opinions on buying?

i need help on deciding which laptop to get. i know i want to get an Acer but im not sure which one, im torn between the Aspire 2012WLMi, Aspire 2023WLMi, TravelMate 4501WLMi or the Ferrari 3000LMi.

im getting a laptop because im going to university in a couple of weeks and i need one for my work. ill be using it for programs like dreamweaver, flash, photoshop etc, aswell as internet (through a network), emailing friends and family back home, gaming, watching movies and also music. my budget is £1000 but i could go about £100 over if i really wanted but no more than that.

im looking at least for a Centrino 1.5GHz or more, 512Mb RAM and 60Gb HD. but im not sure about the video card, i would like to play the latest games but other than half-life 2 im not really that bothered, so im not sure if i should get a 64Mb or 128 Mb card. therefore im mostly looking at the 2012WLMi and 2023WLMi. the 2023WLMi is about £100 more than the other but for that you get a bit higher specs. im not sure which to actually get though, take a look at the links below and give me your opinions [ ]

Aspire 2012WLMi (the last laptop on the linked page)
https://sslrelay.com/s77548008.oneandoneshop.co.uk/sess/utn;jsessionid=1541404d4d838af/shopdata/0130_Notebooks/0033_Aspire/0110_Aspire+2010/product_overview.shopscript

Aspire 2023WLMi (the first laptop on the linked page)
https://sslrelay.com/s77548008.oneandoneshop.co.uk/sess/utn;jsessionid=1541404d4d838af/shopdata/0130_Notebooks/0033_Aspire/0120_Aspire+2020/product_overview.shopscript

TravelMate 4501WLMi (the last laptop on the linked page)
https://sslrelay.com/s77548008.oneandoneshop.co.uk/sess/utn;jsessionid=1541404d4d838af/shopdata/0130_Notebooks/0135_TravelMate/0145_TravelMate+4500/product_overview.shopscript

Ferrari 3000LMi
https://sslrelay.com/s77548008.oneandoneshop.co.uk/sess/utn;jsessionid=154141ac758c8c5/shopdata/Notebooks/Ferrari/Ferrari+3000/product_overview.shopscript

 

GET 2012WLMI ABSOLUTLY the best buy you can GET I would buy it my self if ACER wouldnt discontinue them in USA. Best value for its price. 64MB video is enough for most games

 

well ive canceled out 2 of the laptops i listed, im not getting the Ferrari 3000LMi cos its just slightly too expensive and im not getting the 2023WLMi cos where im buying from has sold out of it. so now its between the Aspire 2012WLMi and the TravelMate 4501WLMi, still not sure which i should get.

and btw rekoms can you give me some reasons why i should go for the 2012WLMi.

 

DJ,

If the 2012WLMi is available in your area, you may want to really consider this model over the 4501WLMi. The 2012 has a larger HDD and more software suited for home/entertainment use. The 4501 is more suited for the office/enterprise envionrments and has less of the entertainment software. Although, the 4501 has the better CPU (Dothan vs the older/slower Banias). The Dothan with 2MB L2 cache, is advertised by Intel to give you a 20% boost in speed over a similarly clocked Banias w/1MB L2 cache. Otherwise, the specs are generally exactly the same.

-Vb-

 

well with the models ive found, both have 1.5GHz Centrinos, 512Mb RAM, 60Gb HD, DVD-RW, 64Mb ATI RADEON 9700. but the difference is that the 4501WLMi is about £15-£70 more

 

DJ,

I guess the models in the UK have a slightly different HDD size, it's only 40GB in the US/Canada.

The reason for the price difference, is that the 2012WLMi uses the Pentium M 1.5Ghz CPU w/1MB L2 Cache (Banias). The 4501WLMi, uses the newer Pentium M 715 1.5Ghz CPU w/2MB L2 Cache (Dothan). Intel reports a 20% increase in performance if comparing similarly clocked Pentium M CPU's.

Just as an FYI, Centrino is a marketing name used by Intel to indicate that the systems uses 3 Intel parts. An Intel Pentium M CPU, an Intel 855 chipset & an Intel Pro Wireless card, so if one of the 3 items is not Intel, it can't carry the Centrino name. Since the manufacturers have to pay Intel to use the Centrino name, and also have all 3 Intel items in their notebooks, some have opted to not put the Intel Wireless card in their systems to make the units less expensive. The units will work just as well, but without the Centrino name.

-Vb-

 

so what do you think i should do? get the 2012WLMi Banias or pay the extra for the 4501WLMi Dothan.

ive seen a picture of the 4501WLMi though and it had something attached to the back, is that a permanent attachment?

 

DJ,

Personally, I'd get the Dothan, mainly because this is the newer and faster CPU.

The device attached to the back is a Port Replicator and it's removable (optional as well). This device gives you all the ports that your notebook offers, plus a few more. You connect all your desktop type devices to this port rep & then the port rep to your notebook. When you want to leave, you don't have to unplug everything from the notebook, just the 1 Port Rep connection. You then leave the port rep on your desk. It's mainly a convenience item which is not necessary for your notebook to operate. Another good thing about the port rep, it gives you a parallel, serial & PS/2 ports for your older printers, keyboard & mouse.

-Vb-

 

does the laptop still have all the connection on it without using the Port Replicator?

 

no there is nothing on the back of mine. it is an option only

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by djjimmy2k2

 

Well, that's not exactly true. The port replicator does offer some additional ports, but the unit does have the standard ports.

Ports Included on Unit:

RJ-45 (Wired LAN)
RJ-11 (Modem)
S-Video Out
RGB Monitor Out
2x USB 2.0
1394 Firewire Port
3 x Audio Jacks

Port On Port Replicator:

3 x Audio Jacks
RJ-45 (Wired LAN)
S-Video Out
RGB Monitor Out
2 x USB 2.0
2 PS/2 Ports (Keyboard & Mouse)
Parallel (Older printers)
Serial (Older models & mice)
2 x Other ports (Can't make it out, possibly 1 is for Power)

So, generally, the port rep is just to allow your stationary cables/devices to be be left where they are so you don't have to unplug them from your notebook all the time. Mainly a convenience device. It does offer additional ports, like the Serial/Parallel & PS/2, but those are for older devices, everything is mainly USB nowdays.

-Vb-