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

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Thank you, everyone. Much appreciate the response.


"Richard Fagen" <no_spam@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:u3JRyTjmFHA.3900@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 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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