Posted on 10/24/2009 5:44:39 AM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
Windows 7 has spawned a new breed of inexpensive laptops at retailers like Best Buy and Frys.
At many stores on Thursday, Best Buy refreshed almost its entire stock of laptops: all running Windows 7 and all sporting new model numbers.
Frys--a megastore electronics retailer with locations throughout California, Arizona, and Texas--also refreshed many of its laptops with new Windows 7 models.
One of the most inexpensive Windows 7 arrivals is the Gateway model EC1410U. This tiny laptop is distinctly Netbook-like in appearance but uses a more powerful Celeron M ULV 743 processor (1.3GHz, 1MB cache) than the Atom-chip fare found in Netbooks.
In addition to the Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit version, other features include 2GB of memory and a 250GB hard disk drive.
Small Gateway laptop comes in a Netbook-like package but uses a more powerful Celeron processor than the Atom chip found in Netbooks--and it's cheap at $399
Many seductive Windows 7 newcomers are categorized as "ultrathins."
These slim designs are typically discernibly bigger than Netbooks (though, as evidenced by the Gateway above, it's now always clear-cut) and pack more processor horsepower.
The Toshiba Satellite T-135 (model: T135-S1309), which falls into this category, is priced at $549 at Best Buy and comes with Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 32-bit operating system, a 13.3-inch display, a dual-core power-efficient Pentium processor, 3GB of memory, a 320GB hard disk drive (5400RPM), and built-in Web cam.
The HP dm3 (model: dm3-1035dx), also an ultrathin and also priced at $549, packs 3GB of memory like the Toshiba but that's where the similarity ends.
The HP uses a 7200RPM 320GB hard disk drive (as opposed to the 5400RPM drive on the Toshiba), comes with the Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit version (compared with the Toshiba's 32-bit version), an AMD Athlon Neo X2 dual-core processor (versus Intel Pentium on the Toshiba), and ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics (unlike the Toshiba's Intel integrated graphics).
$549 Toshiba T135 weighs less than 4 pounds and boasts a dual-core processor and 320GB hard disk
$349: Gateway LT2030U Atom chip-based Netbook
Gateway is also offering a bona fide Netbook. The $349 LT2030U houses an Atom N270 processor, 1GB of memory, a 250GB hard disk drive, and--typical of many Atom-based designs--a 10.1-inch screen.
It weighs in at 3 pounds with Microsoft's light-duty Windows 7 Starter Edition--which doesn't support native DVD playback, multi-monitors, nor the Aero user interface.
$499: 15.6-inch Dell Inspiron laptop with 2.16GHz dual-core processor and optical drive
Not to be outdone, Dell is also offering a new inexpensive Windows 7 Inspiron model (I1545-4203JB) with a 15.6-inch screen and a 2.16GHz Intel Pentium dual-core processor T4300 processor.
It comes with 3GB of memory, DVD-RW/CD-RW drive, a 250GB hard disk drive, and the Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit OS.
At $449, Toshiba is also debuting an inexpensive 15.6-incher (L505D-S5983) with a dual-core AMD processor and ATI Radeon 4100 graphics.
It also includes a 320GB hard disk drive, DVD-RW/CD-RW drive, 3GB of memory, and Windows 7 Home Premium.
Frys was selling many of the same, or similar, low-cost models as Best Buy but also included some new high-powered Windows 7 laptops too, such as the HP dv7-3080.
This 17-inch model comes with a quad-core Core i7 720QM processor, an Nvidia GT 230 graphics chip, a 500GB hard disk drive, and Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit. It is priced at $1,449 at Frys.
Does she ever say that size is hard on the eyes?
usually, but not always
But on the Dell website, you have to click on the NAME first, then find out the specs.
I meant that stationary rolling ball embedded in the laptop. But that was years ago.
I just bought the 3 pack of Windows 7 for $149. It’s a good deal for a good product.
You’re right about Best Buy cashing in on the excitement. Go to Newegg, which has some great deals.
Then I guess they think they have better name recognition than they really do.
I prefer desktops. For a laptop get an optical mouse or even better get a laser mouse. Laptops have lots of USB ports to stick the mouse in
There are lots of very small desktop computers these days. You pair it with a nice big 20 or22” LCD screen.....Better than a laptop unless you want portability. Lots of Broward libraries have wireless internet you can pick up w yr laptop
My 4 yo Compaq laptop came with wireless built in. The Dell Mini netbook I bought my wife a few weeks ago (for $299) came with wireless built in. While considering that purchase, I saw an Acer at Wal-Mart that didn't have wireless. You have to shop and read the specs. Short answer, yes, there should be no problem.
My home network consists of those two laptops, and an older Dell (2001) tower that are networked through a Linksys Wireless G router. Windows networking (I also use Network Magic) is all my needs require. I also have an old Micron laptop (32Mb RAM and a 1Gb hard drive) that's wired into the network for file transfer, but most I use it for is old games.
To me, laptops are today's computer. I just don't see the value of a system you can't take with you. But, as I noted to PJ-Comix, invest in a wireless mouse that plugs into a USB port. Those laptop mousepads are worthless, IMO.
I recently bought a Samsung N10 netbook, for use to carry around as sometimes I need to get on the net in a hurry, so I wirelessly tether it to my G1 Android phone if WiFi is unavailable.
The Sammy netbook has a 10.1” screen, runs WinXP, has bluetooth, WiFi, a webcam (don’t need, don’t care), and a 6+ hour battery life if I ever should need it. Really nifty little netbook. The keyboard is basically fullsize. They just reduced the size of some of the peripheral keys that you don’t use as often. It boots up in about 60 seconds. I bought it in a combo deal with a Sammy ext CD/DVD drive for $354 delivered from Newegg.
I’ve had excellent results with my Fujitsu. It has a spill resistant keyboard, anti-shock sensor for the hard drive and a great display.
When I had one problem, my call to customer service was answered by a HUMAN (in northern california). Service was immediate and excellent.
It’s just my opinion, but desktops/towers are passe’. Laptops are the way to go in today’s computing, unless one needs power that a laptop can’t provide and portability isn’t an issue. For most families, laptops are the perfect choice.
I think I'll take your advice.
Well, down the road I am thinking of writing travel stories while on the road so I guess a laptop would be better. Maybe I will be one of those waiting early AM for a Black Friday deal.
bump
I meant that stationary rolling ball embedded in the laptop. But that was years ago.
LOL. I completely forgot about those things.
Nope. She had little use for a computer, hardly spent time on mine except to look for sewing patterns and stuff online. But I bought it because she's taken over a much larger retail store in the past month and I wanted her to have something she could use for work-related data.
She happened to be off the day it arrived. I told her it would take awhile to set up, get it into the network and such. Her response was "whatever". But we'd missed the previous night's episode of NCIS which she loves to watch, and I told her how she could watch it online at the CBS website. First thing after supper, she sits in her chair, boots up the little netbook and watches the full NCIS episode. Then she downloaded her email and remarked "Hey, this is fun." I'd say after that, that no, size isn't a problem for her.
I love the portability! My typos increased by 50percent with laptop.(Long fingernails, and big adjustment re:keyboard setup) I really like the desktop keyboard a lot better. You can modify the way the “mouse” works. I turned the “taptaptap” mouse option off. Hubby uses his. Drives me crazy.
http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-17-3-Inch-Obsidian-Laptop/dp/B002PY7ON0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1256306248&sr=8-3
...from my cold, dead hands. Can't exist without my mouse.
I loaded Windows 7 over my Vista on Wednesday. So far it’s working great! I’m going to test it a bit longer before overwriting it on my XP computer.
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