I have a 5 year old Dell, 256MB ram (can't add), 40GB HD, 1.6Ghz P4, and XP Pro SP3, laptop that is too slow to enjoy using anymore for web and email.
Would an Acer Aspire One w/ 1GB ram, 120GB HD, 1.6Ghz Atom, and XP Home be faster enough to make a difference?
Anyone on here have one that can share their experience? I haven't seen one in person, just on-line (http://www.walmart.com/browse/Computers/Laptop-Computers/All-Laptop-Computers/Acer/_/N-3xtzZ1z0pnlfZaq90ZaqceZ1yzp2zx/Ne-aqgg?ic=48_0&search_sort=5&catNavId=4070&ref=125875.183815%20500500.4294295475%20500848.4292589165&tab_value=7_All), but they get great reviews, and for just over $300, seems like it might work for what I use it for.
There is a Linux Acer Aspire One also, a little cheaper. Any other ideas for speeding up the old Dell?
mitt
I have a ASUS EEEPC that is similar....
my thoughts-
-it flat rocks for travel...so small you cant even feel it in your bag, cheap enough it wouldnt be a catastrophe if it broke, and i dont have any important data on it if it gets lost/stolen
-9" screen is clear, but small
-I like the linux install that has everything i need (and runs faster than windows)...but if it was a home pc i think i would switch it to XP to work with the photo printer and tivo easier.
-the keyboard is really small (and i have small hands too)
(right now i have it plugged into the stereo @ work streaming XM so i dont have to pay for two subscriptions 8)
to sum up- i really like it, but i dont think it could be my only pc at home
on your dell...the 256k memory is the primary reason it is slow. which model is it?
review of the acer
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4575 (http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4575)
http://notebookreview-cnet.com.com/laptops/acer-aspire-one-linpus/4505-3121_7-33190895.html?subj=fdba&part=notebookreview-cnet&tag=_Laptops (http://notebookreview-cnet.com.com/laptops/acer-aspire-one-linpus/4505-3121_7-33190895.html?subj=fdba&part=notebookreview-cnet&tag=_Laptops)
Quote from: JEFF_H on January 21, 2009, 11:08:14 AM
on your dell...the 256k memory is the primary reason it is slow. which model is it?
dell inspiron 2650 - it had 'good' specs when I bought it, but it never lived up to them - it was always doggy from day 1. Also, the battery is completely shot, and a new one is $100+. The fit and finish was never that great either.
I saw the Asus also, and it looks interesting.
Travel would be an advantage for me as well, and being able to use on battery.
mitt
mitt
Quote from: mitt on January 21, 2009, 12:10:50 PM
dell inspiron 2650 - it had 'good' specs when I bought it, but it never lived up to them - it was always doggy from day 1. Also, the battery is completely shot, and a new one is $100+. The fit and finish was never that great either.
I saw the Asus also, and it looks interesting.
Travel would be an advantage for me as well, and being able to use on battery.
mitt
mitt
You can double your memory for about $20. The battery can be had for about $60.
Quote from: alfisti on January 21, 2009, 12:16:43 PM
You can double your memory for about $20. The battery can be had for about $60.
So, for ~$100, I can upgrade a 5 year old computer to perform slower than a new $300 computer. To me, I am not sure if that is worth it.
mitt
according to this, the max memory is 512 and an add'l 256 will set you back $18.99
Micron memory, made in beautiful Boise, Idaho ;D
(here's a link to the new Asus w. 10" screen...dunno if the keyboard is bigger $389)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220443 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220443)
Oh yeah I forgot...
Back up all your data to remote storage. Reformat the hard drive and reload the OS & programs. Stick to what you use. Dell loads all kinds of bloat into their machines and has most of them open at startup . This bogs down the machine.
Reformatting will also eliminate 5 years of orphaned files, file fragments, registry errors, process errors, spyware and virus remnants etc. All of which also serve to slow down the machine.
Quote from: alfisti on January 21, 2009, 12:30:57 PM
Oh yeah I forgot...
Back up all your data to remote storage. Reformat the hard drive and reload the OS & programs. Stick to what you use. Dell loads all kinds of bloat into their machines and has most of them open at startup . This bogs down the machine.
I did this about 2 years ago :)
mitt
Quote from: JEFF_H on January 21, 2009, 12:25:53 PM
according to this, the max memory is 512 and an add'l 256 will set you back $18.99
Micron memory, made in beautiful Boise, Idaho ;D
(here's a link to the new Asus w. 10" screen...dunno if the keyboard is bigger $389)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220443 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220443)
OK, when the micron page says
"The standard memory is installed in a socket which cannot be accessed by the end user. The second memory socket supports the end user upgrades. In order to reach the maximum you may need to have the standard memory replaced by an authorized service center"
What does that mean? Is it something I can do with a couple screw drivers and a mixed drink?
mitt
Quote from: mitt on January 21, 2009, 12:21:44 PM
So, for ~$100, I can upgrade a 5 year old computer to perform slower than a new $300 computer. To me, I am not sure if that is worth it.
mitt
I hear you. Just throwing out the cheapest option. With the memory/reformatting etc. your dell should be freed up quite a bit.
Start with the free stuff. If you're happy with the way it cleans up then decide if you want to drop the $18 on the memory. (which will definitely help)
Worst case scenario you have a back up machine that works better than it does now.
Quote from: mitt on January 21, 2009, 12:38:26 PM
OK, when the micron page says
"The standard memory is installed in a socket which cannot be accessed by the end user. The second memory socket supports the end user upgrades. In order to reach the maximum you may need to have the standard memory replaced by an authorized service center"
What does that mean? Is it something I can do with a couple screw drivers and a mixed drink?
mitt
Never opened a dell. My gateway wasn't too bad to split open. Just a lot of tiny phillips screws.
mitt I have an acer and i have a dell
do not get an acer its a piece of trash.
only had the acer 8 months and the motherboard burnt out ,had to get it replaced.
go with sony, dell or mac
The other memory socket is prolly on the keyboard side of the motherboard. The standard one is most likely behind a trap door on the bottom of the machine.
Those small mini laptops are great for email,web,youtube,internet, typing, watching videos. but thats it. the EEEPC is great, and i really like the HP 10" too. i think 8" is too small because theres a huge LCD rim and its really annoying.
Do you plan on running XP or Linux? I haven't looked at the netbook distros but Linux is faster on equal HW, and scales better than XP, so I tend to think Linux would be a tad faster.
In benchmark tests, the P4 seems to edge out the Atom.
http://laptoping.com/intel-atom-benchmark.html (http://laptoping.com/intel-atom-benchmark.html)
But, a fresh OS install of either kind, plus more memory, and I would guess that you would notice an improvement.
I was reading this on Engadget the other day - lots of people seem to like the HP 2140. They are a little bit more, but they can run up to 2G RAM.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/12/ask-engadget-whats-the-best-netbook-out-there-redux/ (http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/12/ask-engadget-whats-the-best-netbook-out-there-redux/)
Quote from: mitt on January 21, 2009, 12:38:26 PM
OK, when the micron page says
"The standard memory is installed in a socket which cannot be accessed by the end user. The second memory socket supports the end user upgrades. In order to reach the maximum you may need to have the standard memory replaced by an authorized service center"
What does that mean? Is it something I can do with a couple screw drivers and a mixed drink?
mitt
pop open the memory door on the back, if its got an empty socket...go for the upgrade.
If its full and you have to pull out the other one as well..that's your sign to just get the new one instead ;)
I took a Dell Inspirion apart a couple weeks ago to replace the fan.
had to be COMPLETELY disassembled.
Not rocket science but it was pretty time consuming.
Quote from: JEFF_H on January 21, 2009, 02:25:04 PM
pop open the memory door on the back, if its got an empty socket...go for the upgrade.
If its full and you have to pull out the other one as well..that's your sign to just get the new one instead ;)
Or as I like to say, it is a sign from God.
Sounds like a plan.
mitt
If you do get the new laptop, be sure to get the Special Ducati Edition [thumbsup]
(http://www.monsterparts.com/temp/eee.jpg)
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron%202650%20Series (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron%202650%20Series)
Per Crucial, you have two slots available with a top end of 512 total. You don't necessarily have to buy the ram from crucial, just make sure you have the right specs.
I agree with il Dood. Run a restore and get yourself some more ram and you'll have a great little email and enet machine. Like someone said earlier, Dell has a tendency to add a lot of bloatware out of the box, but normally their drivers disks give you a choice on what you want to install. Just do a basic Windows restore and ONLY the drivers you need to run the pc effectively.
I think you would be really happy with a low end upgrade and I think even a mediocre new pc will perform better than the old machine with an Atom processor, 512 and XP. Then again, 30-40 bucks towards a well running backup isn't too bad a deal either.
Quote from: JEFF_H on January 21, 2009, 02:25:04 PM
pop open the memory door on the back, if its got an empty socket...go for the upgrade.
If its full and you have to pull out the other one as well..that's your sign to just get the new one instead ;)
I took a Dell Inspirion apart a couple weeks ago to replace the fan.
had to be COMPLETELY disassembled.
Not rocket science but it was pretty time consuming.
Sent you a PM Jeff ;)
mitt
Quote from: Jarvicious on January 21, 2009, 05:27:07 PM
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron%202650%20Series (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Inspiron%202650%20Series)
ordered [thumbsup]
mitt
please do not get an acer computer. i bought a toshiba laptop the same day my little bro bought a acer, and he has had nothing but trouble from his. its gone to where it wouldnt come on, stuff quit working, and more than one time he had to send it in to acer to have them fix it. only problem i have had with my toshiba is when my bros gf (now wife) walked through the cord and pulled it out sideways, and ive never been able to get it fixed right since then, but thats human error.
when it comes to acer, just say no. btw, ive had many a salesman tell me never to get an acer.
Do you NEED a PC? I swear by Macs myself if you aren't into gaming or PC specific programs. I have a 5 year old 12" iBook G4 800 mhz with maxed out RAM (1.1 GB), the latest OS, and it still runs perfectly and is more than quick enough for daily use or light photoshop duty. I've spilled coffee on it, ran it 24/7 for months, paid no attention to cooling, and it still runs just as well as the day I bought it. The latest OS runs faster than previous versions (not to mention the extra gig of ram, Macs love ram) so it probably works better than when I bought it. Used ones will set you back about the cost of a cheap PC laptop. New ones are very pricey, and I don't trust the new Intel architecture (Power PC was always better for media work and more stable). To compare to a PC, my dad has an LG 1.4 ghz laptop and Win XP. That thing is pig slow and horrifically buggy (I can't count how many problems he has had with it, not mentioning viruses, malware and the usual Win bullshit) compared to my ancient iBook, even though on paper it should be twice as fast as the Mac.
Quote from: mitt on January 22, 2009, 04:59:51 PM
ordered [thumbsup]
mitt
Fvckers
I got this email from crucial:
"We regret that due to increased demand for the product you selected, 256MB 200-PIN SODIMM 32MX64 DDR PC2700 NON-ECC PbFree, we do not have sufficient inventory to fill your order at this time. Your order is currently on hold, but should ship within 5 to 7 business days. "
Yea, I am sure a lot of people are ordering 256 memory for a 6 year old laptop right now :-\ More like they list stuff on their site but don't carry it.
I guess I will wait a week and see what happens.
mitt