Laptop buying advice

[xlav]

Seek help in choosing between these 2 laptops:

HP ->

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834147421

Gateway ->

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101089

For general use, data files, surf internet, no gaming or heavy graphics, will carry to and from work.
I prefer XP to Vista, will seller replace Vista with XP or would I have to do it myself, is it difficult to do? How is seller service?

 

[vacunita]

I'd go with the Gateway. Both need to share memory with the video card, So having more to spare is better. Slightly faster CPU, bigger HD, and more importantly more RAM.

For windows XP, its unlikely the provider will replace Vista XP. You'll most likely have to do it yourself.

It shouldn't be to difficult to do, however the providers, HP or Gateway, may not have drivers for all the hardware for XP, which could pose problem when trying to downgrade to XP.

I'd find out whether either of them provide a downgrade kit, you can use to downgrade to XP, or at least have drivers for the hardware that work on XP

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[roland63]

If you have a test hard drive you can safely give the downgrade a try with XP without having to jeopardize Vista on the original hard drive.

Install the drive, install XP, look to see that DevMgr came up clean and if not - do what you can to fix any issues.

Be sure to TEST every port on the laptop before you conclude it's thumbs up! all USB ports? Sound? Mike? etc...

This way at least you know what may or may not work before you do the original drive your way...

 

[xlav]

Thanks for the info.

 

[macten88]

I would take Gateway over HP.

I just bought a Gateway NX series with Vista Ultimate and everything worked right out of the box. Movies look fantastic with their Ultrabright option!

 

[xlav]

Thanks for your comments, there are so many negatives about Vista.

 

[paparazi]

I compare the situation to the one that existed when XP was first released in 2001?
At that time, new but entry level machines came in the spec range of 800 Durons/Celerons, with just 128mb of ram, high end machines at that time were XP2000+ etc with 512mb ram.
The point is the budget machines would really struggle with XP because they lacked resources.
Entry level laptops today are in that same situation, they struggle with too little ram, weak graphics and slowish processors.
Of course the situation is reversed some what as soon as XP is installed, entry level laptops are high end compared to those early machines and therfore run extremely quickly with the older O/S.

Martin


We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[wahnula]

For the Gateway- recertified:

* Manufacturer Limited Warranty period (parts): 90 days
* Manufacturer Limited Warranty period (labor): 90 days

For the Compaq:

* Manufacturer Limited Warranty period (parts): 1 year
* Manufacturer Limited Warranty period (labor): 1 year

So, is the better hardware worth a lesser warranty? I avoid "recertified" products if the warranty is reduced as this one is.

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me