Question:
Should I wait for a newer model? Should I wait for the Quad Core?
WAIT OR BUY?
How much is your budget? < $1,000
Will your budget be about the same in 3-4 months? or will it be substantially bigger? Stay the same.
Are you a typical home user (i.e. internet, email, Word, Excel)? or do you have specific scientific, business (or other) needs? If you do have specific needs, please list them. Typical home user with a twist. I have specific real estate programs on my desk top which I need to sonduct research and to prepare reports. I want to work anywhere at home and at my other job.
How much do you need a computer now?
a. I am able to run all what I want; but I want the cutting edge machine
b. I am able to run all what I want; but the computer is slow and the harddisk is getting full
c. I am unable to do some unessential tasks, or to play non-must-have games
d. I can't do what I really need/want to do
e. other (please specify) I have the desktop, but the laptop would free up so much time for me by conducting work when I am not at my desktop.
What are the specifications of your current computer? Dell Dimesion 8300, Pentium 4, 3.39 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, 160 GB Harddrive.
How do you feel about waiting February 2007? It's April 25th already.
How often do you change your computer?
2 years? 4 years? more than 4 years? About 3-4 years. I bought the desktop, top of the line so I wouldn't have to upgrade so soon. But I need portability right now.
If you change it every four years or more, what new software do you expect to install during the life of your computer? Vista just came out, so nothing else in the near future.
Large datasets? Specific software? RAM needs. The HP dv 2310 has 1 GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive, with Vista. But the DV2312 has 2 GB of RAM, with 120 GB Harddrive. Which is better, the more ram or more harddrive?
a. do you use datasets that are bigger than 1GB (i.e. for scientific purposes, business purposes...)? If so, are they so big that you would not consider using them on your laptop anyway? More specifically, are your datasets in the 2GB-8GB range? I want mt laptop to run fast. I hate crashes, I multitask alot. So more ram at 2 GB is preferable. But 1 GB is okay.
b. do you know of software in your field right now that is available in 64-bit? Dont know.
c. do you know right now that you would benefit from having more than 2GB of RAM for a specific usage? I dont even NEED the 2 GB.
How important is the look of the software to you? Somewhat.
How important is to you the feeling that you have the latest software or the latest hardware? I dont want to be behind the times and spend money on absolete stuff.
If you have any other comments or something you'd like to have, feel free to post it. The Quad Core. I read that it is not so much moer faster tahn the Core Duo. Circuit city keeps adding newer laptops every 3 months or so. But I keep waiting, and waiting, and waiting. I'll never buy one, just waiting for yet a newer model.
Answer:
Re: Should I wait for a newer model? Should I wait for the Quad Core?
This question will haunt you for a long time. Everyone has this problem when they are considering a laptop purchase, and so they should.
Here's the bottom line. Computer technology changes quickly. There's always something better coming down the line. If you NEED portability right away, then get the laptop now. If you can afford to wait another month or so, there is a new laptop platform coming out that may be faster. That's what I mean about technology changing. It really depends on whether you need portability or want it.
As for your other questions, RAM would benefit you more if you are doing processing and running programs. Having a large hard drive is important if you intend to store a lot of data, but in reality, it is much cheaper and usually a better idea to store that data on something like an external drive. I am not a real-estate person, but I doubt you need 120GB for generating reports. If you need the space to store stuff, then I would recommend getting an external hard drive and using that, and getting the 2 GB of RAM. You will see more real-world performance advantages, IMO.
However, if you are at least somewhat technically competent, then you could get the 1 GB of RAM with a bigger hard drive and then install another GB of RAM yourself. Make sure that installing your own RAM doesn't void your manufacturer's warranty. Choosing this method will have the added advantage of keeping your portability. The other choice I mentioned above gives you another item, the external hard drive to carry around with you, if you ABSOLUTELY MUST have that 120+ GB of data with you at all time.
Frankly, I can't imagine what kind of data you need in your job that would take more than 120 GB and require that you contantly have it with you.
The Quad Core might help in the future, but honestly, it is meant for computers that do CPU-intensive work, and I doubt a laptop under $1000 (your budget) could seriously be used for CPU-intensive work. If the Quad-Core is the only thing holding you back, then go buy what you want now.
Answer:
Re: Should I wait for a newer model? Should I wait for the Quad Core?
The Quad Core mobile CPU's aren't due anytime soon, and when they do come out, they are intended for high-end machines only (i.e. $2500-3500 gaming laptops and so forth).
Given your budget, I don't see a major change in what you're going to get, so you might as well get something that does what you need.
Answer:
Re: Should I wait for a newer model? Should I wait for the Quad Core?
Given your budget, it doesn't make sense waiting. For sub-1000$, your options will stay the same. I'd suggest a core 2 duo based laptop, with 2 GB of RAM, and integrated graphics, like the HP dv6000t would be suited to your needs.
Answer:
Re: Should I wait for a newer model? Should I wait for the Quad Core?
Thank You All!