[ale] [OT] Screen Size & Resolution

[Ron Frazier]

David,

I know this is an old message, but I'm trying to catch up.  I didn't see 
your prior thread, but I just thought I'd throw this out for what it's 
worth.  The computer I'm referencing may be too large for you.  I just 
had to replace a Dell Inspiron 1525 because the screen hinges broke.  I 
put Gorilla tape on it and relegated it to desktop duty.  I ended up 
getting an Asus K52F from Best Buy.  It was on sale that day for $380, 
but I got a display model for $300.  I used the savings to buy a 2 year 
extended warranty.  The one I got had never been sold to anyone, so I 
was quite happy with the price.  It comes with Windows 7, but I now have 
it dual booting with Ubuntu 10.04.  It has an Intel Pentium dual core 
CPU @ 2 GHz, 3 GB RAM, and mine had a 500 GB hybrid platter / SSD hard 
drive, and a 15.6" screen (1366 x 768).  Overall, I really like it for 
an inexpensive machine.  I haven't had it long, but I like it so far.  
The keys on the keyboard are a bit chintzy, and are not curved to fit 
your fingers, and the speakers aren't loud enough to play music in a 
noisy room, but those are minor complaints.  I didn't want to pay $500 - 
$600 for a machine when I wasn't originally planning to replace mine at 
all.  One other thing, Linux doesn't understand the touchpad properly.  
It thinks it's a wheel mouse.  It works fine, however, the touchpad 
adjustment screen is not available in the Ubuntu control panel screen.  
Therefore, I cannot turn off "tapping" or change other features which 
are unique to touchpads.  Therefore, I have to guard against my wrist 
touching the pad, otherwise, it thinks I'm clicking the mouse.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ASUS+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Pentium%26%23174%3B+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+3GB+Memory+/+320GB+Hard+Drive+-+Brown/1257145.p?id=1218243226535&skuId=1257145&st=asus%20k52f&cp=1&lp=1

The link above is what I found at Best Buy today.  They're no longer on 
sale at a discount, the current price is $427 at their outlet.  This one 
has a 300 GB HDD instead of the 500 GB hybrid.  However, if you watch 
the Best Buy sale fliers every weekend, sometimes you can get some good 
deals.

Sincerely,

Ron

On 7/24/2011 8:25 PM, David Tomaschik wrote:
> Given the outcome of the previous laptop thread, I've begun to look
> for laptops I (might) be able to afford.  Can anyone provide some
> guidance on the following displays:
>
> 13.3" 1366x768
> 14" 1366x768
> 14" 1600x900
>
> Dell refurb laptops (on the Dell outlet) look like a decent price
> point to start with and I'm comparing the Vostro 3350 (13.3") and the
> Latitude E5420 (14").  Other differences are about 1.1 lbs in weight
> and the Vostro has 8 hours battery life (8-cell battery) vs 6 or 9.5
> hrs on the Latitude (6 or 9 cell battery).
>
> Suggestions welcome!
>
>    

-- 

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
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Ron Frazier

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