ECS G320: Cheapest Laptop ever?

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief July 23, 2005 · 1 min read

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Look at this ECS G320 laptop. Got this from PC Buyers guide last week. Could this be the cheapest locally distributed laptop ever?

ECS Laptop

Runs on a VIA C3 (Nehemiah) 1GHz, 128MB DDR SODIMM, 14.1″ XGA TFT LCD, built-in graphics with up to 64MB shared memory, 40GB HDD, built-in speakers, modem and LAN, 4 USB 2.0, 1 VGA out, 4-cell Li-Ion pack battery.

SRP: Php29,995

Looks affordable enough, except you’d wish it comes with 256 MB ram and WiFi enabled. I wonder how the VIA C3 1GHz performs?

[tags]cheapest laptops, review, ecs laptop, portable, mobile pc[/tags]

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

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96 Comments

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Andy Smith · 15 years ago

wow, it’s costly before.

hidrey · 15 years ago

this laptop is too expensive for this kind of configuration.

asa · 16 years ago

omg! specs is aweful

David S · 16 years ago

If anyone is still reading this thread, I have one of these that needs a memory upgrade. I have had conflicting advice about this – some companies say 512MB max, others say 1GB max. The post from Tony-Kar on Nov 4 2009 suggests that 512MB is the max and 1GB causes problems. Can anyone who is an expert with these laptops help?

Tony-Kar · 17 years ago

Am aware of the dates of the thread. I bought one in 2002 upgraded the memory to 512 mb max in 2005(has trouble with accepting later 1gb memory)and it still works as of October 2009. No problem with XP or Ubuntu dual boot, word processing and internet using 512 mb memory. Was able to install & use Windows 7 on it in mid-2009,feels underpowered with 512mb but Win7 GUI looks & works great (better with 1gb memory despite the old processor). Now really needs new replacement battery. Used it with defective battery plugged all the time for 2 years. Ordered battery pack but gave up after 2 years waiting & got refund!(lcd & system won’t run without battery pack attached unlike the newer laptops and netbooks today). Wonder if there are battery repacking companies in MManila or elsewhere in Phils. This laptop still has usable life left in it.

borj · 17 years ago

Any suggesti0n, im planing 2 buy a lapt0p, an0 po mgandang unit ng acer, hanggang 30k po ung budget.Thanks.Reply asap

totnakerz · 17 years ago

P 29,000! wow where are you buying? saw one at http://www.pccorner.com.ph/products.do?action=showproductdetail&typeid=23&categoryid=101&productid=3795

it’s only PhP 16,599.00

joey santa · 17 years ago

@ pauline, what a dumbass, didn’t even bother to check the date of this thread. Ret@rd

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 18 years ago

@pauline, this was 3 years ago.

pauline · 18 years ago

HAHAHA! P29,000 is not gonna be the price tag of the CHEAPEST laptop. I just bout a 1GB-ram 120GB-hard drive Compaq Presario for 24K. and there were cheaper models too!

DAHVE · 18 years ago

guys i wanna buy this ecs laptop..do you have an idea where would i go and have one coz some of my friends told me its already faced – out..
need help…ASAP!!!

stephen · 18 years ago

I had this for a week and its nice I got a gig of memory for it and its so much faster
tried ubuntu and xp pro both work great

cris · 19 years ago

it’s a good enough laptop specially if your only concern is internet surfing and word processing.it does well running some games too but not the latest ones.i bought mine about 4 years ago and it still is working. u can just buy a wi-fi dongle to have it browsed the internet.it connects so easy, very handy and light-weight to.however, it’s vulnerable to scratches and dusts.

and just recently, i had a trouble with keys number 8 and letter “i”, it doesnt work. can anybody please tell me how to dismantle the keyboard safely?i think there are dust that just build up that needs cleaning. please help, thanks much!

Kathy · 19 years ago

Hi!

I’m planning to buy inexpensive laptop with good performance and high quality. I’m cheking if BLUE or NEO is okay.

Some say that NEO’s ventilation is not so good compared with BLUE. However, can’t find any forum or website that will give a review for those items.

BLUE Cobalt’s processor is Intel Core Solo compare with Neo’s processor, Intel Celeron.

Price of the items are less than Php 25,000 (depends on the model).

Just wanna share something, maybe it could help you guys. =)

baki · 19 years ago

I’ve been using this particular unit for almost six months and so far I have encountered no problems.

It’s a bit slow (1.3 celeron is faster). BUT, If you are doing basic word processing or office applications and using your laptop as a mere internet portal, as I do, it suits the job just fine. I am even using it as a portable DVD player, hehehe. An upgrade to 512 MB RAM is recommended though to get more kicks out of computer applications if you are multi-tasking.

Do not expect to play DOOM3 or any of the latest games using this model. It was not designed with the gaming community in mind. Windows Vista is also out of the question. (Failed the Vista Test) It can run Windows XP without a hitch though.

PROS

The unit is cheap (nuff said)
No problems in overheating as the processor runs cool compared to INTEL and AMD. It will probably last longer than those hi-fallutin pricey laptops. I leave my laptop on for 6 to 8 hours straight without any problems.
Ideal for students and budget conscious professionals like myself.

CONS

Slow processor especially in gaming applications
The casing scratches easily,
the keyboards are a bit noisy
you have to buy a separate WI-FI card.

I call my unit the MULE, it aint pretty, it’s a bit slow, but it gets the job done.

occultdestroyer · 19 years ago

The ECS G320 retails for about P20,000 but I would recommend NEO Endura 540SLi. NEO has better processor (Intel) but it heats up rather quicker. Better build quality, same HDD space, better overall. It costs about P21,000

occultdestroyer · 19 years ago

The ECS G320 retails for about P20,000 but I would recommend NEO Endura 540SLi. NEO has better processor (Intel) but it heats up rather quicker. Better build quality, same HDD space, better overall.

Wizdid · 19 years ago

There is for sale ECS G320 VIA, specs CD-DVD-CDR combo, 40gig hdd, 256 MB DDR, PRICE NOW is 19,550!!!!

Kaiz · 19 years ago

ECS SUKS!!! Wait for a month or so and ur laptop will just dismantle itself! Not to mention the defects! and BTW that price is too expensive for the specs! Not to mention the asswipe brand! at that price u cud get an acer travelmate celeron 1.4ghz 256mb ram and 915 intel chipset… Just an advice from experience from the brand = Screw the idea of buying an ECS laptop…. If ur going for cheap and durable laptops… Get NEO or BLUE instead… Ciao!

Roy · 20 years ago

I have a problem regarding ECS G320 Desknote .i change the password at cmos to just enter then save and exit but i cant use it any more..anybody out there could give me a hand….

Kenneth · 20 years ago

I bought one just this year. same price, 512MB RAM, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive with free USB 802.11b WiFi device

TANJA · 20 years ago

If u have trouble or problem with r laptop or computer you can find free antivirus for romove that

find http://www.blanjo.com

Victor Bogalin · 20 years ago

Can any one here knows where to buy additional RAM for my ECS laptop. I purchase this last 2002, an ECS brand with 1ghz processor and 128 RAM. I need to upgrade its memory or else I can’t use it for my other application softwares.
Thanks

rai · 20 years ago

ECS G320 @ PCX
http://www.pcx.com.ph/showcase/profile.asp?id=1094

rai · 20 years ago

http://www.pcx.com.ph/showcase/profile.asp?id=1174

KAT · 20 years ago

thanks for the help jong, i alredy bought 1 but, I bought the higher version, wifi is built in. tnx

jong · 20 years ago

it is a good laptop if you use it for internet, word processing, play mp3. It’s is very cool and has a long bettery life. I wish VIA could come up a 2.0+ gig hmz duo core 64 bit low power cpu before 2008 for laptop.

kat · 20 years ago

by the way it has free wireless lan USB adapter

kat · 20 years ago

im planning to buy ecs g320 for only 26,995 bnew with the ff. specs, processor via c3 nehemia 1.2 ghz mem256 mb ddr, hrd drve 40gb, dvd, cd-rw,56 k modem2.2kg., 4 usb 2.0 ports, audio line out ps2 port 1vga out 1 parallel port 1 serial port, I don’t know much bout this stuffs, pls help me decide!!!!

olad · 20 years ago

im interested to buy this desknote…ok lang cguro to sa gamit ko… webdesign gamay… programming gamay… surfing gamay… chat gamay… atleast gamay rapud akong gasto kong madaut… hehehhehe

mahal · 20 years ago

im planning to buy ECS g600L sonoma laptop… ok ba talaga ang ECS? kasi im two days away from buying one. help!!!!!!

absurdiac · 21 years ago

ECS sucks! The Green little name thing??? Whew! Throw it out of the window! The hinges are weak and support is very much crappy! Go get a HP Compaq nx6120…the price/performance ratio is above average…and besides…you have everything…i mean everything…bluetooth, Firewire, 6 in 1 memory card reader, DVD-CDRW combo, WLAN, the goods man!!!! Its also scratch resistant!

If you want a laptop to last for at least 3 years…this is it

Aaron · 21 years ago

I just bought one and I am totally impressed! The display quality playing dvd’s is far better then you would expect for $400 us. It’s being sold by Fry’s Electronics as a GQ (Great Quality) mx-3203.
For web browsing, small business software and watching dvd’s, this thing is great for me. It is deffinately not a gaming laptop, but otherwise it’s exactly what I needed. I have no complaints so far. I plugged in a usb wifi dongle and I was browsing in no time. It could use a bit more memory, I will probably find a deal on a 512mb card.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 21 years ago

This is the very first commercial laptop priced below 30k. It’s cheap and I think those wanting a low-end laptop can bear the performance output if they’ll stick its use to office applications.

Otherwise, the ThinkPad R50e 1834 as suggested by Migs is a good buy in temrs of it being cost-effective.

Sassy · 21 years ago

Meron akong ECS iBuddy dati… not slow. did not overheat either and i used to have it on for 12 hours straight. PERO… na-erase yung letters sa keyboard.

Migs · 21 years ago

Hm I missed a tag… IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad R50e 1834. I have used the Acer and the IBM units.

Migs · 21 years ago

the VIA C3 is SLOW! save another 10K and get a Celeron M machine with 256 MB RAM like Acer Travelmate 2312, , or the HP/Compaq NX6120.

sarah · 21 years ago

wow naman ka muraaaaa
eh etong pc ko nakakainis.. intel celeron d 2.8 ghz 80gb hdd, 256 mb ram.. pwede na kaso.. sana athlon!! hahhhaha! jowk.. ang mahal naman nun eh kainis!!!

Kates · 21 years ago

Pwede na rin pero mukhang kulang pa yung specs. Ok lang yung maliit ang hdd, konti ang usb basta magaan.

retz · 21 years ago

dba ECS din ung laptop na need pa ng malaking battery compartment na bitbit?

Jaypee · 21 years ago

I don’t know if they’ve resolved this issue but what I know about ECS machines is that they heat up easily. But with that price, it is very affordable and ideal for students. Maybe you could upgrade it to 256 RAM and buy a WiFi card. :)