Need Opinion On Laptop..

[Don79]

Hi All,

I am looking to purchase the following from my friend:

Toshiba Satellite 1735
-700 MHz Intel Celeron processor w/ 128K L2 Cache
-100 MHz front side bus
-Upgraded to 192 MB PC100 RAM
-Huge 10GB Enchanced IDE hard drive
-3.5 inch internal diskette drive
-Built in 24X speed CD-ROM drive
-13.0 inch diagonal DSTN dual scan display
-Docking station capabilities will all necessary ports
-ATI Rage Mobility-C video graphics contoller with 8MB shared video memory
-CrystalFusion 3D Soundcard
-Built in stero speakers with headphone and microphone jacks
-Two stacked PC Card (PCMCIA) slots
-D-Link 10/100 Autosensing Network Card
-20' Ethernet Cable
-IOmega "Clik!" Internal 40MB Zip Drive w/ Disk and case
-Two USB ports
-Lucent Technologies internal 56K FaxModem
-WiseTech External 3 buttom Optical Mouse
-Includes power supply and NiMH battery pack
-Very Nice Carrying Case, by Dell
-Weighs 6.99lbs, light and is 12.7" wide by 10.9" deep by 1.5" high
Windows Millennium Edition.
Microsoft Office XP - a $250.00 upgrade

Any comments or suggestions about this? I heard about display problems with this laptop. Anyone have this laptop? Please include your opinions on whether the specs look good, etc. Thank You =)

 

[cdogg]

It depends on how much the laptop is going for. That processor will perform like a P-III 600 MHz CPU, if it's lucky, and given today's technology at such a low cost, I wouldn't pay more than $500-$550.

You'll probably feel the biggest hits on poor video performance (games) and low hard drive space, aside from the proc. On the other hand, XP is a plus...

 

[butchrecon]

I agree with cdogg. You pay more than $600 for it and you might as well get a new one for $1000 with pretty much tha smae specs. $250 for XP is TOO much!! James Collins
Field Service Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.

 

[cdogg]

Your friend probably already knows that his laptop is technology of mid-2000 and is becoming outdated fast. He probably spent anywhere from $1300-1700 brand new before the upgrades, but that doesn't make this system anymore valuable.

Don't make a bad investment if he's trying to get a lot out of it. I'd only take it if it's a steal. Otherwise, invest in newer technology for only a fraction more in cost...

 

[Don79]

Thanks for your comments. He is saying he got this laptop as a gift in October of 2001. Can this be true if the laptop is that outdated? Also, I was gonna ask him to sell it for $500. Still not sure yet. Is the video card that bad? Will it affect screen resolution, etc?

 

[cdogg]

No, the video card is fine for 2D graphics such as text, pictures, etc... - it's the gaming side that will lack luster!

Yes, it's possible that the system could have been brand new in October 2001, although it didn't have the latest technology available at the time. The 533 MHz Celeron processor came out in April of 2000 for the desktop. Laptops usually run 4-5 months behind desktops, and the 700 MHz celeron probably didn't make it to laptops until early 2001.

However, it is quite easy for you to get a P-III 800 MHz proc in a budget laptop for around $1000 or less depending on the company.

 

[dxd]

The one thing here that would prevent me from being remotely interested in this laptop is:

13.0 inch diagonal DSTN dual scan display

Unless you are getting a great deal (sub $500) and you don't mind less than quality video display it would probably be a good purchase...it does depend on what you want to use it for...you could always plug in an external monitor, but then why would you buy a laptop.

If shopping for a laptop, always go with an Active Matrix display for the best quality and clarity...of course, there is a premium. With notebooks in the sub $1,000 range these daze there is no reason to buy a used one unless it is practicly given to you!!
Doug
dxd_2000@yahoo.com