Hi,
[Edited to add Specifications, update Works Suite 2004 and SpeedStep info.]
My brother bought one of the £799 Aldi laptops the other day, so I thought I would write some info/details here. I no longer have access to it, hence some of what follows is pretty vague.
Overall it seems a very good deal, especially with the two-year warranty and bundled software. I'd definitely consider buying one myself.
The model is Gericom EGO-MS1003. Downloads can be accessed from the Gericom web site www.gericom.com
It appears to be a rebadged MSI M510C (or M510A) laptop. For info on those go to http://www.msi.com.tw/
The BIOS will be slightly different since a Gericom logo is displayed at startup. I don't know whether the MSI BIOS can be used with the Gericom laptop. Trying to flash it with an MSI BIOS would probably void your warranty.
It's surprising Aldi don't mention the bundled software, which includes:
Microsoft Works Suite 2004 on DVD, OEM version. (This is a bundle consisting of Word 2002, Works 7.0, Picture It! Photo Premium 9.0, Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2004,
Money 2004 Standard, Streets & Trips 2004)
A video editing package and a CD/DVD writing package from Pinnacle Systems (preloaded and on CD-ROM)
CyberLink PowerDVD 5
Norton Antivirus, preloaded, maybe on CD as well
A recovery CD-ROM
The preloaded OS is Windows XP Home SP1 with various fixes.
Specifications:
Intel® Pentium® M processor 735 (1.7Ghz) - 90nm "Dothan" CPU
Multi Format DVD Burner DVD-+ R/RW - made by QSI
Intel PRO/WIRELESS LAN 2200 b/g
ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128MB
High resolution 15.1" SXGA+ Display - panel made by Sanyo
80 GB Hard disk - Toshiba 4200rpm
512 MB DDR RAM 333MHz - as two 256MB SODIMMs
4 in 1 Card Reader - for SD/MMC/Memory Stick/SmartMedia cards
PCMCIA slot
Soundsystem 2 internal speakers, internal microphone connection
3x USB 2.0 - two on rear, one on right side
Firewire IEEE1394 - one port on rear
Parallel port
VGA-Out, Mic-In, Line-Out, TV-Out (s-video)
56k Modem V.90 and fast ethernet 10/100Mbit LAN (includes telephone cable)
Battery: Smart Li-Ion battery (8 cells)
As someone else mentioned, there is a protective plastic film on the top of the lid. Once that's removed the top is very shiny.
The laptop seems quite sturdily built. According to the MSI web site, it uses a magnesium/aluminium alloy chassis; I assume the Gericom model is the same. MSI quote a weight of 2.9kg, but I didn't weigh it myself. It doesn't feel too heavy. The keyboard action is fairly nice, less "mushy" than some others. It doesn't flex/bend in the middle much as you type.
Screen:
Uses a Sanyo 15" 1400x1050 panel. Not bad at all, with a good response time. Viewing angle could be better I suppose, but for the price you can't complain. I was mostly looking at it from one side, since my brother was at the keyboard. This particular unit has one bad (always on) blue subpixel. My brother isn't bothered enough about that to return it.
Storage:
Hard disk is an 80GB (probably 4200rpm) Toshiba unit. It would be nice to have a faster HD, but again, considering the price it's an acceptable compromise. The DVD +/- writer is made by QSI. At least some other units (see other messages in this thread) seem to have a DVD-ROM (not writer) drive installed by mistake. To check which you have, you can view the drive's properties in the System control panel.
Memory/upgrades:
Both memory slots are filled with 256MB SODIMMs. Expanding the memory above 512MB will involve replacing one or both existing SODIMMs. Memory, hard disk and CPU upgrades need to be done by someone approved by Gericom or the warranty will be voided. (There are warranty seals underneath the laptop.)
SpeedStep problem:
I originally thought there was an issue with this laptop's SpeedStep support, but this
probably isn't the case. In order to fully understand the various settings, see page 70 of the user manual PDF file (URL is below). Also, assuming it's compatible with this laptop, installing SpeedswitchXP is highly recommended. You can change SpeedStep settings easily using that.
BIOS update:
This particular laptop's BIOS is dated June 2004, but one from August can be downloaded from Gericom's web site. There is no change log, so I don't know what fixes are in the later version. There is also a keyboard BIOS update available, which may fix trackpad/mouse problems that someone else mentioned.
The BIOS updates on the Gericom site are floppy disk images, which seems a little odd considering the laptop has no floppy drive. I hate to think how inexperienced users will cope with updating their BIOS. The warranty is voided if you "break" the computer with a failed BIOS update. So if you need to update, I suggest you call Gericom first. (I expect they would tell you to go ahead if necessary, since the alternative -- getting them to collect, update and return the laptop under warranty -- will cost them money.)
Manual:
There is a 10-page guide in the box. A larger manual is probably on the hard disk and recovery CD, or can be downloaded from Gericom's site at http://download.gericom.com/NOTEBOOK/EGO-MS1003/MANUAL/USERMANUAL/ego-manual(en).pdf
Warranty and insurance:
There is a two year collect-and-return warranty, plus two years of "all risk" insurance. Be sure to check the terms & conditions on the Gericom web site if the included 2-year insurance is important to you. There is an excess, and the maximum payout decreases by 1/36th of the purchase price each month.
If anyone has any other questions about it, let me know.
-- M
[Edited to add Specifications, update Works Suite 2004 and SpeedStep info.]
My brother bought one of the £799 Aldi laptops the other day, so I thought I would write some info/details here. I no longer have access to it, hence some of what follows is pretty vague.
Overall it seems a very good deal, especially with the two-year warranty and bundled software. I'd definitely consider buying one myself.
The model is Gericom EGO-MS1003. Downloads can be accessed from the Gericom web site www.gericom.com
It appears to be a rebadged MSI M510C (or M510A) laptop. For info on those go to http://www.msi.com.tw/
The BIOS will be slightly different since a Gericom logo is displayed at startup. I don't know whether the MSI BIOS can be used with the Gericom laptop. Trying to flash it with an MSI BIOS would probably void your warranty.
It's surprising Aldi don't mention the bundled software, which includes:
Microsoft Works Suite 2004 on DVD, OEM version. (This is a bundle consisting of Word 2002, Works 7.0, Picture It! Photo Premium 9.0, Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2004,
Money 2004 Standard, Streets & Trips 2004)
A video editing package and a CD/DVD writing package from Pinnacle Systems (preloaded and on CD-ROM)
CyberLink PowerDVD 5
Norton Antivirus, preloaded, maybe on CD as well
A recovery CD-ROM
The preloaded OS is Windows XP Home SP1 with various fixes.
Specifications:
Intel® Pentium® M processor 735 (1.7Ghz) - 90nm "Dothan" CPU
Multi Format DVD Burner DVD-+ R/RW - made by QSI
Intel PRO/WIRELESS LAN 2200 b/g
ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128MB
High resolution 15.1" SXGA+ Display - panel made by Sanyo
80 GB Hard disk - Toshiba 4200rpm
512 MB DDR RAM 333MHz - as two 256MB SODIMMs
4 in 1 Card Reader - for SD/MMC/Memory Stick/SmartMedia cards
PCMCIA slot
Soundsystem 2 internal speakers, internal microphone connection
3x USB 2.0 - two on rear, one on right side
Firewire IEEE1394 - one port on rear
Parallel port
VGA-Out, Mic-In, Line-Out, TV-Out (s-video)
56k Modem V.90 and fast ethernet 10/100Mbit LAN (includes telephone cable)
Battery: Smart Li-Ion battery (8 cells)
As someone else mentioned, there is a protective plastic film on the top of the lid. Once that's removed the top is very shiny.
The laptop seems quite sturdily built. According to the MSI web site, it uses a magnesium/aluminium alloy chassis; I assume the Gericom model is the same. MSI quote a weight of 2.9kg, but I didn't weigh it myself. It doesn't feel too heavy. The keyboard action is fairly nice, less "mushy" than some others. It doesn't flex/bend in the middle much as you type.
Screen:
Uses a Sanyo 15" 1400x1050 panel. Not bad at all, with a good response time. Viewing angle could be better I suppose, but for the price you can't complain. I was mostly looking at it from one side, since my brother was at the keyboard. This particular unit has one bad (always on) blue subpixel. My brother isn't bothered enough about that to return it.
Storage:
Hard disk is an 80GB (probably 4200rpm) Toshiba unit. It would be nice to have a faster HD, but again, considering the price it's an acceptable compromise. The DVD +/- writer is made by QSI. At least some other units (see other messages in this thread) seem to have a DVD-ROM (not writer) drive installed by mistake. To check which you have, you can view the drive's properties in the System control panel.
Memory/upgrades:
Both memory slots are filled with 256MB SODIMMs. Expanding the memory above 512MB will involve replacing one or both existing SODIMMs. Memory, hard disk and CPU upgrades need to be done by someone approved by Gericom or the warranty will be voided. (There are warranty seals underneath the laptop.)
SpeedStep problem:
I originally thought there was an issue with this laptop's SpeedStep support, but this
probably isn't the case. In order to fully understand the various settings, see page 70 of the user manual PDF file (URL is below). Also, assuming it's compatible with this laptop, installing SpeedswitchXP is highly recommended. You can change SpeedStep settings easily using that.
BIOS update:
This particular laptop's BIOS is dated June 2004, but one from August can be downloaded from Gericom's web site. There is no change log, so I don't know what fixes are in the later version. There is also a keyboard BIOS update available, which may fix trackpad/mouse problems that someone else mentioned.
The BIOS updates on the Gericom site are floppy disk images, which seems a little odd considering the laptop has no floppy drive. I hate to think how inexperienced users will cope with updating their BIOS. The warranty is voided if you "break" the computer with a failed BIOS update. So if you need to update, I suggest you call Gericom first. (I expect they would tell you to go ahead if necessary, since the alternative -- getting them to collect, update and return the laptop under warranty -- will cost them money.)
Manual:
There is a 10-page guide in the box. A larger manual is probably on the hard disk and recovery CD, or can be downloaded from Gericom's site at http://download.gericom.com/NOTEBOOK/EGO-MS1003/MANUAL/USERMANUAL/ego-manual(en).pdf
Warranty and insurance:
There is a two year collect-and-return warranty, plus two years of "all risk" insurance. Be sure to check the terms & conditions on the Gericom web site if the included 2-year insurance is important to you. There is an excess, and the maximum payout decreases by 1/36th of the purchase price each month.
If anyone has any other questions about it, let me know.
-- M
Last edited:
hi== mine says rewritable dvd not wrote one yet=but says in windows explorer that thare are 2 drives (try tick) box in software =which drive to be used
.
