Will this laptop be sufficient?

[surfinwahine]

I purchased a Toshiba Satellite M110/M115 Series laptop before Christmas to try out on a trip home to NC.
My needs are:
*wireless inet
*word processing
*ability to download/edit pics with software like PSP X1, etc
*work on websites

The computer specs are as follows:
*Microsoft XP
*Media Center Edition
*Version 2002
* Service Pack 2
*Genuine Intel CPU
*T2050 @ 1.60GHz
*798 MHz 504 MB of RAM
*Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-K1A
*ACPI Multiprocessor PC
*Mobil Intel 945GM Express Chipset Family Display Adapters (2)
*Intel 8280 1GBM/GHM (1CH7-M Family)Serial ATA Storage Controller
*1394 Net Adapter
Intel PRO/Wireless Network Connection; 2.4 MHz wireless LAN
Realtek Family Fast Ethernet NIC
*Processors:
Genuine Intel CPU T2050 @ 1.60GHz (2)
*14" screen

I paid $749.00 for this laptop and have a coupon to upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium for free.

My question is: In your wise opinions, will this system hold me for what I need it for? I don't travel a lot, but when I do I'll need it to work to hold photos, edit, and get on the internet. On this trip, I was only able to access the internet once in a 6 day period though the WiFi connection. Very frustrating! Is that normal?

I have a few days left before I'll have to return it. I will appreciate your advice on this matter.

Surfinwahine
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kodak Z650 6.1 mp 10x opt zoom
Canon Rebel Gii EOS 35-80 mm

[JDArt]

This machine will do. I would bump the RAM up to 1 GB.

[brian.austin]

What JD said. Everything is fine except the RAM. You'll see much better performance at 1Gb.

[TonyK]

My laptop, also a Toshiba Satellite (older model) has 1GB of RAM and works well enough for quick edits when we moved from Austin to Knoxville and the desktop was not available to me.

How much HD space does the system have? I could not find that in your list.

[surfinwahine]

Many thanks to all who have replied thus far!

In answer to TonyK's question re: amount of HD space in the system, I went online to the Toshiba website (double-checking) and copied the specs they have.* It says HD 80 GB.* This is the rest...if it will help:

Processor Type * :* Core™ Duo*
* Processor Number * :* T2050*
* Processor Speed * :* 1.60GHz*
* Operating System * :* Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005*
* Memory Size * :* 512MB*
* Display Size * :* 14.1"*
* Display Type * :* Widescreen XGA with TruBrite™ Technology*
* Display Resolution * :* 1280x800*
* Graphics Chipset * :* Graphics Media Accelerator 950*
* Graphics Memory * :* 8MB-224MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory*
* Hard Drive Size * :* 80GB*
* Also includes:


* Hard Drive Speed :
5400rpm*
* Optical Drive * :
DVD-SuperMulti drive (+/-R double layer)*
* Wireless LAN * :
Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)*
* Bluetooth * :
No Bluetooth (No Antenna)*
* Input Devices :
85 key US keyboard, Windows Key Function, Internet Launch button, CD/DVD Buttons, Application Launch Button, Express Media Player CD/DVD launch button, TouchPad pointing device, Hot Key Functions*
* Security :
Password Security, Security Cable Lock Slot, Hot Key Security*
* Modem :
V.92 Modem*
* LAN :
10/100*
* Audio :
SRS TruSurround XT® virtual surround sound, SRS WOW™ stereo sound, Headphone jack (stereo), Microphone jack (mono), Standard stereo speakers*
* AC Adapter :
75W (15V 5.0A) Auto-sensing, 100-240V / 50-60Hz input*
* Battery Type :
Li-Ion (6-cell, 4000mAh)*
* Battery Life * :
Up to 3.97 hours*
* PC Card Slots :
1-Type II PC Card Slot*
* PC Express Slot :
No PC Express Slot*
* Media Port :
5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter*
* USB Slots :
4-USB (2.0)*
* iLINK : i.LINK™ IEEE-1394*
* S-Video : TV-out (S Video)*
* Software * :
InterVideo® WinDVD® Creator 2 Platinum, TOSHIBA Express Media Player, InterVideo® WinDVD® 5, TOSHIBA ConfigFree®, WildTangent Game Console, Microsoft® Office OneNote®, Microsoft Works*
* Weight : Starting at 5.2 lbs.*
* Color : Smart Indigo*
* Warranty * : 1-Yr Parts and Labor, 1-Year Battery*

I've been looking around, and am wondering if I bought an over-priced system.* At $749.00 and already needing to upgrade the RAM (and possibly the HD) what are your thoughts?

Thanks again,

Surfinwahine

[johndoug]

You may want to think twice before you upgrade to Vista.
How much more RAM will Vista suck up?

[TonyK]

My concern is driven by the need for memory for the video card. This means the video memory comes from the system memory. So at least 1GB of memory and if you could squeeze it to 1.5 GB (buy purchasing a 1GB chip) I think you would be very well served.

Cheers,

Processor Type * : Core™ Duo
Processor Number * : T2050
Processor Speed * : 1.60GHz
Operating System * : Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Memory Size * : 512MB
Display Size * : 14.1"
Display Type * : Widescreen XGA with TruBrite™ Technology
Display Resolution * : 1280x800
Graphics Chipset * : Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Graphics Memory * : 8MB-224MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
Hard Drive Size * : 80GB
Also includes:

[Max@Home]

Hi surfinwahine,

I agree with TonyK, that you will probably want to upgrade to 1.5 Gb internal memory as the video card will also take it's share of memory from the same memory chips.

OS-wise I would sooner 'downgrade' to Windows XP Pro than 'upgrade' to Vista...

...*my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home