A device that won't slow down, lag, freeze as the years go on? What spec do I need?

whirlpool

I want a laptop on which I can do basic photo editing, copy photos onto, watch HD video files, while browsing multiple tabs on the web, stream youtube, stream music online, download fast, upload fast, copy files from USB, edit an Excel or Word document, maybe at the same time, all this while having VLC open and playing, and maybe Skyping video chat with someone if I feel like it, etc etc etc, . And I want it to do all this (and not much else) for the next few years without it becoming laggy/freezing/unresponsive, etc....

I know how to keep a computer in good shape, with programs such as Microsoft Security Essentials, CCleaner and Degraggler, as well as having the bare minimum running in the background.

Taking all that into account, what spec do I need? I want it to run well for 3 years at least.

Do I need 2GB or 4?

Do I need i5 or will i3 be more than enough?

Should I steer clear of AMD and only go with Intel?

Do I need Quad core or will Dual be enough?

I also would like an SSD, does that limit my other options?

Is there any other spec I should be looking for?

Torqay

At SOL they're selling a Core i7 Acer laptop for just under 600 yoyos, add another €150 for a SSD and memory upgrade (you don't want 2 or 4 but at least 8 GB RAM), and you'll have a fine laptop with specs good enough for a couple of years.

If you want a full HD display then it'll get more expensive.

Gormal

Now THAT'S what I call multi tasking....lol. As Torqay said lots of RAM and good graphics

whirlpool

Thanks Torqay! Who are SOL?

Being realistic, I won't ever be doing all of that stuff at the same time. I just want to know that if I'm ever browsing a few tabs in Chrome, with music playing on VLC, and Skyping someone at the same time and with Excel open that the laptop isn't going to start acting the b****x a few years down the line. I don't need particularly good graphics at all, just something where a HD film will look grand. I'm willing to pay a certain amount but certainly no more than €800 max (!)

GreenWolfe

whirlpool wrote: »

Thanks Torqay! Who are SOL?

saveonlaptops.co.uk

Linky: http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_E1-571_1468770.html

Torqay

EarthlyPangaea wrote: »

saveonlaptops.co.uk

Linky: http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_E1-571_1468770.html

Beat me to it ... otherwise known as sh*t outta luck.

whirlpool

Cheers, Earthly. I'm going to check out that website now.

I'm in the market for a 14" or less device. My ideal spec would be:

~11.5"
i5 processor (?)
quad core (?)
6+ hours battery
128GB+ SSD
4GB+ RAM
HD Webcam
<1.8kg
USB 3.0 (not essential)
No optical drive required
€600 or less, but willing to go up to €800

Torqay

Have a look at the PCS Inferno, €761 in the following configuration:



11.6" screen, 1.8 kg, USB 3.0, HDMI, 1.3 MP webcam, 4 hrs battery life (no surprise with that Nvidia GT 650M). If you really want 6 hrs or more, you'll have to look for a proper ultrabook in the region of 1,000 yoyos or more

zinzan

whirlpool wrote: »

I want a laptop on which I can do basic photo editing, copy photos onto, watch HD video files, while browsing multiple tabs on the web, stream youtube, stream music online, download fast, upload fast, copy files from USB, edit an Excel or Word document, maybe at the same time, all this while having VLC open and playing, and maybe Skyping video chat with someone if I feel like it, etc etc etc, . And I want it to do all this (and not much else) for the next few years without it becoming laggy/freezing/unresponsive, etc....

I know how to keep a computer in good shape, with programs such as Microsoft Security Essentials, CCleaner and Degraggler, as well as having the bare minimum running in the background.

Taking all that into account, what spec do I need? I want it to run well for 3 years at least.

Do I need 2GB or 4?

Do I need i5 or will i3 be more than enough?

Should I steer clear of AMD and only go with Intel?

Do I need Quad core or will Dual be enough?

I also would like an SSD, does that limit my other options?

Is there any other spec I should be looking for?

Sounds to me like you need a Mac!

Torqay

LD are selling a Gigabyte Ultrabook for €750.

11.6" display, Core i5 ULV, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD. Thanks to its carbon fibre shell, it's probably the lightest Ultrabook under the sun (975g). Tests report a battery life of appr. 5 hrs.

whirlpool

Torqay wrote: »

Have a look at the PCS Inferno, €761 in the following configuration:



11.6" screen, 1.8 kg, USB 3.0, HDMI, 1.3 MP webcam, 4 hrs battery life (no surprise with that Nvidia GT 650M). If you really want 6 hrs or more, you'll have to look for a proper ultrabook in the region of 1,000 yoyos or more

Excellent! Plus, the search functions on that site are amazing!

Torqay wrote: »

LD are selling a Gigabyte Ultrabook for €750.

11.6" display, Core i5 ULV, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD. Thanks to its carbon fibre shell, it's probably the lightest Ultrabook under the sun (975g). Tests report a battery life of appr. 5 hrs.

Cheers for both of these! You've been a great help!

Torqay

If you decide to get the Inferno and battery life is a really important issue, for 70 youos you can order a 2nd 62 WH battery.

From your original post, I'd say their 15.6 Ultranote would be more suitable for you. Yes, it is a bit bigger, but very slim and not too heavy (2.2 kg). Its 1920x1080 IPS display is really excellent and much easier to work with than a 11.6 display. Battery life appr. 5 hrs (with a quad Core i7). They also have the 14" UltraNote but the reviews aren't the best.

johneire31

zinzan wrote: »

Sounds to me like you need a Mac!

,

I agree, this is what you need, a good macbook you will get one for your 800 plus about 100 or so

All PC laptops slow down with age, some quicker than others and this is usually due to the user, adding and removing programs, toolbars being added and the typical massive increase in the windows operation system from first release to retirement. As well as the usual massive increase in size in application software that we use on a yearly basis.

The computer is not running the same software in 3 years as it is running today. newer software require better hardware and this is where all the slowness comes from. This is the slowness that no CC cleaner or registry cleaner can remove.

macbooks also have to deal with increased sizes from updates to their system files, but it does it more efficiently and size of updates are quite small in comparison with pc, updates on an apple are usually to improve performance, on a PC they are usually to do with security. Application software on mac updates less often and usually again the update will improve things.

The macbook will give you longer trouble free, more responsiveness for a longer period of time.

Having said all that, I have never been a mac fan, but for some people they are perfect to their needs

j

Galway Laptop Surgery

whirlpool

johneire31 wrote: »

,

I agree, this is what you need, a good macbook you will get one for your 800 plus about 100 or so

All PC laptops slow down with age, some quicker than others and this is usually due to the user, adding and removing programs, toolbars being added and the typical massive increase in the windows operation system from first release to retirement. As well as the usual massive increase in size in application software that we use on a yearly basis.

The computer is not running the same software in 3 years as it is running today. newer software require better hardware and this is where all the slowness comes from. This is the slowness that no CC cleaner or registry cleaner can remove.

macbooks also have to deal with increased sizes from updates to their system files, but it does it more efficiently and size of updates are quite small in comparison with pc, updates on an apple are usually to improve performance, on a PC they are usually to do with security. Application software on mac updates less often and usually again the update will improve things.

The macbook will give you longer trouble free, more responsiveness for a longer period of time.

Having said all that, I have never been a mac fan, but for some people they are perfect to their needs

j

Galway Laptop Surgery

You're probably right. I just have no interest in Apple whatsoever. I'm Microsoft to the bone