Laptop advice

[Lucy]

Despite my computing degree, and having the word technical in my job title(!), I know b*gger all about hardware etc. However, I need a new PC and quite fancy a laptop this time round (it's only really used for websurfing, downloading, and a bit of Dreamweaver/Photoshop). This seems quite good; can any of you more techy people reccomend or suggest otherwise?

 

[shoes]

Sounds like you need a new macbook

Seriously though, apart from the processor that package seems pretty good value for money. Unfortunately the T3000 (aka the Intel Celeron) processors will have you growing old before photoshop loads, however for everything else it should be find. It depends how much 'shoppin you do and how long you're prepared to wait for things such as filters to be applied on large photographs.

On a personal note I am really not a fan of Acer hardware, I have had many poor experiences with them, although I reckon there will be lots who have had no problems at all - I believe WMR is an advocate of Acer gubbins.

You won't generally get a lot of laptop for that price, I would recommend perhaps throwing either a bit more money at a Toshiba or HP laptop.

Give us an idea of budget and we may be able to help some more

EDIT: If you only have £350 to spend on a computer then I would seriously consider ditching the laptop idea and trying the one in this thread that Sofa found (and none of the tech crew can better!).

 

[db]

you blato need one of these:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/14/philco-pc-concept-makes-the-50s-seem-less-lame-video/

 

[Lucy]

I don't really want to spend anymore than £400. To get me using it I want a laptop too; my PC sits in the front room and is very unloved atm. I guess the RAM caught my eye on that one; processors are where my knowledge is lacking.

 

[shoes]

2GB of RAM should be sufficient for most things, 3 is the maximum (or rather 3.25) if you're only going to be using a 32-bit system.

Based on what you have said, I would recommend something along the lines of this. Spec is reasonable:

Dual Core Athlon processor (much better than a celeron)
2 GB RAM
320 GB Hard Drive (same as tesco machine)
DVD Rewriter
Radeon HD3200 graphics - basically means you'll have no problem playing high quality video or using graphically intensive websites.
Speakers / Microphone
Normal / Wireless Networking
SD Card slot (for digital cameras etc.)
15.6" screen
Windows 7 Home Basic

All in all not a bad way to spend £370 IMO

Have never had any problems with Compaq (i.e. HP) hardware in the past myself so this looks reasonable to me.

 

[Lucy]

Cheers for that. I was loathe to touch HP because my work laptop is an absolute dog and is one, but I guess that's to do with the locked down nature of it.

 

[shoes]

If it's a work machine then they do tend to be fairly restricted. We have two HPs here (although the majority are Novatech laptops which are superb value for money although basic) and they're rock solid. Hard wearing and high performing, both of them were around £500 and I would definitely buy them again.

I've always been a fan of Toshiba laptops also - something worth looking at.

 

[Lucy]

What about this? The processor's a bit slower but that seems it.

 

[shoes]

Looks very good for the money, I can believe that discount too - it looks £500 worth. The larger screen will be good too although it will make the laptop a little heavier and less efficient on the battery, but will make it more pleasurable to use. As with everything you have to ask youself how/where you're going to use it. If it's going to be used on your lap in the living room then battery life and weight are of no consequence really.


Despite my previous comments about Acer, for £400 this little baby from the same website is incredibly good value - the T6400 processors fly along and are efficient on the power consumpton too.

 

[Lucy]

I noticed that too, and for a 500GB hard drive I think it's worth the extra money. I shall be ordering that tomorrow (unless I talk myself out of it)!

Originally I was going to buy an external hard drive, and use that to transfer my data, but with 500GB I really won't need that. Is there any way to transfer from my archaic PC using a cable? I'm quite comfortable ripping it apart and using an IDE cable of some description?

 

[db]

Originally I was going to buy an external hard drive, and use that to transfer my data, but with 500GB I really won't need that. Is there any way to transfer from my archaic PC using a cable? I'm quite comfortable ripping it apart and using an IDE cable of some description?

your best option would be to get an IDE caddie, so you can plug your old HDD (or, indeed, any IDE HDD) into your laptop via USB.. they're only about a tenner.. something like this..

 

[Lucy]

So I've been massively warned off Acer. HP it is I think (unless people have good things to say about ASUS?)

 

[basil]

Similarily i'm not techy but the Samsung NC10 is a most reliable and portable machine.....

 

[Sofa]

HP it is I think

The question I would ask is whether you are planning on leaving this new laptop sat on a desk, never to be moved, or not. My old laptop was a HP Presario and it was fab. It managed several dozen thousand miles traveling, which I have been reliably told an Acer would not have put up with. I gather HP is the Mercedes to Acer's Fiat.

However, the eMachines laptop looks pretty top banana for the dosh, and I, too, can believe the discount is genuine. A 17" screen is nice... Pity about the Vista, though. Get shot asap, is my advice, more trouble than it is worth...

 

[shoes]

Vista won't be an issue really, and I believe that you can upgrade to Windows 7 for very little cost if you have Vista.

HP stuff is good, really good, highly recommended although expensive. I guess you get what you pay for. Acer really is a load of crap but at that price it would be diffiult to pass up, especially if, as sofa has said, it won't be travelling the world.

 

[Lucy]

It wouldn't be travelling the world, well not next year anyway, but I'm not the most carfeul of people so it would have a bit of a bashing. I think I'll wait til Boxing Day and get myself a decent Compaq in the sales; all the same parts as HP I guess? (I do have a very reliable Fiat :p)