Averatec 6130 HS vs 6200

Daughter off to college and wants me to get her a laptop. Found the Averatec line and would like suggestions vs the 2. She'll be using for internet, word processing, dvd playing, cd burning, emailing, and probably some gaming(She doesn't right now but that will probably change once she gets there). Taking criminal justice major with minor in Spanish so nothing real intensive.Will be taking from dorm to class and probably library, etc. School is not wireless, but still want that option for her. Highspeed internet is provided in the dorm rooms. The 6130HS is 1299 at Sam's here, the 6200 is 1199 at Best Buy. The 6200 is the AMD Athlon XP-M 2400+ 266 Mhz Bus & has SiSM741 integrated video vs the 9600 Radeon for the 6130 at 3.0 with HT. Looks like battery life is substantially more in 6200 vs 6130.
Any suggestions or opinion's greatly appreciated. I want to get this over with but still make good sound judgement for her.
thanks much
John Hanson
P.S You all have taught me alot just by me lurking!!!

 

Hi John,

Regarding these systems, I must first inform you that P4 based systems are not really designed to be mobile. Battery life is very short (1.5-2hrs) unless an extended battery is used (2-3hrs). Since the unit will be taken to class and the library, with a P4 unit, you'll have to make sure there's an electrical socket nearby.
I do have a suggestion though, get a Pentium M/Centrino based notebook. These units were designed to be mobile, they're smaller, lighter and last WAY longer. Typical battery runtimes range from 3-5hrs, maybe more, depending on the notebook. And because they're lighter, it'll make travelling with it to and from class a lot easier. If you're looking at the difference in CPU speeds and are worried, don't be. The Pentium M CPU's were designed to perform more operations per clock cycle than a P4, therefore it doesn't have to be clocked so high to do the same amount of work. Here's a couple links that compare Pentium M & P4 CPU's. As you will see, the Pentium M's rival that of a higher clocked P4.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/mobile/20030205/index.html
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2129&p=1

I'd suggest getting either the HP ZT3000 series or the Acer Aspire 2012WLMi. The Acer will give you more bang-for-the-buck value than the HP. It uses the Pentium M CPU, 512MB Ram, DVD Burner, ATI 9700, 15.4" WXGA Widescreen LCD, 802.11B/G wireless, and the list goes on. This unit is being sold at Newegg.com for $1290USD, a sale that I believe ends Aug 3/04.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=34-115-116&depa=3

I think the Pentium M notebooks, doesn't have to be the Acer I listed, but Pentium M in general, will be the better choice for a notebook for your daughter. Especially since she's going to be mobile with it quite often and possibly for hours on end.

-Vb-

 

I was about to buy the HS when I found that it didn't come with the DVD burner. That's the AV6130HN, and it's probably a few hundred more.

 

Hwkifan, Hi. I suggest u to get her a 3220H. That computer is amazing. i'm using it to type it up to you right now. If you live in canada, you can get it from futureshop for 1199.99, then u can argue for 100 dollars off. making it 1100. It is a great computer. 3.5 hours of batter life. more than enough power. it is very very light! you can carry it everywhere. I suppose ur daugher what to bring her computer. THere is a catch the key board is a bit noisy, but it is alright. it comes with

AMD 2000+ 1.5ghz
256mb ram
40 gig hard drive
G wireless internet
3 usb ports
Sis unicrom video card - it can support:
rise of nations - made in 2001
Warcraft 3
and manymore

so get it, i bet ur daughter will be happy with it. I'm a high school student. i bring my computer every where. to every of my classes. it is good. do it get the 3220H from averatec!

Xin