AOpen 1848GL - no CPU - 15" TFT

Advantages: Tailor Made Spec, Robust Quality build. Nice looking, Good Value, Easy to upgrade
Disadvantages: Needs a high level of technical competance. One or two parts can be difficult to obtain.

...problem you will find is that the centrino CPU can be a bit tricky to find. The other problem is that, if like me, you choose a non-standard DVD-writer in place of the AOPEN reccomended model, then you will have to make up a small retaining bracket which isn't supplied with the case. Reasonably easy to do... but you do need some technical skills. Assembly took about 2 hours once I had realised the need to make a retaining clip for the DVD drive. There are no instructions supplied. But if you use common sense it is pretty obvious how it all comes apart and goes back. Just DONT force anything. If you have to strain it then you are trying the wrong way... ! You can also find hints on the web by via a google search (sorry but I cant recall the URLS) As far as performance and quality in use is concerned, the end result is excellent and I am... Read review

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Advantages: Extremely quite, beautiful machine
Disadvantages: CPU Cooling fan & the floppy drive connector are placed

...instruction manual covers both the Intel and AMD XC cubes in brief detail. There's absolutely no mention of the BIOS, features or settings. It presumes a prior level of knowledge on the user's part. A fold-out installation guide simply refers to how one should plug the keyboard and mouse into associated ports! Leaving me to wonder if they are having a bit of a laugh. one of the most important things to consider when building a system is your choice of CPU. AOpen's, as we know, has opted for AMD's Athlon XP range. The performance blot arrives in the shape of a maximum Front-Side Bus support of 166MHz, thereby limiting the EZ18 to an Athlon XP3000+ processor. Which is not bad, but with other systems now being capable of taking AMD's Athlon 64 Model 3400+ and Intel's 3.4GHz Extreme Edition without issue, truly high-end performance is beyond the EZ... Read review

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Advantages: cheap, good quality laptop with decent features, upgradable.
Disadvantages: no bluetooth. memory will need upgrading if moving on to Windows Vista

...First off what an easy to use laptop full of built in features for a very reasonable price ( £349.99 upwards) was £380 when i purchased mine but is worth every penny. Why people pay in excess of £500 for machines with a lower spec is beyond me. Acer have come a long way in providing great quality laptops at a lower price. on first run you follow the setup options and then it recommends you create a restore disc i did this using 2 blank dvd's with ease just following the on screen instructions. once this was complete i did the windows updates to get it fully upto date. The inbuilt wireless adapter (Atheros AR5005G Wireless Network Adapter) connects so easy to my wireless network with a reasonable range even in the garden. The 15.4" WXGA wide CrystalBrite TFT LCD Display is just as good as its name suggests (crystal) it displays... Read review

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