Where were you getting a price of $69 for two 2GB sticks of RAM? Additionally, the Intel GMA 4500MHD won't be good for "gaming." I am not sure what type of gaming you are talking about but it won't run any modern game. Then again, you won't find a single PC for $500-$600 that can run a modern game.
The configuration isn't bad but the Toshiba is a much better performer for a lower price. Even by the time RAM is factored in ($40), the Toshiba is still lower in price. Get what you want but you are overpaying for the Acer. I would suggest that you purchase the Acer if you could find it for $499. I guess $549 isn't all that unreasonable for the configuration but the Acer is using an old chipset from Intel and they have already replaced the GMA 4500MHd. Again, it would have been a goo deal at $499 but that extra $50 puts it in a new category.
I know you said that you don't like Dell or HP but PC brands don't matter all that much these days. There are a handful of factories in China that all of these computer manufacturers use. Even then, they rely on other companies to make the parts such as the processor, motherboard, chipset, etc. All of these parts are then assembled in China. There was much discussion a few years back whenever Apple came out with a 24" display that was $1000 (maybe it was $800 or $900, this was back in their pre-Intel days). Then HP paid Apple's panel manufacturer and used the exact same assembly plan in China and they had a 27" monitor for $600. HP also had a 24" panel that was the same thing as what Apple was offering for $450. So, even though Apple is supposed to be a brand that produces high quality products, they were simply charging more for the same thing that consumers could get from a different company.
See what I am saying? A dual-core 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo equipped notebook with 4GB of RAM and an ATI 4000 level graphics card will perform the same whether the brand on the outside says HP, Dell, Apple, Toshiba, Acer, etc. Every brand has their horror stories and the complainers from the major players (HP, Dell, and Apple) are really loud. After all, most forum posts made in the official forums for those companies are filled with people who have an issue. You aren't going to see people registering, making a comment about how well their product is performing, and then leave. You will however see someone register, make one post that is negative, and they will never respond. You will also see a bunch of people post something stupid things that aren't really issues.
So go with the Acer if you want but just know that you are overpaying and that other companies make notebooks with specs that are either on par or even better for the same price or less.
|