Philips X56 (i'm in love)

bikebarbie

Hello,
I was looking for a lappy and found this gorgeous one :blushing:



Specifications for this PHILIPS X56

• Processor Type T5600
• Processor speed 1.83 mhz
• Memory Size 1024 mb
• Memory Type DDR II
• Hard Drive Capacity 80 Gb
• Optical Drives DVDRW Dual Layer
• CD-ROM Speed 24 x
• CD-RW Speed. 24 x
• DVD-ROM Speed 8 x
• DVD-RW Speed 6 x
• Floppy Disk Drive No
• Screen Size/Type 12.1 WXGA
• Graphics Card Type Intel GMA950
• Graphics Memory Up to 224 MB mb
• TV-out No
• Sound Type AC97 16bit
• Modem Type 56k
• Wireless Enabled Yes
• No. of USB Connections 3
• No. of Firewire Connections 1
• Infrared Port Included No
• Other Interfaces RJ-11, RJ-45
• Battery Type LI-ION
• Battery life (up to) 4 hours
• Software Titles Included Works 8.5
• Operating system MCE 2005
• Weight 1.85 kg
• Height 36.5 mm
• Width 297 mm
• Depth 213 mm
• Colour SILVER

can get it for £585. I am very very tempted to buy it, but before I do so can anyone please give me some feedback and opinions on this laptop?
Also a silly question: does it allow to watch DVD's? (not particualrly bothered because that's not the purpose is intended for but just wandering)

Thanks a lot! :T

Cypher

Also a silly question: does it allow to watch DVD's?

Yes DVD-ROM Speed 8 x

and it will also allow you to burn your own. DVDRW Dual Layer DVD-RW Speed 6 x

bikebarbie

thanks Cypher WOW I like it even more now :happyhear

Gib_Gib

The one thing I would point out is the 12.1 screen.

While this does mean you get a much lighter and smaller laptop, but I find laptops of that size annoying.

But that is a great price for that laptop.

kittykirsty

bikebarbie wrote:

[*]Operating system MCE 2005

Not sure about that , it's a laptop not a PDA or something. If you could get it with Windows XP that might be better, but not a major issue, for that price it sounds like a nice piece of kit! All depends really on what you plan on using it for, looks like it'll be fine unless you want to do some graphic intensive gaming on it! :j

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

MCE is Microsoft's media centre. Just a poncy version of XP

bikebarbie

MCE is Microsoft's media centre. Just a poncy version of XP

oh why did you have to go and spoil it? (no only joking actually thanks for pointing out!) but Iam a bit buffled because in the shop it said it had Windows XP (actually in the brochure too is written Microsoft Windows XP Media Drive) and then it also mentioned a free Vista upgrade.

Can anyone put light into this? Thanks a lot once again

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

bikebarbie wrote:

oh why did you have to go and spoil it? (no only joking actually thanks for pointing out!) but Iam a bit buffled because in the shop it said it had Windows XP (actually in the brochure too is written Microsoft Windows XP Media Drive) and then it also mentioned a free Vista upgrade.

Can anyone put light into this? Thanks a lot once again

Now to answer your question. Media Centre makes it easier to watch the gogglebox through your computer. It also allows easier playing of music and DVD's and lets you view photo's easier.

When Vista hits the shelves you will be eligible for a free upgrade to that. Although I personally wouldn't bother with it cos it'll be full of bugs followed by months and months of 'critical' updates

bikebarbie

ok sorry to keep at this but want to be 1000% sure about this purchase.
Is this MS Windows Media Centre so crappy? I need something that I can do Words, Excel, PP (well now u know that I know very little about PCs) and does it have Windows XP? I think I am going to go to the shop and see for myself about this cause I am relly confused!
Also if I wanted to upgrade to Vista after a few months or a year (when they sort most of the glitch) does this laptop have enough va va voom to support that application? or would it need upgrading (i understand that to be able to support Vista it needs certain higher specs)

thanks again

or am i just better off with the compaq v6133EU
http://www.dixons.co.uk/product.php?sku=176555&camp_id=froogle

bikebarbie

just got off the phone with currys and they said that the MCE is an andditional piece of software that helps with viewing sound/image files but the actual operating system is Windows XP and that it was an error on the website that it hadnt been picked up on yet.

splot_2

I use Windows XP media centre and find it fine. Not sure if you are aware but word, excel and powerpoint are separate to XP so you will need to buy them or download OpenOffice.