Computer Purchase

[Gambler]

Im thinking about purchasing a COMPAQ Computer from REFURBDEPOT. It is a Presario 2538Cl for $1150. It looks like a good one to me.
Would anyone care to make any coments on my selection. Like is it a good price, Is REFURBDEPOT a good place to buy, or could I get more for my money somerewhere else.
Appreciate any advice.
Thanks ed

[Gambler]

Here are the specs on that compaq.

The Compaq Presario 2108CL Notebook PC offers performance, quality and portability all at the right price. Powered by the Mobile AMD™ Athlon™ XP-M processor, 512MB DDR SDRAM memory and 15.0" XGA TFT (1024 x 768) display, this notebook PC will meet your daily computing needs at home, at school or on the go.
• ================================================== ======
• AMD Athlon™ XP-M processors with QuantiSpeed™ architecture and PowerNow!™ technology deliver great performance on demand and extended system battery life.
• AMD Athlon™ XP-M 2800+ processor powers great system performance for productivity applications.
• Enhanced IDE 60GB (4200 RPM) hard disk drive stores demanding productivity applications with room to spare for up to10,000 music tracks, 10,000 photos and 5 hours of video.
• 512MB DDR SDRAM (2 DIMM) enables running several applications seamlessly at the same time or excellent support of a demanding multimedia application.
• Full-size keyboard and touch pad with scroll and on/off buttons allows you to work comfortably and accomplish more.
• 15.0” XGA screens help you surf and work fast by making content highly visible through great contrast and high resolution.
• ATI MOBILITY RADEON 4X AGP and 3D architecture with 64MB DDR (shared) of user-configurable shared video memory ensures your down-time enjoyment of vividly-rendered DVD films.
• Integrated speakers support robust sound effects for presentations.
• Integrated DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive enables you to quickly back up and share up to 650MB of data on CDs.
• Integrated 54g™ integrated 802.11b/g capable WLAN enables you to stay connected and productive on the go. Integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN modem provides DSL or cable support for always-on, high-speed surfing at speeds up to 100MBps.
• Conveniently-placed integrated USB ports provide fast connections to external devices.
• The S-video port enables you to share multimedia presentations on TV.
• Quicken New User’s Edition enables you to manage your money efficiently freeing you to do more.
• Adobe PhotoShop Album photo and imaging software makes it easy to edit your digital photos and put your best face forward.
• Join the digital music revolution! With Apple iTunes you can easily import songs from your favorite CDs, organize your CD and MP3 collection, create custom playlists right on your computer and much more. Expand your collection with the Apple iTunes Music Store offering more than 500,000 tracks from the five major music labels and 200 independent labels. Enjoy free previews for every song in the store, then buy songs or entire albums with one-click, buy-and-download convenience.
• Specifications:
• Mobile AMD™ Athlon™ XP-M processor 2800+ with PowerNow!™ Technology and 512KB L2 Cache
• 512MB DDR SDRAM (2 x 256MB) at 266MHz
• Maximum Memory: 1024MB DDR SDRAM (2 x 512MB)
• Accessible Memory Slots: 2
• Data, Fax, and Modem:
• Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)(l) Network Card
• Integrated v.90/v.92 56KB modem(n,l) (RJ-11 connector) Wireless Option
• 54g™ Integrated 802.11 b/g Capable Wireless LAN(m)
• Expandability: One Type I/II/III 32-bit card bus
• Keyboard, Mouse, and Monitor:
• 15.0" XGA TFT (1024 x 768) Display
• 101-key compatible
• Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical Scroll Up/Down

[Donnie]

Ed-
Sorry.....your personal email slide down my box pretty fast...I will reply to you this afternoon!

-D

[Gambler]

Thanks Donnie

[Glen]

G,

Check out www.gateway.com They have some great deals right now...

[AwolAtHTR]

hi Ed,

I have had no problems with my Compaq laptop in almost two years of use.
YES, a good computer.

Now my opiinion about this one:

1. 512 MG memory is plenty for HTR stuff BUT major plus there are TWO memory slots
so, IF or WHEN your 'work' needs more memory, then you can just buy more memory
and not need to buy another computer!

2. 64 MB of SHARED video is a negative because some your 512 main memory is used.
BUT, major plus, USER CONFIGURABLE!! which means you have the choice to
crank down (SLOW DOWN) the video for data work and not watch pretty movies.

3. Modem V90/v92 is GREAT since some dialup ISP will work better with one but not
the other. Of course a NON ISSUE, if you plan to use DSL but another plus for this
system, that you have the choice DSL, Ethernet, or Wireless

4. Wireless with the '..B/G..' is great. Most laptops have ONLY one, ie 802.11 b
or 802.11 g, so, another nice feature.

5. Touch Pad ON/OFF appears to mean you can easily turn off the on-board mouse.
there is nothing more frustrating with a laptop then be typing away and ooPPS,
tapped that mouse again!!

6. How many USG slots? IF none, then forget this system!!
Should have at least one and prefer two. So, you can have an optical mouse
AND a memory stick in the system at the same time. My old Compaq has two
and found this FRUSTRATION when tried to use an old Gateway with only one.
Will be very surprised if count is zero.
-------
this is just my opinion and understanding of the speces.
so, Donnie or anyone else, PLEASE correct me IF I had misstated anything.
--------
Ed, good luck with your search

duane

[Gambler]

I sure appreciate all the help.
Thanks
ed