This HP Pavilion Slimline s7700n PC is actually the second PC with Windows Vista pre-installed that I worked on. The first one was Gateway® GT5404 Desktop.
HP Pavilion Slimline PC is roughly one-third the size of a mid-tower PC. Previously it was equipped with Intel Celeron, AMD Sempron, and AMD Athlon 64 Processor. HP Pavilion Slimline s7700n PC is equipped with AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ dual-core processor.
Windows Vista uses around 800MB of RAM right after it finishes booting up. The computer was unusable for the first few minutes when it has only 1GB of RAM. After Windows Vista settles down it uses around 500MB of RAM; that’s before having an anti-virus software installed. It is imperative to have a minimum of 2GB of RAM on this machine if you want to run Vista comfortably.
This computer is equipped with nVidia GeForce 6150 LE video card with 128MB dedicated memory. It also takes 191MB from the sytem RAM. It has one VGA port, no DVI. It has no problem driving a 22-inch flat panel at 1680×1050 resolution. It has one PCI slot available, so theoretically a PCI graphic card can be added. Unfortunately it will only accomodate cards with shorter bracket. At this point there is no option to adjust the amount of system RAM shared by the graphic card. There is no such option in the BIOS or in nVidia control panel.
For pictures and specifications, read here.
http://37prime.com/blog/2007/03/06/vista-pc-reviewed-hp-pavilion-slimline-s7700n-pc/
Original reviewed on 03.14.2006
Sometimes in 2005, a friend of called me for computer help. It was something urgent and I was 30 Los Angeles rush-hour-mile away; which translates to 60 to 90 minutes of driving. I tried to walk him through over the phone but it was unsuccessful. I told him that I needed to see the screen myself. He suggested to connect to his computer using GoToMyPC, since he has already been using the service. It took me about 5 minutes to solve the problem thanks to GoToMyPC. I'll write my review on GoToMyPC later on.
Anyway, I heard about LogMeIn numerous times on the radio, especially from callers on Leo Laporte Radio Show. Since I had a positive experience with GoToMyPC, I decided to give LogMeIn a try. LogMeIn is a remote access server/client application for Windows Operating System.
LogMeIn system requirements:
- Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, and Server 2003
- Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator 4.0, or Mozilla Firefox
- Broadband internet
- Administrator access on Windows NT/2000/XP/Server 2003 to install the software
I found a few articles about LogMeIn on the internet and it seems to be a great service. I went to LogMeIn.com find out more. LogMeIn offers two different versions of LogMeIn: LogMeIn Free and LogMeIn Pro. I signed up for the LogMeIn Free.
What differentiate LogMeIn Pro to LogMeIn Free are the ability to do file transfers and managements, and to invite other computer to view and control your PC temporarily. In my opinion, for free I can do without the LogMeIn Pro features.
LogMeIn is compatible with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox (the two browsers I used to test LogMeIn). One thing that is missing from LogMeIn (Free and Pro) is the client compatibility with non-Windows OS. Even though LogMeIn client is a java based application, it still requires a windows specific plugin. By comparison, GoToMyPC client is compatible with non-Windows OS such as Mac OS X.
Update: 01.02.2007
I used LogMeIn o connect to a remote Windows computer using Safari Web Browser on Mac OS X 10.4.8 and it works great. Apparently LogMeIn has updated its java based client/viewer.
Overall LogMeIn is a great service especially the LogMeIn Free. Unfortunately there is a better alternative to LogMeIn Pro due to its lack of support for non-windows OS. If I want to use the advance feature I'd rather use GoToMyPC.
Overall LogMeIn is a great service especially the LogMeIn Free. The added client access support on Mac OS X has truly gives LogMeIn an upper hand. I would recommend LogMeIn over GoToMyPC because it provides a free version of its service.
Update: 01.27.2007
For some reasons, LogMeIn Client on Mac OS X stops working properly.
LogMeIn is a service provided by 3am Labs.
LogMeIn logo Copyright © 2006 3am Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
Toshiba Satellite P105-S6024
Retail price: $1,999.99 ($999.99 after rebate for the week of 07.23.2006 - 07.29.2006)
Specifications:
- Intel Centrino Duo T2050 (1.60GHz), 533MHz Front Side Bus, 2MB Cache
- 1024MB (2×512MB) DDR2 PC4300 - 4096MB Max
- 17″ WXGA+ with TruBrite™ Technology, 1440×900 Resolution
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 32MB-128MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
- 100GB SATA Hard Drive, 5400 RPM
- Double-layer DVD+R/-R Drive
- Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG - Supports A/B/G Wi-Fi
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Keyboard with 10 Key-Pad\
- harman/kardon speakers
- Size (LWH): 16.1 inches, 14 inches, 5 inches
- Weight:starting at 7.1 pounds
- Four USB 2.0 (one on the left, two on the right, and one on the back)
- One 4 pin FireWire (on the left)
- One S-Video
- One PCMCIA (top slot) and one Expresscard 54/34 (bottom slot)
- Secure Digital, xD, and Memory Stick reader in 1
Toshiba Satellite P105-S6024 is a great laptop at a low price. The screen is nice and bright running at 1440×900 resolution. Its using Intel Core Duo processor assuring great performance. This notebook is for those who want large screen and don’t mind about the size. Since it’s using integrated Intel GMA, playing 3D games won’t be a pleasant experience on this notebook. This notebook carries the “Windows Vista Capable” sticker.
Pros:
- Bright 17″ Widescreen @ 1440×900
- Core Duo processor
- A/B/G Wi-Fi support
- Double Layer DVD+R/-R
- Excellent cooling system
- Great sounding notebook speaker
Cons:
- Some keys are narrowed to accomodate the keypad
- Trackpad is off center to accomodate the keypad
- Integrated Graphic Processor with shared memory
- A bit thick and bulky to accomodate the fan and heatsink among others
- No DVI port
Toshiba Satellite P105-S6024 @Amazon.com
Toshiba Satellite P105-S6024 @CompUSA.com
Toshiba Satellite P105-S6024 @CircuitCity.com
Toshiba Satellite P105-S6024 @ToshibaDirect.com
SyncMaster 940MW is one of the first HDCP capable LCD Flat Panels from Samsung. It is computer monitor with built in TV tuner and HDTV-ready.
- 19.0 inch wide screen
- 1440 x 900 (WXGA+) resolution
- 700:1 contrast ratio
- Inputs include TV (antenna/cable), S-Video, Composite, Component, DVI, and analog RGB
- Picture-in-Picture (PC mode)
- Remote control included
- Overall this LCD monitor is great. The picture quality for DVI and the analog video looks clean and sharp. The colors are vibrant. The built-in speakers sound decent, but don’t expect any deep bass frequencies.
The picture quality of analog TV doesn’t look as sharp, I am not sure if it’s my cable connections or the monitor.
Tested with:
- 15″ Aluminum PowerBook G4 1.67 GHz, ATI Radeon 9700 256 MB
- 15″ MacBook Pro C2.0 GHz Core Duo, ATI Radeon X1600 256 MB
- Mac mini 2.0 GHz Core Solo, Intel GMA950 IGP 64MB shared memory
- Compaq Presario SR1830NX, ATI Radeon XPress 200
- HP Pavillion a1430n, nVidia GeForce 6150LE
- Some older computers with various older graphic cards
Samsung SyncMaster 940MW is a digital monitor first, and a TV second. I am pretty happy with this monitor and it works great with 15″ MacBook Pro. Both has the same 1440×900 screen resolution. Older computers with older graphics cards don’t support the optimal resolutions.
Samsung SyncMaster 940MW @ Amazon.com
For more informations, visit Samsung
http://www.samsung.com/Products/Monitor/LCD_Digital/LS19DOWSSXAA.asp
ompaq Presario Media Center SR1830NX PC performs well for a sub $700 computer. AMD Athlon 64 Processor has always been performing impressively, and it is no exception with this computer. Windows running pretty smoothly on this machine. The computer is relatively quiet thanks to the near silent fans.
Read more: http://37prime.com/blog/2006/05/01/mini-review-compaq-presario-sr1830nx/
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