Computer Guys, in here!

[X-Runner]

Im debating on what to do about my laptop. I have a Dell Inspiron 8600. Nothing wrong with it really other than the fact it lags and has no memory. Virtual memory fills up within a few hours and its useless until you shut down and restart again.

Should I buy a newer/better computer or upgrade this one?

Current specs:

Intel Pentium M 1.4 GHz

512 MB Ram - Can upgrade to 2 GB for $100

30 GB Hard drive - Can upgrade to 120 GB for $170

15.4" wide screen, 1280 x 800 resolution

Built in wireless card, windows XP etc

Can upgrade to DVD-RW drive for $70

Also needs new battery, cost $100

With that in mind should I spend the almost $450 to upgrade what I have or put another $100-$200 with it and get something better?

[TheGodfather]

At this point I'd go ahead and just get a new one.

Electronics problems just continue over time, and with Dells good deals and what it would cost for your upgrades, I'd go ahead and get a new computer to be safe.

[X-Runner]

Thats the thing, it doesnt have any "problems" per say. My question is I guess for the cost of upgrades can I buy something else that would perform better? And Im not sold on another Dell just yet either.

[Brown Man]

get a new computer.

there are alot of good deals with computers right now.

[ironchef]

You can buy 1 TB sized drives for around a $100, it doesn't make sense to go from 30 to 120 for $170. True those are 3.5" drives but never the less.

[green91]

Quite honestly its not worth upgrading, even if you maxed out the ram and are able to upgrade the CPU, youre going to max out the bus speed and still have a slow pc, especially since those pentium M class processors are teh suck due to their low capacity on chip cache etc. There are steals on laptops for <$600 all over the place right now.

[dtmcnamara]

http://shop1.frys.com/product/4054652;jsessionid=axPLI7iNaZKgHKAqiX29Tw**.node1? site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

memory upgrade for your computer int he think above. get two of these and backup all your data and doa fresh install of xp again...

I just did it to mine and its running better than the day i got it

[dtmcnamara]

or you can just get a old (old in computer terms is 6 months) laptop and upgrade it as well...

i bought my toshiba satellite with a 2.7ghz processor, 4gb ram and 250gb hd for $400 used.

[Nismo]

or you can just get a old (old in computer terms is 6 months) laptop and upgrade it as well...

i bought my toshiba satellite with a 2.7ghz processor, 4gb ram and 250gb hd for $400 used.

You will soon see why that toshiba satellite was only 400.

[X-Runner]

Thanks guys, new it is. What brands would you recommend looking into?

[Nismo]

Hp and Hp

[green91]

Ive had great luck with toshibas (ive owned 4 now) and had poor luck with hp/compaq laptops.

[dtmcnamara]

You will soon see why that toshiba satellite was only 400.

had it for about a year....still love it

[TheProfiteer]

Actually, depending on what you use your laptop for, an upgrade would be a real waste of money. If its just for internet, video, picture viewing, movie watching ect ect

If you are running XP, the reason your virtual memory is filling up so fast is because you most likely have a bad ram stick.

You can upgrade to 1gig of ram for $32 bucks http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208028

the ram and the battery replacement is really all you need, also if you just want a much more powerful machine, it would be better to fix this thing up, and sell it.


I can help you out with this, upgrading, and even selling, LMK.

[Blitanicle99]

I rock a Toshiba and love it. Its the Duo Core, all that junk. However I am running Linux and not windows which has made my laptop sooooo much faster. I can't believe how slow windows are now that I barely use windows anymore.

Acer and Toshiba are apparently made by the same people so I wouldn't worry about getting one for the price. Or if your a computer person, check out Sagar, they are the company that makes laptops for Dell, Toshiba and HP I believe. You buy their price, the price that Dell buys from them and make your own creation.

[ep9716]

Sell It...Get A New One. Pm Krappy He Has An Account With Dell He Has TEH Good Deals.

[Got Milk?]

i always try to buy my computers with at least 1gb ram.

[nx2000det]

You have to ask yourself, what will you use it for? Do you need a new one? or will the upgrades keep up with just what you'll use it for?

[X-Runner]

I dont need a laptop honestly, there nice and all but I got to thinking I could build a nice ass desktop and probably come out better.

[Atlblkz06]

I'm using a dell D600 - I have absolutely no issues with it while just surfing etc.

Here is what I'd do

Upgrade the memory to 2GB (2x 1gb sticks?) (newegg.com - like 30 bucks)
Upgrade the HDD - 500gb is $110 on newegg (WD Scorpio Blue)

Put in Windows XP , NOT VISTA - and you're done.

It should be lightning quick and you've barely spent any money. If you ever upgrade your laptop, take out the 500gb HD and throw it into your PS3!