I installed Vista home basic to grade to my five year old Centrino, which was over $1000 when it was new. Vista runs fine on it; but I can't view the beautiful graphics and Vista has to offer, plus the HD is only 30 GB. The processor is 1.3 GHz, and I have 512 MB of RAM. Plenty of power,by scraping together everything I can should have $500 by June
the problem is everyone says the Acer Aspires are garbage; I looked at a Presario C500, nice display and easy-to-use buttons. Is there anything comparable to that that I could get for 500 with tax? -- have a great week, and thank in advance!
2007-05-20 08:23:17 · 4 answers · asked by author 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
$500 laptop nowaday will only get you Vista Basic and that's not much better than what you have now. To use Aero Glass (beautiful graphics in your word) you need to have Vista Premium, at least 1 GB of RAM, a directx 9 video card and at least a 40 GB hardrive. For $500, the Acer or Compaq is good enough for your use but it won't have Vista premium.
2007-05-20 08:39:14 · answer #1 · answered by Ted B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well ummmm the last guy said upgrade ur RAM, its fine ya u can upgrade ur RAM to 1 GB but u still need to get a better processor.....1.3 Ghz processor isnt fast enough, u will see ur laptop sticking every now and then . Core 2 Duo are the best processors out there atm for vista machines and to upgrade ur processor will be costly and then also ur HD is wayy too small .....30 GB isnt really good enough. u need like 80 GB minimum so im sorry man im not too sure exactly what u can do with $500 bucks. to get a new laptop for that much with good specs is really rare and plus ure saying 500$ with tax so even harder. But whatever u do what i wont suggest u to do is buy a Compaq. Dont get urself into trouble and regret this. take this from an ex diehard compaq fan. i use to love compaq machines but they just let u down after 6-8 mths after u buy them .
my advice to u is to either upgrade ur stuff in that old laptop or put ur budget a little more up to around 700 or 800 and u may get a more worthy, and fast laptop
good luck
2007-05-20 08:36:24 · answer #2 · answered by clarke 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need 1G to run it nicely, and 2G is recommended. Home basic does not have the "beautiful graphics" you thought you were getting, that is in home premium and above. Home basic however does not have as strict hardware requrements. I would NOT upgrade to premium or business.
Yes, Acer is NOT the same quality as a Dell, Compac, HP, Toshiba, etc. It is on par with an Emachines. Acer DOES have good screens , though. Both Dell and Compac should have notbooks for 500-600
2007-05-20 08:30:35 · answer #3 · answered by Harrison H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best advice would be to add extra RAM remember 1Gb is the recommended minimum. Vista Home Basic also does not have the pretty graphics, you need ultimate for that.
2007-05-20 08:29:08 · answer #4 · answered by Mike C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋