Question:
Hey guys, thanks for your time! I'd really appreciate a bit of help with laptops!
I have 4 questions or so regarding laptops. now, just in case you've come across them before, the laptops that I am referring about is
a) Acer Inspire 9504WSMi Centrino 760
b) Sony Vaio A617M Centrino 750
c) Sony vaio A617S Centrino 760.
Q1) What is the deal with DVD1RW (+R Double Layer) ??? I am looking for DVD+/-RW i think, so which is this one?? and what are the benefits of them?
Q2) laptop B has DVD1RW (+R Double Layer) / DVD-RAM .. I have seen DVD RAM about.. what's so good about it? Is it basically a format of DVD writing that's much better? ie you can store more info on a DVD Ram than a regular DVD? Would you think that its an essential for the future?
Q3) Graphics card. the ATI MOBILITY RAEDON X700. does anyone have this? does it have 128MB OR 256? INTEGRATED OR DEDICATED? Because different laptops seem to claim that they have different ram, but both have exactly the same model of graphics card, as do all three of these laptops.
Q4) I have been to , they have some great deals, but if I'm looking to buy an Acer or a Sony Vaio, would anyone recommend a better (cheaper) website or store?
Any experience of these laptops or similar that you have had would be much appreciated
Thanks!! xx
Answers:
double layers record up to 8gb on a disc whilst single layers do only 4.7gb...ok for pc use but no good for dvd recorders for tv use.
Dvd ram allows more flexablity in recording, the recorders will shuffle the data for the best space useage. This rest i don't know.
Answers:
I have a general downer on Sony Vaio. The pre-installed s/w is rubbish compared to freeware alternatives, other features such as card-readers are limited to Sony's own technology such as Memory Stick and the power supply is often as big as house brick!
Answers:
DVD-RAM can be written natively within Windows (i.e. once you've formatted a DVD-RAM, you can copy files to it using Windows Explorer etc. You don't need a separate program like Nero to write files). DVD-RAMs are also supposed to use better error-correction, so would make for more reliable back-ups.
I think DVD-RAMs are required if you want to pause live TV if you use one of those Sky + type box thingies.
Given the long time it takes to format a DVD-RAM and the low price of DVD-Rs (60p per disc on the high street), unless you record data on DVDs a lot and specifically want DVD-RAMs, you can probably do without them.
Answers:
they are quite expensive..
you could get a laptop for portability
plus a decent spec PC and 19" monitor for games
and still have change to spare
Answers:
If you ever intend to own a RAM recorder like a Panasonic model for example then I would make sure you have a RAM drive in the laptop