Calling all computer gurus...

693 Views 65 Replies 13 Participants Last post by jon3k, Nov 2, 2001

Blk_Gto

Discussion Starter · Oct 26, 2001

I had a quick question I was hoping one of you could answer. Well, my girlfriend has been borrowing my laptop for the past couple months for school so I've decided to just purchase her one of her own. I need mine back for work!

She only needs it for word processing and going on the net(just like the rest of us but we NEED the fastest processor!) so I was thinking of getting her a used laptop. One that she can abuse w/o worrying bout it.

Well, I found a 120 MHz, 800Mb Harddrive, 40MB RAM IBM Thinkpad 560 locally for a pretty descent price. Would these specs be enough to run Microsoft Windows 98 and Microsoft Office? I'm not sure how large these programs are since I never really paid attention when I got Gigs and Gigs on my hardrive. Thanks guys!

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Elmo

· #2 · Oct 26, 2001

Yes, but the HDD space will be tight.

And, yes, it will run.

Or, crawl really.

Depends how hard she hammers the processor. (ie, make sure he doesn't know how to multitask.)

But otherwise, it will work. just do not do a full install for office. that's like 500 megs. Be very selective. Word only, no templates, no wizards, no samples, etc etc.

Good luck....

Elton

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Blk_Gto

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 26, 2001

Thanks Elmo. I'm looking at the 560s because they are very light which is good because she plans on carrying that thing back and forth to school. So you think I should get something a little quicker and more HD for this use? And no, she doesn't know how to multitask.

RsPeED

· #4 · Oct 26, 2001

hmmmmm 120mhz? damn that is very slow dude.... at least get a 200mhz to install windows 98 and office.... or most of the time it will give errors.... 40 megs of ram is not enough for running office man........ and windows too........ you will need at least 64 megs of rams for that........
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gl though...

Elmo

· #5 · Oct 26, 2001

Blk_Gto said:
Thanks Elmo. I'm looking at the 560s because they are very light which is good because she plans on carrying that thing back and forth to school. So you think I should get something a little quicker and more HD for this use? And no, she doesn't know how to multitask.

Nah. the 560 is good.

A tad fragile though, so if she's not careful, she could crunch it. The 600 series is MUCH more durable. (and still relatively light)

If you can find a used HDD with GIGS on it, then you're golden. I might even be able to find a six gig that I could sell you, if you know how to install. If not, I do.

I serviced Thinkpads for about 4 months with one company.

Lemme know. The 6 gig is an ultra low profile, 9mm drive, so I'm pretty sure it will fit in the 560; I don't remember exactly what the max tolerance for the 560 is.

If you stick with the 800 *cough*tiny*cough* then make sure she knows NOT to install any kind of 'crap' software. Bloatware (as I call it) will suck down the space FAST, and that last 300 Megs or so which is used for critical Swap drive space, will be gone, causing CONSTANT system crash/lockups....

Elton

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Elmo

· #6 · Oct 26, 2001

RsPeED said:
hmmmmm 120mhz? damn that is very slow dude.... at least get a 200mhz to install windows 98 and office.... or most of the time it will give errors.... 40 megs of ram is not enough for running office man........ and windows too........ you will need at least 64 megs of rams for that........
-------------------------------
gl though...

it can be done. It's just not a screamer. You CANNOT multitask, if you try, you'll crash the system.

And, you'll be waiting a second or so in between clicks...

E

AmkreadGTO

· #7 · Oct 26, 2001

post a pic of her, steve... i hear she's a model..

Blk_Gto

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 26, 2001

AmkreadGTO: FUCK YOU!!!

I'll send you a link.

I just checked w/ the guy and he said that it doesn't come w/ a CD Rom so I'm stuck w/ the software on it unless I have a stack of floppies to install shit. Currently it has Windows 95 and Office 95. What was the difference between 95 and 98 of Windows and Office? And Office is backwards compatible right? So stuff written on Office 95 can be read by 98 right? It's been so long I can't remember....

Mutilator

· #9 · Oct 26, 2001

What kind of price are you planning on spending? I may be able to find something that gives a little more bang for the buck..

You could always get her to learn linux hehe.. that would run just fine on that laptop

Elmo

· #10 · Oct 26, 2001

Don't worry about that dude. I can take care of it if I sell you the drive. I have magical IT powers that most can only DREAM of.

And yes, Office 97 Pro is backwards compatible with all other versions. As is Office 2000. There is no Office 98 for Windows. Office 98 was only released for Macintosh. (it's essentially the same feature wise as Office 97, with only a few visual enhancements)

E

AmkreadGTO

· #11 · Oct 26, 2001

how much is it?? I have a older model Sony VAIO thats like 2lbs... maybe i wana get rid of it...

RsPeED

· #12 · Oct 26, 2001

yah what's the price u want to spend on the comp? I might be able to find you one for cheap dude....

Gene Crumpler

· #13 · Oct 26, 2001

Same here, I work up at Sears (sad, I know) and my manager happens to be leaving in like 2 days so I might be able to get you a really good deal on one of our returns or floor models. I'll check and see what we have, but we only sell compaq's really. If I can find one with all the accessories I can probly pull of 299$. A co-worker just got his wife a K6-3 550 128m 10 gig for 199 but it didn't have the battery. Also most of the compaq's are heavy, approx 7 lbs so I don't know if it would be good for her...
laters,
Gene Crumpler
1992 Stealth ES

Elmo

· #14 · Oct 26, 2001

heh.

No offense, but IMHO, Compaqs are turds.

I'm a Thinkpad die hard.

Love them, trust them, swear by them. In all my years of IT, it's the only road machine I will take with me. I've owned over 7, never has one failed, even under HEAVY travel stress, and the only reason I would move from one to another, is because a new job bought me one.

(it's good to be pampered by a new company

)

E

Blk_Gto

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 26, 2001

I don't know. I just started looking today.

Work would be more convenient for me if I had my laptop here so I'm working on solutions to get it back. Was hoping to spend under 3 bills cause I think she's only going to be using it for the next year or so. Her main concern is that it must be able to run word and let her go on the net. And if it's light, that's always a plus. That's why I was looking at the old 560s. Their only 4.1 lbs which I think is pretty good. This one that I mentioned above is under $150 and I can pick it up since it's next to my house.

Oh... and battery life don't mean shit cause she a plug in fanatic.

Thanks guys for the help.

AMK: Your sony isn't a full sized keyboard is it? That's another plus.

Elmo

· #16 · Oct 26, 2001

Blk_Gto said:
Oh... and battery life don't mean shit cause she a plug in fanatic.

you just sold yourself on the 560 dude. That's the ONLY drawback of subnote sized units. If battery life isn't an issue, then she'll actually USE the 560 ALOT, because it weighs almost nothing.... Chicks are like that. If a computer is 'svelte' and 'stylish' more than functional, they'll use it more often.

That's why Apple sold more Imacs than pc's when they were launched, there chicks bought it for the pure 'style' factor.

(and notice how every company is cashing in on that, with the 'imac coloring' schemes....

bleh. Plain beige or black is fine by me.)

Elton

Mutilator

· #17 · Oct 26, 2001

heh Elmo, my sister almost bought an Imac for just that reason... the colors they came in and they were "cute"

Cute until you see the price tag

AmkreadGTO

· #18 · Oct 26, 2001

Blk_Gto said:
AMK: Your sony isn't a full sized keyboard is it? That's another plus.

full size? dunno... its tiny... like 1-2lbs... 2G HD, 233, 64mb, WIN98, Office98, fax modem... i'll go home to check the model #

truwarrior22

· #19 · Oct 26, 2001

Need atleast 64 MEGS of RAM, 40 blows. EDO RAM is expensive too. Don't do it. Look for something better from a failed .com or something. Try ubid.com.

Blk_Gto

Discussion Starter · #20 · Oct 26, 2001

Thanks guys for all the help. I'm hoping to get this care of in the next week.

truwarrior22 said:
Need atleast 64 MEGS of RAM, 40 blows. EDO RAM is expensive too. Don't do it. Look for something better from a failed .com or something. Try ubid.com.

Yeah... EDO RAM is expensive. I'm not planning on upgrading this thing either cause I don't think it's worth it. There seems to be differing opinons on if 40 MB RAM is enough. Well.. is it or isn't it?

Originally posted by AMKREAD
full size? dunno... its tiny... like 1-2lbs... 2G HD, 233, 64mb, WIN98, Office98, fax modem... i'll go home to check the model #

1-2 lbs... it isn't a laptop for midgets is it?

Get back to me when you got the chance. We might have a match here. Oh... I looked for the link but couldn't find it. I'll bring you down a pic when I see you on the 10th k?

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