Acer Laptops - I'm trying to make a final decision

I'm new to this board... Thanks for letting me be part of your forum.

I’m looking at purchasing a new laptop. I have always used Intel processors and feel reluctant about trying out an AMD processor. Although I think out of the two computers I'm deciding on, the Aspire 1522 with the Athlon 64 seems like a lot more computer.

Basically my needs would be for using programs such as MS Office, Corel Draw, Photoshop and Indesign. I am a graphic designer full time, and may do some freelance stuff at home. So I would need something fast enough to handle significant graphics. Although this is going to be my home computer and the majority of use would be internet. I also want to get enough computer to last me quite a long time. What computer do you think will be better for the long haul? I’m not sure if at this point in time I will get much benefit out of the 64-bit chip.

From what is in my budget and from who I am choosing to purchase from, I am currently deciding between the following:

ACER ASPIRE AS1672WLCI P4 3.0080GB,512GB,15.4"TFT,DVD/CDRW
http://www.acer.ca/acerpanam/page9.do?dau34.oid=7845&UserCtxParam=0&GroupCtxParam=0&dctx1=27&ctx1=CA&crc=935087714


ASPIRE 1522LMI ATHLON 64 3000+80GB 512MB 15.0"TFT,DVD-DUAL
http://www.acer.ca/acerpanam/page9.do?dau34.oid=7847&UserCtxParam=0&GroupCtxParam=0&dctx1=27&ctx1=CA&crc=211184076

Any help you can offer with my decision would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much[ ]!

 

Hello birdiechick

Why are you going for P-4 processor ?

Centrino processors, P-M, are more battery effiecient and cooler.

Checkout FUJITSU S6231 at www.portableone.com.

 

If you do graphics work, you should look at the travelmate 8103/8104 as they have the most powerful GPU in the Acer lineup.

 

I'd recommend staying away from the 8100 series. I've read too many issues on this site regarding this series. As lapboy recommended, I'd also recommend the Pentium M product lines. They generally are lighter, smaller (thinner) units that run longer on batteries and run cooler than a comparible P4 or AMD.

-Vb-

 

Thanks so much for your help. I've decided to go with the Athlon 64. It think for the long haul, having the 64 bit technology will last me longer. The battery life certainly won't be as long as with a Centrino, but I won't be travelling with it anyway. And the AMD's run really cool, so that shouldn't be a problem.

FYI, my friend is running both an Athlon 64 and a P4 in his house... the AMD runs at 29 degrees, the Intel runs at 51 degrees! Quite the difference!!!

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Venombite

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by birdiechic

 

Yeah, I wondered about that too. However, I will mostly be a casual user at home. Having a longer battery life to compromise speed in a PM isn't something I'm interested in. I don't think I'll ever really use it when it's not plugged in. The only reason I'm getting a laptop instead of a desktop is because I have a very small apartment and there is no room for a computer desk. I need to be able to "hide" it when I have company.

So the laptop I have right now is an IBM Thinkpad Pentium(I)- a total antique! I've been using it long past it's shelf life. I expect that this Athlon64 I'm buying will be lasting me a good 8-10 years (hopefully) as a casual user. That's why I choose to go with the 64-bit technology. If it were my primary work computer that I work to death, I would expect needing to upgrade sooner, so I would have went for the Pentium M. But really, I really think that once I start using the computer, the differences wouldn't even be be noticable.

Again... thanks for all your input. [ ]