Should I refund my laptop?

[FuturDreamz]

as you probably know my netbook has the GMS 500 AKA satan's mobile gpu. A few weeks ago i got pissed off enough to file a complaint with the BBB which set it to Intel. The complaint had the requirement of new drivers, replacement, or a refund.

They have accepted the refund for $347.

Problem is, I kinda like having a laptop, and this was and is the cheapest computer that has a bigger than 13" screen. However, I already have an office set up with a bigger screen eta so the size wouldn't bee that much of a problem, and I believe that for the amount of time I use it without my external screen/keyboard/etc, it may be fine as long as I can find a better netbook for the same price.

So, do you think I should accept the refund?

 

[FuturDreamz]

Ideally I'd replace it with something with the ION, but the only one I can find is a HP mini in Costco for $500
Turns out the 950 and the 3150 both kick the 500's butt, so I may look at them.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

All I can say is all the Intel Graphics are pathetic. I know.. I have the Intel GMA 4500MHD.

 

[FZ21Z]

Yes if you ripped it off.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I have to return my laptop to do so...
I'm wondering if it's worth the effort, because it works fine aside from the lost potential...
I'm thinking I may just hold on to it for now; it suits my purposes fine and anything with non-intel graphics costs twice as much as this.

 

[profdlp]

...it works fine aside from the lost potential...

...it suits my purposes fine...

What potential has it lost (that you actually miss), seeing as how it suits your purposes fine?

 

[FuturDreamz]

DirectX 10, OpenGL 2, and other hardware optimizations that would otherwise make it faster than the GMA 950, as was it's original design.

 

[profdlp]

It would be a hard call for me, were I in your position. On the one hand, if it did everything I needed it to do I would be happy. On the other hand, I would be cheesed if I felt like it was not doing all it could do based on something as simple as a crummy driver.

(I'm a lot of help, ain't I? )

 

[FuturDreamz]

yeah that pretty much sums it up.
i just checked and it decodes 1080P wmv fine. the only other cheap gc that has hd deciding is the ion chipset, which is much more expensive.
Another nail in the coffin for returning this.

and, who knows? maybe Intel will magically pump out the correct drivers for this. there's a rumour about Gallium3D based drivers for Linux, which will be relatively easy to port.

 

[Frostmourne]

Return it - you are not satisfied.

 

[FuturDreamz]

Well, I talked to my mom. she agrees, because she does not use her fairly new Compaq (full processor, DVD drive, 15" screen, and even if it's still a gma the 500's rated the worst even among igps.)
So, I'm going to send it to intel.

Eventually I want a ULV computer, but that'll wait.


Also, my headphone jack was semikilled by a set of old speakers...

 

[FuturDreamz]

now, to figure out what to do with this brand spankin' new USB asus drive.

 

[FuturDreamz]

what's the best way to wipe the drive?

 

[JonM33]

what's the best way to wipe the drive?

Besides hitting it with a sledge hammer? I find that most effective and also stress relieving.

Try KillDisk: Active@ Kill Disk Hard Drive Eraser. Low Level Format.

 

[FuturDreamz]

thanks.


I'm actually amazed, because this process has had the least hassles compared to talking to the MSI guy (singular: only one dude handled the entire Win7 Upgrade program), HP, eta.