New Compaw Laptop - Can Someone Explain The Difference

[kasperbs]

Hi,
Im in the market for a new laptop. I have my eyes on a Compaw from PcWorld. They offer two version of it. One for 399 and one for 449.

The 449 laptop:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/st...ull&sm=null&tm=null#productInformationSection

The 399 Laptop:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/st...null&sm=null&tm=nul#productInformationSection

From what i can see the difference is that the 449 have a bit more processor power, but only have DDR memory where the 399 have a slower Processor but have DDR2 memory.

Could anyone give their views on what you think is the best for a certain situation and what is more important.

Thanks

 

[Anon_F]

Never heard of Compaw, but have heard of Compaq.
The £449 has quicker RAM speed, but it will not be much different than the cheaper one.

 

[kasperbs]

I'm not really hooked up on brand names, so it doesn't really matter what they are called. You can have a look at the links, they show the laptops I'm questioning about.

Thanks

 

[kasperbs]

The £449 has quicker RAM speed, but it will not be much different than the cheaper one.

OK! So the 449 with DDR is quicker than the Cheap one with DDR2. Glad I asked because I though it was the opposite. I don't know why, but I thought DDR2 was quicker than DDR.

but thanks anyway

 

[Anon_F]

I'm not really hooked up on brand names, so it doesn't really matter what they are called. You can have a look at the links, they show the laptops I'm questioning about.

Thanks

If you read my reply the only difference is the FSB speed at which the RAM runs at.
If you want to save money go for the cheaper one.

 

[Anon_F]

OK! So the 449 with DDR is quicker than the Cheap one with DDR2. Glad I asked because I though it was the opposite. I don't know why, but I thought DDR2 was quicker than DDR.

but thanks anyway

DDR2 is quicker, but if one is running at a higher speed even though it's not DDR2 it will be quicker.

 

[Rush]

every little helps

More info on DDR and DDR2 below

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR2_SDRAM
and again below
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/ddr2-ddr.html

 

[Adywebb]

All Compaq Presario C700 series notebooks use DDR2 Ram

So basically for an extra £50 you get slightly faster CPU and RAM - you probably won't really notice the difference in day to day use, so its up to you whether you want to spend the extra £50.

 

[kasperbs]

Ok Thanks, that makes it a bit easier. This might seem like an odd question. But I struggle to figure out the difference between graphic cards. Some cards share memory with the processor others have their own seperate memory.

Am I right in assuming that this one shares the memory with the processor?

Another laptop I'm currently looking at is the Acer Travel Mate 5520. This one have seperate memory as far as I can understand.

How important is this?

 

[Adywebb]

Most onboard and some separate notebook graphics cards share memory with your RAM - on the Compaq it will use up to 512MB of your 2GB RAM - but as you have plenty it isn't a problem.

As far as I can see the Acer uses 384MB of shared memory.

 

[kasperbs]

Thanks,
I think the Acer I'm looking at has 256MB. I think this ACer TM is specific to Denmark. At least I haven't been able to locate it outside the country. You can have a look at the Acer here:
http://www.edbpriser.dk/Products/Listprices.asp?ID=408670

If you have any other comments on it. Please share.

Thanks

 

[Adywebb]

The Acer uses 256MB shared memory, with up to 384 with HyperMemory active.


You can get it over here at LaptopsDirect - personally I don't like it as the CPU is not as efficient, has only 1GB RAM, smaller HD and Acer have a poor reputation when it comes to repairs.

 

[kasperbs]

Hi, thanks.
I'm not sure it is the same. This one have 160GB, the RAM is explained as: 256 MB GDDR2 SDRAM, which as I understand it is RAM speicifcally for the Grapchic card, but I might be wrong.

The graphic card is a ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2400 XT / PCI Express - instead of a ATI Radeon X1250 as that from Laptops direct.

It has 2GB DDR2 Ram so it's the same.

But thanks for your input anyway

 

[floppybootstomp]

I will just say this.

Everybody I know who has bought an Acer product wishes they hadn't.

Was speaking to a couple yesterday, actually, who bought two Acer laptops nine months ago and have declared them the biggest crock of crap and waste of money ever.

Generally speaking they're poor quality and the support is almost non-existent.

Still, it's your money

 

[psd99]

pay for peanuts get peanuts!

 

[kasperbs]

pay for peanuts get peanuts!

Yeah, you would feel stupid if you got home with anything else.

 

[Adywebb]

Hi, thanks.
I'm not sure it is the same. This one have 160GB, the RAM is explained as: 256 MB GDDR2 SDRAM, which as I understand it is RAM speicifcally for the Grapchic card, but I might be wrong.

The graphic card is a ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2400 XT / PCI Express - instead of a ATI Radeon X1250 as that from Laptops direct.

It has 2GB DDR2 Ram so it's the same.

I have used specs from the Acer 5520 that is available in the UK - I can't refer to one thats available in Denmark as it doesn't apply here.

And yes the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2400 XT does indeed have dedicated memory - just a pity the only UK version I could find doesn't have it - perhaps you will do better.

But thanks for your input anyway

My pleasure and good luck with your search.