Biometric security ... The thing actually recognizes you and comes out of secure standby when you sit down in front of it. If it doesn't recognize you it's username and password time.... It also keeps a record of faces it doesn't recognize and some versions of the software can upload to a URL. Want a picture of the thief?Originally Posted by Elysia
I agree. 2GB on a 64-bit laptop is just stupid. But selling one like that is criminal.
Kudos for the numerical keypad though.
Originally Posted by brewbuck:
Reimplementing a large system in another language to get a 25% performance boost is nonsense. It would be cheaper to just get a computer which is 25% faster.
I don't know the retail prices of labtop ram right now but I'm thinking that a $25.00 upgrade to 4gb would just about do it.
Compare Laptops | Toshiba Laptops, Netbooks and Notebook Computers
After doing a comparison and some additional things i want I been thinking about getting the....C655D-S5079
it has 4GB which is pretty...ok? and 250GB is fine with me since i have a 8Gb external hardrive. Also will i be able to add(customize) the 6 cell and the dual core processor?
Another reason I chose the 4GB memory over the 320Gb harddrive is basically because the memory...if im correct...deals more on the speed of the computer?
Like how many windows i can have open at one time.
I dont know anything about graphic cards so might need help there but ima call them and try to talk to someone about the questions i have also.
Last edited by SNTRL; 10-26-2010 at 03:59 PM.
The recommendation tried to do three things...
1) stay within the series the OP preferred
2) be considerate of his budget as a student
3) stay with AMD since the AMD Toshibas are more stable.
I agree Bluetooth would be nice.
As I mentioned earlier memory upgrades are cheap 2gb for about $25 from the guys I use.
Most likely you'll be able to upgrade the battery pack but that ain't gonna be cheap... like $150 worth of not cheap. But then it's also a good idea to have more than one battery anyway.
No you are not going to change the CPU in a laptop. Most are soldered directly into the motherboard and cannot be changed.
A popular misconception. What slows a computer down when there isn't enough ram is not the lack of memory... it is swapping memory to hard disk that slows it down. Beyond a certain point you can add memory till the cows come home and it ain't gonna make a whit of difference in the speed of your machine.Another reason I chose the 4GB memory over the 320Gb harddrive is basically because the memory...if im correct...deals more on the speed of the computer?
That depends entirely on the size of the programs that are creating those windows. The window itself is just a patch of screen memory used so you can see what's going on... the program is something entirely separate and usually a whole lot bigger. For example: for every copy of 3dAutoCAD you can have open, you can probably open 50 copies of Notepad.Like how many windows i can have open at one time.
Graphic cards for laptops are pretty simple... You get what you get. They all use shared memory (with the CPU). They all underperform because of that. So it's less of an issue than you might think... NVidia currently rules the roost, ATI is a close second... Intel is a distant 3rd. You won't likely find many of the other guys in laptops. The only relevent features in this case are dual monitor capability (i.e. can you plug in a desktop monitor or projector?) and 1080p capability for HD movies.I dont know anything about graphic cards so might need help there but ima call them and try to talk to someone about the questions i have also.
In your place I would continue shopping the Toshiba site... look for dual core AMD (Athlon II), you definately want card reader slots (for camera and phone memory cards) and the dvd burner... 2 gb ram will do as you can always expand that later (There's a trap door in the bottom). Try to get one with the PCExpress slot, you can add everything from bluetooth to SSD to extra batteries that way. Webcams are nice but dirt cheap to buy separately. Same with microphones and speakers. As long as you have a couple of USB connectors you're in business. Don't worry too much about the size of the hard disk... 2.5" drives are also cheap. What you need is the right combination of the bits and pieces you *can't* change... display, video, CPU, keyboard, etc..
One thing I should point out about laptops is that numeric keypads, while handy, can also cause an unexpected problem. The "home row" typing position is off-center of the screen and with the close viewing distance this can cause a rather noticeable decrease in the "comfort factor" when typing. Head off to a store and try it... you'll notice it right away, your right hand will keep drifting onto the wrong keys as you subconsciously try to sit center screen.
Laptops seldom come with the exact features you would like but so long as there's the ability to add those features later, it should not be a problem.
Last edited by CommonTater; 10-26-2010 at 07:13 PM.
ok thanks, so im going to to try to call tomorrow and I've written down some questions for them now, wondering if anyone else has suggestions on what i should ask them also?
That is very subjective. What I would recommend is to simply try out the keyboard on the laptop before purchasing.
Isn't that what I just said?
Partly, but not entirely.
Your exact quote was:
Emphasis mine.One thing I should point out about laptops is that numeric keypads, while handy, can also cause an unexpected problem. The "home row" typing position is off-center of the screen and with the close viewing distance this can cause a rather noticeable decrease in the "comfort factor" when typing. Head off to a store and try it... you'll notice it right away, your right hand will keep drifting onto the wrong keys as you subconsciously try to sit center screen.
The bolded part is subjective. I have never any such issues.
Ahhh... ok... Drove me right up the wall!
Hi I bought my laptop
Satellite C650-BT2N13 Laptop
It was around my budget. Had mostly what I wanted. I wanted to get the AMD processor but the one i seen was more pric.....ier? The guy I spoke to told me the processor i had wasnt the best but not the worst either.
Note: Its actually cheaper now than when i bought it but at the time i bought it but adding stuff to it it comes to be aroudn the same price i paid, mines had all these savings and stuff,i eventually ended up paying 509+ tax.
Also I added the 3GB, so im guessing im good on that
In a 1GB machine running Vista, only the current foreground application is in the actual RAM, the rest is in the swap file, which means if the user wants to switch to one of the background applications, it will have to be moved from there, which takes time.
In a machine with 8GB of RAM, swapping applications will be instant, since there is no need to keep anything in the swap file.
The more memory you have, the less stuff will be in the swap file, and the less wait time there will be if you would want toooo, let's say minimize a game to check a strategy guide in your browser for example.
I'd just like to point out that stuff like card readers are also dirt cheap as USB addons, so getting a laptop with a built in card reader is unnecessary if it adds to the price in any significant way. Same goes for bluetooth btw, a bluetooth dongle will set you back about a dollar. Regarding the hard disk, do not save too much money on the system disk, you DO want a 7200RPM unless you are really REALLY fanatic about battery life. Especially with WoW i might add.In your place I would continue shopping the Toshiba site... look for dual core AMD (Athlon II), you definately want card reader slots (for camera and phone memory cards) and the dvd burner... 2 gb ram will do as you can always expand that later (There's a trap door in the bottom). Try to get one with the PCExpress slot, you can add everything from bluetooth to SSD to extra batteries that way. Webcams are nice but dirt cheap to buy separately. Same with microphones and speakers. As long as you have a couple of USB connectors you're in business. Don't worry too much about the size of the hard disk... 2.5" drives are also cheap. What you need is the right combination of the bits and pieces you *can't* change... display, video, CPU, keyboard, etc..
Edit:
And who in their right mind still uses DVDs?
Last edited by Neo1; 11-02-2010 at 08:27 PM.
How I need a drink, alcoholic in nature, after the heavy lectures involving quantum mechanics.
