Jan 26, 2006 11:35 AM
25219 Views
(Updated Jan 26, 2006 02:10 PM)
About 4 months back I bought the Zenith Laptop model ''Director'' for home use.
Standard configuration :
Intel Centrino 1.Ghz CPU with 256 MB RAM, Features included: Wireless LAN ready, DVD with CD writer, 1EEE 1394 Firewire port, 10/100 Ethernet and Dial-up Port,
Two USB ports.
I upgraded the laptop with additional 256 MB RAM and loaded genuine MS Win-XP professional which bottomed out my total expenditure to INR 46K inclusive of all taxes. The laptop was purchased in Oct'2005. The price was very competitve at that time and I am sure that the same config'd laptop is now available for better price from other vendor.
Why did I choose Zenith?
Basically for the reason that it is an Indian company and I know this company for the past 15 years. Prices of the laptop was competitive. I liked the light weight ''Director'' model which fits my specs and requirements. It had all the features I needed for my home laptop.
Firewire port:
The Firewire port is basically a IEEE 1394 spec'd interface for connecting your camera or Firewire ready devices. I use it for connecting my handycam.
Note that the Vendor does not supply the cable along with the laptop and it is a optional item. I had tough time sourcing this cable in Bangalore - or I did not go to the right place.
How to recognize the Firewire port? The size of the port is half the size of a USB port and slightly bent inwards when looked from the top. You need to buy the IEE 1394 cable to use this port. Refer to the manual of the device you intend to connect and also you will need the required drivers to connect the device to the laptop.
Service from the Vendor:
Nothing to write about. Neither did I have a need to call them nor did I require them after the first initial setup which was done by Zenith service person. Laptop is user friendly to use. I like to courtesy extended by the service guy to work late evening and complete the instalation at my home.
Website: https://zenith-india.com/2005/interest_buy.asp
I did try loading the Linux OS and desktop. After several headaches of searching for reqd drivers to enable my onboard Soft-modem which miserably did not work - I switched over to genuine Windows-XP pro. So, the cost of my laptop has gone up by 6K rupees. However, I have no regrets as I am quite happy with the OS and laptop too has been certified to work better with XP.
Why did I choose laptop for home use?
I needed a laptop at home for relaxed internet browsing while I enjoyed the music in my terrace garden or be it while watching cartoon network along with my kids. Huddling onto a desktop PC was very boring and kept me away from the action room of my family. With the prices of laptop's crashing I prefered to take a laptop rather than an another desktop PC.
I do have a company provided top end laptop. But somehow I dont feel relaxed when I use the same at home. I tend to get on with my official work rather than use it for personal use.
A strange thing that I observed was that the laptop used to get heated up very fast when it was running on WIN-2K and Linux. However, when I changed over to WIN-XP Pro - I could notice a reduction in heat generated and the noise level of the fan.
