Travel Mate

EDIT: Added a Pic

At last I had finally purchased my own personal laptop. The long list had been narrowed down, leading me to the Acer-TravelMate-2413NLCi.

Anyway, here is its
Specifications:

- Intel Celeron M Processor 370
- 1MB L2 Cache, 1.50 GHz, 400MHz FSB
- Intel 910GML Express Chipset
- 256MB DDR2 533MHz Memory
- 15" XGA TFT LCD Monitor
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with DVMT
- 40GB Hard Disk Drive
- CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
- 802.11b/g Wireless LAN (54 Mbps)
- 10/100 Mbps LAN
- 56Kbps Fax Modem
- (4) USB Ports, 1 VGA Port
- Ergonomic Keypad
- Li-Ion battery pack
- Linux Operating System
- Weight: 2.6 Kgs.

A brand new one costs at around 40k. Laptops come cheap nowadays. Of course, this is not the high end one. More of a value-based laptop. The more costly computers are based on dual-core systems (2 processor cores in 1 die) and Centrino (an Intel system) which focuses in energy savings.
I could say that I had about a month-long of research in laptop systems, and this laptop I bought is not far off from the high end ones.

Why Celeron M?
In the past few years, Celeron processors had been somewhat called as "budget" processors of Intel since it is offered cheap. Of course its performance is not as great as the Pentium line of processors. The highly-marketed Centrino system uses Pentium M processors. Its distinctive features are its embedded wi-fi and power savings feature (aka Intel speed step technology) which would prolong battery life. How do we weigh the Celeron M then? Just think of it as a Pentium M with no Intel speed step technology (and probably less L2 cache size since it ranges from 1Mb to 2Mb).

L2 (Level 2) Cache size?
In the past, Intel and AMD had been fighting over for the fastest clock speed. However, clock speed can not be a measure for overall performance alone. Today's L2 memory cache sizes (e.g. 1 Mb) are larger as compared to before (128kb/256kb). Some systems may be very fast, but remember little. Mine would be fast, and remember more.

DDR vs. DDR2
Actually, the DDR2 has only a slight edge in terms of performance. One thing significant is its low voltage use of 1.8V as compared to DDR's 2.5V.

Aside from these specifics, primary requirements include wi-fi capability (EEE is one hotspot), LAN (widely used internet/network connectivity, EEE can reach 800kb/s dl speed at night!), combo drive (burn cd's and watch DVD!), USB ports (floppies are obsolete!), and a good Video chipset.

If you would want to buy one (2nd hand or bnew), contact me! Let me be your middleman! c",?
*From my own search, I had learned so many things... I can share you my expertise! c",?