Toughbook Y4 or W4?

PANASONIC
Y4 has 14.1 display, Pentium® M Processor 1.60 GHz, 60GB shock-mounted HDD, 512MB SDRAM (DDR2) standard, expandable to 1024MB (PC-3200 memory is required)
Cost: $2.400.-
OR
W4 has 12.1 LCD, Pentium® M Processor 1.20 GHz, 40GB shock-mounted HDD, 512MB on board memory (up to 1024MB maximum)
Cost: $2,200.-
WITH
"Additional 512 MB (1024 MB total)" for either machine is $200 more from Panasonic. As a beginner, could I install this extra memory myself, or is it too hard to access this computer,
and, what if there is only one 'slot' for the memory, where the 512MB would need be replaced by a 1024 'stick'.

Thank you for any critique of this purchase, and also advice on getting extra 512MB with purchase, or aftermarket (Newegg)

 

Depends on what you want to use it for. Both are very well-made computers, and expensive.

If you could complete the FAQ for us, that would be very helpful.

 

It's really easy to install expansion sticks of memory in pretty much every notebook. Two hundred bucks for 512MB is way too much: go with the Egg.

What are you doing with the machine? If you're not doing anything intensive, the processor difference shouldn't matter. You can browse, word-process, or e-mail on either one just fine. Which form factor do you like?

 

You would probably have no trouble upgrading the memory yourself, and it would certainly be a LOT more cost-efficient.

As to which one to get, if you're set on one of these, you probably don't need to fill out the selection FAQ; almost no one would be well-served by a 12.1" computer. Maybe a hacker-ninja, whose computer would not hinder the ability to leap into branches, get in the way while scaling walls, or be so large as to increase visibility.

Aside from the ninja and individuals with extremly fast-paced lives, almost anyone would do well to get a 14"+ computer; the machine will perform better, cost less, have better components (including a better, larger, and more useful screen, a larger hard drive, potentially a DVD burner, etc.), and have a more functional keyboard.

Best,
Howie

 

Wow, thank you for your replies; I'll sleep on this, and if waken with cold feet,
can fall back on a Fujitsu S2110.

 

kytsrf,

Have you already acquired either of the Panasonic CF-Y4 or the Fujitsu S2110. If the latter, what is the LCD size of the S2110? 13.3" or 14"?

Regards

Shoaib