Laptop Advice needed pleeze

KellysHero

I'm going to treat myself for Xmas and buy a laptop. Main uses, music download, pic storage and basic editing, surfing the net, itunes, bebo and youtube, emailing, burning CDs/DVDs. Maybe watching TV if possible.

What do I need for wireless broadband?
What makes/models are good?
What would I get for E800 max?

Main concern is reliability and speed nice size screen, weight not so much a problem. I know very little about processors, RAM, etc so don't use too much jargon but please give me the essentials.

Tom Dunne

KellysHero wrote:

What do I need for wireless broadband?

Even budget laptops have wirless built in these days, so that shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Check out the HTPC forum for full details on TV cards.

KellysHero wrote:

What makes/models are good?

Ask 1000 people, you'll get 1000 different answers. It's all very subjective.

KellysHero wrote:

What would I get for E800 max?

A decent enough system for what you want. You could aim for a Core Duo processor, with 1024Mb of RAM (=1Gig), DVD writer and Windows XP home.

Hugh_C

KellysHero wrote:

I'm going to treat myself for Xmas and buy a laptop. Main uses, music download, pic storage and basic editing, surfing the net, itunes, bebo and youtube, emailing, burning CDs/DVDs. Maybe watching TV if possible.

Get a MacBook, wireless as standard.

Tom Dunne

hughchal wrote:

Get a MacBook, wireless as standard.

Nice, balanced, objective advice there hughchal. As I said in my post, wireless is standard on all Windows laptops too.

Hugh_C

tom dunne wrote:

Nice, balanced, objective advice there hughchal. As I said in my post, wireless is standard on all Windows laptops too.

Ah y'know the way it is Tom, every once in a while I have to throw it out there just to get a rise out of you, I hate myself for it but there you go, apparently it works...



As you say yourself ...

Ask 1000 people, you'll get 1000 different answers. It's all very subjective.

Anyway, to the OP, if you haven't considered a MacBook, you should just take a look at the link I posted. Fabulous machine, well made, great screen, superb OS, maybe a tad above your budget but perhaps Santa will be generous this year.

Yours in black or white.

hc

TerrorFirmer

Macbook starting at 1199......I like Macs, but to be honest would not recommend them in this case unless you wanted them specifically for a reason, like preference to os-x. The basic macbook only has 512mb ram, and you can't get anything other then the gma950 with it, which is a bit disappointing for a laptop in that price range.

Nice machine, again, but too overpriced for a casual user with a budget. For 850, even PC World have an almost identical machine spec wise with a 1.6Ghz Core Duo, 1Gb of Ram, 120Gb hard drive and the same GMA950. Granted the 1.6Ghz is a slower clock speed but the extra ram and bigger hard drive make up for it.

Regarding wireless, even the cheapest of laptops these days come with wireless as standard, with the odd exception.

Oh, and it's not just a Mac thing - it's the same with Sony laptops and a few other makes. Just definately not recommended to somebody on a budget like this.

Ghost Train

KellysHero wrote:

I'm going to treat myself for Xmas and buy a laptop. Main uses, music download, pic storage and basic editing, surfing the net, itunes, bebo and youtube, emailing, burning CDs/DVDs. Maybe watching TV if possible.

What do I need for wireless broadband?
What makes/models are good?
What would I get for E800 max?

Main concern is reliability and speed nice size screen, weight not so much a problem. I know very little about processors, RAM, etc so don't use too much jargon but please give me the essentials.

Like said above, all laptops seem to have wireless cards built in, so if you have a wireless/wifi router/modem plugged in to your telephone socket and a dsl account with eircom or somebody else you have what you need.

Heres a link to a news story about laptop customer satisfaction, click on the icon for the chart http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,123409-page,9/article.html . Dell might be a good choice as they are usually decent value for money with good support

Around the E800, you should be looking at a a dual core machine, core duo or amd x2, core duo probably the better choice but might cost a bit more. Should be looking at getting 1Gb of ram, probably 15.4inch wide screen, you can get glossy or matt(standard) type screens, make sure you get the one you think will suit you best. If you want to save some money you could get a celeron, it would do what you want but performance will be lower. Should get a dvd writer too

Buying any new laptop now, you should look at getting a windows vista upgrade with it I think

ZENER

tom dunne wrote:

Nice, balanced, objective advice there hughchal. As I said in my post, wireless is standard on all Windows laptops too.

Bluetooth isn't standard on all Windows notebooks ! Nor is a built in camera or a safe power connector or infra-red remote or the possibility of 2 or more OS's or a firewire connector.

Your turn hugh . . .



ZEN

KellysHero

Ok some of you again beginning to lose me here. Not interested in iMac.

What processor should I go for - euro for euro:
- AMD Sempron
- Celeron
- Core Duo
- Centrino Duo

Most of what I looked at have 1024MB RAM and either 40GB, 60GB or 80GB HDs so I can follow which is best and best priced.

Laptops I looked at are:
- Dell
- Toshiba
- Acer
- HP
- Maybe a SONY but a bit more expensive - looks great.

Your views please...........

Hugh_C

ZENER wrote:

Bluetooth isn't standard on all Windows notebooks ! Nor is a built in camera or a safe power connector or infra-red remote or the possibility of 2 or more OS's or a firewire connector.

Your turn hugh . . .

Gosh!

In the interest of thread sanctity I demur.

Sadly, I don't think the OP has a clue what we're advocating; if she's not too keen on technical jargon and the finer intricacies of OSes, then I think OS X'd be for her. Too bad.

hc

Bluefoam

I'm a big fan of Macs, but recently bought a Sony C-series instead because I use Windows specific software.

If you aren't tied to windows software a Mac is a great option, plus you get a lot of really useful software as standard - & lets face it, a computer is useless without software to run on it.

Anyway, I paid more recently in order to get a smaller screen (13.3") more portability, decent power & loads of style. I was slightly worried about the on-board graphics, but this is not a problem...

ZENER

KellysHero wrote:

Ok some of you again beginning to lose me here. Not interested in iMac.

Who mentioned iMac ? I was thinking more along the line of a MacBook, but anyway ?

What processor should I go for - euro for euro:
- AMD Sempron
- Celeron
- Core Duo
- Centrino Duo

Of this list Core Duo is the best but you're not comparing like with like. Sempron is like Celeron - cheap and low powered (performance wise). AMD Turion 64 x2 would be an equal I think to the new Core 2 Duo but expect to pay more for this level of performance.

Most of what I looked at have 1024MB RAM and either 40GB, 60GB or 80GB HDs so I can follow which is best and best priced.

1024MB RAM is a good start especially with Vista on the way, pay a few quid extra for a decent graphics chipset like ATI or nVidia rather than the integrated Intel and Via/Savage options whic will usually take a chunk of your RAM to work with. Dedicated graphics systems tend to have their own memory system.

Opt for the larger end of the hard disk range you mention and try go for 80 + GB if you intend to write a lot of DVDs (100GB drives getting more common now). Each single layer DVD stores 4.3 GB approx but requires more than that in hard disk space. If you intend to edit DV or movies prior to burning a DVD then you will need about 20GB per project so you can see a 40GB drive won't last very long.

Laptops I looked at are:
- Dell
- Toshiba
- Acer
- HP
- Maybe a SONY but a bit more expensive - looks great.

Very difficult to beat Dell on price at the moment but it's also hard to decide when you can't actually play with it prior to purchase which is my one and only gripe with this kind of company. Always been a huge fan of Sony and their laptops have that extra something in the style (nearly up there with Apple ) that sets them apart from the usual Silver or grey offerings that abound in the shops. Of course that style and quality come at a premium. Acer are OK but their cheaper range have never convinced me, delicate would be how I describe them and they tend to use integrated graphics systems on the Aspire range. If you do go Acer stick to the Travelmate or higher range. I've no realworld experience of Toshiba or HP from a value or reliability POV but suffice to say - you gets what you pays for !

Happy hunting !!

ZEN

Biro

KellysHero wrote:

Ok some of you again beginning to lose me here. Not interested in iMac.

What processor should I go for - euro for euro:
- AMD Sempron
- Celeron
- Core Duo
- Centrino Duo

Most of what I looked at have 1024MB RAM and either 40GB, 60GB or 80GB HDs so I can follow which is best and best priced.

Laptops I looked at are:
- Dell
- Toshiba
- Acer
- HP
- Maybe a SONY but a bit more expensive - looks great.

Your views please...........

Stay away from Celeron and Sempron. They are the budget processors. A Turion 64 x2 or Centrino Duo should be attainable within your budget, and maybe even Core Duo. The Core 2 Duo is in my opinion the new benchmark processor until AMD bring out their new quad-cores next year, so if you see a good deal on a Core 2 Duo, then thats the best. Other than that, the Centrino Duo or Turion 64 X2 would be fine. 1024MB RAM should be the aim also. And as some poster said, try and get a Vista upgrade in the deal, which Dell are doing.
Sony are too expensive in my opinion, you want to use the laptop, not sit it on a desk and stare over at it. HP or toshiba are decent, as are Compaq, but only PC world sell compaq now I think. I reckon though that Dell might just give you the most for your money, so maybe thats the road you'll end up going down.
It's a very broad spectrum to choose from, so if you want, get maybe 3 or 4 machines and a price of laptops you're interested in (based on the info so far on this thread), then post up details and we could advise as to the pick of the crop.

TerrorFirmer

I always have to laugh at the people who say 'stay away from Sempron/Celeron' , as if they're some sort of deadly plague. Why? So you can process that word document in an extra .000045th of a second?

Looking at this intended uses, a Celeron or Sempron is perfectly adequate. In fact, Celeron M's are more or less the same as Pentium M's with some L2 cache disabled - i.e plenty powerful for basic everyday uses, and even light gaming if you really wanted to. The Sempron, is actually also a fairly powerful processor, equivilent to some high end Pentium 4's in some cases which again, are more then enough for basic everyday tasks, and more.

Also, for what you've described. Integrated graphics are fine. I would agree you'd need 1gb of ram to make sure everything ticks over as it should though. Integrated graphics do eat from your system ram but at most, 128mb, and most can be set in bios to only allocate a certain amount should you only be doing basic everyday work i.e 32mb. The Intel GMA takes memory dynamically so unless you're trying to play games, it'll actually only eat about 16 or 32mb of your ram, hardly cannibalising it now is it?

Nvidia and Ati also do integrated graphics which are much more powerful then via unichrome, Mirage 2, or GMA900 etc, etc from Intel and SiS. They come in the same price range of laptops so if you can, it's better to get one of these as they offer better performance, but again, only in certain things like games.

Newer Dual Core cpu's like the X2 and the C2D are much more faster granted, but not really for the tasks you've described, generally speaking. 'Budget' laptops exist for a reason, you know! 800 would get you a Dual Core machine with 1gb of ram and Ati Integrates solution in PC World.....but for about 550-ish you could also get a machine that'd be plenty capable of the tasks you've described and save some money in the process.

ZENER

All very vaild points HavoK but:

ATI or nVidia was suggested to make Vist run better when/if installed - it's graphics intensive and makes use of certain features in more advanced graphics systems. Same goes for the CPU.

The OP suggested a price range of 800, for this money Core Duo or C2D would be desirable. OP mentions "burning CD/DVD's" In my experience this means ripping/copying. On a Semprom/Celeron this would be painfully slow wouldn't you agree ?

I agree with you that the Sempron is indeed a very good processor for general computing requirements but not in an 800 quid machine. If the OP was on a tight budget < 600 well then I'd be in the same mind as yourself. There are some excellent deals (479 upwards in PC World) doing the rounds at the moment but when price improves quality suffers IMO.

ZEN

Tom Dunne

ZENER wrote:

Bluetooth isn't standard on all Windows notebooks ! Nor is a built in camera or a safe power connector or infra-red remote or the possibility of 2 or more OS's or a firewire connector.

WTF has this got to do with the original post?

The OP did not ask for Bluetooth, a camera, a safer power connector, infra-red, firewire, more than one OS or Vista. Not everyone knows the difference between a Macbook and an iMac. Not everyone cares about the difference between a Macbook and an iMac.

If yourself and hughcal don't stop trolling, bans will be issued.

If you have nothing constructive to add other than "buy a Mac" then don't contribute.

Hugh_C

tom dunne wrote:

If you have nothing constructive to add other than "buy a Mac" then don't contribute.

Um, Buy a Dell?

No but really Thom, I think you're taking your disciplinarian duties a bit too seriously (I know you're a teacher & it's Friday an' all, but relax!).

True, I added Get a MacBook, wireless as standard, but I also included a link which is way more informative than anything I could ever say. It also happens to link to a damn fine family of machines, regardless.

If you can't embrace laptops in all their shapes and forms, which incidentally includes Apple branded laptops, then I fear for you objectivity in matters technical.

This forum seems to have a collective habit of jumping down people's throats whenever a non-Windows spec is mooted, I suggest you try to use your influence to encourage a wider perspective.

Otherwise, ban away ...

Best,

Hugh

Tom Dunne

hughchal wrote:

If you can't embrace laptops in all their shapes and forms, which incidentally includes Apple branded laptops, then I fear for you objectivity in matters technical.

I can embrace all manner of technology, I do believe Macs are superior in a lot of respects and if I had the money, I would buy one.

However, when posters go to the bother of posting up specs and budgets and looking for some direction, simply posting "get a Mac" does nothing to help. In fact, in this situation, it has done nothing more than confuse the matter.

hughchal wrote:

This forum seems to have a collective habit of jumping down people's throats whenever a non-Windows spec is mooted, I suggest you try to use your influence to encourage a wider perspective.

That's because Windows users tend to discuss what is available, what may suit and what their own personal experience is. A number of posters, yourself included, post one liners urging people to buy Macs without the slightest bit of thought for what the person wants, or how familiar they are with technology.

That's hardly contributing and it's certainly not helping.

Capt'n Midnight

KellysHero wrote:

What would I get for E800 max?

hughchal wrote:

Get a MacBook, wireless as standard.

WOW
didn't realise you could get a new macbook for €800

/me hastily scribbles new letter to Santa

Bluefoam

Guys stop making a big issue of this, I would also suggest to the average home user, that it is worth extending your budget to get a macbook because it will ultimately offer you far superior usability & is more of a well rounded consumer product than a 'PC/windows terminal'.

Tom Dunne

Bluefoam wrote:

Guys stop making a big issue of this, I would also suggest to the average home user, that it is worth extending your budget to get a macbook because it will ultimately offer you far superior usability & is more of a well rounded consumer product than a 'PC/windows terminal'.

Right. That's it. The only people making an issue here are Mac users. The OP has already stated he is confused, so drop it.

Any more Mac Muppetry and instant bans will ensue, to add to the two already issued.

TerrorFirmer

Bluefoam wrote:

Guys stop making a big issue of this, I would also suggest to the average home user, that it is worth extending your budget to get a macbook because it will ultimately offer you far superior usability & is more of a well rounded consumer product than a 'PC/windows terminal'.

You forgot 'in my opinion'. I would not reference a Mac, in my opinion, as a machine of 'far superior usability'. In what sense? In many ways, Macs are handicapped and limited in ways Windows machines aren't to the average user. Also referring to a Mac as a more well rounded product then a pc/windows terminal is blatant fanboyism, again, in what regard?

As above I rather like Mac machines, but hate to see people recommending mac's left right and center even if the user and not expressed any need or the budgetry requirements for one.

Bluefoam

HavoK wrote:

You forgot 'in my opinion'. I would not reference a Mac, in my opinion, as a machine of 'far superior usability'. In what sense? In many ways, Macs are handicapped and limited in ways Windows machines aren't to the average user. Also referring to a Mac as a more well rounded product then a pc/windows terminal is blatant fanboyism, again, in what regard?

As above I rather like Mac machines, but hate to see people recommending mac's left right and center even if the user and not expressed any need or the budgetry requirements for one.

I think you will find in my earlier post, that I in fact bought a Windows Laptop over a mac & also own a desktop windows PC, I use windows in work also.

I think its a good option for a lot of people but you need to weigh up your needs. I didn't expect my post to be read out of context with the entire thread. Anyway, besides the hardware aspect of purchasing a laptop, bundled software is also important.

Bluefoam

I don't want to get into a Mac V's PC debate, but I do want to defend my earlier post. By the way I believe in buying the right system for the individual & do not support one over the other...

HavoK wrote:

Also referring to a Mac as a more well rounded product then a pc/windows terminal is blatant fanboyism, again, in what regard?

Apple have control over the hardware and the software, enabling them to produce products that are software centric as opposed to most computer hardware which is only identified through hardware differences. They focus on the digital hub and have a superb software offering which is supported through their hardware, the system is also mostly controlled in the software environment & has less fiddly bits than the average laptop. The macbook is designed as a simple, attractive consumer item which is friendly to novice users throught its physical format.

My PC is very much aimed at the consumer end of the market with colour options and simple acces to the interface but as a product it is alot more complex in appearance and use than a mac. Most people never use that advanced functionality of windows thats why i advocate exploring the mac as an 'option'.

The only way for most PC makers to create a UPS (unique selling point) is through the hardware, therefore often creating a more complex physical product. Their machines are designed around available components and very little thought goes into user interface and ergonomics.

Everyone has different needs and different options suit different people, but I do believe that peole should be aware of the options.

Personally if I had €800 to spend I would look at getting a fujitsu siemens, often a very good option in the middle range of the market.

KellysHero

Biro wrote:

........ It's a very broad spectrum to choose from, so if you want, get maybe 3 or 4 machines and a price of laptops you're interested in (based on the info so far on this thread), then post up details and we could advise as to the pick of the crop.

Ok I've narrowed down my search to.
1. Toshiba Intel Core Duo, 1024 MB, 80GB for E799
2. Toshiba Centrino Duo, 1024 MB, 60 GB for E749
3. Dell Inspiron Turion 64X2, 1024 MB, 80GB for E749

All within my budget - taking value for money, reliability and reasonable speed into account what's the best option. Of the 3 choices I can go to a shop and play with 1&2 which is a help not too sure of the Dell.

One more question...should I wait until after Christmas to purchase, will the deals be better? Will there be sales in the New Year to clear the stock for Vista PCs?

Thanks again for your help.

dubdvd

Either of the Toshiba Intel Core Duo's would be what i'd go for they seem to be good spec's for the price ..Do you have the models or a linky to them ..

Tom Dunne

KellysHero wrote:

All within my budget - taking value for money, reliability and reasonable speed into account what's the best option. Of the 3 choices I can go to a shop and play with 1&2 which is a help not too sure of the Dell.

As dubdvd said, either of the Toshibas are ideal. It comes down to which is more important to you - processing power or battery life?

The first one should be more powerful, the second one will be slightly less powerful (though still a very powerful machine), but should offer better battery life.

KellysHero wrote:

One more question...should I wait until after Christmas to purchase, will the deals be better? Will there be sales in the New Year to clear the stock for Vista PCs?

I don't think so. What computer manufacturers are doing to prevent this is to offer free upgrades to Vista when it comes out.

Ghost Train

The toshibas sound better, are they both a100? core centrino could be either a core duo or core 2 duo, so I'm guessing the two cpus are the same just different labels on the case, the centrino brand just means the laptop configuration meets intels requirement for cpu, motherboard and wireless which give good battery life

If you wait you might find a better deal, there probably won't be that much differance though. They'll probably increase prices for people looking to get a laptop with vista preinstalled rather than try and clear the xp machines, but then again it's difficult to know

Bluefoam

KellysHero wrote:

One more question...should I wait until after Christmas to purchase, will the deals be better? Will there be sales in the New Year to clear the stock for Vista PCs?

The word is that the current prices are at a low. People are sceptical about buying pc's before vista is released, so they are offering bigger hard disks etc.. at the moment to entice people to by. I've heard that they will introduce some (slightly) updated hardware in the new year in order to be able to bump up the prices again in tandem with the Vista release. but I think good deals are to be had now, particularly if you get a free copy of vista premium & the system is premium ready.

However don't hold me to this.

Biro

HavoK wrote:

I always have to laugh at the people who say 'stay away from Sempron/Celeron' , as if they're some sort of deadly plague. Why? So you can process that word document in an extra .000045th of a second?

Looking at this intended uses, a Celeron or Sempron is perfectly adequate.

Well you just laugh away then. They are perfectly adequate, but given the budget, there is no point in saving €50 for the sake of missing out on a dual core for the much increased comfort in use that they provide. (eg CD/DVD burning and word processing at the same time). Thats why I advised the OP to stay away from them. If she had come on here with a budget of €550-€600, then they are the ones to go for.