I think I might be buying a new laptop

[Budweiser]

I imagine it'll be within the 500-800$ range -- What sort of specs should I be looking for? it's been a while since I've really given much of a shit about most recent hardware and shit.

Should I wait until Windows 7 is released?

[ThinkAboutYou]

I imagine it'll be within the 500-800$ range -- What sort of specs should I be looking for? it's been a while since I've really given much of a shit about most recent hardware and shit.

Should I wait until Windows 7 is released?

Good Graphics card 512 or 1 GB

Ram at least 2 GB (fast)

Fast CPU Processor

I would also look into the rotation speed and access times (cache) of the hard drive

Might be wise to wait until windows 7 is released if you want to use a Microsoft product

probably best to spend $800 (to get better specs) and shop around for the best deals

Edited September 26, 2009 by ThinkAboutYou

[Budweiser]

I imagine it'll be within the 500-800$ range -- What sort of specs should I be looking for? it's been a while since I've really given much of a shit about most recent hardware and shit.

Should I wait until Windows 7 is released?

Good Graphics card 512 or 1 GB

Ram at least 2 GB (fast)

Fast CPU Processor

I would also look into the rotation speed and access times (cache) of the hard drive

Might be wise to wait until windows 7 is released if you want to use a Microsoft product

probably best to spend $800 (to get better specs) and shop around for the best deals

Yes, I will most likely be using a bunch of Microsoft products, and from what I hear Windows 7 is supposed to be the nuts.

What do you recommend as fast CPU processor?

And what can you tell me about this "rotation speed"?

Thanks!

[madison]

I imagine it'll be within the 500-800$ range -- What sort of specs should I be looking for? it's been a while since I've really given much of a shit about most recent hardware and shit.

Should I wait until Windows 7 is released?

Good Graphics card 512 or 1 GB

Ram at least 2 GB (fast)

Fast CPU Processor

I would also look into the rotation speed and access times (cache) of the hard drive

Might be wise to wait until windows 7 is released if you want to use a Microsoft product

probably best to spend $800 (to get better specs) and shop around for the best deals

I'm shopping for a new laptop and am currently facing the same dilemma.

I've been debating whether to boost the RAM to 6 GB from 4, or to increase the processor speed/cache to 6 MB cache/2.8GHHz from 3MB cache. I can't afford to boost both, and I'm edging toward increasing the cache/processor speed because I often have about 10 screens open on my computer at a time. And from what I understand, the bigger the cache, the better the system will operate when you have a lot of screens open at the same time - at least that's what I was told.

I'm also going for a high res screen - 1920x1080. I've always been disappointed with my current res and vowed I'd pay up for the high res the next time I bought a laptop.

So, I'd certainly welcome recommendations from the computer experts out there.

[highvoltage]

I've been debating whether to boost the RAM to 6 GB from 4, or to increase the processor speed/cache to 6 MB cache/2.8GHHz from 3MB cache. I can't afford to boost both, and I'm edging toward increasing the cache/processor speed because I often have about 10 screens open on my computer at a time. And from what I understand, the bigger the cache, the better the system will operate when you have a lot of screens open at the same time - at least that's what I was told.

They're both beneficial for this - although I would probably say that RAM is even more so. A good way to explain it is to use the analogy of a highway... Think of the 6GB of RAM/smaller cache being a 6 lane highway with cars moving at 40mp/h.. whereas the 4GB RAM/larger cache would be a 4 lane highway with cars moving at 50mp/h. The larger amounts of RAM let you move more data but the smaller cache does it at a slower speed. This explanation isn't entirely accurate (it has more to do with processor speed than cache, but it's close enough to the mark...). So the more RAM you have, the more things you can have open at one time.

The thing is though, 4GB is actually quite a lot already anyway, so...

The question for you is whether or not you'd be able to use 6GB of RAM at one time. I have 6 in my desktop, and I thrash it - music, browser with 10 tabs open, outlook and COD4 running at the same time (completely unnecessary) and I still can't max it out. Although Vista and 7 both use a good 1.5GB of RAM when they're idling - you're still left with 2.5GB left to play with, and unless you were running photoshop, a video editing program, playing music and surfing the web at the same time, it's unlikely you'd use all of that memory at once (remember guys, it's a laptop so it's not like she's using two monitors with it either).

I think the 6MB cache would be a smarter choice for you though, because 3 isn't that much - and although in general terms the RAM is generally the upgrade you'd go for, 6GB is probably overkill and you'll find more of a bottleneck with the smaller cache than you will with 4GB of RAM. The board isn't going to support tri-channel or anything either being a laptop, so there's no performance benefit from that side of things either.

So um, yeah. +1 for the bigger cache.

[highvoltage]

I imagine it'll be within the 500-800$ range -- What sort of specs should I be looking for? it's been a while since I've really given much of a shit about most recent hardware and shit.

Should I wait until Windows 7 is released?

Good Graphics card 512 or 1 GB

Ram at least 2 GB (fast)

Fast CPU Processor

I would also look into the rotation speed and access times (cache) of the hard drive

Might be wise to wait until windows 7 is released if you want to use a Microsoft product

probably best to spend $800 (to get better specs) and shop around for the best deals

Remember he's talking in USD so $800 should get him something decent.

What are you using it for? Do you play games? Is it just for Office/Web Browsing? Is power consumption important?

- Rotation speed is to do with the read/write speed of your hard-drive. When you're moving around large amounts of music and movies, then this can become important

[madison]

Although Vista and 7 both use a good 1.5GB of RAM when they're idling - you're still left with 2.5GB left to play with,..

Thanks for your advice High!

But I have another question - and it's probably a dumb one. But when you mentioned that Vista and Windows 7 each take up 1.5GB - Does this mean when I upgrade to Windows 7, the two will take up 3GB? The system will come with Vista - and then I'll upgrade to Windows 7 in late October. So does this mean it will take up 3GB when I do the upgrade? I thought that Windows 7 is completely different from Vista and therefore separate?

[highvoltage]

Although Vista and 7 both use a good 1.5GB of RAM when they're idling - you're still left with 2.5GB left to play with,..

Thanks for your advice High!

But I have another question - and it's probably a dumb one. But when you mentioned that Vista and Windows 7 each take up 1.5GB - Does this mean when I upgrade to Windows 7, the two will take up 3GB? The system will come with Vista - and then I'll upgrade to Windows 7 in late October. So does this mean it will take up 3GB when I do the upgrade? I thought that Windows 7 is completely different from Vista and therefore separate?

No, you'll only be running one or the other and therefore only using 1.5GB of RAM... When you upgrade you install over the top of the old one, so you'll only be running one of the two. You won't be taking up 3GB...

It's a bit hard to explain the difference between RAM memory and Hard Drive memory in a short post, but i'll try...

Hard Drive (eg 320GB or whatever it is yours will be) is used to store everything permanently, like music, movies, programs you've installed, etc... whatever is stored in your hard drive remains there when your computer is switched off. In computing terms, it's slow to access as the data is stored in different locations all over it.

RAM is also known as volatile memory and as soon an electrical current running through it is switched off, it gets wiped. It's very fast to access (almost instantaneous).

When you open a program or a music file or anything, it gets read off the Hard Drive and then (kind of) gets copied into the RAM memory, the CPU processes it and you get an output (sound out of your speakers, a display on the screen, etc). Windows Vista uses about 1.5GB of RAM when you're not doing anything with it (more if it's performing a complex task), Photoshop might use 500mb, iTunes uses about 30mb when it's running, Firefox uses about 50mb under load, etc, etc. When you close one of those programs (ie - when it's not running), then it gets removed from the RAM and something else can then take it's place. RAM is only taken up when something is running.

If you max out your RAM by having too many things open at once then you might get low memory warnings and your computer starts to slow down significantly. This is because your computer then has to set aside a portion of your Hard Drive to be used as "Virtual" RAM which is a lot slower for it to access. It can be very innefficient.

This is why when you've got too many things open your computer starts to slow down. More RAM = you being able to have more things running at once. I hope i've kind of made sense, it's as basic an explanation as I could provide. When you upgrade from Vista to 7, then Vista doesn't get loaded on startup and therefore doesn't consume any of your RAM. If you want to see how much RAM each active process is using, then press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, open Task Manager and then click the "processes" tab. You'll see how many things your computer is doing at once (usually anywhere between 40-100). The mem usage column is how much RAM each of those processes is consuming at one time.

If you have any more questions, then shoot.

[ThinkAboutYou]

And from what I understand, the bigger the cache, the better the system will operate when you have a lot of screens open at the same time - at least that's what I was told.

All these have an impact on system performance also the number of programs loaded into memory at startup

Good Graphics card 1 GB

Ram at least 2 GB (fast)

Fast CPU Processor

I would also look into the rotation speed and access times (cache) of the hard drive

plus defragmenting your hard drive every once and awhile doesn't hurt

Highvoltage is right Madison concentrate on between 2GB-4GB RAM and maybe a 1GB Graphics card

Edited September 27, 2009 by ThinkAboutYou

[Marky]

Just got me a Compaq one, can't remember the RAM, but it holds 320GB (I have an Ext HD anyway), and cost me £540, with an upgrade to Windows 7 for free (I dont know if its free or not to the regular buyer) and some free insurance/data recovery stuff. Cushti!

[madison]

Thanks guys.

I have one other question: Dell offers a free upgrade to Windows 7. But you have to choose the Vista system first, and it offers a choice between "Vista Home Premium SP1, 64-bit" system and "Vista Ultimate Edition 64-bit." Whichever system I choose will determine which version of Windows 7 I get. Can somebody tell my the difference between the two systems?

Also, I need some advice regarding wireless cards.

What is the difference in these choices:

- Intel® 5100 WLAN Wireless-N (1x2) Half Mini Card [included in Price]

- Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card [add $45 or $1/month1]

- Intel 5150 Wimax, Wireless-N combo card More Details [add $60 or $1/month1]

- Intel 5300 Ultimate-N Half Mini Card (3x3) with MyWiFi [add $45 or $1/month1] + Internal Wireless Card w/ Router

- Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card with Linksys WRT160N Wireless Router [add $125 or $3/moonth]

[Bromle]

First of all I would boost the Prosessor and Cache long before RAM, that is becouse RAM is easy and cheap upgrade to do later on, if you feel the lack of preformance, Swtiching prosessor on a laptop is not an easy task, and you normally can just look for a new laptop instead.

If you buy Vista Ultimate 64bit. You will get a 64bit OS, that means that some programs will not work on your computer, but it will be much faster and much more efficiant. There is one program that has known issues. Cisco VPN. That won't work on a 64bit windows. If your not using that program I don't think there will be much problem. Just remember to download 64 bit versions when you download new software (or buy)

[madison]

... If you buy Vista Ultimate 64bit. You will get a 64bit OS, that means that some programs will not work on your computer, but it will be much faster and much more efficiant. There is one program that has known issues. Cisco VPN. That won't work on a 64bit windows. If your not using that program I don't think there will be much problem. Just remember to download 64 bit versions when you download new software (or buy)

But what if I go for the Vista "Home Premium SP1 64-bit" instead of the Vista "Ultimate 64-bit?" It costs less, and I'm not sure what the difference is between them.

[kevin]

They're both beneficial for this - although I would probably say that RAM is even more so. A good way to explain it is to use the analogy of a highway... Think of the 6GB of RAM/smaller cache being a 6 lane highway with cars moving at 40mp/h.. whereas the 4GB RAM/larger cache would be a 4 lane highway with cars moving at 50mp/h. The larger amounts of RAM let you move more data but the smaller cache does it at a slower speed. This explanation isn't entirely accurate (it has more to do with processor speed than cache, but it's close enough to the mark...). So the more RAM you have, the more things you can have open at one time.

The thing is though, 4GB is actually quite a lot already anyway, so...

The question for you is whether or not you'd be able to use 6GB of RAM at one time. I have 6 in my desktop, and I thrash it - music, browser with 10 tabs open, outlook and COD4 running at the same time (completely unnecessary) and I still can't max it out. Although Vista and 7 both use a good 1.5GB of RAM when they're idling - you're still left with 2.5GB left to play with, and unless you were running photoshop, a video editing program, playing music and surfing the web at the same time, it's unlikely you'd use all of that memory at once (remember guys, it's a laptop so it's not like she's using two monitors with it either).

I think the 6MB cache would be a smarter choice for you though, because 3 isn't that much - and although in general terms the RAM is generally the upgrade you'd go for, 6GB is probably overkill and you'll find more of a bottleneck with the smaller cache than you will with 4GB of RAM. The board isn't going to support tri-channel or anything either being a laptop, so there's no performance benefit from that side of things either.

So um, yeah. +1 for the bigger cache.

Agreed, you won't use 6GB of RAM unless you're doing heavy work -- if you don't know what is considered heavy work, you aren't doing it (and you shouldn't do it on a laptop anyways >:|). Also your RAM highway analogy isn't really correct, as you stated, but I'll let it go (mostly because I hate VLSI).

plus defragmenting your hard drive every once and awhile doesn't hurt

What's really interesting to me is solid state hard drives. Technically the data is fragmented as the windows file system is pretty shitty, but the lack of moving parts makes the delay negligible, meaning you don't really have to defrag - and actually shouldn't.

If anyone wants some REAL ENGINEER information on how shit like RAM works let me know, I'll send you some shit. It is kind of interesting, but again it's VLSI >:|

... If you buy Vista Ultimate 64bit. You will get a 64bit OS, that means that some programs will not work on your computer, but it will be much faster and much more efficiant. There is one program that has known issues. Cisco VPN. That won't work on a 64bit windows. If your not using that program I don't think there will be much problem. Just remember to download 64 bit versions when you download new software (or buy)

But what if I go for the Vista "Home Premium SP1 64-bit" instead of the Vista "Ultimate 64-bit?" It costs less, and I'm not sure what the difference is between them.

See: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-v...ns/default.aspx

[kevin]

If you buy Vista Ultimate 64bit. You will get a 64bit OS, that means that some programs will not work on your computer, but it will be much faster and much more efficiant. There is one program that has known issues. Cisco VPN. That won't work on a 64bit windows. If your not using that program I don't think there will be much problem. Just remember to download 64 bit versions when you download new software (or buy)

You really won't have problems using 32 bit software on a 64 bit OS.

Also if you have 4 GB of RAM you will need a 64 bit OS!

64 bits gives you more 1's and 0's to describe what's going on in your computer. A register (look at it like memory) in a 32 bit will have an address (physical location) like this:

0xFAFAFAFA

A 64 bit could look like tihs:

0xFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFA

You can't address 4GB of RAM with 32 bits, the maximum integer value isn't high enough for each memory cell (physical location that stores the bit).

[highvoltage]

First of all I would boost the Prosessor and Cache long before RAM, that is becouse RAM is easy and cheap upgrade to do later on, if you feel the lack of preformance, Swtiching prosessor on a laptop is not an easy task, and you normally can just look for a new laptop instead.

If you buy Vista Ultimate 64bit. You will get a 64bit OS, that means that some programs will not work on your computer, but it will be much faster and much more efficiant. There is one program that has known issues. Cisco VPN. That won't work on a 64bit windows. If your not using that program I don't think there will be much problem. Just remember to download 64 bit versions when you download new software (or buy)

Cisco now provides SSL VPN which works on 64-Bit, but I don't really see how that's relevant to this situation as she's never mentioned a requirement for the software. 64-Bit Vista and 7 are very well supported (significantly moreso than XP). Also, if she's going for more than 3.5GB of RAM and she wants her computer to be able to see it then she needs 64-Bit Windows.

... If you buy Vista Ultimate 64bit. You will get a 64bit OS, that means that some programs will not work on your computer, but it will be much faster and much more efficiant. There is one program that has known issues. Cisco VPN. That won't work on a 64bit windows. If your not using that program I don't think there will be much problem. Just remember to download 64 bit versions when you download new software (or buy)

But what if I go for the Vista "Home Premium SP1 64-bit" instead of the Vista "Ultimate 64-bit?" It costs less, and I'm not sure what the difference is between them.

Ultimate is a combination of Home Premium and Business - it's like XP Home vs XP Professional.

If you're to be using your computer as part of any serious office network with high security settings (one that has a domain), or if you plan on using things like remote desktop, then you'll need Ultimate. If you're connecting it to more "basic" networks like a home office or a small business that doesn't operate a server, then you could get away with Home Premium.

What is the difference in these choices:

- Intel® 5100 WLAN Wireless-N (1x2) Half Mini Card [included in Price]

- Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card [add $45 or $1/month1]

- Intel 5150 Wimax, Wireless-N combo card More Details [add $60 or $1/month1]

- Intel 5300 Ultimate-N Half Mini Card (3x3) with MyWiFi [add $45 or $1/month1] + Internal Wireless Card w/ Router

- Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card with Linksys WRT160N Wireless Router [add $125 or $3/moonth]

- The 5100 is a notoriously poor card, so i'd avoid it.

- The 5300 is a much more reliable card with faster speeds so it's worth the upgrade (tick for number two, IMO)

- Wimax is a new wireless technology and it's not very common. I wouldn't bother.

- Same as option 2 but with a router

- Same as option 2 but with a different kind of router to the previous one.

Go with the second one: Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card [add $45 or $1/month1]

Also your RAM highway analogy isn't really correct, as you stated, but I'll let it go (mostly because I hate VLSI).

Yeah, like I said - it's not totally correct or anything, but it's the easiest "real world" way to try and explain it to someone who doesn't get it.

[kevin]

EECS makes me lose track of the real world ;_;

[highvoltage]

EECS makes me lose track of the real world ;_;

No shit.

You really won't have problems using 32 bit software on a 64 bit OS.

Also if you have 4 GB of RAM you will need a 64 bit OS!

64 bits gives you more 1's and 0's to describe what's going on in your computer. A register (look at it like memory) in a 32 bit will have an address (physical location) like this:

0xFAFAFAFA

A 64 bit could look like tihs:

0xFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFA

You can't address 4GB of RAM with 32 bits, the maximum integer value isn't high enough for each memory cell (physical location that stores the bit).

Translation: If you have more than 3.5 GB of RAM, then you need a 64-bit OS to use it.