[new tech guy]

Hello folks,
Don't know if this is exactly the right place for this thread if not, a moderator is welcome to move it accordingly. But anyway, my Toshiba Satellite has gotten me through allot and now has a power issue. I looked into repairs for it and found that Toshiba wants over $400 (usd) to repair the unit and after some investigating i found that it may be a dry solder joint. The problem is that i do not know how to solder, do not have the equipment to do such repairs, and cannot find anyone who is willing to do it for me who knows how to solder electronic parts. I did try the usual doctor ups for it, like a new power supply, battery, etc. The new power supply lessened the severity of the issue but i still do not think it is worth fixing the Toshiba. Im afraid myself of repairing the machine myself because with soldering inexperience i may damage something and really be in a pickle. Now im looking at new pc's and found a good deal here:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do
Good machine but i have two concerns over it.
1. The computer may have integrated graphics by what i read in Google. I might take a ride to the store and look for a floor model to confirm this. Shared resources just concern me for later on in the pcs life.
2. It comes with the top level of vista. Great but it is 64 bit. Would 64 be ok now to run or should i still stay at 32 and wait for better software support on the machine?

Thanks for the advice in advance folks. The current computer's spec is listed if you on my pc spec section of my profile you will see the specs under the machine named (lappy 486).

[new tech guy]

Update:
I just found out the link in my original post to the new pc died like 5 minutes after a posted it. So now im back on square one in terms of a new one. This machine had amazing specs for its price tag so im very disappointed that it disappeared and is only shown at lower specs elsewhere . If anyone has another suggestion im open to them. However, im not interested in pcs with integrated graphics as that can have a negative effect on the overall system performance. Id like to have my card use its own resources without consuming system ones. However im also wondering if it may just be worth fixing the Toshiba as if i can repair that for cheap i will do that and just upgrade its memory. That should be good enough for it to get me though college.

[new tech guy]

Ok i found another pc and this one link works http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto.do#a
I did customize and come with a pretty nice setup.

[iltos]

Originally Posted by new tech guy

Ok i found another pc and this one link works http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto.do#a
I did customize and come with a pretty nice setup.

that link doesn't work either....maybe you linked to your customizations?
i'm no expert, but from what i've read, stick with the 32 bit vista

[new tech guy]

Yes that is what ive been linking to but the first link i cannot understand why it died. I will post again with an original link next time. Sorry about that . Thanks for the advice though. Like i said, im not sure if the current machine is worth repairing or just replacing.

[iltos]

Originally Posted by new tech guy

Yes that is what ive been linking to but the first link i cannot understand why it died. I will post again with an original link next time. Sorry about that . Thanks for the advice though. Like i said, im not sure if the current machine is worth repairing or just replacing.

it sounds like it may just be a question of practicality....if you can't find someone to do the repairs then replacement may be your best option....you can always learn the soldering technique and repair your toshiba at a later time.

i just bought a new dell laptop, based on recommendations here....been happy with it so far
i looked at acer, asus, levono, too, as i've heard good things about them all...it's pretty confusing out there, and my budget was pretty limited...i wasn't going to be able to afford the fast processors, period.

i didn't like the port layout of the levono...plus it seems they charge a premium for being levono (less bang for your buck)

my other conclusions were (remember, shopping primarily for price)....if you want an nvidia graphics card, the best deals seem to be from asus, then acer (acer sound tho is generally considered subpar, so you'll probably want speakers)

those two brands are also a good place to shop if you like athlon chipsets (which i do, and that was why i started with 'em)

i decided on dell, tho, because neither asus or acer allow any customization, and they both have few builds available with 4gb of memory....which is what seemed like the significance difference in my price/benefit ratio.

if you're more hand's on with the guts of your computer than i am, tho, that may not apply.

[Speakersrock]

Good thinking there iltos, but NTG, you know what I still think it is at the end of the day, those dang dry joints!

[new tech guy]

Someone else recommended that too me. I also figured if i can fix the pc later my mom has been wanting a pc for xp (she doesnt like when things get upgraded and undergo user interface changes). And if i can fix the pc it does run xp so i could wipe the drive, reload xp and let her use it with office 03.

[new tech guy]

Ok i have returned. I think im definitely giving the old computer to my mom as she could use it and the problem isnt bad at the moment. Doing this so she can have her own and i think it would just be a waste to toss the machine at this point. In the meantime im just going to use it till i have the new one. Now, i was looking at different dell models. Only fear i have with them is that i may be getting a cheapy computer. Although i have serviced a client who owns one and have heard stories about them being good im still nervous about owning one. Are they a good option to look into? Thanks for all the advice so far.

[Speakersrock]

Originally Posted by new tech guy

Ok i have returned. I think im definitely giving the old computer to my mom as she could use it and the problem isnt bad at the moment. Doing this so she can have her own and i think it would just be a waste to toss the machine at this point. In the meantime im just going to use it till i have the new one. Now, i was looking at different dell models. Only fear i have with them is that i may be getting a cheapy computer. Although i have serviced a client who owns one and have heard stories about them being good im still nervous about owning one. Are they a good option to look into? Thanks for all the advice so far.

Don't be! - Soo many bigger business use Dells, and although thats different from home use I guess, business wouldn't use them if they were not reliable, would they?

I have a 5yr old + dell Dimension as the family's computer downstairs. Ive never had any problems with it at all, that were not self inflicted - Besides memory, but that all comes from buy at cheap price obviously!

Good luck mate.

[new tech guy]

I did do some shopping on their page and was looking at a dell latitude (towards the lower end i know) and i added alot of upgrades to it and was looking at a price tag of slightly under 1200 (usd) so that is really good. I beleive i was looking at it with windows vista business installed.

[carolavis]

I saw some used or refurbished Dell laptops on Ebay and am looking for some advice about purchasing one. The prices run around $300. Has anyone had experience with them? Thanks.

[Wino]

Originally Posted by carolavis

I saw some used or refurbished Dell laptops on Ebay and am looking for some advice about purchasing one. The prices run around $300. Has anyone had experience with them? Thanks.

I buy a lot on ebay, but laptop, no way. I'd stick with www.buy.com or www.tigerdirect.com or www.newegg.com for refurb units and stay away from used or refurb on ebay.

[new tech guy]

Hi all,
I was just looking around at some dell laptops. I like the business class better because it has more customization options than the home line. I have the lattitude d830 and have customized it to a price of $1,218 (usd) very cheap in my opinion and the specs arent bad. Only concern is the graphics card as it is almost a split between independent and intergrated memory. Will this effect my performance? For info the chip is a 256mb nvidia quadro nvs 140m. I dont do heavy duty gaming but still would like good performance out of the system. I do play some small low demand light games but still like having decent power for when needed. I have the chip being upgraded to a 2.4 ghz intel dual core chip. So there is plenty of power under the hood and have it set for windows vista business edition. Thanks folks.

[carolavis]

OK, I guess $300 is to good to be true. I will look at the other places mentioned. Thanks