Maia, my pregnant officemate, needed a laptop. She asked her boss to allow her to work from home during her critical pregnancy months. She needed the right gadget to run required reports, be updated and maintain communications with us online. Her initial budget was only at $500 but realized they needed to add some more to have a more respectable system.

She was looking for at least three basics specs:

1. Dual Core Processor or at least a Pentium M
2. At least 500MB RAM or better
3. 80GB Harddrive, but I lived around 40GB before and I still can

She decided to go for an Acer Aspire 4710. Her survey answers follow:

What laptop do you use? Brand? Model? Specs?
I have a 14.1” widescreen Acer Aspire 4710 laptop with 1GB RAM, 80GB harddrive and a dual core processor. I’m running it on Ubuntu Linux 7.04 Feisty Fawn.

When did you buy it?
Bought it end September but got it early October already.

What was your main buying criteria for this laptop?
I wanted a value-for-money laptop. Loaded but not expensive. Something that would suit my need for good specs and will still allow me to stay on a reasonable budget.

What other laptops were you looking at before you decided on this laptop?
I was originally going for a Neo Endura , but after I read your posts regarding your old Neo laptop, I got cold feet. Was eyeing a MSI Megabook similar to Gabs’ but it was out of stock. By then, Acer just released a new line of laptops with a new look – my laptop was one of them.

Were your computing needs satisfied after buying your laptop?
Since my laptop’s running on Linux and not on Windows, my hubby wasn’t able to configure the webcam, mic, and headphones to run yet. Rico has the same problems I guess, but we’re quite optimistic with the new version of Ubuntu Linux 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon. I’m quite okay with these stuff not running yet since the other things on top of my priority list are running pretty well, including the 3D reporting suite from Omniture Discover

Would you recommend this laptop to others?
Surely. But if they are powered by Linux, there are just some things they need to live without for the meantime.

What’s GOOD about your laptop? What did you really like about it?
I like the Acer Crystalbite LCD. The colors are more vivid. And I believe the laptop runs faster on Linux.

What’s BAD about your laptop? What you think could be improved about it.
Like I said, if you are running on Linux, there are just some things that you have to live without in the meantime. But hey, if you know how to make these extras run, give me and my hubby a holler and help us out!

Maia had also read about the not too good discussions about the Neo Laptop. She originally thought of getting a Neo Endura system but decided against it.

Full specifications of the new Acer Aspire 4710 are:

• Intel Core Duo processor T2350
• 14.1″ WXGA Acer CrystalBrite LCD
• Mobile Intel Graphics, Media Accelerator 950
• 1GB DDR2
• 80GB HDD
• DVD-Super Multi DL
• 802.11a/b/g WLAN

Laptop Price: Php 39,900.

Riz, is a Filipina Search Engine Marketer. She always loved anything pink (including PinkSEO) which made me wonder why she bought a WHITE macbook. I asked her the same questions I asked everyone else. This is what she said:

What laptop do you use? Brand? Model? Specs? — MACBOOK. Ung basic na Mac book lang. 13 inch

When did you buy it? – U know when. Hehe. 2 weeks ago ata?

What was your main buying criteria for this laptop? — Speed. Tsaka gusto ko maganda itsura — sexy and girly, not too black and stiff. Hehe.

What other laptops were you looking at before you decided on this laptop? — Sony Vaio (ung pink hehe, but it’s not available in the Philippines). Or ung upgrade ng Acer Travelmate.

Were your computing needs satisfied after buying your laptop? — Yes.

Would you recommend this laptop to others? — Of course.

What’s GOOD about your laptop? What did you really like about it? — It’s MAC pare. MAC!! Drag and drop functionality. Really cool applications (iLife rocks)

What’s BAD about your laptop? What you think could be improved about it. — Not really BAD, pero if you’re shifting to mac, and you’ve used windows your whole life, u’ll have to adapt to the new functions and interface. It wont take a long time though

HA! I knew it! She was considering a PINK Vaio before she went off and bought the MacBook! Pfft.. Pink traitor!

Anyway, she has her 6 reasons on why the Macbook on her blog. Riz, allow me to steal your pic.

Really, I would’ve bought a Macbook myself but I find it a bit heavy. Enjoy your MacBook Riz!

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These days the concept of free satellite tv is indeed silly, specially in the presence of home theater systems. Even dvd players have lost their charm.