You can't open the book of my life and jump in the middle. Like woman, I'm a mystery.

Mal ,'Our Mrs. Reynolds'


Buffistechnology 2: You Made Her So She Growls?  

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


DCJensen - Nov 26, 2004 6:05:33 am PST #164 of 10003
All is well that ends in pizza.

There is a demo of MacVCD on [link] Mireth's website. it only plays 5 minutes of video, but at least you can tell if the thing works.

I have a VCD that I've tried playing with it, and I get zip.

there's something called FreeVCD, that I have not tried, yet: [link]


Rob - Nov 26, 2004 7:24:54 am PST #165 of 10003

Can anyone recommend a Mac-based program that will read VCDs?

VCDGear should be able to convert the video on a VCD to something you can play with Quicktime Player. They have older versions that work with OS 9.


Wolfram - Nov 26, 2004 7:27:42 am PST #166 of 10003
Visilurking

Can anyone give me a good reason not to buy this laptop for $550? The price just seems to good to be true.

[link]


JohnSweden - Nov 26, 2004 7:35:55 am PST #167 of 10003
I can't even.

I don't really know laptops, but it looks like the video and sound is all handled by the main cpu, which is something I don't like, I prefer to get that stuff off the main board onto separate cards to avoid the machine gagging on vid or sound intense apps or sites, but I'm fussy that way.

It also seems like you would want more RAM right away, so that is a bit of a hidden cost.

Otherwise, it seems in your price range. I'm not familiar with the maker, though. Does WalMart have a house brand?


Wolfram - Nov 26, 2004 7:42:51 am PST #168 of 10003
Visilurking

Well the laptop is only for word processing and browsing - no video/sound apps. But I need to look into this RAM thing.


DCJensen - Nov 26, 2004 9:31:29 am PST #169 of 10003
All is well that ends in pizza.

Well the laptop is only for word processing and browsing - no video/sound apps. But I need to look into this RAM thing.

You can get 512MB more of the compatible RAM for this machine for 70-80 dollars. [link]

I like the machine for $150 more, in that it has a DVD/CD/RW drive, but I'm not sure if that, plus the extra RAM and a slightly faster processor is worth $150. And there is some question as to if they are giving the second 128M an empty slot, or making it so you have to remove the 128 to get an upgrade. blecch.


Wolfram - Nov 26, 2004 9:46:14 am PST #170 of 10003
Visilurking

Daniel, aren't those RAM 184 PIN? I think the laptop needs 200 PIN if I'm reading stuff right.

ETA: Find it at the same site. I'm thinking of going with the Corsair or Kingston at ZipZoomFly. Is the Kngston worth a few bucks more?


DCJensen - Nov 26, 2004 9:51:47 am PST #171 of 10003
All is well that ends in pizza.

Hmm, I was going by ddr266. Hmm. Tricky.


Wolfram - Nov 26, 2004 10:19:04 am PST #172 of 10003
Visilurking

Yeah, it is a little confusing. For that matter I have no idea what difference it makes if my memory is ECC registered/unregistered, parity or non-parity, gold-tipped or not, etc. I just match up the numbers I recognize and hope for the best.


thegrommit - Nov 26, 2004 2:47:12 pm PST #173 of 10003
Um.

Daniel, aren't those RAM 184 PIN? I think the laptop needs 200 PIN if I'm reading stuff right.

You are. As noted at the bottom, DDR266 for laptops comes in a standard 200-pin SO-DIMM package.

That should be a fine laptop for word processing and browsing, though only if you get more memory.