Hardware

With ever falling notebook prices, now days one can get a mainstream notebook at as low as (INR) Rs. 22000 / USD 350-400.

Over past few months, I have suggested model Acer 5315 to a lot of users with need of just basic office job and there is been a good amount of emails which I have received asking about my views / review on the configuration available on this segment as how good are they to run the mainstream software such as Windows Vista and playing HD movies.

So let us take a quick look at, most commonly available configuration for cheapest mainstream notebooks / laptops.

What configuration to expect in a lowest end mainstream notebook ?

Processor :- Celeron Mobile Family (Celeron M 520 / 530 / 550 / 575 / 585)
Chipset :- Intel Mobile GL960 / Intel Mobile GM965
Graphics Adapter :- Intel GMA x3100
RAM :- 1 GB DDR-II
HDD :- 80 GB to 160 GB depending on the brand and price.

Which is the notebook that I am testing ?

Today I would be taking a quick look at Toshiba L40, a very similar configuration to Acer 5315.

Product Name

Toshiba Satelite L40

Product URL

Toshiba L40 series.

Product Price

Rs. 23900/- (one may find the acer 5315 at Rs. 22100/- incl all tax)

Product Specifications

• Intel Celeron Mobile 530 @ 1.73 GHz / 533 MHz FSB / 1 MB L2
• Intel Mobile chipset GL960
• Intel GMA x3100
• 1 GB DDR-II PC5300 @ 667 MHz (512×2 dual channel mode)
• 120 GB SATA Hard Drive
• 15.1″ Widrescreen (1280×800)

Product at a glance

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Yes, that’s a computer motherboard (Intel 845GVSR)
with a processor (Socket 478 Intel P-IV 1.8 GHz) attached to it.

It is expected that one may assume this is an abundant computer at some abundant warehouse or such, but matter of fact is, this is a PC which runs in an AC room.

The PC all of a sudden started to power-down it self in middle of work and trouble shooting immediately lead us to the fact of overheating. While all fans running at full capacity, the only culprit left was dust and as we removed the processor fan and heat-sink, this was what we saw in side !!

Finally Vodafone have broken their silence over official iPhone pricing in India, announcing that Apple iPhone 3G would be available in voda-store from August 22, 2008.

Apple iPhone 8 GB in India is priced at (INR) Rs. 31000/- where as the 16GB model is priced at (INR) Rs. 36100/-.

A lot of expectation where there to see iPhone to be priced within 12k in Indian Rupees where as the in raility the price is given almost 3 times of the expected !!!

This is a rare incident to occur with me, that I come back empty handed when I have went to purchase some thing.

Todays aim was to purchase the best available Digital Camera (Digi Cam) under budget Rs. 10000 to Rs. 15000 (USD 200 – USD 300) from any vendor, like Sony Cybershot / Canon Powershot / Nikon Coolpix or even Kodak.

There are plenty of models available under this budget, some of the widely used models are,

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Pay attention if you are a Nvidia 630i chipset based motherboard user.

If you are using an installation source containing Windows XP SP3, then nvidia WHQL drivers for 630i would fail to load the integrated network card under Windows XP SP3.

This is what nvidia supports writes back to me,

Hi, thanks for your message and for letting us know. We have heard rumours that XP service pack 3 is related to a similar issue, in which case we would ask that you try without SP3, but also we do have a BIOS update on our website, always best to have the latest to ensure minor bugs do not cause further issues. Hope all goes well, however if any queries or problems please keep us posted.

No solution is available as of now at-least, however as per motherboard manufacturer XFX, Microsoft is working with nvidia to issue a patch for XP3 to make it accept the present WHQL drivers for its integrated LAN !!

As you walk in to any computer store or IT shop, you see they are displaying PCs with capability to watch and Record TV running Windows Media Center. You may wonder, do you need to pay for the full PC to obtain the Media Center functionality of the PC.

Infact no, all these Media Center PCs have in extra is a Tv Tuner Kit (PCI based TV Tuner Card and a Remote control) along with the Media Center Edition of Windows XP or Windows Vista.

How much would a TV tuner Kit cost ?

Any good Windows Vista compatible TV Tuner Kit from brands like WinFast / LeadTek or Pinnacle may cost you around Rs. 2000 (USD 50 / EURO 35).

Where to get the Media Center Software ?

What is that software you see with Media Center PCs ?? Usually its the Windows Media Center, which may come with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 or as an integrated part of any installation of Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate editions.

Where as similar softwares, which allows you to view / record / pause live TV would come with your TV tuner kit from the hardware vendor it self, an example would be Pinnacle TV Center Edition. So any one or both of them can be used for your TV viewing needs.

So let us view few tricks on how exactly you can transform your regular PC to a Media Center Edition without burning a hole in your pocket ?

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Its official now, both Vodafone India and AirTel is now accepting pre-booking (pre order) for Apple iPhone under their network.

There is no official dates are announced for the general sell, however it is expected to be September / October at the time of Laxmi Puja / Dashera festivals. Though in US market the 8GB version of the 3G iPhone is around USD 200, but neither Vodafone nor AirTel has yet commented on the price of product in India under their network !!!

Finally Apple India is set to offer student discount on their portable Mac range. Just like US / UK where apple has a good market share in student community with their privilege discount schemes via respective university programs, now Indian students of selected universities can also purchase an apple portable range MAC with 12% discount.

Selected models of MacBook 13″ (MB402ZP/A / MB403ZP/A / MB404ZP/A) and MacBook Pro 15″ / 17″ (MB133ZP/A / MB134ZP/A / MB166ZP/A) shall be available to the students of selected universities with 12% discount upon their MRPs.

Those who wish to avail the discount may contact Apple Authorized sellers of India or may apple online via this link -> http://macforstudents.netbiz.in/form.aspx

However, compare to similar range products of Dell/ HP / Lenovo or Sony, even with the discount the price of an Apple product seems to be too high for an average Indian student to afford. But then again, as all mac lovers say, “Macs are not for average / poor, Apple targets the elite class”.

So do you belong to that elite class ??

TATA indicom is a major CDMA operator of India offering really cheap handset along with their connection allowing people to become mobile.

One of the cheapest handset or mobile instrument they provide is Haier C2010 which retails at Rs. 700/- without any connection charge. Where as one may obtain one year of connection with Rs. 149. So handset + connection makes it Rs. 850/-, properbly the cheapest one available.

While playing with the handset I find the back port is very similar to USB (male) Mini-B Type. The one which I have in one of my external USB card readers and can be found in advance models such as Nokia 5200.

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