EMachine Notebook Computer: 14.1" WXGA, AMD 2650e, 120GB , 1GB, XP Home $300 AT BB (Starts Sunday)

I would not recommend buy this computer. The processor is a weak unupgradable peice of junk. the Acer Aspire One and EEE 1000HA both have better processors. Even if this has 15.4 screen versus the smaller netbook screens, it just shows how weak this computer is.

Pros: Cheap. Cons: everything that you get with it.
But at least this is the type of thing that dotbody would get, cheap and pretty much pointless.

I saw somewhere that this Emachines laptop is made by Acer. And also, the processor in this laptop should be a lot stronger than the Intel Atom (which isn't even faster than the Celeron M's in the first netbooks, just Google for benchmarks). Of course, the AMD in this laptop will use somewhat more power than the Atoms. Looks like a good alternative for people who need the extra screen space and don't care about weight.

It is actually better than the Atom crap from Intel. However only issue I see with it is that it has 2 slots for memory total. so if you want to expand from 1 GB, it is a bit tight.

and you want reps here? lol.

Check the model on eMachine website (http://www.e4me.com/products/products.html?prod=eMD620-5777). It is the new low-end version specifically built for BB. However the specs there is different. It has bigger HD and Vista:

CPU: AMD Athlon™ 2650e Processor
64-bit processor with AMD HyperTransport™ 1.0 Technology
(1.6GHz, 512KB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic with SP12
Display: 14.1" WXGA high-brightness TFT LCD (1280×800)
Chipset: AMD RS690MC
Memory: 1024MB 800MHz DDR2 (1 × 1024MB)
Expandable to 2GB
2 DDR2 slots total, 1 DDR2 slot available
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA II (5400rpm, 8MB cache)1
Optical Drives: 8X DVD SuperMulti double-layer drive
Write max: 24X CD-R, 16X CD-RW, 8X DVD-R, 8X DVD+R, 4X DVD-R DL (double-layer), 4X DVD+R DL (double-layer), 6X DVD-RW, 8X DVD+RW, 5X DVD-RAM
Read max: 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-R, 24X CD-RW, 8X DVD-ROM, 8X DVD-R, 8X DVD+R, 6X DVD-ROM DL (double-layer), 6X DVD-R DL (double-layer), 6X DVD+R DL (double-layer), 6X DVD-RW, 6X DVD+RW, 5X DVD-RAM
Video: ATI Radeon® X1200 Graphics
With up to 1919MB of HyperMemory™ supporting Shader Model 2.0, Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0
Audio: High-definition audio support
Two built-in stereo speakers
Communications: 802.11 b/g
Ports/Other: 3 - USB 2.0
1 - External display (VGA)
1 - Headphone/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support
1 - Microphone-in jack
1 - AC Adapter Connector
1 - RJ-45 Ethernet
Dimensions: 13.0" W x 9.8" D x 1.2/1.6" H
Weight: 5.29 lbs (system unit only)
Battery: 6-Cell Lithium-Ion (2.2AHr)
Warranty: 1-year parts and labor limited warranty3
Software:

* Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic with Service Pack 1
* Productivity Software
o Microsoft Works® 8.5 with Office Home and Student 2007 Trial4
o Adobe® Reader
* Digital Media Software
o Corel® WinDVD
o Launch Manager
o NTI CD/DVD Maker™
* eMachines® Comprehensive Security
o Symantec Norton 360™ Version 2.05
* Game Software
o eMachines® GameZone6

Price: $429.99

Note Best Buy says XP but see EMachine site specs which says it is Vista not XP if so it must be so slow. But I believe this is a different model. It was supposed to come out Nov 1'st but Best Buy must have gotten them to install XP thus the -5880 model number and different OS. Thank goodness. I had read that MS was allowing XP Home on low powered notebooks but the license was restricted so if you upgrade the processor the OS may no longer boot or be activateable.

Edit: Worst buy changed item to the 5777 Vista POS and lowered the memory to 1GB. Sorry but this will be one slow machine. Vista is unworkable with less than 2GB. Memory is cheap but you can't upgrade past 2GB. Unfortunately you will most likely have to throw your memory away to upgrade to 2GB open memory by unscrewing screw on bottom of machine if both slots are used you will have to buy 2 1GB DDR2 soDIMNS if one is empty buy one. This will work for many people if they upgrade the memory. This is a much stronger processor than the Atom or Celeron and the graphics much better than intels as well. Get it and install Linix or XP (if you have it) for good performance.

Unfortunate that you have to get a low powered machine to get XP hopefully you will be able to get this machine with XP for thanksgiving.
Fortunately the next OS is supposed to be better but time will tell. The server version of Vista is better than Vista so it is possible. MS always says this but they consistantly deliver far worse than promised. XP was an exception not the rule ME was bad as well. 2000 was good but not a home version. Vista was released without any of the promised improvements except DRM (Digital Restriction Management). Far worse performance no improvement in file system (badly out-dated) very bloated, very little user control of what MS junk runs.

Called EMachine but machine is so new Tech support had no information on the motherboard.

The processor possibly upgradeable since it uses the same socket. This is a special chip designed to compete against the intel Atom. There is a dual core version 3250e (22 Wats) but it is an OEM only part. It is a 16 Watt part far less than the 32 Watts the Turions use which cost $160+ anyway making the cooling solution possibly insufficient even it it did work. I would suggest against planing on upgrading unless it is confirmed that it can be without losing the XP license.

Not too bad if you just need something for basic computing. Beats waiting outside BB on Thanksgiving at 5pm. Honestly, those BF lines keep getting longer and longer.

BB just changed the Product Features. Now it is vista system in that link.

Keasay said: BB just changed the Product Features. Now it is vista system in that link.
They changed it back now. strange

Works with XP. Doesn't work with Vista. RAM is dirt cheap these days, assuming it's pc5300 or the like. With XP and 2GB this could be a working machine. Lots of people are poor but absolutely must have a computer. Use it for school or if you're going out on the road. Only question is whether it's such crap that it will fall apart immediately.

onion said: eekfuh said: I would not recommend buy this computer. The processor is a weak unupgradable peice of junk. the Acer Aspire One and EEE 1000HA both have better processors. Even if this has 15.4 screen versus the smaller netbook screens, it just shows how weak this computer is.Ahhh the uneducated. The Athlon 1.6ghz is OVER twice as fast as the junk Atom cpus. Please get an education before displaying such stupidity again.

ONION, don't you know this is a pos....
No one would want it.

eMachines - Laptop with AMD Athlon™ 2650e Processor - Black
Model: eMD620-5777 | SKU: 9057058

Backordered: Usually leaves our warehouse within 1-2 weeks Estimate Arrival Time

osuuma said: Currently online and in stores.

Buy now, and pricematch on Sunday.

....

A newbie question: How does the PriceMatch in this case? BB says:

Low price guarantee: If your product is available at a lower price in the store at the time of pickup, your credit card and/or Gift Card will automatically be adjusted to reflect the lowest price available.

Does this include the situation in which the product is sold out online and at the store when pickup?

yesidonoitall said: RE:
bigger, better screen than a netbook plus has a DVD burner.


Very silly comparison.
Apples to oranges.

How is that silly? Both are portable computers and I bet a lot of people have found it a difficult decision to make balancing between the bigger screen, DVD burner, faster CPU's and additional output ports with a standard notebook PC and the very light and easily portable netbook PC's. Now if I was comparing desktops vs. laptops, that would be apples to oranges.

OK, I know yout tech heads have strong opinions on how good a deal this is for using most of the features and specs.

But could someone please answer this one question honestly: if my wife just wanted a laptop primarily for surfing the internet at home occasionally, isn't this one just as good vs. paying $100-150 for a laptop that might have more functionality?

Thanks.

thietlong said: If all you do is surf internet, then you could get this or the one from WalMart. Heck anything under 300 on eBay would be fine for surfing the web. If you worry about vista, either add more memory (easily around 15-20 bux on frys.com after rebate) or do a clean installation and you are good to go.

Amen Brother!

But then if your wife just wants something to occasionally surf the Internet at home, why not a desktop instead? Unless space is important, you get far more function far cheaper with a desktop. I wouldn't go for a used machine on eBay though, especially not a laptop. I've seen too many of them go kaput. Actually this machine would be perfect for your wife. It's new and has Windows XP home already on it. I like XP.

thanks all for the confirmation that this would be fine for web surfing. we have one toddler and another on the way, so it's difficult for my wife to find the time (and sometimes comfort) to use the laptop in the study, so wanted to find a secondary one that she could use elsewhere in the house at her convenience.

and i hear ya on the Vista-- i bought my older parents a laptop a year ago and it had Vista on it-- i'm still getting ulcers in trying to help them use it!

VaporGuy said: Not too bad if you just need something for basic computing. Beats waiting outside BB on Thanksgiving at 5pm. Honestly, those BF lines keep getting longer and longer.
You're exactly right, I probably just stay up all night until Black Friday morning and order everything online. Then take whatever I couldn't get and go down to my Wal-Mart to price match the sales.