Computer professionals assistance please

[Pumba]

Ok you dont have to be a profesional but just have a few clues, and rumor has it one or two that fit the discription lurk around here.

Looking at a laptop with the following specs -

PROCESSOR : Mobile Intel Core 2 Duo T5870 Processor, 2.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache
MEMORY : 4GB(2 x 2 GB) DDR2 800
MEM SLOTS : 2 (both slots used)
CHIPSET : Mobile Intel GM45 Express Chipset
STORAGE : 250 GB 5400rpm 2.5 inch SATA hard disk, DVD SuperMulti Dual / Double Layer
DISPLAY : 15.6 inch Widescreen TFT Active Matrix XGA 200NIT CSV
RESOLUTION : 1366 x 768; CAMERA : Integrated Web Camera
COMM : V.92 data + fax modem, Integrated 10/100Mbps TX Ethernet, Integrated Intel 802.11 a/g/n
GRAPHICS : Intel Graphics Media Accelerator GM45
AUDIO : Intel High Definition Audio Sound, Stereo Speakers
PORTS : RGB, 3 x USB 2.0, Headphone & microphone port, Integrated microphone
SLOTS : Bridge media Reader/Writer slot (SD, MMC, Mem Stick/Pro),
OS : Microsoft Windows 7 32/64bit Business (OEM) with Windows XP Professional media downgrade
BATTERY : 6 cell Lithium-Ion battery (up to 3 hours)
KEYBOARD : A4 Windows Vista numeric keyboard and Wide TouchPad pointing device, 4 Buttons and Power on button

Comes with a bag and a few other bits an pieces at $1220.00.

Is it a good deal? Can you see anything that is missing from the specs that may be a good idea? Computer would manly be used for general computer work, internet browsing, some games ocasionally, and maybe some basic AutoCAD type software.

Any opinions welcomed, this area is not really my speacility and I get confused by all the jargon, and abreviations associated with hardware.

[SMOKEU]

Have a look on Trademe and compare the specs and prices. You would want a better GPU if you are planning on playing any modern graphically intense games.

[Ronin]

Not a bad deal. What Brand?

The only real downside could be the screen resolution. I think that's a proper 16:9 screen which means that when your not watching your pron the lack of screen hight means you will be scrolling more. The CPU is what I would call bottom of the range now but should be fine.

Gaming could be a stretch.

[Pumba]

What Brand?

Toshiba

10ch

[Pete.Viking]

Few important questions to be asking, firstly why a laptop? If you need it go for it but if its not really necessary you'll get alot better value for money in a desktop (Its harder to engineer laptop parts).
Also what games are you into? retro games you'll be sweet but anything in the last couple of years you'll probably be out of luck.
Also might be worth knowing what CAD programs you're looking into.

Personally I run a 1.67ghz dual core with 1.5g ram (I not impressed with it but got it for free) if I was to upgrade wouldn't buy something with a processor with only 2.0ghz dual. You can't upgrade it later so fairly important. I would suggest buying an Apple MacBook if you're buying a laptop, everyone hates Windows so theres plenty of viruses but theres virtually none for Macs, plus all Windows operating systems are inefficient and have stupid features so they generally use alot more resources running in the background. Although they cost a bit upfront MacBooks tend to last well and outperform equivalent PCs.

[Squiggles]

What about a MacBook, some mint deals on at the moment

*runs*

[ManDownUnder]

What about a MacBook, some mint deals on at the moment

*runs*

Great if you're into fishing... and run out of sinkers...

*I'm with Squiggles*

[Pumba]

Well I can tell you right now I wont be buying a Mac, never used one and not really interested in going down that particular path. Looking at the laptop cause I hate being trapped in the little cubby hole that I call an office, and like the idea of being able to ge ton the net while sitting in front of Sky TV, or out on the deck in the sun.

Games wise, will only be pretty basic stuff, just fired found my old comand and conqour red alert disk and have fired that up on my current computer when I got bored a couple of weeks ago.

CAD wise, nothing spectacular there either. I run Autodesk AutoCAD 2004 on my current machine and it has lower specs (I think) so I cant see it getting any worse.

General feeling I am getting is that its OK but the graphics card is really not there and really I should be going with the biggest hard drive I can get

[huff3r]

I would definitely want a better graphics card, especially if you intend to enable all the features in Windows7, as some are quite graphics intensive... as for hard-drives, i manage with an 80gb, all my music etc is on my 500gb external cos most the time when i want music i'll use my ipod, or my stereo (my external is right beside my stereo )

So realistically, unless you have lots of big files, theres no real need for a massive HDD

[Slyer]

You need to tell us what your general computer work entails.
I mean are we talking about 3d gaming or casual gaming?
Standard or high definition pornography?

[Delerium]

Short answer, yes it is a good deal. as said, the only concern is the graphics card if your doing mild gaming and win 7. Mine has similar specs, but an adi grahics card and bigger hard drive, and a few other changes. (different model toshiba that is a bit bigger physically) I paid nearlly 3 grand for a laptop that is:
4gb ram
500Gb HDD
2.5Ghz dual core cpu
adi radeaon GPU
4x USB.

I bought neary 2 years ago now.

On a side note, anybody know where I can buy another battery?

[SMOKEU]

Fuck Macs. Windows XP Pro rules.

[gatch]

Fuck windows 7, fuck vista. In its ass.

Fuck microsoft for "upgrading" from xp, fuck microsoft for making something that could be so much better, so unstable and full of holes !

Sorry, I don't know much about lap tops, good luck.

[bogan]

went through the laptop searching/buying stage a few months ago, cheap+nz+games wont work. I got a mate to buy me one from the US, asus g51 summat or other, GT260M 2.0GHz dual core, goes hard on the latest games, but that was just under 2k nzd by the time it got back here, a similar product in nz would be at least 4k, all the less than 2k laptops here look like they'd be shithouse for gaming, prolly browse and play movies alright though.

oh, and by the way, windows 7 rocks!

*heads off in same direction as MDU and squigles, at pace*

[gammaguy]

i got a laptop with a blu ray drive.

since DVD is now on the way out,its a good idea to future proof your new laptop and get this feature,especially if you plan on doing any movie watching on it,as the discs themselves are getting cheaper and will replace DVD in a few years