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.

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

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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?

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

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

From my dealnews newsletter, some of these have expired, but including the whole thing for the impact of my jaw dropping:

In-store hard drive deals: 160GB for $30, more (updated)** - 9:04 am

Today's best: the Western Digital 160GB IDE 8MB cache 7200 rpm hard drive, model no. WD1600JBRTL, costs $119.99 before $90 in mail-in rebates, $29.99 after, at Best Buy stores. That's 19 cents per GB. Offer ends today at noon. Also of note: The Maxtor Ultra 160GB IDE 7200 rpm internal hard drive with 8MB cache, model no. L01P160, costs $74.98 before a $35 mail-in rebate, $39.94 after, at Staples stores. That's 25 cents per GB. Offer ends today at 10 am. The Western Digital Caviar Special Edition 250GB IDE 8MB cache 7200 rpm hard drive, model no. WD2500JBRTL, costs $179.99 at Circuit City stores. $100 in mail-in rebates slashes it to $79.99. That's 32 cents per GB. Offer ends tomorrow. The Maxtor DiamondMax 60GB IDE 7200 rpm internal hard drive with 8MB cache, model no. L01J060G, costs $64.97 before a mail-in rebate of $40, $24.97 after at Office Depot stores. That's 42 cents per GB. Offer ends tomorrow. The Iomega 160GB USB 2.0 7200 rpm external hard drive, (sku no. 2085-2837), for $129.99 before a $40 mail-in rebate, $89.99 after at Office Max stores. That's 56 cents per GB. Offer ends tomorrow

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