heading across the ditch as we speak*.



Next question :-
Microsoft Dynamix GP or Sage PFW .... BWHWHAHAHAHAHA


* Which is kinda ironic as my customer is an Aussie who's heading back across the ditch at the end of next week

[3umph]

Why a laptop? unless your going to move it heaps id go for a desktop and you get more bang for your bucks..

win7 professional have an xp mode

[Scouse]

Funny, I always get a better response here than Geekzone.

After a laptop between 14" and 16".
Must have eSATA
Must have HDMI
Would like serial port (remember them) but not essential
Must not be Acer
Would like it to be under 2K.

Best recommendation gets two beer tokensAsus M60J comes with win7 pro

[k14]

FYI I have used a USB > Serial adaptor in windows 7 for quite a while with no issues at all so far. I think you'd be lucky to find a laptop with a serial port these days but they may be out there.

[Trouser]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Laptops/Laptops/Toshiba/auction-268021302.htm soo close but no hdmi

[Madmax]

Ive got an ASUS laptop never had any probs with it even taken fishing

[scracha]

FYI I have used a USB > Serial adaptor in windows 7 for quite a while with no issues at all so far. I think you'd be lucky to find a laptop with a serial port these days but they may be out there.

64bit drivers or 32 bit? Details purlease as I've tried a few of these and about half are useless

[mashman]

Would be great if any of the distri's actually stocked it.

That's the problem with the Toshi stuff... it goes out the door just as fast as it arrives... Had the same problem back in November... big project, needed much better laptop for crunching financial data, but the next batch of P500's were 2 weeks away and i needed it right there and then... Ended up upgrading the hard drive and throwing in another gig of memory... and the sting in the tail... the project was reprioritised... waaaaaa

Nice piece of kit you've found there... Should give you what ya need and some.

Meh! I'm a winner!!! pass the beer tokens on to a complete stranger next time you're in the pub... that way they'll get used ha ha ha... pubs nae mer at the mo. Good luck with the work!

[jonbuoy]

I got a Dell Lattitude D630 a couple of years ago - Dell made the only modern - duo core laptop I could find with a real serial port its been rock solid. No HDMI/DVI though

http://www.dell.com/us/en/enterprise/notebooks/laptop_latitude_e5500/pd.aspx?refid=laptop_latitude_e5500&cs=555&s=biz

This looks like the last Dell to have a serial, thinking of getting one myself to have the last of the serial laptops, by the time this one dies most of the old kit running serial will be dead too.

[scracha]

I got a Dell Lattitude D630 a couple of years ago - Dell made the only modern - duo core laptop I could find with a real serial port its been rock solid. No HDMI/DVI though

I'm pretty sure Asus do some. Can't be @#$cked looking.



Meh! I'm a winner!!! pass the beer tokens on to a complete stranger next time you're in the pub... that way they'll get used ha ha ha... pubs nae mer at the mo. Good luck with the work!
I'll find an Englishman. Preferably one on holiday. They'll probably spend their whole holiday gibbering about how a Scotchyman gave them 2 pints of lager for nothing.

[Trouser]

I have searched everywhere and cannot find one with both hdmi and a serial port. Plenty with serial port and esata, thousands with esata and hdmi but none with all three.

[EJK]

OK this maybe off topic but what do you guys think of this laptop?

Reliable Toshiba
2.3Ghz Intel T4500 (1MB L2 Cache. Meh...)
15.6" LED screen
4GB DDR2 (not bad for a laptop)
ATi Radeon HD4570 512MB GDDR3 Graphics
HDMI
but no eSATA
http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/computers/notebook-computers/pc-notebook-computers/toshiba-l500-049-notebook/prod102001.html

All that for mere $1099!

[scracha]

Spend an extra $100 and you'll get a far better Core 2 Duo processor with Windows 7 pro. Also, don't take their supercover. Any
'puter shop should be able to get you the far better Toshy FACTORY 3 year warranty for under $200.


OK this maybe off topic but what do you guys think of this laptop?

Reliable Toshiba
2.3Ghz Intel T4500 (1MB L2 Cache. Meh...)
15.6" LED screen
4GB DDR2 (not bad for a laptop)
ATi Radeon HD4570 512MB GDDR3 Graphics
HDMI
but no eSATA
http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/computers/notebook-computers/pc-notebook-computers/toshiba-l500-049-notebook/prod102001.html

All that for mere $1099!

[EJK]

Spend an extra $100 and you'll get a far better Core 2 Duo processor with Windows 7 pro. Also, don't take their supercover. Any
'puter shop should be able to get you the far better Toshy FACTORY 3 year warranty for under $200.

Where and how??? I'd like one! :D

[quickbuck]

Where and how??? I'd like one! :D
Well,
What usually happens... if you buy a computer from a toaster shop, is you see a great low price deal like the one you saw...
Then pop down to the shop for a looksie....
Then sitting beside that model, is a slightly higher spec machine for a little bit more.... then you just keep looking in multiples of $100 until it actually has all the features you need...

Well, that is my experience.... ;)

Oh, and I think scratcher ment $1200 ;)

[EJK]

Well,
What usually happens... if you buy a computer from a toaster shop, is you see a great low price deal like the one you saw...
Then pop down to the shop for a looksie....
Then sitting beside that model, is a slightly higher spec machine for a little bit more.... then you just keep looking in multiples of $100 until it actually has all the features you need...

Well, that is my experience.... ;)

Oh, and I think scratcher ment $1200 ;)

Alrighty then, I'm no professional but I think it's got alot* for a $1100 laptop :D



*Compared to a $1300+ Compaq/ Acer laptop selling right next to the Toshiba

[quickbuck]

Alrighty then, I'm no professional but I think it's got alot* for a $1100 laptop :D



*Compared to a $1300+ Compaq/ Acer laptop selling right next to the Toshiba

Yes, it has for now.....
Trouble is, no matter what you buy now, there will always be a better cheaper one in 6 months time.
Trick is to get the highest spec, for the right money.... Be careful of buying too cheap though, as some of the components in cheaper machines are made by people who won the contract at a very low tender!

IMHO, you should be okay with Toshiba....

[EJK]

Yes, it has for now.....
Trouble is, no matter what you buy now, there will always be a better cheaper one in 6 months time.
Trick is to get the highest spec, for the right money.... Be careful of buying too cheap though, as some of the components in cheaper machines are made by people who won the contract at a very low tender!

IMHO, you should be okay with Toshiba....

But really I'm (also) after a laptop, which should be capable of "OK" gaming. If theres a place where I can get a better deal or better spec within the price range, please let me know.
What do you think of Trademe laptops quickbuck?

And yes, I understand how fast computers develop :weep:

[quickbuck]

But really I'm (also) after a laptop, which should be capable of "OK" gaming. If theres a place where I can get a better deal or better spec within the price range, please let me know.
What do you think of Trademe laptops quickbuck?

:

Hey, I'm no expert either.
I just go out look for something that costs about 2k, and hope it keeps up with surfing the net, looking at photos, and watching movies.

I have no idea what most of the stickers on my Sony Vaio actually mean... All I know is it is much faster than the thing i replaced, and holds more info... and cost less..

I also now know how much Memory Vista takes to run!

So, really a bump, Trouser will have an opinion on Lap tops on TM (Not being a smart arse, I actually know Trouser), but I would say you are better to walk into a computer shop and talk to the techs in there.
Toaster shops are okay, but they are full of salesmen, and have generic spec'd machines full of stuff you may not actually need.... But pay for anyway....

Oh, BTW, the reason I got the Sony, was because it was a deal i just couldn't pass up at the exact same time my old Lap Top died. Good thing I had just got an external hard drive to back up all my files on!

[k14]

64bit drivers or 32 bit? Details purlease as I've tried a few of these and about half are useless
32 bit, running on a 4 year old Dell laptop. Bought the usb to serial adaptor off trademe for about $15. Never had a problem with it, use it to communicate with both my bucket cdi and the yoshi ecu for my gixxer.

[golfmade]

Oh, BTW, the reason I got the Sony, was because it was a deal i just couldn't pass up at the exact same time my old Lap Top died. Good thing I had just got an external hard drive to back up all my files on!

Sucky thing about Sony is they don't have, I dunno how the correct word as I just got up and was up late last night, but good warranties as in if you move to another country and need your laptop serviced/fixed. That's not an issue for most here I'm sure but just more information.

HP on the other hand, when I came to Taiwan with my Compaq laptop, it had some problems, was past warranty for a year or so anyways, took it to the offical place in town and they fixed it right up and charged me a bit but nothing huge.

[quickbuck]

Sucky thing about Sony is they don't have, I dunno how the correct word as I just got up and was up late last night, but good warranties as in if you move to another country and need your laptop serviced/fixed. That's not an issue for most here I'm sure but just more information.

HP on the other hand, when I came to Taiwan with my Compaq laptop, it had some problems, was past warranty for a year or so anyways, took it to the offical place in town and they fixed it right up and charged me a bit but nothing huge.

Fair enough...
IF I ever intended on taking my Lap top out of the country, I would look for that...
In the mean time, if I need a computer out of the country, I would just get one of the work ones ;)

To be fair, good point.....
Not everybody enjoys the lixuries I get... Well, I've got to get some!

[scracha]

But really I'm (also) after a laptop, which should be capable of "OK" gaming. If theres a place where I can get a better deal or better spec within the price range, please let me know.
What do you think of Trademe laptops quickbuck?

trademe is mostly full of cowboys. Been there done that.
:weep:

Steer clear of:
Acer
2nd hand laptops
Trademe
I'm not keen on Sony either.


This is a much better macine and it's got Win 7 pro with the XP downgrade.
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?item=NBKTOS9422

You're looking about about $1250 with 4GB of RAM on it.

Remember the nice hidden extras (Warranty, Office, Antivirus, backup drive, bag)

Honest to gawd, you really do want the factory warranty on any laptop. Worth every penny. Ask anyone who's ever had their 18 month old notebook fry and then received a $600 bill. Think of it as a running cost. Sell the laptop at the end of the 3 year warranty and you'll still get decent money for it.

Otherwise look at Asus. 2 year warranty standard. Not cheap tho aye.

[EJK]

trademe is mostly full of cowboys. Been there done that.
:weep:

Steer clear of:
Acer
2nd hand laptops
Trademe
I'm not keen on Sony either.


This is a much better macine and it's got Win 7 pro with the XP downgrade.
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?item=NBKTOS9422

You're looking about about $1250 with 4GB of RAM on it.

Remember the nice hidden extras (Warranty, Office, Antivirus, backup drive, bag)

Honest to gawd, you really do want the factory warranty on any laptop. Worth every penny. Ask anyone who's ever had their 18 month old notebook fry and then received a $600 bill. Think of it as a running cost. Sell the laptop at the end of the 3 year warranty and you'll still get decent money for it.

Otherwise look at Asus. 2 year warranty standard. Not cheap tho aye.

Thanks. It's a very good laptop (DDR3 1066Mhz) but one teeny tiny uncomfort: GRAPHICS : Intel Graphics Media Accelerator GM45 :(
I'll heed your advice on the warranty. Guess I'll be buying the Toshiba from toaster shop. I took a visit there this morning (intention to purchase) but they didn't have anything in store. It's so brand brand new that Christchurch hasn't recieved the stock yet.

Looking on the brightside, I'll be buying the latest, cheapest (nearly) and one of the most reliable brand laptop. Sounds good to me.


Comparing to my current laptop (this one I'm using to go on KB) has 1.73Ghz CPU, 512MB RAM, God-knows-what-motherboard and Integrated graphics. So it'll be a big jump and I think I'll be preety happy with it :)

[EJK]

Funny, I always get a better response here than Geekzone.

After a laptop between 14" and 16".
Must have eSATA
Must have HDMI
Would like serial port (remember them) but not essential
Must not be Acer
Would like it to be under 2K.

Best recommendation gets two beer tokens

Buy what I bought (from toaster shop)

After a laptop between 14" and 16". Check
Must have eSATA Check
Must have HDMI Check
Would like serial port (remember them) but not essential Check
Must not be Acer Check
Would like it to be under 2K. Check Check Check

I got the one I looked at (thread page 2) and it DOES have eSATA. Frikkn bargain.

[avgas]

I will keep this simple.....
AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE....

Buying any brand is still a risk. Everyone (including myself) hates ACER - but the wife has had her ACER for about 6 years now - still going strong and the battery still works for about 1 hours.
I have had 3 HP/Compaqs in that time, and 2 Dells.....all had battery problems.
ASUS are nice - but used to be a real cunt to get parts. I hear thats improved somewhat.

BUY AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE - the risks are the same
CHEAP
CHEAP DAMMIT!

[blackdog]

Ive got an ASUS laptop never had any probs with it even taken fishing

ASUS every time.

only manufacturer i know that gives a 2 yr international w'tee.

great value for money too, i got everything u require and more for less than $1500 at dick smith

[firefighter]

Which is a better processor? AMD Turion 2 Dual Core or Intel Premium Dual Core?

Also, what is this esata you speak of? I have recently brought a new laptop, with reasonably high specs, it has esata and want to know what exactly this ESATA is?

[mashman]

Which is a better processor? AMD Turion 2 Dual Core or Intel Premium Dual Core?

Also, what is this esata you speak of? I have recently brought a new laptop, with reasonably high specs, it has esata and want to know what exactly this ESATA is?

Long time since i followed processor technology... essentially i gave up as they were all pretty much of a much... but out oif habit i'd go for the AMD... mainly because they seem to perform better as they used to run cooler (this may well have changed)...

esata is an interface that allows for quicker data transfer speeds... basically does the same job as firewire, usb, usb 2 etc... but faster... in all honesty though you need a pretty high spec'd machine to notice any difference...

[scracha]

Buy what I bought (from toaster shop)
After a laptop between 14" and 16". Check
Must have eSATA Check
Must have HDMI Check
Would like serial port (remember them) but not essential Check
Must not be Acer Check
Would like it to be under 2K. Check Check Check

I got the one I looked at (thread page 2) and it DOES have eSATA. Frikkn bargain.
No Win 7 pro though so no virtual XP mode. Bugger. Dunny why they don't offer it with pro as it must make about $20 difference at the factory. Complete pisstake my Microsoft to charge about $200 to upgrade premium to pro.

Overall a good by though young sir.



Which is a better processor? AMD Turion 2 Dual Core or Intel Premium Dual Core?

The short answer is that it depends on the application and also depends on what flavour of Pentium D or Turion you go for...there are lots of variants. Laptop, then unquestionably Intel Chip. Best spend a bit more on a core 2 duo or one of the latest i3/5/7 processors though. There's a lot more to it than just the processor though. If for example the manufacturer has saved a few peso's and put the Turon in there, but spent money on things like a better hard drive (7200rpm vs 5400), motherboard and video card then the AMD could be the better buy.



Also, what is this esata you speak of? I have recently brought a new laptop, with reasonably high specs, it has esata and want to know what exactly this ESATA is?
[/quoter]
External interface for hard drives. Ignore the specs, in real terms it's about 4x faster than USB 2. The newer laptops have USB 3 which is faster but the big advantage of eSATA is that you can boot windoze off it. If you're running linux or summit then you're better off with USB 3 than eSATA.

[firefighter]

esata is an interface that allows for quicker data transfer speeds... basically does the same job as firewire, usb, usb 2 etc... but faster... in all honesty though you need a pretty high spec'd machine to notice any difference...

I'm so backwards I dunno what firewire is.......:buggerd:

So, you would just purchase the appropriate cable, and plug in your normal devices and it transfers data quicker than your usual USB essentially?

Does your HDD/whathaveyou that your transferring from have to support esata or does it's usual plug work fine? (sorry total newb to this esata thingee lol)

[scracha]

Pretty much. not normally "hot pluggable" like USB though. i.e. you have to have it plugged in as the machine boots up. Most eSata enclosures also support USB. I get welland ones (like these but a lot cheaper) http://ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=360637
You can also get ones that support firewire too if you're a macaphile.

EJK: Get yourself one of these and do the "system image" backup thingie in "Win 7 or use Macrium reflect free. Will save yourself paying cunts like me to fix it when it all goes tits up.

http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4b7204ee02686dae2742c0a87f3b06eb/Product/View/XH9953?utm_source=home&utm_medium=internallink&utm_content=content&utm_campaign=HOT

[scracha]

Long time since i followed processor technology... essentially i gave up as they were all pretty much of a much... but out oif habit i'd go for the AMD... mainly because they seem to perform better as they used to run cooler (this may well have changed)...

Eh? The old Durons/Athlon/Semprons used to run super hot. And AMD fans were notoriously noisy and shite.



esata is an interface that allows for quicker data transfer speeds... basically does the same job as firewire, usb, usb 2 etc... but faster... in all honesty though you need a pretty high spec'd machine to notice any difference...
Realistically folks are loading up their machines with music and videos and plugging in drives to take their "data" to other PC's or their mates houses. Try backing up your average machine with 500GB of videos and other shite using and typical USB 2.0 setup vs typical eSATA
About 6 hours vs 1.5. VERY noticeable.

[mashman]

Eh? The old Durons/Athlon/Semprons used to run super hot. And AMD fans were notoriously noisy and shite.


I always used the Athlons and never had any probs with them running hot at all... then again though, was living in a caravan in Argyll... nothing ever got hot in that place... well nothing that'd i'd like to talk about.


Realistically folks are loading up their machines with music and videos and plugging in drives to take their "data" to other PC's or their mates houses. Try backing up your average machine with 500GB of videos and other shite using and typical USB 2.0 setup vs typical eSATA
About 6 hours vs 1.5. VERY noticeable.

Tis a very fair point. Likely why i don't follow the technology anymore... but good to know as my biggest disk was 80gig until 6 months ago... and i've never had to rebuild one yet...

[mashman]

I'm so backwards I dunno what firewire is.......:buggerd:

So, you would just purchase the appropriate cable, and plug in your normal devices and it transfers data quicker than your usual USB essentially?

Does your HDD/whathaveyou that your transferring from have to support esata or does it's usual plug work fine? (sorry total newb to this esata thingee lol)

Firewire was just another data transfer standard. Usually for multimedia devices. Supposedly they're trying to revamp it, beef it up somewhat...

You usually get the Sata cables with the hardware these days. Very much plug and play, but you need a PC/Laptop with the latest Sata interfaces on it to taike full advantage... upgrade upgrade upgrade...

Esata is just an external version of Sata (essentially another port like USB)... as long as you have a USB - Sata converter you should be sweet to use any USB devices and get the max out of them (depending on the speed of the hardware).

[k14]

Eh? The old Durons/Athlon/Semprons used to run super hot. And AMD fans were notoriously noisy and shite.
Yeah I think he might have confused the two main differences between intel and amd as both being for amd. The athlon's used to kick the pentium 4 butts clock for clock but they ran a lot hotter. Iirc a P4 ran around 35-40 degrees with stock heatsink, the athlons would run around 60-70 with a jet engine fan on the heatsink. Could get it down to mid 50's with an aftermarket setup which was very common for amds but most people ran the stock heatsink on the intels. Bit of history anyway :)

This thread has been quite interesting. As I said earlier I am still running a 4 year old dell inspiron with windows 7. I upgraded to 250gb hdd and 2gb of ram last year and it is equally as fast as my desktop which is a core 2 duo E7200 with 4gb ram running vista 64. I do pretty much only use the laptop for websurfing and watching videos though. I have been considering upgrading for a while but really there is no point. I can't see any improvement in buying a new laptop, I may be able to play some games on it but I don't play any on desktop anyway, thats what xbox is for.

[golfmade]

I may be able to play some games on it but I don't play any on desktop anyway, thats what xbox is for.

Them's fightin words mate ;D

[firefighter]

Them's fightin words mate ;D

i reckon, PS3 is way better than XBOX!

[mashman]

i reckon, PS3 is way better than XBOX!

now that's another debate entirely... according to the boffins the 360 is THE machine... I got stuck into a few flame wars until the following article was posted. It's "written" by a guy that develops on both platforms... http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-348-1.htm

[firefighter]

now that's another debate entirely... according to the boffins the 360 is THE machine... I got stuck into a few flame wars until the following article was posted. It's "written" by a guy that develops on both platforms... http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-348-1.htm

I'm not reading it, I made up my decision from owning an XBOX, playing a PS3, selling my XBOX and buying a PS3 because I liked the graphics better. They just seemed cleaner, and sharper. Loading times are so close I don't really care. The fact that PS3 has BlueRay is another big sell for me, and you get free online gaming. Sort of a no-brainer for me. There's no way i'd bother buying 'points' so I can play online.......that just downright sucks and is expensive.

Two consoles, one has BlueRay, free online gaming. The other no BluRay, and you gotta pay for online play. The graphics are similar, probably slightly better on the first. Easy decision.

The one major issue I have with the PS3 is that you cannot play Fable. I never got around to playing Fable 2, that's about it!

[mashman]

I'm not reading it, I made up my decision from owning an XBOX, playing a PS3, selling my XBOX and buying a PS3 because I liked the graphics better. They just seemed cleaner, and sharper. Loading times are so close I don't really care. The fact that PS3 has BlueRay is another big sell for me, and you get free online gaming. Sort of a no-brainer for me. There's no way i'd bother buying 'points' so I can play online.......that just downright sucks and is expensive.

The one major issue I have with the PS3 is that you cannot play Fable. I never got around to playing Fable 2, that's about it!

Tis very much an each to his won... just like pc's and latops... For me it was the 360 all the way. XBOX1 was stunning in comparison to the first 2 PS incarnations, plus it had Halo... but again, each to their own. Might have to get me an 360 again, i've had 3 and each time i've had a kid i've sold it... time for another me thinks...

[k14]

i reckon, PS3 is way better than XBOX!
Well seeing as I don't have a PS3 it is quite difficult to game with thin air. Oh I guess I could play cards by myself or something?

[scracha]

Could get it down to mid 50's with an aftermarket setup which was very common for amds but most people ran the stock heatsink on the intels. Bit of history anyway :)

Celerons in laptops often seem to sit at about 75 and under load you see em running up to the low 90's. Scary.



This thread has been quite interesting. As I said earlier I am still running a 4 year old dell inspiron with windows 7. I upgraded to 250gb hdd and 2gb of ram last year and it is equally

Everyone who's touched Win 7 seems super impressed with it. Even some of my Mac owning customers. Now if I could just find a nice billet alluminium laptop running Win 7.



desktop anyway, thats what xbox is for.
Agreed. That's why my shite old sempron 2400 is still sat in my office doing it's day to day email, excel, invoicing and surfing tasks.




I always used the Athlons and never had any probs with them running hot at all... then again though, was living in a caravan in Argyll... nothing ever got hot in that place... well nothing that'd i'd like to talk about.

Apart from :-
http://www.gagreport.com/images/sheep_bike.jpg