Author Topic: New laptop advice (Read 171816 times)

Upinsmoke · « **Reply #360 on:** October 18, 2012, 04:40:27 pm »

Quote from: blert596 on October 18, 2012, 04:10:10 pm

Well the screen is falling to bits on mine so I'm after a new one.

I'll have up to a max of £750 to spend and ideally would like something that is i7, and has a 17" HD screen, min 500 hard drive, and a decent graphics card (its the graphics cards that screw me up when trying to choose one as I never know how good/bad they are).

I'm not averse to a second hand machine thats a good spec for that money either.

I dont really play many PC games.

Any recommendations appreciated

Bit over budget sorry...

http://www.cclonline.com/product/86685/NP-RF711-S08UK/Laptops/Samsung-RF711-17-3-inch-Notebook/NOT5904/

Blu-ray too for the above

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/samsung-np550p7c-17-3-laptop-silver-12716781-pdt.html

Or

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007ZYYLIQ/

Motty · « **Reply #361 on:** October 18, 2012, 05:22:55 pm »

Quote from: Upinsmoke on October 18, 2012, 04:20:26 pm

My partners daughter has a acer netbook. Make sure u don't get windows starter, get home/premium. Now all my daughter does is watch youtube mainly so its sufficent in that regard. however its not completely smooth. What netbook was u looking at mate?

its a Acer Aspire One D270 just had a look at the specs and 2 of the ones I've seen have windows 7 S and the other window 7 HP so guessing that's S for starter and HP for home premium, I was wondering why one cost more than another when it seemed to be the same machine ,cheers for the heads up mate

blert596 · « **Reply #362 on:** October 18, 2012, 10:07:07 pm »

Quote from: Upinsmoke on October 18, 2012, 04:15:15 pm

Can I ask why u want the i7 over the i5 mate?

No real reason mate apart from the fact that its the latest one. I always sort of assume that it will have better longevity in that case. So itll last until I break it as opposed to not being specced enough. Probably the wrong way too look at it like

JongWK · « **Reply #363 on:** October 19, 2012, 12:52:37 pm »

Quote from: Upinsmoke on October 18, 2012, 04:15:15 pm

Can I ask why u want the i7 over the i5 mate?

Core i7 come in both dual and quad core models, while Core i5 are dual only. An i5 is plenty good for normal, day to day tasks, but if he plans to do a bit of gaming, an i7 won't hurt.

Upinsmoke · « **Reply #364 on:** October 19, 2012, 01:00:41 pm »

Quote from: JongWK on October 19, 2012, 12:52:37 pm

Core i7 come in both dual and quad core models, while Core i5 are dual only. An i5 is plenty good for normal, day to day tasks, but if he plans to do a bit of gaming, an i7 won't hurt.

I think i5 is fine for gaming personally, coupled with a decent gpu. but if he was into video editing and such i'd take an i7.

All personal preference and such, course if you can afford it then fair do's...

Graeme · « **Reply #365 on:** October 19, 2012, 02:18:29 pm »

Quote from: JongWK on October 19, 2012, 12:52:37 pm

Core i7 come in both dual and quad core models, while Core i5 are dual only

You can get Quad-Core i5

JongWK · « **Reply #366 on:** October 19, 2012, 08:09:04 pm »

Quote from: Graeme on October 19, 2012, 02:18:29 pm

You can get Quad-Core i5

For desktops, but not laptops.

momo22 · « **Reply #367 on:** October 24, 2012, 07:50:20 pm »

Anyone know the best place to buy a new screen for an Asus laptop?

StokieSteve · « **Reply #368 on:** October 24, 2012, 08:48:33 pm »

Quote from: momo22 on October 24, 2012, 07:50:20 pm

Anyone know the best place to buy a new screen for an Asus laptop?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=asus+laptop+screens&_sacat=0&_from=R40
I needed a screen once for a Compaq laptop, got one for about 40 quid, fitted it myself.

momo22 · « **Reply #369 on:** October 24, 2012, 10:22:14 pm »

Quote from: StokieSteve on October 24, 2012, 08:48:33 pm

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=asus+laptop+screens&_sacat=0&_from=R40
I needed a screen once for a Compaq laptop, got one for about 40 quid, fitted it myself.

Thanks mate, thinking about fitting it myself as well, how hard was it to do?

StokieSteve · « **Reply #370 on:** October 25, 2012, 05:45:12 pm »

Quote from: momo22 on October 24, 2012, 10:22:14 pm

Thanks mate, thinking about fitting it myself as well, how hard was it to do?

Surprisingly easy mate. The tiny screws that hold it in place can be a bit fiddly, but apart from that it was easy. You can find videos on youtube to help if you're not sure.

Rox · « **Reply #371 on:** November 3, 2012, 11:09:42 pm »

Any suggestions on what someone could get for a very modest budget of between £200-£300? I'm happy to take a punt on secondhand.

The laptop I'm using now is 1.49ghz Celeron, with only 448mb of RAM. I'm still using XP, and much prefer it to Vista... I know it's old, but it works.

I generally use the laptop for writing, designing graphics, and despairing at threads on RAWK...

I'm afraid I used to know more about 'puters, but have let my knowledge slip... suggestions welcome.

my name canged back to tucker? · « **Reply #372 on:** November 4, 2012, 10:01:34 am »

i dont have a clue about computers, my current spec is below:

Processor: AMD Sempron SI42 2.10GZ
RAM: 4GB
System Type: 64 bit operating system

its a toshiba satellite L450D-13X

is that shit? sometimes it runs slow and takes a while to load up pages on the internet- i have fibre optic broadband so it shouldnt be the internet causing the problem, also play footy manager but its slow as fuck so i need something with raw power

also, if i get a new computer can I transfer stuff from this one onto it and will the people at the shop do this for me??? i really am dumb when it comes to this stuff

Upinsmoke · « **Reply #373 on:** November 4, 2012, 06:51:48 pm »

Quote from: tucker1984 on November 4, 2012, 10:01:34 am

i dont have a clue about computers, my current spec is below:

Processor: AMD Sempron SI42 2.10GZ
RAM: 4GB
System Type: 64 bit operating system

its a toshiba satellite L450D-13X

is that shit? sometimes it runs slow and takes a while to load up pages on the internet- i have fibre optic broadband so it shouldnt be the internet causing the problem, also play footy manager but its slow as fuck so i need something with raw power

also, if i get a new computer can I transfer stuff from this one onto it and will the people at the shop do this for me??? i really am dumb when it comes to this stuff

That's fine for web browsing, footy manager is quite cpu intensive though. Make sure you don't have a bunch of programs needlessly running at start up that you don't need as that will hog memory, you might need to defragment your drive, have u got the latest windows updates etc. You don't need a shop to transfer whatever you need. back your data up to disk or memory stick or any storage device you like and then copy it over to your new computer. If you have steam and are worried about losing your purchased games, don't be, there in your library, you just redownload them.

Upinsmoke · « **Reply #374 on:** November 4, 2012, 07:05:10 pm »

Quote from: Rox on November 3, 2012, 11:09:42 pm

Any suggestions on what someone could get for a very modest budget of between £200-£300? I'm happy to take a punt on secondhand.

The laptop I'm using now is 1.49ghz Celeron, with only 448mb of RAM. I'm still using XP, and much prefer it to Vista... I know it's old, but it works.

I generally use the laptop for writing, designing graphics, and despairing at threads on RAWK...

I'm afraid I used to know more about 'puters, but have let my knowledge slip... suggestions welcome.

http://shop.lenovo.com/gbweb/gb/en/laptops/essential/g-series/g580#.UJa8IJEgGSN

http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=7&c=uk&cs=ukdfh1&l=en&s=dfh

Top two on the second link, refurbs.

Red Genius · « **Reply #375 on:** November 4, 2012, 08:07:49 pm »

Picked up an Acer 5349 Laptop at the weekend from Laptopdirect.co.uk for £229 - thought it was a pretty good deal comes with 6GB RAM, 750GB HD, HD Graphics, a dual core processor (not super fast think it was 1.6Ghz or something like that)

Still for the money thought it was a neat little buy.

mrsphilthefish · « **Reply #376 on:** November 5, 2012, 12:17:47 pm »

Hi everyone, please make sure you sign the epetition for Anne Williams, this is URGENT

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40925

get everyone you know to sign it too. Thanks

WhoHe · « **Reply #377 on:** November 5, 2012, 01:11:31 pm »

Quote from: Red Genius on November 4, 2012, 08:07:49 pm

Laptopdirect.co.uk for £229

Good that as need new one myself, is that url right ? Didn't work for me.

Upinsmoke · « **Reply #378 on:** November 5, 2012, 01:12:57 pm »

Quote from: WhoHe on November 5, 2012, 01:11:31 pm

Good that as need new one myself, is that url right ? Didn't work for me.

missing an "s"

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/

my name canged back to tucker? · « **Reply #379 on:** November 5, 2012, 08:30:06 pm »

Quote from: Upinsmoke on November 4, 2012, 06:51:48 pm

That's fine for web browsing, footy manager is quite cpu intensive though. Make sure you don't have a bunch of programs needlessly running at start up that you don't need as that will hog memory, you might need to defragment your drive, have u got the latest windows updates etc. You don't need a shop to transfer whatever you need. back your data up to disk or memory stick or any storage device you like and then copy it over to your new computer. If you have steam and are worried about losing your purchased games, don't be, there in your library, you just redownload them.

cheers mate, got a new computer ordered, done quite a bit of research and happy with what i went with in the end,

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Packa...1_1288430.html

should be delivered on wednesday all being well,

one last thing, i had a full microsoft office package installed on my current computer from my last place of work, is there anyway i can transfer that over to the new laptop?

blert596 · « **Reply #380 on:** November 7, 2012, 11:38:21 pm »

I'm thinking of jumping in for this one. Delivered for £782.40

i7 3630
17.4 HD Screen 1080p
2G Geoforce GT 650M
1T hard drive (only 5400)
6G Mem

Any comments good or bad welcome...

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-17r-se-7720/pd.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

Ben J · « **Reply #381 on:** November 9, 2012, 12:25:11 am »

Quote from: blert596 on November 7, 2012, 11:38:21 pm

I'm thinking of jumping in for this one. Delivered for £782.40

i7 3630
17.4 HD Screen 1080p
2G Geoforce GT 650M
1T hard drive (only 5400)
6G Mem

Any comments good or bad welcome...

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-17r-se-7720/pd.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

My last 2 laptops were Dell and I can't say I'd recommend them. Think the newer models are really overpriced and the customisation options are really lacking these days.

I'd have a play on http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/, much better customisation and a number of enthusiasts really recommend them.

Out of interest, what do you want to use it for? The i7 processor is overkill even for gaming and dedicated graphics will reduce your battery life.

blert596 · « **Reply #382 on:** November 10, 2012, 02:12:44 pm »

Quote from: Ben J on November 9, 2012, 12:25:11 am

My last 2 laptops were Dell and I can't say I'd recommend them. Think the newer models are really overpriced and the customisation options are really lacking these days.

I'd have a play on http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/, much better customisation and a number of enthusiasts really recommend them.

Out of interest, what do you want to use it for? The i7 processor is overkill even for gaming and dedicated graphics will reduce your battery life.

That site seems to come out a bit more expensive for pretty much the same sort of spec mate.

The i7 is just because I want to futureproof it as long as possible really. Not worried about battery life as it will be a desktop replacement really. Sitting on the couch using it.

Graeme · « **Reply #383 on:** November 10, 2012, 11:49:34 pm »

Decent spec machine, but that Hard Drive really holds it back.

armchair-fan · « **Reply #384 on:** November 12, 2012, 09:10:38 am »

My laptop has finally been laid to rest, just two months short of its fifth birthday. I'm being told that most of the stats that seemed to be crucial 5 years ago aren't so relevant now - storage, memory, even processor. So much is now web based, and that all of them are pretty much the same, and more than enough for most basic use, and basic use is all it'll get. That it pretty much comes down to which brand is the most reliable.

Does that sound about right? Is it basically the best idea to choose the brand you trust the most (I'm edging toward Toshiba or Samsung, don't fancy the Apple route) and then buy the most expensive machine from them that you can afford?

blert596 · « **Reply #385 on:** November 12, 2012, 09:19:30 am »

The main prob i have is that the graphic card on my current Dell Studio wont play HD decently. Theres loads of stuttering, artifacts and freezing ehen playing movies direct from the Hard Drive. Coupled with the 2 pixel wide line right down the centre of the screen, and the fact the left hinge is shattered its time to get a new one.

I've been streaming DL'd movies/TV to my LG TV over wifi and theres way too much "loading" time throughout whenever anything HD is being streamed. I now have a WD TV Live Hub and have transferred all my movies onto its 1T hard drive, and view stuff directly from there now. I havent got a Wifi dongle for it yet (was hoping my LG one would be compatible - alas not) and am not sure if I'll get one now to stream direct from my laptop. Moving the movies, music and photos onto the live Hub has freed up a large amount of memory on the 2 hard drives I have on the Studio. Both of which are 5400 spinners.

I'm tempted to get the new lappy and just use the current one as a media server over Wifi for music and photos. the current one deffo needs a bit of a reformat anyway I think as its pretty much slowed down a lot.

It is unfortunate that the customisable element of the Dells seems to have taken a big hit.

Tim · « **Reply #386 on:** December 2, 2012, 05:46:21 pm »

I'm undecided on whether to get a new laptop or go for a tablet. I'm leaning towards a new laptop for now with a tablet sometime next year. I don't really want to spend loads on one, maybe £350-£400.

It's only going to be for browsing the internet, downloading (legally of course) and maybe some Champ Manager so it doesn't need amazing specs. Any website or spec suggestions would be much appreciated.

Nice one.

killer-heels · « **Reply #387 on:** December 24, 2012, 12:15:11 pm »

Hi guys, which laptop do you think is better

http://www.johnlewis.com/231740033/Product.aspx

Or

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-15r-5520/pd.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn
Inspiron 15r which is 349.99 and has 6 gb ram and a intel core processor

Or

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/hp-pavilion-g6-2244sa-15-6-laptop-ruby-red-17419992-pdt.html

oojason · « **Reply #388 on:** December 24, 2012, 01:22:54 pm »

^ I'd narrow it down to the HP from John Lewis (purely for the 5 year guarantee) and the Dell.

Personally I'd go for the Dell - I've already done work on 2 HP 2250's and they haven't been out long - people didn't want to take them back to shops in case they lost them for/over Xmas etc. I thought they were a little slow and had a cheap feel to them - though maybe best if you have a look in person at the shop to see for yourself.

If you do decide to go with Dell phone them up - don't use the website - if you're sweetness and light on the phone to them you can normally wangle a useful free goodie (laptop bag, or memory upgrade, or mouse, or usb flashdrive etc - depending on what they've got an excess of at the time and what mood the bloke/girl is in on the other side of the phone) - worth a go though.

killer-heels · « **Reply #389 on:** December 24, 2012, 07:54:39 pm »

Quote from: oojason on December 24, 2012, 01:22:54 pm

^ I'd narrow it down to the HP from John Lewis (purely for the 5 year guarantee) and the Dell.

Personally I'd go for the Dell - I've already done work on 2 HP 2250's and they haven't been out long - people didn't want to take them back to shops in case they lost them for/over Xmas etc. I thought they were a little slow and had a cheap feel to them - though maybe best if you have a look in person at the shop to see for yourself.

If you do decide to go with Dell phone them up - don't use the website - if you're sweetness and light on the phone to them you can normally wangle a useful free goodie (laptop bag, or memory upgrade, or mouse, or usb flashdrive etc - depending on what they've got an excess of at the time and what mood the bloke/girl is in on the other side of the phone) - worth a go though.

Cool, thanks. The HP at PC World does have 8gig's of RAM and more Hard Drive space, but yeah most people have rated the Dell.

MikaelLFC · « **Reply #390 on:** December 25, 2012, 09:04:56 am »

My laptop crashed before Christmas so I've been looking for a new one. Has anybody had any experience with Acer? Was thinking of buying this one:

Acer Aspire V3-771G-53214G75Makk NX.RYPEB.004_8Gb
Intel Core i5 3210M 2.50GHz (3.10GHz Turbo Boost) 3Mb Cache
Intel HM77 Chipset
8 GB RAM SO-DIMM DDR3
17" HD+ 1600x900
nVidia GeForce GT 630M 2GB
750 GB SATA 5400 rpm
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Would cost 659 € (~£538); would it be a good buy or could I perhaps get sth better for the same price? Can't really allow myself the luxury to buy sth more expensive than that at the moment mind. Thanks in advance!

-Willo- · « **Reply #391 on:** January 5, 2013, 08:51:15 pm »

Just wondering which one to get really, also will I be able to play games on these? For example DayZ.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/hp-pavilion-g6-2293sa-15-6-laptop-winter-blue-18093447-pdt.html

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/sony-vaio-e-series-sve1512m1ew-cek-laptop-white-17056565-pdt.html

Basically the HP Pavilion seems better when comparing all shit like RAM?.. but it's £100 cheaper? I'm a skeptical bastard so that's too good to be true for me? Or is it...

The HP was £550 but I'm just thinking maybe it's gone down to £399 because it's unreliable or something? I have no idea about Laptops or nothing so if anyone has one of these or can give me good advice I'd appreciate it so much.

Motty · « **Reply #392 on:** January 15, 2013, 07:24:49 pm »

My free month of McAfee security for my new laptop runs out tomorrow but I'm not paying for that so was wondering if anyone can recommend a free security thing like maybe malwarebytes or another one, cheers

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #393 on:** January 15, 2013, 07:38:46 pm »

Windows Defender. Make sure you completely uninstall McAfee first. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much more quickly your machine boots once you've got rid of all that McAfee bloatware shit.

Motty · « **Reply #394 on:** January 15, 2013, 08:00:58 pm »

Quote from: ۩ Imperator ۩ on January 15, 2013, 07:38:46 pm

Windows Defender. Make sure you completely uninstall McAfee first. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much more quickly your machine boots once you've got rid of all that McAfee bloatware shit.

Im sure something popped up about Windows defender yesterday, i will give that a go now ,cheers mate

Swissgaz · « **Reply #395 on:** January 16, 2013, 11:50:04 pm »

Quote from: Shady77 on January 15, 2013, 08:00:58 pm

Im sure something popped up about Windows defender yesterday, i will give that a go now ,cheers mate

Have a look here for activating Windows Defender

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020260/how-to-activate-windows-defender-in-windows-8.html

Motty · « **Reply #396 on:** January 17, 2013, 12:15:26 am »

Quote from: Swissgaz on January 16, 2013, 11:50:04 pm

Have a look here for activating Windows Defender

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020260/how-to-activate-windows-defender-in-windows-8.html

set it up earlier, dead easy aswell cheers anyway

blert596 · « **Reply #397 on:** January 17, 2013, 02:09:01 pm »

Gonna have to get something quite quickly now... thats 3 blue of deaths in the last week :-(

Was thinking of this for £792 all in. I think this would keep me going for a while. Any recommendations. I'd be keeping the hard drive from my existing lappy for a while, before upgrading to a 7200 model later on.

Chassis & Display: Optimus Series: 15.6" Glossy Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU): Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-3630QM (2.40GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM): 8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M – 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM – DirectX® 11
Memory – Hard Disk: 120GB KINGSTON V300 SSD, SATA 6 Gb (450MB/R, 450MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive: 8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader: Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Sound Card: Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless: GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® N135 802.11N (150Mbps) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options: 3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Webcam: INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty: 3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

Graeme · « **Reply #398 on:** January 17, 2013, 02:15:03 pm »

Quote from: blert596 on January 17, 2013, 02:09:01 pm

I'd be keeping the hard drive from my existing lappy for a while, before upgrading to a 7200 model later on.

I can't think of a sane reason to strip the SSD out of a laptop and replace it with either a 5400rpm or 7200rpm drive. If storage space is the issue then add a USB drive to the package.

blert596 · « **Reply #399 on:** January 17, 2013, 02:47:19 pm »

No Graeme, theres space for a 2nd drive which i'll pop the one I've got now into.