Just Bought a Lenovo 3000 n100...Umm...

Just bought a lenovo 3000 n100 and am kind of nervous about the purchase. As I am unfamiliar with IBM; having only used HP/Compaq. My last laptop was a Compaq Presario 2100 without any problems but has expired now.

I'm not much of a gamer. The only game that would probably get used on this lenovo is the Sims 2. I just don't want to use to many resources as I like to conserve for chat program such as Skype or Paltalk seeing as how I have to use them.

I've been reading here and there and not sure what to believe on this laptop. Anyway, will be using Open Office, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Kaspersky, and basically internet/typing related.

Would like to be able to use Microsoft Vista in the future though; because I know how Microsoft is about updates and then only continuing support for so long on older operating systems. At least I think from what I've read about it.

So, should I be concerned about the lack of ExpressCard slot; what does ExpressCard do? I'm not so familiar at the moment with wireless and dsl; still having to use dial up because the lines or whatever have not been put in for DSL; but expected in 6 months.

Also, am upgrading the memory to 2GB.


Here are the Specs of the system bought:

Lenovo 3000 N Series
Model N100 (07682CU)
Part# 07682CU
Operating System Windows XP Professional
CPU Type Intel Core Duo T2400(1.83GHz)
CPU Speed T2400(1.83GHz)
CPU FSB 667MHz
CPU L2 Cache 2MB
Screen 15.4" WSXGA+
Memory Size 512MB DDR2
Memory Slots 2x DIMM
Memory Speed DDR2 667
Max Memory Supported 2GB
Hard Disk 100GB
HD RPM 5400rpm
HD Interface SATA
Optical Drive DVD±R/RW
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300
Video Memory 128MB Turbo Cache Memory
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Communication Modem, LAN and WLAN
Modem V.92 56K
LAN 10/100Mbps
WLAN 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN
Bluetooth Yes
Card slot 1 Type I/II
USB 4
IEEE 1394 1
Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x S-Video TV-out
Audio Ports Microphone/Line-In, Headphone / Line out
Audio SoundMAX Integrated HD Audio
Speaker 2 (Internal Speakers)
Input Device
Touchpad Two button touchpad with scroll
Keyboard Full size
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader 4-1 digital media reader (SD/MMC/MS/XD)
Power
Battery 6-cell lithium ion
Dimensions 14.2" x 10.5" x 1.5"
Weight 6.34 lbs.
Other Features Fingerprint reader,Secure Chip

 

that lapppy is kinda chunky, but the gfx card will do just fine with sims 2
also, don't worry about lack of expresscard slot
it'll be a while before anything comes out, and chances are you won't need it
everything comes built in to the mobo nowadays

 

Laptop should run Vista, but will have to run in compatibilty mode since you don't have a 64-bit processor. Core Duo is a faster processor than Turion anyway.

Lack of OS support is not that big of a problem. MS does not support Win95 or 98 anymore, but it works fine if you have the drivers and your software will run on it. Drivers won't be a problem with the laptop, as you won't be swapping much out on it, but you may eventually find software being released that only runs on Vista and not on XP. This is likely to be after the laptop dies or is unusable though (3-4 years) or likely to be 64-bit apps that it can't run anyway.

Shouldn't have any problems with it and DSL.

 

Thank you all!

I forgot to ask, will I be able to upgrade the CPU later in case this isn't the latest Duo processor; read something about Core Duo 2?

Also, by dedicated graphics...does that mean it is upgradable? Unfamiliar with it is all.

I love Athlon and was leaning towards the Turion; but decided to hold off. 64 bit does sound nice, but I will stick with the 32 bit for now since I will have to.

 

Unknown.

That is not the latest Duo processor. You can upgrade to somthing like T2600 provided the BIOS supports it (and you might have to flash the BIOS to upgrade it, but no big deal.).

Core 2 Duo should be out in a couple of months. It is rumored to use the same socket as Core Duo. Wherther it will be pin-for-pin compatible and whether Lenovo will offer a BIOS upgrade for it is unknown, but that will determine whether you can upgrade to it.

Unlikely. Dedicated graphics means that it is a separate processor that is not integrated onto the motherboard. Upgrading would again require support for the new card in the BIOS and either a better card from Lenovo, or possibly getting a better card from one of Lenovo's other laptops, swapping the cooling fan over and underclocking it. In theory it could be done, but in reality . . .

Duo is much better than Turion, especially for multi-tasking.

 

The laptop should be fine for you. I do have the same model with the only difference is I have 1GB of ram. Looks like everyone has already answered the questions you posted. As far as the Vista goes it should be fine. The laptop does come with the Vista Capabale sticker. All the apps you mentioned will also be fine. Mine is running wireless through DSL and I run both the XP Pro and Ubuntu on it without any problems.

 

Yes for what you are doing 1GB should suffice.

 

Thank you all for your responses.

I bought this lappy from newegg and darn me; I'm just not sure. And, they don't take returns. Nothing is wrong with this lappy of course; but have decided to auction it off instead and make due with the one I'm having to share currently. Not the best, but I want to hold off.

I did forget to mention it would be used to watch DVD's and lots of mp3's. Still I think this lappy would do that though. Just not so sure on the sound and again having not used IBM. Sighs. I do apologize for what seemed like I wasted you all's time; but your input has helped me for later.

 

Unfortunetly the sound is not very good on the n100. I would suggest a decent pair of heaphone.