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Upgrade RAM? Or buy a Netbook?

Discussion in 'Mobile Computing' started by Cukiedome, Jul 22, 2009.

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  1. Cukiedome Newcomer, in training

    HI, I'm Cukiedome and I've been looking for a good, quick laptop for pure schooling.
    I don't plan on playing games on it but I don't like hiccups or slow start-ups on anything, programs or bootup.

    Right now, I have an old HP Pavilion N5415 with a dead charger.

    Processor: AMD Duron 900MHz (100MHz FSB)
    RAM: 256mb
    HD: 10GB (5400 RPM)
    Size: 14.1 Inches (Screen size)
    OS: Windows XP Professional
    Video Card: Integrated (8mb)
    Battery Life: 1~2 Hours

    I have the money to upgrade it to 512 RAM, and to get a working charger
    This will be about $50 to $75

    Or, I can buy an ASUS Eee PC 901 in about a week because I'm getting my paycheck of about $175 or $200, and I'll have enough to get it (I only work part time)

    The ASUS Eee PC 901 Consists of:

    Processor: Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz (800MHz Power Saving, 1600MHz Performance/Default, 1680-1800MHz Hyper Performance)
    RAM: 1024mb
    HD: 12GB (Solid State Drive)
    Size: 8.9 Inches (Screen size)
    OS: Windows XP Professional
    Video Card: Intel GMA950 (Maximum Video Memory is 224mb [Or so I've read])
    Battery Life: 6~8 Hours

    Price will be around $300

    I want to save money too but then I don't like having a slow laptop either.
    Cukiedome, Jul 22, 2009
    #1

  2. strategic TechSpot Paladin

    I wouldn't recommend netbooks, if you use it for school, you'll be using it quite a bit, and you may not like the small screen, your resources are also limited. I would upgrade the RAM, get a new adapter, and use it (your current laptop) until you allocate funds to buy a new one. With a fresh Windows install (if possible) your laptaop will runsmoothly with more ram.
    strategic, Jul 22, 2009
    #2

  3. Cukiedome Newcomer, in training

    Hm ... well, the small screen I'm fine about but what do you mean "Your resources are also limited." ?

    If I was to buy a new laptop, what would you recommend?
    Cukiedome, Jul 22, 2009
    #3

  4. strategic TechSpot Paladin

    Netbooks just don't have the power that regular laptops do.
    If I were to get a new one $500-600 US could get you a firly decent system. In general, most systems which have Vista PREMIUM O/S are a decent machine. As for RAM, at least 3GB, 2GB minimum. That's just my preference, if I had to buy a netbook for $300, I would go the extra and just get anew system. I hope this helps, I'm just offering you my opinion.
    strategic, Jul 22, 2009
    #4

  5. Cukiedome Newcomer, in training

    School's coming up in about 6 weeks for me, and I don't really need "power" ... Hmm, what do you think of the HP G60t? I was looking at it before and it ranged around the $500-600. I'll only be able to get that a month or two in the school year, but I prefer having a laptop/netbook before school begins. I also don't really like the old laptop anymore :S Thank you for your opinions, every opinion helps.
    Cukiedome, Jul 23, 2009
    #5

  6. strategic TechSpot Paladin

    strategic, Jul 23, 2009
    #6

  7. Cukiedome Newcomer, in training

    Well ... with the specifications I'm looking for (Bluetooth, Wireless-N), if I was going to get a laptop I want a decent video card with it. The laptop gives you an option of integrated or a 256mb nvidia graphics card, these are the specification that I'd get it for. With my specifications it makes $628, and once I get it I'm going to install Windows XP on it (Preferred)

    It includes 256mb nVidia 9200M, Wireless-N and Bluetooth.

    What do you think?
    Cukiedome, Jul 23, 2009
    #7

  8. Matthew TechSpot Editor, Community Manager

    Personally, I would buy the netbook. The boost in battery life and portability over an old laptop would be totally worth it. I'd wager that its performance would put your clunker to shame as well.
    Matthew, Jul 23, 2009
    #8

  9. Cukiedome Newcomer, in training

    I was thinking of that too.. I don't need anything powerful, just enough to run Microsoft Words 2007, photoshop, and surf the net with ease. I don't like seeing hiccups, and I most of all don't like seeing freezes.
    Cukiedome, Jul 23, 2009
    #9

  10. Matthew TechSpot Editor, Community Manager

    I'm not sure how well Photoshop would run, but it likely depends on what you'd be doing with it. The rest is more than feasible.
    Matthew, Jul 23, 2009
    #10

  11. Cukiedome Newcomer, in training

    Very well, thank you. I don't use the up-to-date photoshop, I use Adobe Photoshop 7.0, which I can run fairly well on my old crappy laptop. I am not in need of a powerful system, as I have my computer already. I just want a companion to carry around with me wherever I go.
    Cukiedome, Jul 23, 2009
    #11

  12. Matthew TechSpot Editor, Community Manager

    Sounds like the job for a netbook to me :).
    Matthew, Jul 23, 2009
    #12

  13. Cukiedome Newcomer, in training

    Thanks man, I can finally get a netbook without worries. =)
    Cukiedome, Jul 23, 2009
    #13

  14. Tedster Techspot old timer.....

    ooooh. 900mhz? now that is slow. Even slower than my aging toshiba 1.6ghz laptop that I just put 2 gigs of ram in. yeah - get a netbook.
    Tedster, Jul 26, 2009
    #14

  15. strategic TechSpot Paladin

    strategic, Jul 31, 2009
    #15
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