Last August, my son needed a notebook computer for college with these minimal specs: built-in wireless, light enough, and cheap.
- Built-in Wireless Networking -- so he could connect with the college's campus-wide free WiFi network to send emails. He and I now use that to communicate with each other. We send each other interesting tidbits we learn from the Internet; he lets me know about changes in his schedule, and frustrations with college.
- Light Enough -- to carry for an hour in a backbpack, because he usually walks from home to college.
- Cheap -- enough for him for afford.
He first got a $1200 (Canadian prices) Compaq V2000, because it had all the specs he needed. But by the time tax and extended warranty and spare battery were added, the price tag jumped to nearly $2000. So I subsidized a part of it.
After two months, he realized the prices were falling. About the same time, my 4.5-year-old Toshiba refused to connect to the Internet anymore -- a major drawback during my recent trip to Europe, where the hotel room had free WiFi that I couldn't access!
So we struck a deal. He'd buy a new, cheaper Compaq V2000; I'd buy the old one off him, and write him a cheque for the difference ($322). This new one has to be the best notebook computer right now, taking into account price, features, and looks. Here are some of the specs of the $899 machine; the ones important to him are marked with ***
- 1.6HGz mobile AMD CPU
- 512MB RAM
- wireless networking ***
- also wired networking, fax/modem
- 60GB hard drive
- 1280x768 widescreen
- memory card reader, 2 hi-speed USB ports
- DVD player and CD burner
- on/off switch for the touchpad ***
- ATI graphics with 128MB RAM ***
- small enough to fit his backpack (it's about 2" shorter than other notebook computers) ***
So what did he lose by paying $300 less? The Compaq V2000-model I inhereited from him has these added features:
- 64-bit AMD Turion CPU
- DVD dual-layer burner with laserscribe
- 3 USB ports and FireWire port
- 80GB hard drive
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