(Another) Laptop Suggestion

Berty

Hi Folks,

I'm looking to replace my aging Inspiron 1525.

Minimum requirements but will use a 13.5"+ screen(not less than what i have really)

2.4 GHz (Intel Core 2 Duo)
4GB Ram
300GB Hard drive
HD Screen(Mine was uprated in 2006)

Doesn't need MS office or any other programs(other than Windows) because I have licenses for all these anyway.

I'm partial to Sony or Dell suggestions as I like the reliability(imho) and design.

Or Buy now, wait for end of quarter sales, wait for Christmas sales, wait for new years sales(the current one might last till then - maybe get an external drive to backup onto)

Thanks in advance.

Media999

Budget?

Berty

Media999 wrote: »

Budget?

Oops. I suppose about €800

Torqay

Waiting for the next best thing is a loser's game.

Just buy what you need when you need it. Having said that, depending on the overall shape of your laptop, a cheap SSD (seen 128 GB Kingston offered for 65 quid at Amazon) should get your laptop a 2nd lease of life. For general purpose, the P8600 can still stand its ground.

If you want to go ahead with a new one, let us know your requirements and budget.

Media999

How about something like this and add the 3 years warranty? Samsung make some of the best looking laptops IMO if looks is a factor and matches other on spec id say. Drop into PCworld have a look and compare them. Then go cheaper online.

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Samsung_13.3_I5-2467M_6GB_500GB16GB_SSD_SILVER_NP530U3B-A03UK/version.asp

Berty

Torqay wrote: »

Waiting for the next best thing is a loser's game.

Maybe but then again surely a laptop becomes cheaper when a new model comes out. There's nothing essentially terrible about the older one but the new one is just better and the older one cheaper(win win)

Torqay wrote: »

Just buy what you need when you need it. Having said that, depending on the overall shape of your laptop, a cheap SSD (seen 128 GB Kingston offered for 65 quid at Amazon) should get your laptop a 2nd lease of life. For general purpose, the P8600 can still stand its ground.

The External hard drive would just be a backup in case the damn laptop failed between now and buying a new one.

Torqay wrote: »

If you want to go ahead with a new one, let us know your requirements and budget.

I already did, minimum spec in OP and €800 budget. I suppose it would be good to find a Laptop on sale, down from lets say €1,200 to €800.

I guess I know I can get my minimum spec for €800 hands down but if the folks of boards.ie are of their usual help they help me find better bang for my buck.

Berty

Media999 wrote: »

How about something like this and add the 3 years warranty? Samsung make some of the best looking laptops IMO if looks is a factor and matches other on spec id say. Drop into PCworld have a look and compare them. Then go cheaper online.

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Samsung_13.3_I5-2467M_6GB_500GB16GB_SSD_SILVER_NP530U3B-A03UK/version.asp

The reason I'm put off by this is the reason I'm put off by the Dell Ultrabook. Although the price and size and design is reasonable the speed of the processor seems very small compared to what I have currently. T8300 2.4GHz

Torqay

Plenty deals with a Core i7 quad that will fit your budget (although not from Dell or Sony, as they overprice their products for no good reason).

P.S. Your OP says nothing about graphics requirements

Berty

Torqay wrote: »

Plenty deals with a Core i7 quad that will fit your budget (although not from Dell or Sony, as they overprice their products for no good reason).

P.S. Your OP says nothing about graphics requirements

Graphics, well I appear to have

Intel 965 Express Chipset Adapter String(if that helps) GMA X3100

On a 1440 x 900 True Life 15" Screen.

EDIT I use the laptop for browsing the web, downloading and watching movies. I don't play games on it so a Super Duper Fancy Schmancy Graphics card is not a massive necessity.

Torqay

So they only way up then would be 1600x900 or indeed full HD 1920x1080.

Which size do you prefer? 15.6" (standard is 1366x768) or 17.3" (standard 1600x900)?

Berty

Torqay wrote: »

So they only way up then would be 1600x900 or indeed full HD 1920x1080.

Which size do you prefer? 15.6" (standard is 1366x768) or 17.3" (standard 1600x900)?

I only quoted the resolution because I thought it was important against the graphics card but I want a smaller lighter machine. I have to scroll a bit more on web pages but big deal and when watching a video invariably the screen is more or less right in front of me anyway.

14, 14.1 would be preferable because the units seem to weight about 1.7kgs where as the 1525(i have) is 2.7kgs etc

Torqay

Since you don't need fancy graphics, how about the Genesis IV.

For €770 you will get this:

15.6" full HD display
Core i7 3610QM
8 GB RAM
128 GB SSD
1.3 MP webcam
Windows 7 HP

It has a 2nd HDD bay if you want to add another HDD and a 3 years warranty is included.

Weighs 2.3 kg (maybe a little bit less with the solid state disk)

Torqay

Beer Baron wrote: »

14, 14.1 would be preferable because the units seem to weight about 1.7kgs where as the 1525(i have) is 2.7kgs etc

With a 14" laptop, you'll your screen resolution will be less than what you have now, 1366x768.

Berty

Torqay wrote: »

With a 14" laptop, you'll your screen resolution will be less than what you have now, 1366x768.

I don't mind that. Sacrificing screen resolution for a lighter more suitable laptop.

Torqay

So you're looking for an Ultrabook then, not much choice there with a budget of 800 yoyos.

Lenovo's IdeaPad U410 comes with a 14" display, a Core i3 processor, 4 GB RAM 750 GB HDD + 32 GB SSD cache, GT 610M graphics. Weight 1.85 kg, Price €819.

Some more options if you're willing to settle for an even smaller screen size, e.g. 13.3" (also 1366x768).

Torqay

PC Specialist also do "Ultrabooks", how about this configuration?

14" display (1366x768)

Core i7 3612QM quad
8 GB RAM
128 GB SSD

Other features:

Ultra slim DVD writer
2 MP webcam
Windows HP 64-bit (Installation DVD included)
3 Yrs waranty

Weight 2.15 kg

604 Sterling or €758 (delivery not included)

Berty

Torqay wrote: »

604 Sterling or €758 (delivery not included)

I can get it VAT registered anyway and I could use Parcelmotel to get it cheaper on delivery.

Good spec, thanks.(maybe not the hard drive)

Torqay

Beer Baron wrote: »

I can get it VAT registered anyway and I could use Parcelmotel to get it cheaper on delivery.

Good spec, thanks.(maybe not the hard drive)

Well, it's a bit cheaper with a HDD, but you can't beat a real solid state disk in terms of performance and robustness. You'd be saving at the wrong end.

Personally, I would never ever want a laptop with a platter disk again.

Torqay

Also consider this: the Core i7 3612QM is a top processor but a bit of an overkill, a Core i5 3210M would suit your requirements just fine, same specs will cost 538 Sterling or €675.