Emachine M-5305 notebook question.

NLAlston

NLAlston

Member
Hi,

I know of someone who is selling an Emachine M-5305 notebook computer, and he is asking $300 for it. I have researched as much as I could, in hopes of finding what they might be selling for now, but could not find any prices no matter where I looked. I have read a number of reviews on this notebook, and they have generally been of mixed feelings. One thing that seems to be expressed by almost all, however, is a heating problem causing shutdown after abouta half hour, or so, of operation. I am prepared to deal with that, and find (maybe) some viable option for helping the heat situation out. I am in desperate need of my own computer (preferably a laptop) for my music creation needs (tired of tying up the family computer). So if someone could PLEASE get back to me ASAP (hopefully by early afternoon) on this issue - I would REALLY appreciate it. I wouldn't want to pass it up (as I really couldn't afford anything more than this) if the unit is deemed to be well worth the $300 asking price.

In advance do I thank you.
 
Well you can ask him if there was a problem with it. All I can say is if you're getting it for $300, it's not bad. As for a chance for over heating, it'll be difficult to narrow down the part that's heating up. Some are CPU related and some can be motherboard related. I would blow out all the vents, make sure all the fans are working & free of build up, and then probably reattach the CPU, maybe even regrease it.
 
Thanks again ~ LaptopExtreme,

You have indeed been most helpful.

The fellow that I bought it from (yes...I took a chance :) ) responded that he didn't know where I got that negative information from - but assured me that he had absolutely no problem with the unit. I know that there is always going to be at least a few bad apples in every bushel, and the naysayers could - quite possibly - be just a very small part of those who own this particular machine. So far, I haven't noticed any great heating issues. But, then again, I really haven't taxed it as yet. As far as your suggestions are concerned, I have to admit that I am somewhat timid about fooling around with its innards. I have gone into our desktop unit, without any fears or issues. But it seems to me that everything in a laptop would, undoubtedly, be so tightly integrated, and I don't know if I could muster up the nerve to take such a chance. I will see, however, if there are any laptop repair/upgrade books on the market.

I was a little disappointed when I realized that the notebook did not have Firewire capability, but the seller told me that there are Fireware Expansion Cards which could be purchased, which would occupy the slot normally utilized for the wireless modem. If so, then that would be great.

So far, though, I like this little machine a lot. It is quick, sturdily built, and looks nice also.
 
For only $300 without problems, I'm sure it's totally worth it. Congrats on such a deal. As for firewire, what are you using it for? Is it for Video camera? Cause many firewire units may have the capability for USB connection. Some USB 2.0 transfers are faster than firewire 400.
 
LaptopExtreme said:
For only $300 without problems, I'm sure it's totally worth it. Congrats on such a deal. As for firewire, what are you using it for? Is it for Video camera? Cause many firewire units may have the capability for USB connection. Some USB 2.0 transfers are faster than firewire 400.
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Hi again, my friend ~

Yes, I have been playing around with this unit since I wrote, earlier, and it is just so sweet acting (knock on wood :) ). I am reasonably sure that there are no major issues (actually, none whatsoever) with the notebook, and - as I could not have afforded another cent more - I am quite the happy camper.

This unit does indeed have USB 2.0, but I am an amateur songwriter/musician who owns a synthesizer which is outfitted with a Firewire Expansion Board for the transferring of my music files from the synth to the computer. Hopefully, I can find something (not so costly) which would afford the very same application & operation with my laptop.

The reason that I wanted to step away from any continued use of our desktop, for this purpose, is because of my family member's need for the computer - oftentimes when I was involved in a musical project. My new space constraints will be much better suited for a laptop, as opposed to another desktop computer - which is why I opted for the former.

Thanks.
 
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LaptopExtreme said:
Yes, I believe their 2.0, does your synthesizer able to hookup through USB?
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No, it isn't capable of USB connectivity. The mLAN16e Firewire Expansion Card was aquired after the fact of my MotifES7 synthesizer purchase. I just checked, at our local CompUSA computer outlet, and they did have a Firewire Expansion Card for my laptop. It sells for $50, though I am sure that I could find it even cheaper online. At least I know that this option is indeed available. Regarding the memory, though, I learned that one of the two memory slots houses non-removable RAM. Though upgrade info revealed that this unit could be outfitted with 1Gig of RAM, the actual increase would be no more than 768MB - with the swapping of a 512MB stick for the 256MB stick in the other slot. That may pose somewhat of a problem, because some of my musical applications used to hiccup when I was working with 512MB of RAM on our desktop. When I doubled that amount I found that everything was smooth sailing. I am not too bent out of shape, though, because I really did need another computer for other (non-musical) applications anyway. Just not having to tie up our main computer from my wife, and children, is a big plus.
 
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Well you can always try adding the extra stick. I don't know about non-removeable RAM, it could just be a little hard to get to. Most laptops max memory is about 2gb nowadays, but it is common that some may only get up to 1 or 1.5gb max. All I can say is try... Gee, this unit is adding up- with the firewire card and extra RAM... :o
 
Yeah...you are absolutely right about the cost adding up in light of the expense for upgrading. So, methinks that maybe a different path might be best to follow. Another computer was needed here, anyway, and this computer will serve very nicely for all my non-musical concerns. I am thinking that I will be in much better shape - a few months, or so, from now - to get myself a really powerful unit. I can do some things (the more processor demanding apps) on the home computer when my kids are at school, and my wife is at work (I am presently disabled). Afterwards, the less intensive stuff could be worked out on the laptop. So it will be alright.

Thanks for seeing me through this.
 
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