Help -I want to buy a laptop
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Help -I want to buy a laptop
I feel like Daniel walking into the lion's den here, but I need a bit of help. I have to confess to being a complete computer dimble-brain, although I've been using one all day every working day for the 20 years.
However, I've finally decided to tip-toe nervously into the 21st century and buy a laptop.
I've had a look in the PC World, Dixons type shops, but I'm completely baffled by different spec - processors, speeds, memory etc etc. The anagrams are especially meaningless.
I want a laptop purely for space reasons, I'll be using it for Ppruning (of course), Word, Excel, e-mails. I might get a Flight Sim. as well and Mrs WHC? will probably want to run cross-stitch design-type software on it. I'd be looking for a 15" screen and a budget of as much as it takes to get a good system - I work on the principle of 'you get what you pay for ' and 'buy cheap - buy twice'
Can some kind ppruner out there offer any help, advice or guidance. I would certainly qualify for 'The Idiots Guide to Buying a Computer'
:o
However, I've finally decided to tip-toe nervously into the 21st century and buy a laptop.
I've had a look in the PC World, Dixons type shops, but I'm completely baffled by different spec - processors, speeds, memory etc etc. The anagrams are especially meaningless.
I want a laptop purely for space reasons, I'll be using it for Ppruning (of course), Word, Excel, e-mails. I might get a Flight Sim. as well and Mrs WHC? will probably want to run cross-stitch design-type software on it. I'd be looking for a 15" screen and a budget of as much as it takes to get a good system - I work on the principle of 'you get what you pay for ' and 'buy cheap - buy twice'
Can some kind ppruner out there offer any help, advice or guidance. I would certainly qualify for 'The Idiots Guide to Buying a Computer'
:o
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I'd reccommend getting a DELL - thats what I use, its great, and everyone I know who has one is also happy with them.
Don't reccomend buying from a high street store such as pc world, dixons etc. WHy ? You are paying a premium and quite often the service is poor and staff un-knowledgeable.
Have a look at www.dell.co.uk
I have a basic inspiron, which i bought back in april for under a grand and although slightly chunky is great.
One must - find out how long the battery will last !!!! Mobile chips usually allow the battery to last longer, having said this Dell's new smartpc is a desktop chip and the battery lasts just under 2 1/2 hours which aint bad, good value and having seen one in the blood looks nice too.
Don't reccomend buying from a high street store such as pc world, dixons etc. WHy ? You are paying a premium and quite often the service is poor and staff un-knowledgeable.
Have a look at www.dell.co.uk
I have a basic inspiron, which i bought back in april for under a grand and although slightly chunky is great.
One must - find out how long the battery will last !!!! Mobile chips usually allow the battery to last longer, having said this Dell's new smartpc is a desktop chip and the battery lasts just under 2 1/2 hours which aint bad, good value and having seen one in the blood looks nice too.
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Although it's always useful to review topics regularly in the fast-moving world of Computing, this topic has been covered regularly and recently in this Forum and I suggest you use the search engine to find the threads.
Dell, Toshiba, Compaq are all good. Sony, too have good designs but their after-sales Service is appalling and they load their products with propriety software so, if you want to do a clean reload, say, of just Windows, you can't.
Suggest you go look and come back with specific questions.
Dell, Toshiba, Compaq are all good. Sony, too have good designs but their after-sales Service is appalling and they load their products with propriety software so, if you want to do a clean reload, say, of just Windows, you can't.
Suggest you go look and come back with specific questions.
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IBM
I recommend purchasing an IBM Thinkpad -
I am on my 4th ( T22) and I can honestly say I have never come across better build quality. A Thinkpad is not the most colourful laptop you will buy but buy a Dell or Sony and drop them once from a table and watch your money sail away.
I recommend the R Series ( R30) if your sticking to budget, its all in one with a decent 15 inch TFT screen, you have the choice of P4
or celeron models as well.
If you can afford the extra chas go for an A Series or T series -
either way if you buy a Thinkpad you will still be using it in 10 years time.
Hope this helps
Link would be handy - http://www.pc.ibm.com/uk/thinkpad/
I am on my 4th ( T22) and I can honestly say I have never come across better build quality. A Thinkpad is not the most colourful laptop you will buy but buy a Dell or Sony and drop them once from a table and watch your money sail away.
I recommend the R Series ( R30) if your sticking to budget, its all in one with a decent 15 inch TFT screen, you have the choice of P4
or celeron models as well.
If you can afford the extra chas go for an A Series or T series -
either way if you buy a Thinkpad you will still be using it in 10 years time.
Hope this helps
Link would be handy - http://www.pc.ibm.com/uk/thinkpad/
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It's all a matter of personal choice, whatever you want it for. Take a list of your "MUST HAVE's" and your "NICE TO HAVE's" to narrow the list down, and make sure to shop around. Hammer the different stores against one another then run with the best deal you get.
In the past, we've (wifey and me) bought IBM (NEVER again), a Sony (not too bad a choice), DELL (overpriced in my opinion but built like a tank), and our latest is two Toshiba Satellite models. We have the 5200 and the 2410, and (touch wood) these are STELLAR models.
Keep in mind these are the Canadian model numbers, but the specs (www.toshiba.ca) match other model numbers that Toshiba releases in other countries.
Good luck and let everyone know here what you end up with.
PPRuNe Moderators - maybe this (and a few recurring threads) could be rolled into either a "sticky" posting or into a FAQ list??
Cheers.
In the past, we've (wifey and me) bought IBM (NEVER again), a Sony (not too bad a choice), DELL (overpriced in my opinion but built like a tank), and our latest is two Toshiba Satellite models. We have the 5200 and the 2410, and (touch wood) these are STELLAR models.
Keep in mind these are the Canadian model numbers, but the specs (www.toshiba.ca) match other model numbers that Toshiba releases in other countries.
Good luck and let everyone know here what you end up with.
PPRuNe Moderators - maybe this (and a few recurring threads) could be rolled into either a "sticky" posting or into a FAQ list??
Cheers.
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If you want a laptop built to withstand a drop onto a concrete floor, the one that passed a Ziff-Davis test was HiGrade or ASUS as they are more commonly known now.
(That sound of waves lapping onto the beach is giving me itchy feet! Oh! for some sunshine and warmth.)
They are/were strong and heavy (I've had one over three years) but quickly go out of date.
Did someone say last 10 years? No chance; anything bought today will look dated after three. My big gripe about laptops is that they are not built to be upgraded even once. So you're stuck with the processor and RAM capacity you start out with. The HDD can, of course, be upgraded.
(That sound of waves lapping onto the beach is giving me itchy feet! Oh! for some sunshine and warmth.)
They are/were strong and heavy (I've had one over three years) but quickly go out of date.
Did someone say last 10 years? No chance; anything bought today will look dated after three. My big gripe about laptops is that they are not built to be upgraded even once. So you're stuck with the processor and RAM capacity you start out with. The HDD can, of course, be upgraded.
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WHC
As consultants, the only pc's we use are notebooks. We have had mixture over the years, from Dell to HP (IBM to pricey). I have been using a Toshiba Satellite for 2 years and extremely happy with it. They are robust (taken mine to Uganda in the sticks without too many problems). We have just upgraded all our consultants onto Toshibas. Would recommend without reservation having used notebooks over the last 12 years or so, this is definitely the one for me.
As consultants, the only pc's we use are notebooks. We have had mixture over the years, from Dell to HP (IBM to pricey). I have been using a Toshiba Satellite for 2 years and extremely happy with it. They are robust (taken mine to Uganda in the sticks without too many problems). We have just upgraded all our consultants onto Toshibas. Would recommend without reservation having used notebooks over the last 12 years or so, this is definitely the one for me.
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I bought a Medion 5400 from Aldi (grocery store!)
2.53 GHz P4, 256Mb DDR ram, 40gig drive, 4xUSB, Firewire, IR port, serial, parallel, monitor and PS2 ports, on-board 10/100 ethernet, 56k fax/data modem, separate type 2 PCMCIA slot (ie, not used by the modem, which is mounted in a separate compartment), RCA TV-out socket, NVIDIA GeForce4 440 64Mb video, 14 inch XGA 1024x768 TFT display, CD R-W/DVD combo (not sure of the speed - didn't care when I saw the rest of the specs and the price) and the neatest touchpad and driver software I have ever used. XP Home and heaps of non-proprietary, licenced software included.
$3000 ozzie dollars. WHC, approx. half that in GBP or Euro. (Just checked the Medion German website - 1649 Euro)
I think it was a steal of a deal - looking at current ads in Oz computer and general press, anything else that comes close costs at least 50% more. One very happy Prooner.
Medion has a number of websites. Try www.medion.com and take your pick from there.
It's a desktop processor. About 90 min per charge, but I use it as a desktop with mains power so that's not an issue for me.
Haven't tried dropping it on a concrete (or carpeted) floor, and the only surfing it has done has been on the web, but at this stage I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Cheers
AA
2.53 GHz P4, 256Mb DDR ram, 40gig drive, 4xUSB, Firewire, IR port, serial, parallel, monitor and PS2 ports, on-board 10/100 ethernet, 56k fax/data modem, separate type 2 PCMCIA slot (ie, not used by the modem, which is mounted in a separate compartment), RCA TV-out socket, NVIDIA GeForce4 440 64Mb video, 14 inch XGA 1024x768 TFT display, CD R-W/DVD combo (not sure of the speed - didn't care when I saw the rest of the specs and the price) and the neatest touchpad and driver software I have ever used. XP Home and heaps of non-proprietary, licenced software included.
$3000 ozzie dollars. WHC, approx. half that in GBP or Euro. (Just checked the Medion German website - 1649 Euro)
I think it was a steal of a deal - looking at current ads in Oz computer and general press, anything else that comes close costs at least 50% more. One very happy Prooner.
Medion has a number of websites. Try www.medion.com and take your pick from there.
It's a desktop processor. About 90 min per charge, but I use it as a desktop with mains power so that's not an issue for me.
Haven't tried dropping it on a concrete (or carpeted) floor, and the only surfing it has done has been on the web, but at this stage I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Cheers
AA
Last edited by Ausatco; 22nd Nov 2002 at 08:31.
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I bought a Compaq from their online auction site. It's got everything you could possibly squeeze into a lappy, including a jumbo 15" TFT screen, DVD drive AND CD-RW drive, firewire, etc. etc. etc.
Paid £1100 for a £2200 machine. Came warranteed etc. etc. I'm not complaining.
Hersh
Paid £1100 for a £2200 machine. Came warranteed etc. etc. I'm not complaining.
Hersh
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Please have a look at this thread too: Sony VAOI notebook? and in particular the advice ( i.e. see my posting in that thread on 28/08/02 ) about purchasing from an airport.
Why ?
Well because it'll save you 17.5% straight off the top of the RRP, and if you're able to claim the VAT back you'll save another 17.5% again !!!
...... and this does not just apply to Sony laptops, i.e. whatever you purchase will be discounted by the, so called, 'Tax Free' price ( i.e. reduced by 17.5% ) but better still, if you should subsequently have problems with it, you can take it back under the warranty to any of the same outlets in the highstreet.
Also, you can avail yourself of this discount on all flights, i.e. even domestic ones, e.g. we purchased ours courtesy of a business associate ( aside - WDTBD t'was CW
) who was positioning on Gatwick - Glasgow sector.
Furthermore, about one hour after the purchase was made ( in the Dixons at the LGW North Terminal), the very helpful staff at that outlet then delivered the units direct to our HQ just down the road from the airport - now that's what I call service !
Why ?
Well because it'll save you 17.5% straight off the top of the RRP, and if you're able to claim the VAT back you'll save another 17.5% again !!!
...... and this does not just apply to Sony laptops, i.e. whatever you purchase will be discounted by the, so called, 'Tax Free' price ( i.e. reduced by 17.5% ) but better still, if you should subsequently have problems with it, you can take it back under the warranty to any of the same outlets in the highstreet.
Also, you can avail yourself of this discount on all flights, i.e. even domestic ones, e.g. we purchased ours courtesy of a business associate ( aside - WDTBD t'was CW
) who was positioning on Gatwick - Glasgow sector.Furthermore, about one hour after the purchase was made ( in the Dixons at the LGW North Terminal), the very helpful staff at that outlet then delivered the units direct to our HQ just down the road from the airport - now that's what I call service !
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Dear Mr & Mrs WHC
Some den isn't it. Try this for logic:
1) Laptops usually cost much more than Desktops so is a laptop really necessary
a) it has to travel ? - laptop
b) it must not eat space ? - desktop under table, with keyboard and LCD screen need same space as a laptop ! the printer needs the most space !!!
c) it must live a long time ? - only Desktops upgrade easily, if at all - so lifecycle is 3+ years if you buy a 'top of the line' specification today.
2) Like the logic of quality is cheaper... often true, but with the electronic devils I'm not convinced - what you probably want is "good & quick service" when it decides it doesn't want to.
Refer to 1a above - will that be limited to home or on the road as well ?
3) Screen you defined 15" - would suggest if you save by taking a Desktop, then up the size to 17, 18 or even 19" LCD - if you spend more than an hour or so at a PC session its kinder to your eyes, especially as even you will not get any younger, modem (needed to communicate) V90 is the spec at 56.6Kbps.- its virtually standard, Disk space .... 30Gb is fairly standard - 20Gb is probably enough, unless you want to write a book or store all your photos or video's digitally and on-line; if that's the case the bigger the better within your price range. Removeable storage - a DVD and CD reader and writer are the current coming standard (the DVD writer bit solves the photo's and video film problems). Memory - depends on the operating system you will run - 256Kb is OK, 512Kb is mor than enough today and should be fine for 3-4 years. Which operating system ??? well if its a Mac... then theirs... and if its Windows... suggest that W2000 is enough and that you don't need XP.. but in 3-4 years time...it will probably be the only thing around.
(XP has the disadvantage that Bill asks you to register and he knows about more of your private life than its worth.). Do NOT construe that to be saying that you should try to avoid paying for software - that is NOT what I said.
4) If you want cheap office software (Text, Spreadsheet, Slide Presentation only) then Star office is great value for money, but it is not everybody's taste. Many machines come with that from IBM/Lotus or even from Microsoft - and that can be a price differentiator.
Get a Firewall if you are going to be on-line to the web a lot (especially if its a broadband connection - fast but...needs a firewall). Also get antivirus software - there are good free ones available but you might just want to go for the Symantic firewall and Anti-Virus solution and pay for it.
5) The comment about highstreet stores not understanding what they sell is mostly true, in the UK there is a company TINY that seems to know what its all about however. DELL, Compaq (now HP), IBM, Toshiba, Sony, etc. all have their fans and haters so you can often discount the comments (have had all 5 in my time and for me the most important is service time and ease of using the keyboard and tools. (I hate joysticks, but that's just me).
Finally - discount all of our comments, and find a trusted friend who has a compter that works reliably and doesn't need permananet fiddleing with (for preference one who lives nearby and will continue to do so and who will bail you out for a beer when needed).
Good luck, G
ps if you have the answers, feel free to mail me - on condition that if you follow any advice, its your fault not mine.
1) Laptops usually cost much more than Desktops so is a laptop really necessary
a) it has to travel ? - laptop
b) it must not eat space ? - desktop under table, with keyboard and LCD screen need same space as a laptop ! the printer needs the most space !!!
c) it must live a long time ? - only Desktops upgrade easily, if at all - so lifecycle is 3+ years if you buy a 'top of the line' specification today.
2) Like the logic of quality is cheaper... often true, but with the electronic devils I'm not convinced - what you probably want is "good & quick service" when it decides it doesn't want to.
Refer to 1a above - will that be limited to home or on the road as well ?
3) Screen you defined 15" - would suggest if you save by taking a Desktop, then up the size to 17, 18 or even 19" LCD - if you spend more than an hour or so at a PC session its kinder to your eyes, especially as even you will not get any younger, modem (needed to communicate) V90 is the spec at 56.6Kbps.- its virtually standard, Disk space .... 30Gb is fairly standard - 20Gb is probably enough, unless you want to write a book or store all your photos or video's digitally and on-line; if that's the case the bigger the better within your price range. Removeable storage - a DVD and CD reader and writer are the current coming standard (the DVD writer bit solves the photo's and video film problems). Memory - depends on the operating system you will run - 256Kb is OK, 512Kb is mor than enough today and should be fine for 3-4 years. Which operating system ??? well if its a Mac... then theirs... and if its Windows... suggest that W2000 is enough and that you don't need XP.. but in 3-4 years time...it will probably be the only thing around.
(XP has the disadvantage that Bill asks you to register and he knows about more of your private life than its worth.). Do NOT construe that to be saying that you should try to avoid paying for software - that is NOT what I said.
4) If you want cheap office software (Text, Spreadsheet, Slide Presentation only) then Star office is great value for money, but it is not everybody's taste. Many machines come with that from IBM/Lotus or even from Microsoft - and that can be a price differentiator.
Get a Firewall if you are going to be on-line to the web a lot (especially if its a broadband connection - fast but...needs a firewall). Also get antivirus software - there are good free ones available but you might just want to go for the Symantic firewall and Anti-Virus solution and pay for it.
5) The comment about highstreet stores not understanding what they sell is mostly true, in the UK there is a company TINY that seems to know what its all about however. DELL, Compaq (now HP), IBM, Toshiba, Sony, etc. all have their fans and haters so you can often discount the comments (have had all 5 in my time and for me the most important is service time and ease of using the keyboard and tools. (I hate joysticks, but that's just me).
Finally - discount all of our comments, and find a trusted friend who has a compter that works reliably and doesn't need permananet fiddleing with (for preference one who lives nearby and will continue to do so and who will bail you out for a beer when needed).
Good luck, G
ps if you have the answers, feel free to mail me - on condition that if you follow any advice, its your fault not mine.
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> Keep in mind these are the Canadian model numbers, but the specs
> (www.toshiba.ca) match other model numbers that Toshiba releases in
> other countries.
I regret to advise that the above is not correct. Last week I contacted Toshiba Canada to see about buying a Satellite 5200. They refuse to supply it to the same spec as is available in the USA and Europe! They will only supply an inferior version.
To start with those other areas get it with a 60 MB hard drive but here it is offered with a 40 MB drive. I wonder what research shows Toshiba that digital video etc in Canada requires one third less space than in the rest of the world????? DUH! Everyone else also gets Works included, but not here.
On asking if they would supply one with the same 60 MB drive as elsewhere, 1 GB RAM and Windows 2000 their response was basically a very negative "take it as is or leave it". I have to wonder if this attitude extends to their (worthless?) warranty?
Here is a customer with a fair sized sum of money available to spend on a new computer being turned away. I have recently read that PC sales are flat and as a result computer manufacturers are introducing new features such as rewritable DVD to BOOST SALES - what fiction! Clearly companies such as Toshiba have so much business that they can arrogantly turn customers away.
Well, I am still looking for a new computer. Is anyone able to suggest any alternatives to the 5200 that have similar specs and performance? Perhaps it will be necessary to wait a few more weeks for the competition to upgrade their offerings.
In any case, any computer buyer considering purchasing in another country should very carefully review the specs to ensure getting what he expects!
> (www.toshiba.ca) match other model numbers that Toshiba releases in
> other countries.
I regret to advise that the above is not correct. Last week I contacted Toshiba Canada to see about buying a Satellite 5200. They refuse to supply it to the same spec as is available in the USA and Europe! They will only supply an inferior version.
To start with those other areas get it with a 60 MB hard drive but here it is offered with a 40 MB drive. I wonder what research shows Toshiba that digital video etc in Canada requires one third less space than in the rest of the world????? DUH! Everyone else also gets Works included, but not here.
On asking if they would supply one with the same 60 MB drive as elsewhere, 1 GB RAM and Windows 2000 their response was basically a very negative "take it as is or leave it". I have to wonder if this attitude extends to their (worthless?) warranty?
Here is a customer with a fair sized sum of money available to spend on a new computer being turned away. I have recently read that PC sales are flat and as a result computer manufacturers are introducing new features such as rewritable DVD to BOOST SALES - what fiction! Clearly companies such as Toshiba have so much business that they can arrogantly turn customers away.
Well, I am still looking for a new computer. Is anyone able to suggest any alternatives to the 5200 that have similar specs and performance? Perhaps it will be necessary to wait a few more weeks for the competition to upgrade their offerings.
In any case, any computer buyer considering purchasing in another country should very carefully review the specs to ensure getting what he expects!
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I have recently bought a PICO laptop. Their selection is good value for money. My previous laptop was also a PICO and served me well for 5 years although its a bit tired now but up until last week I was running Win 98 OK if a little slow at times. My current laptop is a P4 2.4 512Mb RAM, CD RW/DVD combo, MP3 player, TV Tuner, 4 USB ports, Firewire port, built in Modem and Network port and Win XP Pro - all for just over £1700 inclusive of VAT and P&P.
Full details at:
http://www.picosystems.co.uk/
Full details at:
http://www.picosystems.co.uk/
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The only advantage of a laptop is portability. They do not have 3d cards or adequate video performance to run the latest flight sims satisfactorily. The keyboards tend to be limited, sound performance poor and connectability needs careful checking. They are something up to double the cost of better performing desktops, prone to overheating and unreliability, and not upgradeable. Stick to desktops!
