So I'm buying a notebook computer for my daughter for her HS graduation present. The idea is to get one that will caryy her through four years of college (and beyond?). My ex gave me some specs she got from OSU (that's where she's been accepted), so I have the general idea of what she needs feature-wise.
My question relates to processor speed vs. RAM and how it relates to the actual functioning speed of the computer, plus a little bit of hard drive capacity thrown into the mix for a given price. I think double the processor speed is better than double the RAM. RAM can be added later; a bigger hard drive can be added later. However.....
Option 1: 2.93 Celeron, 256 RAM, 40 gig HD $799
Option 2: 1.4 Celeron, 512 RAM, 60 gig HD $799
Bought yesterday: Toshiba Satellite A65-S1072 Apparently a discontinued item as I cannot find info at the Toshiba website and the box has "Copyright 2004" on it. No specs on the outside of the box and I'm not going to open the box 'til I'm sure this is "the one." Fry's advertised specs are Option 1 above. Fry's says it does not have WIFI built in, but the box has 2 stickers on it that would indicate WIFI to me. The shelf display had a "WIFI not connected" message on the screen when I looked at it.
Circuit City ad today is Option 2 above. It definitely has WIFI per the ad. WIFI is cheap enough to add on with a card later, so that's not really a big deal to me right now.
I would not be in a quandry here if Option 2 didn't also have a 50% larger hard drive. I know that a fast computer sucks if it doesn't have enough RAM, but 1.4 is pretty dang fast. If you throw in the KNOWN WIFI built-in for good compatibility compared to the ASSUMED WIFI, this just might be enough to tip the scales in favor of Option 2. Plus, there's more Circuit City stores in this world than there are Fry's Electronics (for any future service issues).
What would you do?
My question relates to processor speed vs. RAM and how it relates to the actual functioning speed of the computer, plus a little bit of hard drive capacity thrown into the mix for a given price. I think double the processor speed is better than double the RAM. RAM can be added later; a bigger hard drive can be added later. However.....
Option 1: 2.93 Celeron, 256 RAM, 40 gig HD $799
Option 2: 1.4 Celeron, 512 RAM, 60 gig HD $799
Bought yesterday: Toshiba Satellite A65-S1072 Apparently a discontinued item as I cannot find info at the Toshiba website and the box has "Copyright 2004" on it. No specs on the outside of the box and I'm not going to open the box 'til I'm sure this is "the one." Fry's advertised specs are Option 1 above. Fry's says it does not have WIFI built in, but the box has 2 stickers on it that would indicate WIFI to me. The shelf display had a "WIFI not connected" message on the screen when I looked at it.
Circuit City ad today is Option 2 above. It definitely has WIFI per the ad. WIFI is cheap enough to add on with a card later, so that's not really a big deal to me right now.
I would not be in a quandry here if Option 2 didn't also have a 50% larger hard drive. I know that a fast computer sucks if it doesn't have enough RAM, but 1.4 is pretty dang fast. If you throw in the KNOWN WIFI built-in for good compatibility compared to the ASSUMED WIFI, this just might be enough to tip the scales in favor of Option 2. Plus, there's more Circuit City stores in this world than there are Fry's Electronics (for any future service issues).
What would you do?