low power office PC

swimtech · Jul 7, 2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBuzzard

As a certified "Old Fart", I'd stay away from 1920x1200 on a 17" monitor. Shucks, I don't even run that on my FW900 24" unless I'm gaming. Old eyes and high resolutions when surfing don't mix well

But, that would also depend on your dad. His eyesight would be what decides that. It might be a good idea for you guys to check out some lappys at one of the local stores, and see which resolution works best for him.

I'm currently running 1280x800, which is a bit too big, and would prefer to run at 1440x900 but all I can get at 1440x900 is 60hz, which sucks on a CRT.

Sure would be nice if ATI would make 85hz available for 1440x900.

Dell? I haven't had any experience with any of their lappys. However, they do seem to have a good reputation. Totally the opposite from their PCs.

HDD? Power considerations aside, I'd go for the 250/5400. More storage is always a good thing.

Ditto.

I now have to wear reading glasses when using a computer (I'll be 50 years old in a month - your dad might have the same issue - very common) - and it would be a slight strain to make out characters on a 17" 1920x1200 screen regardless of the screen quality.

The LED backlit 1440x900 should look nice - makes a worthwhile difference comparing between the Macbook Pro model I have (CCFL backlight) versus one I've seen in the shop that has LED backlighting. The colors and contrast are better and the screen brightness is more uniform.

Tipstaff · Jul 7, 2008, 02:20 PM

The great thing about Dell is that they offer a gold warranty. You pay a lot of money for it ($300+ depending on the length of warranty you get, which is 1 to 5 years), but you bypass their crappy Tier 1 and 2 tech support that don't know shit, and they have on-site next day service, as well as complete replacement during that gold service (can't remember if that is on top of, or included in the gold warranty though), so if anything happens to that unit they will replace it for free. If it's not made any more they will replace it with a current comparable product.

genieguru · Jul 7, 2008, 03:08 PM

ok so 17 inch led backlit screen @ 1440 x 900 resolution it is

now for the hard disk
250GB @ 5400 rpm or 200 GB at 7200 rpm?

Any noticeable performance difference b/w 5400 rpm and 7200 rpm?
Also considering that the 7200 rpm drive costs more while providing 50gb less storage.....

is there any increase in snappiness/responsiveness by going for a 7200 rpm drive?

OldBuzzard · Jul 7, 2008, 05:10 PM

The 7200 would most likely be a bit 'snappier'. However, since he will most likely be using Vista, more RAM would be better, as that would allow Vista's SUPERFETCH to pre-load more applications into memory, which would, for his most often used applications, overcome the 'slowness' of the 5400 drive. Assuming that the 5400 is in fact slower than the 7200.

genieguru · Jul 24, 2008, 04:13 PM

ok its been a while
sorry for the delay in posting

my dad's company only allows 1 computer upgrade/purchase a year
so since he bought another lappie for my sis a while back through the company,he'll have to wait a bit(a month or so)

so i'll post when it happens

Jul 7, 2008, 02:20 PM	#32
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	The great thing about Dell is that they offer a gold warranty. You pay a lot of money for it ($300+ depending on the length of warranty you get, which is 1 to 5 years), but you bypass their crappy Tier 1 and 2 tech support that don't know shit, and they have on-site next day service, as well as complete replacement during that gold service (can't remember if that is on top of, or included in the gold warranty though), so if anything happens to that unit they will replace it for free. If it's not made any more they will replace it with a current comparable product. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Jul 7, 2008, 05:10 PM	#34
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	The 7200 would most likely be a bit 'snappier'. However, since he will most likely be using Vista, more RAM would be better, as that would allow Vista's SUPERFETCH to pre-load more applications into memory, which would, for his most often used applications, overcome the 'slowness' of the 5400 drive. Assuming that the 5400 is in fact slower than the 7200. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Jul 7, 2008, 03:08 PM	Thread Starter #33
genieguru DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 70 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	ok so 17 inch led backlit screen @ 1440 x 900 resolution it is now for the hard disk 250GB @ 5400 rpm or 200 GB at 7200 rpm? Any noticeable performance difference b/w 5400 rpm and 7200 rpm? Also considering that the 7200 rpm drive costs more while providing 50gb less storage..... is there any increase in snappiness/responsiveness by going for a 7200 rpm drive?

Jul 24, 2008, 04:13 PM	Thread Starter #35
genieguru DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 70 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	ok its been a while sorry for the delay in posting my dad's company only allows 1 computer upgrade/purchase a year so since he bought another lappie for my sis a while back through the company,he'll have to wait a bit(a month or so) so i'll post when it happens