What to do about my laptop...

2010-02-11 23:12:54

#1

OmniDeath: ~; +726|6903

My current laptop is approx. 4 years old. The battery is shot; every time I turn it on it gives me an error saying it needs to be replaced, nor does it hold a charge (completely defeating its purpose).

I can get a new battery for it for around $60, or I can invest in a new laptop. Is it worth keeping or is it time for an upgrade?

Specs:
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU T7400 @ 2.16GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Video: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300
HDD: 80GB

If I get a new laptop, any suggestions? Must be better than current laptop specs (no netbooks) and under $600 (if that's possible, don't know much about laptop prices)... the cheaper the better.

Thanks!

Last edited by OmniDeath (2010-02-12 11:13:15)

2010-02-11 23:14:42

#2

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6966|67.222.138.85

What are you looking for in a laptop?

If you're not looking for much performance wise but really want portability/low price a netbook would be great. Personally if I was getting a netbook I would forget getting a new battery, otherwise I would just get a new battery.

2010-02-11 23:16:37

#3

mcminty: Moderating your content for the Australian Govt.; +879|6980|Sydney, Australia

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
What are you looking for in a laptop?

Indeedy. What do you use the laptop for?

2010-02-11 23:26:48

#4

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6456|Winland

If the laptop is fast enough for you and not falling apart, I don't see a reason not to just buy a new battery. My laptop is slower than that, part the graphics card, and it does everything I need it to do and some more.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2010-02-11 23:28:42

#5

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6966|67.222.138.85

Freezer7Pro wrote:
If the laptop is fast enough for you and not falling apart, I don't see a reason not to just buy a new battery. My laptop is slower than that, part the graphics card, and it does everything I need it to do and some more.

$60 is about 20% off the cost of a netbook...not everyone needs to be surrounded in working but aged tech mr. dig through the trash for old powersupplies.

2010-02-12 00:01:06

#6

OmniDeath: ~; +726|6903

I use it mostly for graphics and illustration work; Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, etc. File sizes can get pretty big working in PS as well (18x24" @ 300dpi can be a real bitch for my current laptop).

A netbook would be cool in its own respects but it won't cut it for what I need to do.

2010-02-12 19:16:03

#7

OmniDeath: ~; +726|6903

halp?

2010-02-12 23:58:56

#8

CammRobb: Banned; +1,510|6389|Carnoustie MASSIF

Given your budget, and the fact I don't think that your current laptop cost $600 new, I'm gonna say get a new battery. You're not going to get anything better for less I wouldn't think. That said, I haven't got time to have a look, but I'll do it tonight.

2010-02-13 04:38:36

#9

max: Vela Incident; +1,652|6826|NYC / Hamburg

The current specs are pretty good. You're not going to get something much better for $600. Get a new battery, maybe some more RAM.

_{once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.}

2010-02-13 07:10:59

#10

Finray: Hup! Dos, Tres, Cuatro; +2,629|6047|Catherine Black

2010-02-13 07:25:52

#11

Pochsy: Artifice of Eternity; +702|5802|Toronto

Finray wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtqRvAu71Gw

When the batteries explode you'll know.

The shape of an eye in front of the ocean, digging for stones and throwing them against its window pane. Take it down dreamer, take it down deep. - Other Families

2010-02-13 07:30:57

#12

Finray: Hup! Dos, Tres, Cuatro; +2,629|6047|Catherine Black

Pochsy wrote:
Finray wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtqRvAu71Gw
When the batteries explode you'll know.

The guy is a qualified Electrician, I think he knows what he's on about.

2010-02-13 07:37:18

#13

Pochsy: Artifice of Eternity; +702|5802|Toronto

Finray wrote:
Pochsy wrote:
Finray wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtqRvAu71Gw
When the batteries explode you'll know.
The guy is a qualified Electrician, I think he knows what he's on about.

He said it could explode himself. Not only this, but if a qualified electrician is worried enough to mention it, you know it's a point worth noting.

The shape of an eye in front of the ocean, digging for stones and throwing them against its window pane. Take it down dreamer, take it down deep. - Other Families

2010-02-13 07:38:45

#14

Finray: Hup! Dos, Tres, Cuatro; +2,629|6047|Catherine Black

Pochsy wrote:
Finray wrote:
Pochsy wrote:

When the batteries explode you'll know.
The guy is a qualified Electrician, I think he knows what he's on about.
He said it could explode himself. Not only this, but if a qualified electrician is worried enough to mention it, you know it's a point worth noting.

He meant it could explode while you're soldering.

2010-02-13 07:42:23

#15

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6456|Winland

Pochsy wrote:
Finray wrote:
Pochsy wrote:

When the batteries explode you'll know.
The guy is a qualified Electrician, I think he knows what he's on about.
He said it could explode himself. Not only this, but if a qualified electrician is worried enough to mention it, you know it's a point worth noting.

They'll only explode if you heat with a really shitty soldering iron for far too long.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2010-02-13 07:42:30

#16

Pochsy: Artifice of Eternity; +702|5802|Toronto

Finray wrote:
Pochsy wrote:
Finray wrote:

The guy is a qualified Electrician, I think he knows what he's on about.
He said it could explode himself. Not only this, but if a qualified electrician is worried enough to mention it, you know it's a point worth noting.
He meant it could explode while you're soldering.

Yeah...

And I meant when it blows up in your face (literally) you'll know it was a good idea.

The shape of an eye in front of the ocean, digging for stones and throwing them against its window pane. Take it down dreamer, take it down deep. - Other Families

2010-02-13 07:42:43

#17

FloppY_: +1,010|6545|Denmark aka Automotive Hell

Finray wrote:
Pochsy wrote:
Finray wrote:

The guy is a qualified Electrician, I think he knows what he's on about.
He said it could explode himself. Not only this, but if a qualified electrician is worried enough to mention it, you know it's a point worth noting.
He meant it could explode while you're soldering.

If you are a beeing a muppet and heat them up enough that is

Your thoughts, insights, and musings on this matter intrigue me

2010-02-16 08:14:40

#18

OmniDeath: ~; +726|6903

max wrote:
The current specs are pretty good. You're not going to get something much better for $600. Get a new battery, maybe some more RAM.

How can I tell what kind of RAM/HDD would be compatible, or are laptop components a little more universal than Desktop parts?

Also, at its current specs, could it handle Windows 7 with out eating to many resources?

2010-02-16 08:26:47

#19

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6456|Winland

That computer will run Windows 7 like a greased lightning.

As for RAM/hard drive, the hard drive is universal. As long as it's a 2.5" SATA drive, it'll work. Pretty much any DDR2 SO-DIMM RAM will work. You've probably got 667MHz in it now, but you could check with CPU-Z if you're unsure.

If I were you, I wouldn't buy a new mechanical hard drive for it unless you're really low on space and an external drive isn't an option, or your current one is failing. SSDs are the future for laptops, as mechanical drives are by far the most brittle component, and most likely the component you'd value the most if your laptop got hit by something hard.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2010-02-16 08:49:49