Hi. I'm new here, so I hope this is in the right area. Anyway. I am buying a laptop for my mom. She just uses a computer to check e-mail and play online games, stuff like Yahoo Games, Pogo, etc. She doesn't really do anything too intense. I would still like for her to be able to use MicroSoft Office and other similar applications. Pretty much just all of the basic apps. I will be using a bit of freeware for other needs. I may even resort to OpenOffice, or do you not recommend it? As far as specifications and whatnot; I'm looking at the CPU being an Intel Core 2 Duo or i7, 4GB or more of RAM DDR2 or DDR3. I don't really see much of a point with DDR3 when you only have 2 DIMMs, as you are not able to take advantage of triple channel. As far as hard drive space 200GB or more would be nice, but is not required. She doesn't do a whole lot. This is really overkill for her, and that's why I'm doing it. It will be something that will last her a long time; I'm talking 5-10 years with what she does (rolls eyes). I prefer that it does have 802.11n built-in. I know it's only draft right now, but being as we will have DOCSIS 3.0 soon and it is currently not compatible with 802.11g I want something that is ready. I don't care if it has a buit-in webcam and/or mic, that's just a bonus. I would like for it to last at least 3 hours or so on battery power, but I'm not too pressed about that. If push comes to shove I'll just buy her a better battery or an extra one. As far as the HDD/SSD drive space, it doesn't have to be all that much. I can just get an external drive if she starts doing stuff. I'm sure she'll eventually get around to it, as I'm going to get her a digital camera or camcorder later in 2010. Also, please note that none of these specifications are set in stone. Pretty much whatever I don't spend on the laptop will go towards a nice(r) router, miscellaneous peripherals, etc. If you know any coupon codes or discounts via sites such as Bing.com and others, please let me know. Especailly if the deal is going to expire soon. I definately want to get her something I know she will love as she has been wanting a computer for a long time. She said she didn't like laptops before, but I talked to her about it already. Granted she knows what she's getting, or at least supposed to be getting, though I know she doesn't think it's really going to happen either, so I think it would be nice to let her be happy for once. If you are downing me because I want to do something for my mom, then you should realize that you only have one family and should appreciate what you have and show love regardless. We don't last forever, and when it's too late what's said is said and what's done is done and there is no apologies, nor is it possible to change the past. I'm not defending myself, just hoping that everyone may realize that they should take the time to appreciate what good they have in their life regardless of how little it may be instead of always focusing on the bad. Anyway, here's the rest of my post. I would also like for it to be capable of using a wireless keyboard and mouse, and have some sort of display out-put. I know VGA is the most common and is almost universally standard on laptops. This is just incase she would prefer to use a docking station at the house. I would like for it to be able to connect to a TV if possible, even if I may have to buy additional peripherals later on. I mean if it jacks the price up $200, but would cost $100 for a peripheral you should know what I'd do. Without further rambling, here are the requirements. Requirements: - Preferably payable via BillMeLater - Preferably accepts PayPal, but will definately accept MasterCard. - A cap of $500 without the use of BillMeLater. - Available by or before Christmas. Q1) Just a question though, is DDR3 for laptops dual channel instead of triple channel just for compatibility? Q2) How does a Core i7 processor for a PC vs a mobile chip compare? More or less, I just want to know if it will still be a rather high-end/powerful chip/processor. I would like to thank you all for your time. This is a rather pressing matter, so the sooner you may be able to help me the better. I greatly appreciate any help in this matter. In closing allow me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (even if you don't celebrate any holidays. There is a reason for the season.) My Best Regards, Jeremy PS - I somewhat have my eyes set on HP as they are the only company that I have seen that offers C2D and i7, as well as have a lot of rebates and coupons out right now. The brand doesn't really matter to me though, only the quality. If you think a $400 laptop would suit her needs for a few years, then so be it. Like I said any extra cash will still be spent on gifts (i.e. peripherals, etc).
1.) I absolutely recomend openoffice.org; it is faster and more reliable than office...and I would prefer it to office even if office was free. 2.) DDR3 in laptops is a bit silly; other than I5 and I7 that simply do not support DDR2, and thus can only use DDR3. 3.) I5 laptop chips are dual core processors with 3MB cache...the desktop chip is a quad core with 8MB cache; so there is a lot more difference than just the clock speed. The laptop I7 is a quad core, and all but the 720 have 8MB cache...so the main difference is clock speed. 4.) Given her uses, I think most netbooks would be overkill for her. My mom has a quad-core powerhouse of a laptop, but she hardly ever uses it anymore since she got a basic netbook that she takes with her everywhere (she keeps it in a sleve in her purse). Her high-end laptop has become a low-end desktop; and she hardly even uses it for that. Since she does just about everything on the netbook, the only thing she uses the laptop for is to watch netflix streaming movies.
If you get a camera she should be fine on 250 GB, but a camcorder, notably and HD camcorder will fill up quickly. I would venture to say HDMI is quickly becoming the standard for laptops. Im not quite sure why manufacturers do this, unless its a Core i5/i7 which has to utilize DDR3. I suppose manufactures know alot of people dont really know what there doing when the customize a PC on HP or Dells site for example. When they see the option of DDR2/DDR3 they see DDR3 is more expensive and had a higher number, 3, on the end. Therefore your average joe automatically assumes DDR3 is better and then the manufacturer gets to make more money off the RAM purchase. Maybe it just to help them stay organized and cut back on how many types of RAM they need to carry. KB, mostly covered this, but I think its important to add that while they are a modified chip, I may be stating the obvious to you, but the Core i7 still reigns king as the top end processor. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115556 This seems like a descent choice. Keep in mind AMDs low end processors are better then Intel, Intels high end cpus are better then AMD. http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...lp/psg/notebooks/High_performance/dv7t_series This may be out of range if they dont offer a Bill Me Later option.
Hey, sorry for the delay in reply. The internet was out. The modem screwed up and is now working fine. I tried resetting it a few times over the past 2 or 3 days, including pulling the battery (VoIP), and it would act like it was going to work and then screw up. I pack it up and put it in the box and wait for the cable guy yesterday (since it's after 0000 hrs (12 AM) here) and he just hooks it back up and it works like nothing was even wrong. It's the junk DOCSIS 2.0 RCA MODEM Comcast leases. I just figured I'd let you all know what was up since I didn't respond. I appreciate the replies and don't want anyone thinking I just wandered off. First off, I'd like to thank KillerBug and Xplorer4 for their replies. KillerBug thanks for: - The recommendation of OpenOffice.Org. - Noting the different i7 cache size. - Personal experience. Xplorer4 thanks for: - Noting on a camera/camcorder. If I got a digital camcorder I'd definitely go HD in this day and age. That's when I'd be getting her an external drive. - Pointing out HDMI as becoming standard. It's been years since I've looked at laptops, but I always want so much power and more that a laptop lost my focus. - The good point made about DDR2/DDR3. - The links to laptops. I'm pretty sure I forgot to mention this before, but I was hoping for something around 16 inches or more. The second one looks pretty good, and it may not be out of my range. I put in 55 hours last week, so I'll be getting a bit more than what I had planned. A 15.x inch screen will work fine. Like is said it will be online games such as those found at yahoo.com, pogo.com, etc. Maybe the occasional movie (DVD), and some banking. More than likely, I will just go with an 8-14 MP camera and whatever for the laptop. I think I'm just going to get her an HP C2D. Thanks for the input. Comcast sucks (at times). Sorry if this doesn't make much since as I wrote it when the net went down and it was just saved in FireFox. I need to get some sleep before work, so thanks and I'm out. Jeremy.
