What to do (W500)

I've been trying to create a list of things to do with my laptop, but I'm at a loss. I need some help, I'll be leaving for college in just 5 weeks!

I need new anti-virus software (about to expire)
Want 64-bit windows for 4G Ram ( should I ?)

4G Ram....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148191

New Hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148338

Processor?

Warranty?

External LCD monitor?

Anything comes into play, I already have a laptop cooler (NC 1000), my budget is 380$.

 

You're going to notice a bit of a decrease in performance if you're planning on switching from a 7200 160gb hard drive to a 5400RPM hard drive.

The ram is great for that price.

Your anti-virus is about to expire-- so dl another one...

The advantages of using a 64 bit os definitely outweigh the cons. I say go for it.

 

That's a pretty generous budget to work with, but I'd ask what specifically were you looking to upgrade, since your current machine is no slouch.

There are several free AVs
If you have 2gb, no need to buy 2*2gb
If you already have Vista, you don't need to buy x64 since your license is good for it.
Do you need more hdd space?
Do you need an external lcd?

It depends what YOU need, so I can't really help since I would be happy with your current specs. But, if I had money to blow, I could always use an additional monitor

 

Performance decrease? I heard that 5400 can be faster than 7200?

I use Nod32, and dunno if Norton/Kaspersky are better.


Needs
Way more HD Space
More ram
Screen space

 

Actually I meant to say, you're going to notice a significant performance decrease, and no 5400RPM is not faster than 7200, because it's a slower hard drive. These numbers are already referring to how fast the hard drive is, and a higher number means a faster/ better performing hd.

It really makes little difference which antivirus you use. I don't use any. It's easy enough to stay away from viruses, and if by some miracle you manage to get one, then a drive image restore is basically a hard drive time machine which prob takes a lot less time than a full virus scan of your entire hd.

If you really need more space, I'd suggest getting the 5400 rpm drive and sticking it in the ultrabay, and not replacing your current drive.

 

OK so what if I get a 320gb 7200 rpm HD, windows 64bit , and 4G ram?

I understand now what your getting at.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sgd3CzpHNo

 

I would get a mobile wireless mouse. I have ThinkPad Laser Mouse, which is low profile but has a soft, nice to touch surface (and is around $40) and Microsoft 8000 presenter mouse, which has a slightly higher profile which is more like normal mouse, shiny plastic (-) but also is a media remote and a pointer and also comes with a case. Anyway these mice take little space and are great for use out of your normal workplace. Also helps if you hate cables.

64-bit system is a must if you are going for 4gb of RAM. Otherwise it will show 2,5gb like mine (4gb installed).

I am pretty much satisfied with a free (home, personal) version of Avast antivirus but I have heard a lot of good things about nod32 so either is fine I think.

 

A 5400 can be faster than a 7200 drive at sustained transfer speed, due to higher density. However, a 7200 drive will almost always beat out a 5400 drive in random access, which helps general "snappiness". The only reason I would ever go back to a 5400 drive is for noise reasons (they're generally quieter).

Nod32 is quite good, although Norton has better detection ratings and uses slightly less system resources.

 

MidnightSun,
You'd never catch me running less than a 7200 rpm disk. Rumors may occur but the 7200 rpm disk isn't going to be troubled by the 5400 rpm disk. I wouldn't have a 5400 rpm disk. Of course on my table top we had 15k rpm disks since they've been out.

 

I didn't know 7200 hdds can start rumors! I'll be sure to stay away from those!

Chk, have you looked at upgrading to ssd? Then you don't have to worry about people bragging about their 15Ks

 

7200 Rpm disks don't start rumours, people do!

-Renee

 

Yet my Hitachi 7200rpm 200gb disk has a transfer rate of only 52 mb/s and a 5400 500gb http://dyski.cdrinfo.pl/benchmark/Seagate-ST9500325AS/226.html has better speed of 64 mb/s. The smaller (7200 rpm) has a better access time 14 ms vs 18 ms on the Seagate one (5400rpm) but does it reall matter so much? (4 ms)

If I am going to install a 15gb game or a 3gb application the 5400rpm "slower" disk might be faster by 30% right? Provided that the dvd drive reads fast enough

MidnightSun provided a very reasonable explanation (thanks!)

 

I think you missed an important piece of advice earlier in the thread. Unless your current RAM is 2 DIMM 2GB RAM, or your current single DIMM stick is malfunctioning, there is no reason to buy 4 GB of RAM. You can buy 2 GB and just pop it into the open slot. However, you may have the former situation, in which case buying the 4 GB would be necessary.

 

I'm using 2 one G sticks of ram so I just went ahead and got the 2x2; on top of that, thanks to MastahRiz, I installed windows 64 bit (reluctantly) on my laptop without a hitch.

So Far:
Ram 4GB - $55
Windows Vista Business 64 bit - Free (Multiple Activation code from friend working at a hospital)
19" Lenovo LCD Screen - $145?
Seagate HD 320, 7200 RPM - $79

Budget?
380 - 279 = 101

What next?????

 

Save the money if you can't think of anything else to buy.

 

I can't see where the relationship between spindle RPM and platter density is? The density of a hard drive platter is independent of its operating RPM. A 7200RPM can be more dense than a 5400RPM drive.

 

What MidnightSun is trying to say is that comparing a newer, higher density 5400 drive can minimize the discrepancy in transfer speed compared to an older, lower density 7200 drive. This can clearly be seen if you compare a first generation 10k WD Raptor and a current generation 7200 RPM drive. He is not implying that there is a relationship btw RPM and platter density. A new 500GB 7200RPM drive would be as dense as the current 500GB 5400RPM drive and more dense than last generation 320GB 5400RPM drives.