Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: linuxlover on November 25, 2006, 07:20:39 PM
-
Hi. Is there a way to build a laptop and save money like a desktop? How much would a:
Pentium III (any speed)
256MB RAM
20Gb hard drive
DVD-ROM/CD-RW
Wireless G
decent graphics
touchpad
any sound (anything from soundblaster 16 to Xfi fatal1ty)
cost? Ebay is out of the question. It can be used but only if there are fewer than 10 dead pixels, no major scratches, no missing keys, no faulty components... And it MUST be from a well-known retailer, not an ebayer. If you can build a laptop, where can I find parts?
-
No, you cannot build a laptop. eBay is probably your best bet, or classified ads in your city, or a pawn shop, etc. A "major retailer" will not be selling used equipment most likely.
-
Do you know about how much I would need for a laptop like that?
-
$250-350 probably for decent equipment in good working order. Onboard sound will be what you get. It would be soundblaster compatible, but no way to modify that further. If you get a T model Thinkpad, for instance, it would be Linux compatible, if that is a concern. Dells are usually good too. Other makers may have issues with Linux. What would be the purpose of the machine? What operating system are you planning?
-
Just a simple system for everywhere I can't bring my PC. Playing DVDs, listening to music, playing a few light-games, browsing web, word processing etc. Basic stuff. I'm planning a dual-boot windoze (98 or XP not sure yet) and linux (k/xubuntu again, not sure).
OK, I did some research and came to the following conclusions:
$190 - HP omnibook, CPU: 800MHz, RAM: 256MB, HDD: 20GB
$190 - IBM thinkpad A20M, CPU: 700MHz, RAM: 512MB, HDD: 30GB
$225 - Panasonic toughbook CF-72, CPU: 850MHz, RAM: 256MB, HDD: 30GB, touch-screen
$230 - IBM thinkpad T20, CPU: 750MHz, RAM: 384MB, HDD: 20GB
None include Wifi or AC adapters. I'll have to buy both seperate. Shipping is figured in price. Add $100 for
AC adapter and $35 for WiFi. Which one would be best?
OK I did some more research. Found one WITH the AC adapter:
$220 - IBM Lenovo A21M, CPU: 800MHz, RAM: 256MB, HDD: 20GB
I have a feeling something like that would be better.
-
You don't want to buy a laptop without it's proper AC adapter...
-
soo... I should get something like this:
P3, 800MHz
256MB RAM
20GB HDD
AC adapter
battery
No major scratches
What graphics chip will it most likely have? I do intend to play SOME games. Very simple ones, but 3-D. I need at LEAST 8MB (preferably 32MB).
-
You'll be lucky to get anything over 8 meg in a laptop of that vintage. That's what the T20's have, for instance, although they play DVD's just fine. (No Core Duo or fancy video card needed for that after all!)
Where are you getting these from? The seller is everything. As Patio said an adapter is necessary, and the right one is imperative. If the seller doesn't have one how do we know it works? :-?
-
The below is a reliable place. :D
http://www.computer-show.com/commerce/index.jsp?czuid=1164587113735
-
I'm gonna need at LEAST 8MB; I WILL be playing SOME games. Very basic though. What do the T21's have? My limit is $240. The only place that has those prices is ebay. :( I'm not actually buying them yet. I need to get the money first. Is there a specific seller that you would recommend? I'm going to make SURE that it comes with an AC adapter, battery, expansion port, and has no major defects (keys missing, lines in screen, broken DVD-ROM etc.) I'll most likely get a T21. Anything else I should consider?
-
T-20 through T-22 were virtually the same with the exception of processor. T-20's had a 700 P-III and the T-22 a 900 P-III. PM me if you are interested in a T20.
-
Do you think that a $220 to $240 T21 will work fine? Is it likely a scam? I'll only get ones with pics of it on, which include AC adapter, guarentee on battery, no major defects. What Do u think?
-
If this is on eBay post a link and we can advise.
-
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-T21-P3-800MHZ-256M-20G-DVD_W0QQitemZ300053768945QQihZ020QQcategoryZ140083QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemSomthing like that. As I stated earlier, it will be months before I have the money.
-
That seems like a reputable seller. He requires immediate payment, though.
-
"Immediate Payment"? Does that mean he instantly charges your paypal?
-
No, it means you must use PayPal to pay for the item right then when you bid and the auction closes. If not, then you run the risk of bad feedback for non-payment. This is not unusual for some sellers, as they don't have to worry if you are going to pay in a timely manner and if needed they can re-list the item.
Remember a seller gets charged a percentage of the final price from eBay when the auction closes (as well as a listing fee when it is originally posted).
-
I'm getting one that's "buyitnow". I don't wanna mess with auctioning. Is there any catch with buying a "buyitnow" item? How much is eBay registration? Are there any additional fees for the buyer?
-
No fees are ever charged to the buyer (unless they renig on an auction payment). There is no registration fee for eBay.
Buy It Now just means a straight purchase so you don't have to worry about the price going up in an auction.
-
OK. Thanks ;D My software says minimum graphics card: 8MB. Will it likely work? Other than that I'm positive about the T21 stuff. Thanx a bunch! ;D
OK, I thought about a compaq. Will there likely be any compatibility problems with linux? Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LAPTOP-COMPAQ-ARMADA-E500-P3-900MHZ-256RAM-20GB-CD-R_W0QQitemZ300053790505QQihZ020QQcategoryZ140082QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
-
Absolutely NOT the same compatibility with a Compaq as compared to a Thinkpad. The T models have 8 meg graphics. If the software says you need 8 meg. you are good to go. It is dedicated video memory, not shared with the system which is another big plus. ;)
-
So, i'm good to go! Just get either a thinkpad T21 or an latitude C600.
Thanx a bunch!!! ;D
-
Either of those are good, but I lean toward the Thinkpads for Linux.
-
thanx everyone! ;D Especialy GX1_man! One last question though. I thought you said that Dells were good for Linux? Are thinkpads better for linux than Latitudes? I was kind'of aiming for a C600 cuz' of the superior graphics. Linux compatibility is CRITICAL. I can't stand the Win2K GUI. OK, but aweful in comparison to KDE or XFCE. ;)
-
I have a Latitude 400 model (an earlier version with a 650 processor} which is flawless, THe 600's are good also I hear, but Id onot have first hand usage on them. The 610 are swerr but have the integrated Intel graphics as opposed to a discrete chip, so maybe yes, maybe no on problems with that. Dell is deeoply entrenched with Microsoft. Don't forget that.
I will boot my son's school's 610 up this weekend with a Linux Live CD and check on full compatibility, if you like.
Wireless cards are still problems with Linux as tha makers do NOT release the uinfo on the chip sets and they change the actual chips within the same model without telling anyone (even the consumer), The universal card for me in the Kinksys B card, rev 3. (Version 2 and 4 don't work, yet.) The version 3 works with everything I have tried.
-
OK. If it's not a problem that'd be nice if you'd try it. Thanx again! ;D
-
goog point about belkin tec support (signature)
-
thanx, mcf747. ;) I agree, the RMA process is the worst, and to further it, they didn't even figure out what was wrong. Instead they blamed the router company. (figures). Wonder if linksys is better...
-
I find that if you install the program on windoze XP, then transfer the .inf file to a drive and ndiswrapper-it, it works fine. (Sometimes better than with windoze!)