i cant make a hard decision on
whether choose
toshiba satellite a10 or
ibm thinkpad r40e
on a low end / cheap notebook selection.
any guy can give me suggestion?
(i live in malaysia, please dont compare the price with USA)

ibm r40e
Processor (CPU): Mobile Intel Celeron processor
Processor internal clock speed: 1.80GHz
Graphics chipset: ATI RADEON IGP 330M
Viewable image size (diagonal): 13.3inches
Expansion ports: 2 USB 1.1, AC adapter, External Display, Microphone in, RJ-11, RJ-45, Speaker/headphone (stereo)
Hard disk size1: 20GB
Hard disk type: ATA-100 (Enhanced IDE)
Memory (RAM) std/max: 128MB / 1GB
RAM type: PC2100 DDR SDRAM
CD-ROM speed8: 24X Max
Battery life - min/max: 2.1 Hrs
Battery type(s): 6 Cell Lithium-Ion
Limited Warranty period and type: 90 days Customer Carry-in

toshiba satellite a10-s100
Processor (CPU): Mobile Intel Celeron processor
Processor internal clock speed: 1.80GHz
graphics card:shared
viewable image size:14.1"
memory:256 ddr ram
cd-rom:24x
harddisk:20gb
Parallel (ECP), RGB, USB 2.0 x 2, External Microphone (monaural), Headphone (stereo), RJ-11, RJ-45, DC-in
Exchangeable 6-Cells Lithium-Ion battery, up to 3.5 hours of battery life
1-year parts, labor and battery International Limited Warranty

both netword card and modem included,
ibm more expensive US$92 than toshiba

Personally, I think IBM ThinkPads are one of the best in terms of quality. I've used a T20 and a T40 and they are built like tanks. I have also used 2 Toshiba Tecra's in my time. My first Tecra (P133) had a problem with the LCD where you had to press on the sides of the screen or else the LCD screen would have a bunch of garbage. The second Tecra's (PIII 800) plastic broke at the hinges of the LCD.

However, if your looking on price alone, I might say go for the Toshiba because it has better specs... Longer battery, more RAM, bigger screen, USB 2.0, and the warranty, and its cheaper. As long as you take care of the Toshiba, I think you'd be okay.

thanks for your advise

Well I'd personally go for IBM. I've only had one Toshiba which turned up to be a complete fraud. Out of nowhere, the mouse started to fail, and the guys in the warranty refused to give service because they claimed it was already opened, which was not the case. We sued them :P

And well, the iBM have a better design in my opinion, more resistent.

hello
what must i do/check as soon as i receive my new notebook?
any good notebook checking guide?
any software to check all the components inside?

thank you

I have a toshiba satelite and everything works fine with RH9 (sound, video, mouse....)

how long been u using it?