I'd suggest 1GB for XP to be really comfortable (even more if you like to have many apps open simultaneously or run memory hoggers like Google Chrome), but generally 1GB should be quite fine.A31 wrote:I'd like to be able to comfortably run Windows XP Pro or maybe even Windows Vista on it (probably leaning over more towards XP at this point in time), so ideally have 512MB + RAM
Believe me, you DO mind.A31 wrote: 1.6GHz + CPU (Pentium 4 or Centrino or even a Core 2 Duo I don't really mind)
There is a huge difference clock-for-clock between a Pentium 4 and a Pentium M (what you somewhat incorrectly refer to as Centrino). Between Pentium M and the Core(2)Duos, the difference is smaller when it comes to single-threaded applications, but of course in multi-threaded applications, the dual cores shine.Given the price range and the modest requirements, your best bet is to look at the Pentium M generation of machines, which is any T4x/R5x machine, X31/X32 or even Z60 series (these are somewhat newer and may be more pricey). No reason to go for older systems - the price will not be much lower (how low can it really go), and the bang for the buck surely will be less, especially considering the fact that older machines likely have less life left in them.A31 wrote: I have looked on eBay at ThinkPads (namely R40, T42, X31, R51) and it seems like they are all about the same price, around abouts £100, some cheaper, some more expensive
In which case, you want the models that take DDR (not DDR2), which means everything on my list except T43, R51e, R52 and Z60. But then again, if you get any of the aforementioned models already with 1.5 or 2 GB of RAM at a good price, the extra memory stick you have would not make a crucial difference anyway.A31 wrote:One thing I will add is that I bought a 1GB DDR SODIMM RAM stick for my A31 which I think I kept before I threw the machine out about a year ago, so any other ThinkPad that supports the same RAM as the A31 does would be great as I could easily add 1GB of RAM which would help speed things up a bit
I suggest the Dell Inspiron 700m or 710m. It uses DDR RAM and PATA HDD. It's 12.1" 1280x800, has an internal optical drive, and weighs 4.15 lb with the small battery. I bought one new back in 2004 and had it for almost two years, because I loved it so much (I keep most laptops for only several months). It's a very solid little machine, though the ones you can buy now would all be up to 7 years old and may have cracks or loose hinges, so make sure you read the description carefully or ask the seller. This one is Buy-It-Now for GBP 95 + 14.50 shipping, and it's ending in 4 hours: http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Inspiron-700m- ... 3cba1ca32c . After the listing has expired, the seller may relist it at a lower price.A31 wrote:Suggestions for other laptops such as HPs, Dells, Sonys etc that fit my specification and price range will also be greatly appreciated.
I think you should still check eBay once in a while in the next two months, because a few great deals may pop up in July and August but not in Sep/Oct.A31 wrote:but likely won't be buying until end of September/October time as that's when my birthday is and hopefully can get some money to buy a laptop
I failed to point out that the screen is quite nice, even though it's glossy.A31 wrote:Nevertheless, this Dell looks good and has decent specs
I will keep checking eBay for the reason you said above, there may be some great deals on laptops that appear over summer but not over autumn. This HP does has a better resolution than the X31/X41 has and it includes an internal optical drive which will also be very handy, but it does have that 1.8" HDD I'm not too keen on. Will keep the model no. and search on eBay for some over the next few monthsIt's not a "good" laptop. It's a fanTAStic laptop! After owning the Y4 and Y5, I have completely lost interest in getting another Thinkpad.A31 wrote:The Y5 looks like a good laptop with a great resolution.
Don't be so sure. Look up the prices of hard drive caddies and RAM covers -- they are outrageous! What's more, parts machines often have issues that the seller either isn't aware of or doesn't tell you. For example, look at this thread: http://67.214.227.38/~thinkpad/forum/vi ... =5&t=97888 . If I were you, I would buy a complete, fully functional laptop. Then, sell the extra RAM and HDD.A31 wrote:does anybody here have any experiences with buying a *working* laptop like this with lots of pieces missing? If I did get something like this, as I have some HDDs kicking around, I'd only have to buy the RAM cover, and I'm sure you can get these off eBay quite cheap?
I was going to ask about what people thinking of Sony Vaios as I've always loved them ever since the moment Dad bought a £1,500 Vaio home from work to reinstall for a customer, but obviously you like them too? Interesting how the Y5 has put you off buying a ThinkPad, there's one on eBay at the moment for £1,495pianowizard wrote:Sony Vaio Z1A. 14.1" 1400x1050, 4.7 lb, DDR RAM, 2.5" IDE HDD.
Seems a bit expensive? I will have a look at that Sony, there aren't any on ebay at the moment but you never know what's going to pop up. Certainly from the pictures on Amazon it looks like a beautiful laptop, like that one Dad bought home a few years back.I love Sony laptops, especially the ultraportable ones (X505, TX, TZ, the X Series that just got discontinued, and the Z Series). But they are very expensive.A31 wrote:I was going to ask about what people thinking of Sony Vaios as I've always loved them ever since the moment Dad bought a £1,500 Vaio home from work to reinstall for a customer, but obviously you like them too?
All the laptops I recommended above can be had for under 100 pounds, if you are patient. I got my Y5 last month for $200 shipped. To get the best prices, you need to keep checking. That's why I said you shouldn't wait until late September.A31 wrote:Interesting how the Y5 has put you off buying a ThinkPad, there's one on eBay at the moment for £1,495
No surprise there. However, the other problem that the T4* Thinkpads had was mechanical flexing of the Radeon GPU. I owned a Sony Z1A last year and found that it's much more solid than the T4* Thinkpads, and so I don't think flexing would be a concern.automobus wrote:Be aware that some VAIO Z1 have the same problem with the Radeon 7500 as so many other computers of the time. In Z1, there is no heatsink on the graphics chip.
I had a Sony Vaio K23 for several years. It's huge and heavy, but the screen is nice even though it's low res (15.4" 1280x800). It would take your extra RAM and HDD. If you don't mind the weight and bulkiness, it's a very good machine.A31 wrote:Oh... that doesn't sound too good. These are also quite hard to come by it seems but are there any other Vaios in my price range that are good? Don't really know much about them.
This is because to you, the combination of low weight and high resolution overshadows everything else entirely. That will not necessarily be the case for everyone else.pianowizard wrote:It's not a "good" laptop. It's a fanTAStic laptop! After owning the Y4 and Y5, I have completely lost interest in getting another Thinkpad.
Though for sure these are very interesting models, and I would love to play with one for a while. TBH I bet they're not really all that different! It's just personal preference and nothing else, and pianowizard just so happens to prefer the Y5 to the ThinkPads.dr_st wrote:I would love to play with one for a while.
Also, build quality. The Y4 is actually not that tough, but the Y5 is. And from what I have read, the Y7 is even tougher.dr_st wrote:This is because to you, the combination of low weight and high resolution overshadows everything else entirely.
This goes without saying. But in this case, I felt compelled to emphasize how awesome the Toughbooks are, because the OP admitted that he doesn't know much about laptops. When one is new to the laptop world, $250 and $4,000 laptops don't really look that different.dr_st wrote:That will not necessarily be the case for everyone else.
You clearly have a lot to learn about laptops. In this case, the Y Series Toughbooks and the Thinkpads are very, very different. For instance, 3.4 lb is much lighter than 5.3 lb (the weight of a 14.1" T Series Thinkpad). Have you wondered why some people own dozens of different kinds of laptops? If these laptops were "not really all that different", then there would be no reason to collect so many different models.A31 wrote:TBH I bet they're not really all that different! It's just personal preference and nothing else, and pianowizard just so happens to prefer the Y5 to the ThinkPads.
Believe me, the idea has crossed my mind more than once. I daresay, my friend, that I caught the 14" SXGA+ 1.5kg Toughbooks on my radar, perhaps even earlier than you did. But of course back then they were new, expensive and I had none of the budget for extra toys that I have now. So should the right opportunity present itself, I just might as well find myself with one.pianowizard wrote:Now that the Y Series Toughbooks have become so affordable (they were over $2,000 when new), I think every laptop lover should get one just to play with it. Yes, I am talking to you, dr_st!
I meant as in different to use everyday. The average person doesn't really care what laptop they have, Acer, Dell, HP, or whatever, they just get the cheapest or what's around at time, as like all technology, it changes all the time. I wasn't referring to hardware or weight or anything like that, maybe I should have made myself clearer.pianowizard wrote:You clearly have a lot to learn about laptops.
It's called 'competition'pianowizard wrote:If these laptops were "not really all that different", then there would be no reason to collect so many different models.
It depends what you mean I guess - yes you are right in saying that if they "weren't that different" then there would be no reason to have netbooks and desktop replacements and different laptops for different computing needs etc, but if you mean brands, then it's competition simple as really. But yes, there are lots of other makes and I will look into these as well to see if they're good/cheap enough, but at the moment - X41 for me! Almost any Centrino-generation laptop will have integrated 802.11bg wireless. There are other reasons to consider X41 but that's not it.A31 wrote:Anyway, back to ThinkPads - another reason why I'm tempted to get the X41 is because of the integrated 802.11b/g wireless which would save me having to use a PCMCIA card
I agree. All the laptops I recommended above have internal wireless. The older ones have 802.11b, and the newer ones have g.dr_st wrote:Almost any Centrino-generation laptop will have integrated 802.11bg wireless. There are other reasons to consider X41 but that's not it.
I thought you didn't like the 1.8" HDD?A31 wrote:but at the moment - X41 for me!
I once was playing with the idea to get hold of a Panasonic Toughbook CF-Y7 which appears to have some very attractive specs. But then again, it didn't appear to come with such extensive documentation like Thinkpads usually do. There doesn't seem to be a readliy downloadable HMM (Hardware Maintenance Manual), no such full featured repair web sites like http://www.lenovoservicetraining.com, and not as many readily available spare parts.pianowizard wrote:Now that the Y Series Toughbooks have become so affordable (they were over $2,000 when new), I think every laptop lover should get one just to play with it.
There are unofficial HMMs for Toughbooks, which can be Googled up. I depended on one of these manuals to replace the hard drive of a CF-Y4, which required taking the entire machine apart. On the other hand, the Y5's hard drive is infinitely easier to change.rumbero wrote:I once was playing with the idea to get hold of a Panasonic Toughbook CF-Y7 which appears to have some very attractive specs. But then again, it didn't appear to come with such extensive documentation like Thinkpads usually do.
I see what you mean. If you want to easily repair or mod a laptop, few brands are as flexible as the Thinkpads, Dells and HPs. And I do recall that the OP likes to tinker with computers (which, if I remember correctly, caused him to kill a desktop!). However, as far as user experience is concerned, the Y4 and Y5 are hard to beat. In particular, the Y4 has a really cool palmrest, cooler than most Thinkpads I have used, and it's also extremely quiet. I enjoy using my Y5 almost as much, except that it is a little warmer, and its loud fan reminds me of the T43/43p!rumbero wrote:With Thinkpads i am enabled to completely take apart the machine, replace and rearrange it's parts, and even recombine them to some degree, and reassemble it into full working state.
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