IBM R50e and a few questions

Hi guys

I have been looking for a laptop and today I have finally come to a decision to get a R50e as my mum has only given me a budget under 1000 bucks.. also consider that I might be getting a much better one after a few yrs.

Here is the specs

Intel Celeron M 370
256MB RAM
40GB 5400rpm HDD
CD-RW/DVD Combo
Intel Extreme Graphics 2
14.1 TFT
USB2.0 x 2
WiFi Wireless and Bluetooth
Intel PRO Wireless 2200 b/g
PCMCIA Support 1 Type II/ 1 Type III
6 Cell Li-ion Battery

The price come out to 920bucks, I am thinking to get an extra 512 MB ram and a 80GB 7200rpm by myself, now I got a few questions

1) Is it worth the money? I am mainly using this computer for Internet, typing documents, listening to music and watching dvds..

2) Is it easy to access the ram slot and change the hdd from its module?

Thanks guys :buyIBM:

 

1 The bump is bigger from 4200RPM to 5400RPM than 5400RPM to 7200RPM. It is usually cheaper to buy the memory after market unless they are giving it to you. Might want to spend the extra cash getting a Pentium M CPU as you will get much better battery life.

2. There are two memory slots. One underneath and one under the keyboard. The one underneath you just pop off the panel and stick it in. The one under the keyboard is a little harder to access, but the process should be covered in the service manual.

Good Luck.

 

First things first, I would look at the 1842-SLU configuration. Identical to yours, except the screen is 15" instead of 14.1" (which means about 0.6lbs more weight), the CPU is a C-M 360 instead of a 370 (1.4GHz instead of 1.5GHz), and the standard price is $799 - credit card discount price is $759.

One RAM slot is very easy to access - one screw, and you're in.

As for the HDD... IIRC, it's one screw to get it out. Seeing as the R series uses the same tray as even the old X series (like mine), there will be four screws holding the tray on. A precision screwdriver does NOT have the necessary torque to remove these screws - you'll just strip them. So, five screws.

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/39t2462.pdf is the Hardware Maintenance Manual for the R50e. Take a look at it - it'll tell you how to replace anything in the system.