Re: Replacement laptops, 10 pc SBS2003 network, 5 to be laptops. Celeron or M chip?

Hi Dave,

I agree about Pentium M's, but I doubt a separate (or even a high end) video card will help basic business applications. In my experience, they add very little (I can't notice any improvement) for standard office applications like Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. Even for 2D application like Photoshop, adding more ram and having a fast hard drive boost performance more than a fancy graphics card.

About chipset....
This does make a HUGE difference for the standard on board graphic IF you play games. While I didn't notice much benefit from going from the 845 to the 865, I noticed a HUGE gain in the 9xx series.

For desktops at least, the Intel 915G chipset is amazingly good even for games. One client insisted on getting a $500 ATI pci-x card added and I didn't notice any gain for even mid level games. Then again, I don't play first person shooters:)

IMHO, the 9xx chipset is as good or better than the 8xx series with a fancy graphics card. But only spend the money if you play games, design CAD or work with rendering models or animation.

Richard

Dave Nickason [SBS MVP] wrote:

I have been happy with the performance of Dell Latitude 600's and 610's with 1.6 or 1.7 Pentium Ms. You're right about the hard drives for sure, but I also wonder how much you're slowed down by video on the motherboard. Our Latitudes have separate graphics cards, which I think could be a part of what keeps them from being sluggish. The only thing is, I don't think you'll be getting XP Pro, current chipset, and separate graphics card for $1,000.


"Richard Fagen" <no_spam@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:ej$EACgmFHA.3380@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi,

In general, I hate laptops because they are slow. I can build a $400US desktop that will run circles around a $2000US laptop.

You are right, get the 5400rpm hard drives as that helps, also check the hd cache. Desktop performance drives have 8m internal cache, cheaper consumer models ($10 less!) have 1/3 the warranty and just 2m cache. A slow HD will kill performance.

While I buy Celeron's for desktop (the latest "D" version with the 533 bus are great and 95% of people can't tell them apart from CPU's costing 10x as much) I wouldn't get anything but a Pentium M for a laptop, but get the LATEST Pentium M with 2M internal cache, not the stuff they are trying to clear with 1M or less.

When they introduced the 2M cache Pentium M, I finally found a laptop that approached a $400 desktop in performance :)

Graphics....
Get the better chip, 512M and a fast HD and you'll be fine

Wifi...
They all come with them, if they don't, it is old crap someone is trying to dump on you :)


15" XGA screen (for the older crowd.)

I'm over 35 and everyone's eye change, just wait, you'll insist on the 17" models :)


Celeron or M chip? 

No contest, JUST get the M but the 2meg cache model only.


I've never purchased a Celeron chip on a laptop before and I don't know if it makes a difference. Also, if I buy a faster Celeron will it support Longhorn (Vista?)

That's 2yr away minimum (don't believe the marketing guys), besides, it won't run on any laptop today, you'll need new ones later. You can't upgrade licenses legally, cheaply and easily on laptops. Worry about today.



I've stayed away from AMD because they run hot but I don't have personal experience with AMD chips on laptops.

Same here, plus Intel has the best support for replacement and phone calls.



And last but not least, Dell or Compaq? 3 year onsite warranty is needed. Dell has been ok. Compaq mail in service is good.

While I own shares in both companies, I have never bought a Dell. I hate their bait and switch ideas. They advertise low and when you get the options and shipping included, it will be 2-3x the price.

Stick with the Compaq/HP business models. For those, you get XP Pro, three year warranty and great support. These models are NOT available in store. Retail outlets sell cheaper consumer models with XP Home and 1 yr warranties. Dealer are meant to help business select the proper equipment for their needs. In the stores, the guys sold hamburgers last week :)

For the $1000 budget, you can't do that, unless you wait a year or so for prices to drop. Count on $1400-1500 for something with your specs.
You will see $1000 models, but the extras (wifi, ram and hard drive upgrade, xp pro, 2nd and 3rd yr warranty, etc) will boost the price. You get what you pay for.

Find a good dealer and get their help.

Richard

p.s. I'm a HP dealer, but I'm in Canada and I don't want headaches with customs. If you are in Canada, drop me a note :) 



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