Opinion on this notebook (please) ?

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seven7seven

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Hi all,

My notebook was recently stolen and I'm looking for a replacement.

I'm pretty keen on this notebook (Toshiba Tecra A9) but wanted some informed opinions before I buy (I'm not up to date with hardware!).

The A9 is an old-ish model but I like its ruggedness (I'll be moving it to & from varsity on a daily basis), the 3 yr warranty and the inclusion of XP Pro (in addition to Vista Bus.).

My question: Is the CPU and RAM decent or am I buying old technology?

Thanks a lot!

:D
 
Cpu and ram are fine. What bothers me is the graphics card. Try get one with a ati or nvidia gfx card.
 
Graphics are the least of your issues.

YES, the CPU is old. This means you also have an old chipset. Does this mean your performance will be much lower? No.

Your battery life will likely be worse than a "current" notebook, though.

http://www.laptopdirect.co.za/laptop_specifications.php?laptop=24709

MUCH better deal. New CPU -> New chipset -> Better battery life.

ALSO LED backlit screen -> Bettery clarity -> More brightness -> Better battery life.

If you want to play games, buy a desktop :cool:
 
Thanks for the replies!

Graphics aren't an issue for me as I won't be doing any gaming on it.
Mainly just development (visual studio), web, docs etc.

The Dell Studio 1537 looks sweet but I've read bad things about it's speaker quality (a gripe I had with my previous notebook).

How much worse is the A9's battery life likely to be (compared to a 'current' notebook)?

Any other suggestions for a notebook? I'm looking for C2D,3GB, 15.4", 2/3 yr warranty and pref. XP downgrade? And not keen on another HP. Budget R11k, maybe a bit more.

Thanks:D
 
Compaq nx9420 has decent specs and you get it for around 8000, with the 3000 you have spare you can probably get them to upgrade..

Intel Core Duo processor T2400 (1.83-GHz, 667-MHz FSB, 2-MB L2 cache)
17 inch WSXGA+ wide viewing angle BrightView display with 1680 x 1050 resolution and 16M colors
1GB (1x1GB) 533-MHz DDR2 SDRAM
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics controller
120GB 5400RPM Hard Disk Drive
Built-In Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 A/B/G
HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth 2.0 Wireless Technology
8-cell high capacity Lithium-Ion battery
Brand new charger and AC adapter (still under warranty)
DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer
Ports: 1x IEEE 1394a Port, 1x Type I/II PC card slot, 1x S-Video TV out, 1x VGA/External Monitor, 1x 7-in-1 Media Reader, 4x USB 2.0, 1x headphone out, 1x microphone in
Windows XP Professional compatible.
Dimensions: 1.3 in (at front) x 15.5 in x 10.8 in (33 mm x 393 mm x 275 mm)
Weight: 3.36kg
 
With the new laptops that are out most of them XP can be installed but it will most probably render your warranty null and void, find out about this b4 ur purshase, and whether their are drivers for XP..
 
Toshiba is a good machine - solid build quality - but once again not great warranty support. Spend some extra on warranty upgrade if you can.
 
Most notebooks have poor speakers. Unless you get a high end model, which would be much more expensive.

I have a Dell Studio 1537. The speakers are, admittedly, not great. But they are clear at medium volume and loud at high volume. However they lack bass. For classical, light rock, small games, I find it more than adequate. But for movies and the like, you need external speakers to make good use of the awesome screen.
 
headphones solve a lot of other problems too.. like getting rid of nagging wives, girlfriends, neighbours, dogs, cats and goldfish. (not that my goldfish ever nags.. )
 
BelAl said:
headphones solve a lot of other problems too.. like getting rid of nagging wives, girlfriends, neighbours, dogs, cats and goldfish. (not that my goldfish ever nags.. )
Click to expand...

Lol.

They're also a manly solution to keeping your hair out of your face ;)
 
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