Vista for CF-73E?

Hi all,
My son will be attending technical college soon and have just learnt that the institution will require students to have Vista* in their laptops.

The CF-73 I've gotten for him has XP Pro SP2 installed but suspect it's inadequate for Vista even if I soup up the RAM. Googling for any 73's Vista drivers hasn't been encouraging either.

Times are getting rough and I'm a little strapped in funds for another laptop but what are my options? Panny appears to be conservative with TB's choice of OS and it seems that not many used models support Vista.

In the worst case scenario, I'll reconsider installment payments for a heavily discounted Fujitsu Lifebook. Thanks for any advice.
Ron in SG
*Hate it when such policies are implemented and shoved down our throats. What's so bad about XP that disallows institutions to offer an alternative OS???

 

Thats not funny Ron
Even the new popular netbooks come usualy with xp

You are correct that your mk-1 is not a good candidate for vista
The vista upgrade advisor here
http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/itn/support/vistainfo.html
Lists support for mk-4 and mk-5 models
So I think you need to purchase a mk-4 or mk-5 barebones unit and move your optical and hard drive over to the new unit and sell your mk-1 for a parts unit

Alex

 

Alex, it's a pity to part out a working 73 especially when I have good extra batteries and ac adapters.

Alternatively, I have a CF-50JAKUJZZ that no longer power up and there's a few 2~2.2ghz CF-50 part-machines on fleabay going at affordable prices. Would this be a better route to Vista?

My next biggest problem is getting sellers to ship internationally (via USPS flat-rate box) and a good battery. What good is a laptop if it has to be powered 24/7 from the mains??.

Have to work on something real quick.... school term is commencing soon.

 

Why not just try it and see if it works acceptably for your son if not then upgrade to another unit.

 

T2G,
I'm game... but specifically to try what?
a. get a CF-73 mk-4 or mk-5 barebone unit as Alex suggested?
b. barebone CF-50 2ghz? (to swap out and since the 28, 48 uses the same battery)
c. Fujitsu S6420NP? (I'm not too keen to spill 1.5g yet...)

TIA for further suggestion.
Ron in SG

 

I meant try working with what you have at your disposal and load Vista on it. The CF-73 is quite capable especially after you add the max RAM and probably a newer faster hard drive. The hardware is mostly Intel so drivers shouldn't be a problem. If your son finds it is too slow then consider the upgrades. Seriously for school they mostly do Office apps and as long as it is not 3d graphics or video it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Ron
tough-2-go makes sense

You can try with w7 beta
If w7 works vista will be ok as well
The video graphics are not important for school, and a vista basic version would be cheaper as well
I had no luck finding a mk-4 or mk-5 at any reasonable price
The mk-3 is about the only affordable choice on a upgrade
btw if you can get 1.25gb of ram total it will run, if its at 768mb it won't work

Alex

 

Download the vista upgrade advisor here
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...83-C24F-4863-A389-3FFC194924F8&displaylang=en
That will help point to potential issues


Alex