OT-hey computer peeps, is this a good laptop?

that isn't really true. the 64bit OS can utilize more RAM
while a 32bit OS is limited to 4gb max. 2^32 bytes, 64bit OS's go to a ridiculous 17+ billion gb's 2^64..

everything will be moved to 64bit in the comming years just as we moved to 32bit with NT 3.1 and Windows 95..

all that aside, get the laptop and install a standard copy XP on it....

 

http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4010247&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs

pretty much the same lappy cept:
3gb RAM instead of 4 (if you have 32bit OS you won't see a difference)
14.1" vs 15.4" (smaller, lighter, longer battery life)
Vista home 32bit vs Premium 64bit
$50 less

 

so in your opinion that would be a better laptop as is, than the other one with xp installed?

 

if u want/dont mind a 14.1 vs a 15.4, then yes..

 

2GB of ram is much faster than 3GB because you can run two sticks in Dual channel mode. Dual channel 2GB vs 4GB will bench about the same in a 64 bit system in most cases.

A 32bit windows OS will not use 4gbs of ram. It can't. It can address up to 4gb which includes your vid card ram, HD ram cache, sound card ram (if you have one) etc.

"The reduction in available system memory depends on the devices that are installed in the computer. However, to avoid potential driver compatibility issues, the 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to 3.12 GB. See the "More information" section for information about potential driver compatibility issues.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

"If a computer has many installed devices, the available memory may be reduced to 3 GB or less. However, the maximum memory available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista is typically 3.12 GB."

The truth is you don't need 4 gigs of ram. Unless your software costs in the thousands of dollars and you work at Skywalker Ranch there isn't any reason for it. A laptop with a dual core processor, 2 gigs of ram, a burner of some sort, and 150 GB hd will cover any and everything you need. Stick with XP 32 bit, it's stable, it has plenty of support (till 2014) and it works.

The 4GB advantage?
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/709/3/

 

i ended up getting this one

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8907944&type=product&id=1213046785626


very upgradeable (to 8g ram if i can ever use it etc), has a good graphics card (says its 512mb dedicated ont he laptop, but says integrated on the spec sheet?). the look of the laptop is sweet. and i got it for 599.99. had a hdmi output as well which i like.

any opinions? did i screw the pooch on this, or did i do a decent job,lol?

 

for $599 its a good deal. i saw similar ones with just slightly lower specs for $549... but for $50 that's a good buy...

-btw its listed at $699 now ;o)