Have Laptop Will Travel

Acer Gemstone Series offers bang for the buck laptops

Originally posted on July 23, 2007 @ 7:44 pm

The worldwide prices for laptops have been steadily going down the last few years with no sacrifice in features and quality. In fact, the features that are being packed into laptops are actually making laptops more value-laden. For example, even mid-range and value-range laptops are being fitted with powerful onboard video that now allow users to play the latest games on their laptops. This was a feature that was only found in top of the line models a few years back.

One laptop that I was recently looking at is the Gemstone series from Acer. This range of low to mid range laptops are some of the most feature laden that I have seen in years. And at a price that is just within the $1,000 range for the AMD Turion-powered 4520 series, laptops have now entered the impulse-buy territory (I almost bought the laptop last weekend!).

As for features, aside from the aformentioned nifty onboard video (an Nvidia GeForce 8400 for the 4520G) , it has a built in 5 in 1 card reader, generous memory, built-in webcam for making video calls, and CrystalBrite LCD. Being a music lover, I particularly love the fact that the Gemstone Series has build int Dolby Digital Surround Sound. A fellow audio nut I know who recently bought this laptop claims that mp3s played on the Acer Gemstone sounds infinitely better compared to his iPod. He even said he’ll be ditching his headphone amp because he won’t need it anymore.

I hope I can find an Acer Gemstone under my Christmas tree this December.

Computers and depreciation

Originally posted on August 10, 2007 @ 9:06 pm

I recently visited the buy and sell section of one of my favorite online forums. I periodically do this because I have discovered that some really great bargains could be had from the buy and sell section. I was doing the virtual equivalent of window shopping when I chanced upon an ad posted by one of the forum members. This guy was selling his old iMac G4 20″ desktop PC for about $1,199. I couldn’t believe my eyes! The ad further explained that the G4 had been used for a fe w years and that he initially bought the iMac for $2,800.

If you look at the numbers you’d think that you’re getting a real bargain. The guy must be crazy if he’s selling it at that low price! The seller may think that he’s offering a great bargain price, but in reality, he’s ripping off any prospective buyers. Here is where the iniquity of depreciation kicks in. A cursory look in eBay and you will discover that the highest bid for a used but good condition iMac G4 is $200. Yes, a measly 200 bucks. And to put it in a better perspective, the newly released iMac Aluminum, that marvel of desktop architecture, has a base price of, hold on, $1,199. That’s the price being offered by the seller in that buy and sell section!

Depreciation really sucks especially when it involves items that you paid so much money for. The seller may not have any intention of tricking hapless buyers and only wants to recoup some of his investment on a PC. But the sad reality is, the moment you buy a computer, whether it’s a desktop PC or a laptop, it is already obsolete and have devalued in price.

If you have any intention of recouping your investment in computers. Follow this simple advice: Sell it off after two years. Even then, the most that you can get is maybe half of what you paid for it.

HP to ship 20-inch gaming notebook

Originally posted on July 30, 2007 @ 11:59 pm

The mobile gaming sector is one of the fastest growing in the mobile computing industry. A growing number of gamers are seeing the potentials of gaming on the go and with the prices of laptop parts that are geared towards the high performance demands of game graphics steadily dropping, gaming laptops are now within reach of middle level buyers.

With Dell acquiring the renowned gaming computer manufacturer Alienware, the competition in the mobile gaming laptops is becoming more frenzied. Manufacturers are constantly figuring out the right mix of performance and price that will appear to a majority of computer users and hardcore gamers.

Even Hewlett Packard is getting in on the game with the announcement in last January’s CES that they will be coming out with a gaming notebook. In fact, the HP HDX was unveiled in that event. Now more than six months later, the company is finally listing the product as ready for shipping.

The initial listing the HDX is at $2,999 but the machine – all 20 inches of it (we’re talking about the monitor) powered by the Intel Santa Rosa platform – will more likely cost $4,500 when you factor in all of the add-ons and extras. The price point means that if you are not a hardcore gamer or if you have a cluttered desk that you cannot hope to reclaim space for this monster then you’ll most likely pass up on it. Actually based on preliminary reviews it looks like you’ll need to have big muscles in order to lug this giant of a “notebook” around.

Five Realistic Computer Setups to Maximize Productivity

Originally posted on April 17, 2007 @ 3:08 pm

Having a good computer setup is as important for productivity as having the right technology. A clean desk, one or two large monitors, lots of room for your keyboard and mouse with minimal clutter is key for having a productive setup in your home or office. Here are some great examples of computer setups that allow for maximum productivity.

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Windows XP or Vista for the Notebook?

Originally posted on June 1, 2007 @ 1:41 pm

In my 3D, or real, life many times I get asked ‘What about Vista? Is it worth it? and Will my computer/laptop run it?’.
Over the last months I have installed Windows on many computers, different configurations. Personally I admit loving Windows Vista, but maybe this is because I know what Windows can do.
I have no exotic software, most software I use comes from well known manufacturers and already worked in Vista Beta times. But I disgress.
Here are some of my observations on Windows Vista and its hardware requirements.

It’s all about the memory!

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