Toshiba Satellite or Tecra?

[DarkChild]

So I'm considering one of these two laptops. But I'm afraid I'll make the wrong choice... Which one is best?

I'm leaning towards the second one, I'll probably add 1GB ram to it though.. Any idea how much that would cost?


Toshiba Satellite Pro A300-15T
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz Processor T8300
2048MB DDR2 (PC2-5300) RAM Max: 4GB
250GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
15.4" diagonal WXGA (1280 x 800) TruBrite TFT LCD display
Built-in Webcam and Microphone
Harman/Kardon Stereo Speakers
Labelflash DVD±R/RW Super Multi Drive with Double Layer
Intel PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11A/B/G/N, Bluetooth
10/100 Ethernet LAN
5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter: MMC, SD, MS, MS Pro, xD
ExpressCard 54/34 Slot
4 x USB 2.0, Headphone out; Microphone-in, VGA, TV-Out (S-Video), IEEE-1394, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45
Approximate Unit Dimensions: 14.3" (W) x 10.5" (D) x 1.52" (H) .
Vista Business + XP Pro Recovery DVD
Approximate Unit Weight: 6.0 pounds
WARRANTY: 3 YEARS TOSHIBA DIRECT.

PRICE: $1,485



Toshiba Tecra A9-14G

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500P 2.2 GHz
Screen Size: 15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800)
Memory: 1GB / 4 GB (max)
Hard Drive: 160 GB
Networking: Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000, 802.11a/g/n (draft)
Integrated Features: Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, Bluetooth
Serial Port.
Security Features: Finger Print Reader, Password Security, Security Cable Lock Slot
Operating System: Windows XP Professional & Vista Business Recovery
Battery Life: 4.28 hours
Weight: 6.34 lbs
Warranty: 3 Year International

PRICE: $1,238


[]
If y'all have better suggestions, give me a link.

[Evolution]

The first one already has 2GB ram. So, you won't have to pay extra money to add 1GB. Furthermore, it has faster CPU, more Hard Drive space and Built-in Webcam. Personally, I would get the first one if I were you.

[opium]

Originally Posted by DarkChild

So I'm considering one of these two laptops. But I'm afraid I'll make the wrong choice... Which one is best?

I'm leaning towards the second one, I'll probably add 1GB ram to it though.. Any idea how much that would cost?


Toshiba Satellite Pro A300-15T
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz Processor T8300
2048MB DDR2 (PC2-5300) RAM Max: 4GB
250GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
15.4" diagonal WXGA (1280 x 800) TruBrite TFT LCD display
Built-in Webcam and Microphone
Harman/Kardon Stereo Speakers
Labelflash DVD±R/RW Super Multi Drive with Double Layer
Intel PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11A/B/G/N, Bluetooth
10/100 Ethernet LAN
5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter: MMC, SD, MS, MS Pro, xD
ExpressCard 54/34 Slot
4 x USB 2.0, Headphone out; Microphone-in, VGA, TV-Out (S-Video), IEEE-1394, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45
Approximate Unit Dimensions: 14.3" (W) x 10.5" (D) x 1.52" (H) .
Vista Business + XP Pro Recovery DVD
Approximate Unit Weight: 6.0 pounds
WARRANTY: 3 YEARS TOSHIBA DIRECT.

PRICE: $1,485



Toshiba Tecra A9-14G

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500P 2.2 GHz
Screen Size: 15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800)
Memory: 1GB / 4 GB (max)
Hard Drive: 160 GB
Networking: Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000, 802.11a/g/n (draft)
Integrated Features: Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, Bluetooth
Serial Port.
Security Features: Finger Print Reader, Password Security, Security Cable Lock Slot
Operating System: Windows XP Professional & Vista Business Recovery
Battery Life: 4.28 hours
Weight: 6.34 lbs
Warranty: 3 Year International

PRICE: $1,238


[]
If y'all have better suggestions, give me a link.

Check this link .they will give you the second ram chip for free
NOTEBOOKS
As for choosing between them.Akid go for tecra.

[Hierombalos]

the tecra is the better laptop, but the T7xxx family of processors is already outdated
i also see no mention of the graphics card
assuming they have integrated graphics, both are a bit pricey, consider also that the 1 GB available in the tecra is in reality 2*512MB DIMMs, hence you cannot just add 1GB you will have to remove the existing 2 units and add 2*1GB, if you are in lebanon very few stores will accept to buy the 2 512MB from you as they are practically useless and exist in huge numbers
also take into account that since you are willing to pay around 1400 you can shell out 200 more and get something with natively 4GB of ram a T9300 processor and respectable graphics (compared to integrated) either the new ATI's 3000 series or the Nvidia 8400 or 8600

i hope i didn't confuse you more


on a sidenote i am personally looking at something including a T9300 2.5GHz processor, 4GB of ram, an ATI 356MB graphic card or more, there are a lot of nice options within many brands within the 1500-1700 range, although you trade off the power for hard disk size and some amenities. my only problem is that most of these units come with a 32bit version of vista, which downgrades the ram to 3gb and dedicates 1GB to the graphics card and since i am in need of ram for my engineering applications, i need a 64bit version right now, although i am intent on dual booting with 64 bit ubuntu, but some software runs better natively on windows than emulated through wine in ubuntu

[GeoS]

man go for Tecra :) its way better.. the most powerful
try to find the Tecra M9 series its the best with a 7k rpm hdd it will cost around 1600$
and for sure get the OS Xp not vista :P
chi metel hol :P Tecra M9-S5514 or Tecra M9-185

[Frisbeetarian]

If u opt to go for one with a gpu, pick the one with the 8600. No ATI mobile gpu.
Personally i'd go the extra mile and get a laptop with a blu ray drive.

[LizzyC2308]

Depending on what you plan on using it for - the Satellite Pro already has the ram you are looking for - it has other features too. Since they both have a 3 year warranty, I think the Satellite is the best bet.
Both come with Vista pre-installed, with an XP downgrade CD included, so you can either go with Vista (don't do it) or stick with XP Pro (better idea).

What are you planning on using it for? Home, business, games, just surfing?

[DarkChild]

Originally Posted by opium

Check this link .they will give you the second ram chip for free
NOTEBOOKS
As for choosing between them.Akid go for tecra.

Ah! Thanks for pointing that out! I'll definitly consider that.

Originally Posted by Hierombalos

the tecra is the better laptop, but the T7xxx family of processors is already outdated
i also see no mention of the graphics card
assuming they have integrated graphics, both are a bit pricey, consider also that the 1 GB available in the tecra is in reality 2*512MB DIMMs, hence you cannot just add 1GB you will have to remove the existing 2 units and add 2*1GB, if you are in lebanon very few stores will accept to buy the 2 512MB from you as they are practically useless and exist in huge numbers
also take into account that since you are willing to pay around 1400 you can shell out 200 more and get something with natively 4GB of ram a T9300 processor and respectable graphics (compared to integrated) either the new ATI's 3000 series or the Nvidia 8400 or 8600

i hope i didn't confuse you more


on a sidenote i am personally looking at something including a T9300 2.5GHz processor, 4GB of ram, an ATI 356MB graphic card or more, there are a lot of nice options within many brands within the 1500-1700 range, although you trade off the power for hard disk size and some amenities. my only problem is that most of these units come with a 32bit version of vista, which downgrades the ram to 3gb and dedicates 1GB to the graphics card and since i am in need of ram for my engineering applications, i need a 64bit version right now, although i am intent on dual booting with 64 bit ubuntu, but some software runs better natively on windows than emulated through wine in ubuntu

I think I get what you mean and I'm easily confused hehe
Thanks for the advice =)

Originally Posted by friendofzeus

If u opt to go for one with a gpu, pick the one with the 8600. No ATI mobile gpu.
Personally i'd go the extra mile and get a laptop with a blu ray drive.

Why would I need blu ray? I'm sorry, I'm a total noob hehe

Originally Posted by LizzyC2308

Depending on what you plan on using it for - the Satellite Pro already has the ram you are looking for - it has other features too. Since they both have a 3 year warranty, I think the Satellite is the best bet.
Both come with Vista pre-installed, with an XP downgrade CD included, so you can either go with Vista (don't do it) or stick with XP Pro (better idea).

What are you planning on using it for? Home, business, games, just surfing?

I'm planing to use it for Digital Art (Photoshop/Illustrator/3ds Max..)
Sorry I forgot to say.. I can be dumb sometimes hehe

[Les Taire]

satellite is one of the best laptops ever made.....

i had one for two years, used it about 3 hours or so a day for 2 yrs straight, turned it off probably 10 times then resold it.