MSI A5000-025US 15.6" Laptop: Intel Celeron T3000 1.8GHz, 3GB DDR2, 250GB HDD, Nvidia 8200M-G, HDMI, Windows 7 Home Premium $320 @ Officedepot B&M

[p0opstlnksal0t]

this looks sick... i toyed with keeping one of my acer deals for myself and upgrading the chip, ram and hdd, but this thing has it beat in terms of performance, and at a reasonable cost difference.

[p0opstlnksal0t]

anyone know the chipset?

[cool_guysd]

Quote from Wiki Community Board : Don't underestimate this 1.8 GHz Celeron processor, because it is actually the BEST Celeron dual-core processor available. This processor (ranked #98, according to Notebookcheck.com benchmarks [notebookcheck.net], beats the M500 AMD II Processor (rank #99). This laptop is essential the same as this Deal for the MSI A5000-026US Notebook for $400 AR @ Circuit city a few weeks ago that seemed to be pretty popular, and costs $80 less. This deal compared to the popular Acer Extensa 5230 a few days ago. This MSI has a Intel Celeron T3000 1.8GHz Processor (rank #98 on Notebookcheck.com benchmarks [notebookcheck.net]) vs the Celeron 900 2.2GHz ranked #181 on the same benchmark test. +1 MSI. Screen resolution is different because one is 15.6" while the other is 15.4", but that TFT LCD may be worse than this WXGA Screen. 3GB DDR2 vs 2GB DDR2 memory. +1 MSI. 250GB HDD vs 160GB HDD. +1 MSI. MSI Has HDMI. +1 MSI. The only thing better about the Acer is that it was $70 cheaper (less if accounting for shipping and different cashback values), but for 1 extra GB of Memory, 90 extra GBs of storage, A better LCD display, MUCH better processor, HDMI, and possibly 10% Bing Cashback (vs the 5% from Bestbuy, of course).

The MSI laptop sold by Office depot 2 weeks back for $450 had great features too. But, MSI did a poor job configuring the hardware and the drivers. That's where HP/ Dell/ Lenovo beat the small guys like Acer and MSI.

There were plenty of problems http://slickdeals.net/forums/show...?t=1633178

[jays92]

Very good price.

The Celeron T3000 is actually virtually identical to the Pentium Dual Core T4200, but runs at 1.8Ghz vs. 2.0Ghz. Both are 45 nm "penryn" Core 2 Duo derivatives.

Both are similar to the Core 2 Duo T6500, but both have 1MB cache vs. 2MB. Indeed, the Celeron T3000 could be called the Pentium Dual Core T4000, because it is that similar to the T4200, other than clock speed (again, 1.8Ghz vs. 2.0Ghz).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inte...al-core.29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List...45_nm.29_2

MSI is the only issue, as people in the MSI T6600 thread reported a few problems.

Other than quality, which could be fine, this is a great deal for the price.

[p0opstlnksal0t]

Quote from cool_guysd : The MSI laptop sold by Office depot 2 weeks back for $450 had great features too. But, MSI did a poor job configuring the hardware and the drivers. That's where HP/ Dell/ Lenovo beat the small guys like Acer and MSI. There were plenty of problems http://slickdeals.net/forums/show...?t=1633178

I think MSI puts out a top notch product... I wonder if this laptop will incorporate "turbo" software features like alot of their laptops, allowing a nice OC, and use of setfsb to increase bus transport speed due to unlocked pll

[sklar]

Does this slab have a modem port? From looking at the reviews I could find, I dont see or hear mention of one.

My niece wants a laptop for xmas, but she lives out in the sticks. 70% of the time she'll have wireless access but the rest of the time she's at grandma's house and has only dial up access.

So no modem wont fly.

[p0opstlnksal0t]

Quote from jays92 : Very good price. The Celeron T3000 is actually virtually identical to the Pentium Dual Core T4200, but runs at 1.8Ghz vs. 2.0Ghz. Both are 45 nm "penryn" Core 2 Duo derivatives. Both are similar to the Core 2 Duo T6500, but both have 1MB cache vs. 2MB. Indeed, the Celeron T3000 could be called the Pentium Dual Core T4000, because it is that similar to the T4200, other than clock speed (again, 1.8Ghz vs. 2.0Ghz). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inte...al-core.29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List...45_nm.29_2 MSI is the only issue, as people in the MSI T6600 thread reported a few problems. Other than quality, which could be fine, this is a great deal for the price.

the only problems I personally have had with msi has been with drivers... although they are an easy fix

[jays92]

Quote from cool_guysd : The MSI laptop sold by Office depot 2 weeks back for $450 had great features too. But, MSI did a poor job configuring the hardware and the drivers. That's where HP/ Dell/ Lenovo beat the small guys like Acer and MSI. There were plenty of problems http://slickdeals.net/forums/show...?t=1633178

Acer is moving fast, and is no longer small. A close 2nd to Dell, behind Dell and HP but above Lenovo in market share. Acer has one advantage in that you can find drivers on the US, Taiwan, and Europe sites.

[sklar]

Quote from jays92 : The Celeron T3000 is actually virtually identical to the Pentium Dual Core T4200, but runs at 1.8Ghz vs. 2.0Ghz. Both are 45 nm "penryn" Core 2 Duo derivatives.

Not exactly. While both are in fact 45nm derivatives, the celeron t3000 does not have speedstep. While I dont think that'll make a mountain of difference in battery life on a portable, for those who make minute demands on the processor and dont have the screen brightness turned way up, it'll make some battery life difference.

I like the pentium dual core vs core 2 duo performance differences for most users, but the dual core celeron does have a few fingers tied behind its back on portable battery life vs the pentium dual core and the core 2 duo in the same architectural range.

[p0opstlnksal0t]

BCB - 22.40 will put this at 297.60 they will charge tax so 346.40-22.40 = 324.00 all said and done

need more specs!!! what NB chipset does this msi lappy use?

[mythus]

i bought the acer from best buy, should i be feeling buyers remorse about now? i'm not very good with laptop technicalities.

[jays92]

Quote from sklar : Not exactly. While both are in fact 45nm derivatives, the celeron t3000 does not have speedstep. While I dont think that'll make a mountain of difference in battery life on a portable, for those who make minute demands on the processor and dont have the screen brightness turned way up, it'll make some battery life difference. I like the pentium dual core vs core 2 duo performance differences for most users, but the dual core celeron does have a few fingers tied behind its back on portable battery life vs the pentium dual core and the core 2 duo in the same architectural range.

True, it is missing some features, that is why I said "virtually" the same. But good facts to point out.

Quote from mythus : i bought the acer from best buy, should i be feeling buyers remorse about now? i'm not very good with laptop technicalities.

You bought the $249 Acer? No, you should not feel any remorse. You have a great deal. You'll be able to resell it in 6 months for $249 if you so choose and get another one.

[sd.Marvelous]

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