1st Entry

nope, ur eyes aren't playing tricks on u.

this entry IS entitled "1st Entry" - the first from my new computer i.e.

woohoo~

before i go further, here's a brief introduction to my new partner-in-crime.

coupled with a 20" HP 2009f LCD monitor, the specifications are as follows:

Processor, operating system and memory
Operating system installed	Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic
Processor type	Intel® Core™2 Duo processor E7500 • 2.93 GHz, 3 MB Advanced Transfer Cache, 1066 MHz System Bus
Cache	3 MB Advanced Transfer Cache
Processor front side bus	1066 MHz System Bus
Chipset	Intel® G31 Express Chipset
Standard memory	2048 MB
Memory type	DDR2-SDRAM
Memory slots	2 DIMM

Internal drives
Internal drives	320 GB
Hard disk drive speed	(7200 rpm)
Storage controller	Serial ATA hard drive
Optical drive type	SuperMulti SATA Drive
Optical drive speed	SuperMulti SATA Drive with Lightscribe Technology, Double Layer (8.5GB) 16x DVD+R, 16x DVD-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD+R DL, 12x DVD-R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 16x DVD-ROM; 40x CDR, 32x CDRW, 40x CDROM
Lightscribe	LightScribe included

System features
Graphic subsystem name	ATI Radeon HD 3450 PCI-Express Graphics card
Video RAM	256MB dedicated graphics memory. Up to 895MB Total Available Graphics Memory as allocated by Windows Vista®
Internal audio	Integrated Intel High Definition Audio - 5.1 Surround Sound Ready
External I/O ports	6 USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 rear), 2 PS/2, LAN
Expansion slots	1 PCI Express (x16), 2 PCI Express (x1), 1 PCI
Memory card device	9-in-1 Digital Media Reader
Network interface	Integrated 10/100 BaseT network interface (Broadband Ready)

Dimensions / weight / warranty
Product weight	8.50 kg
Product dimensions (W x D x H)	167 x 416 x 377 mm
Keyboard	Compaq PS/2 Keyboard and Compaq Optical 2-button PS2 scroller mouse
Warranty	1 year limited (1 year part, 1 year onsite) warranty with up-and-running phone support for first 30 days

priced at $899 (PC Show 2009).

it really is a pretty good deal, isn't it?

i decided to forgo lappies because;

firstly, it really isn't as expandable as i wish it to be.

secondly, it'll probably melt within a year considering the duration of my usage

my last 2 motherboards were burnt, and adding additional fan didn't seem to remedy the problem. oops.

lastly, it's got this huge-ass monitor which i can't resist!

but of course, space and portability are a bonuses but i figured they can't outweigh the PROs for me.

now, let's get down to playing The Sims 3...