Author Topic: New laptop advice  (Read 168829 times)

Offline sminp

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #40 on: May 1, 2008, 05:10:19 pm »
The promotion on the Dell website for a particular laptop I was looking at has ended so the £100 reduction has gone. Any idea when they're likely to have similar promotions?

Doubt you will get anywhere with the same sort of power/price ratio as Dell, maybe acerlaptops.co.uk? Surely there is a new offer on that laptop you wanted that won't make it anymore expensive than before? In anycase, Dell offers change every 2 weeks so you could just wait.

Oh and if you can wait til June, Montevina comes out so prices should drop massively for current laptops.

If you wanna post your budget and what applications you use and hard-drive space you need then I'm sure people will make recommendations, I certainly will.

EDIT - I just read back and saw you posted your budget earlier. What will you be using the laptop for?

This looks decent for £400 - http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&kc=NRS15252&l=en&oc=N0552508&rbc=N0552508&s=dhs
« Last Edit: May 1, 2008, 05:15:47 pm by sminp »
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Offline philharg

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #41 on: May 1, 2008, 06:18:45 pm »
i have the dell inspiron 1525 and its excellent cant really find a fault in it.  i use it for uni work, internet etc. and performs really well for everything I do so definetly recommend it!  if you want the best deal ring them up and haggle for everything you can!

Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #42 on: May 2, 2008, 12:39:09 am »
Doubt you will get anywhere with the same sort of power/price ratio as Dell, maybe acerlaptops.co.uk? Surely there is a new offer on that laptop you wanted that won't make it anymore expensive than before? In anycase, Dell offers change every 2 weeks so you could just wait.

Oh and if you can wait til June, Montevina comes out so prices should drop massively for current laptops.

If you wanna post your budget and what applications you use and hard-drive space you need then I'm sure people will make recommendations, I certainly will.

EDIT - I just read back and saw you posted your budget earlier. What will you be using the laptop for?

This looks decent for £400 - http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&kc=NRS15252&l=en&oc=N0552508&rbc=N0552508&s=dhs

Hi mate, thanks for your help. Essentially I don't know much about specs etc (so when on dell website think of just going for one of the standard configurations they've already got) but I mainly use the laptop for the internet and uni work etc and maybe downloading music. Thing is, the laptop I have at the moment is a few years old and so slow its unreal. I start up something like limewire and the whole thing slows down dramatically. Obviously I want something reliable too and which will last for a few years.

i have the dell inspiron 1525 and its excellent cant really find a fault in it.  i use it for uni work, internet etc. and performs really well for everything I do so definetly recommend it!  if you want the best deal ring them up and haggle for everything you can!
Hi mate. Great to hear. Is it possible to let us know what the specs are on it and how much it cost? As I've said above I don't know much about specs to be able to configure so would be interested in what you've got. Thanks mate.
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Offline sminp

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #43 on: May 2, 2008, 12:05:08 pm »
Hi mate, thanks for your help. Essentially I don't know much about specs etc (so when on dell website think of just going for one of the standard configurations they've already got) but I mainly use the laptop for the internet and uni work etc and maybe downloading music. Thing is, the laptop I have at the moment is a few years old and so slow its unreal. I start up something like limewire and the whole thing slows down dramatically. Obviously I want something reliable too and which will last for a few years.
Hi mate. Great to hear. Is it possible to let us know what the specs are on it and how much it cost? As I've said above I don't know much about specs to be able to configure so would be interested in what you've got. Thanks mate.

The one I suggested above will do the job then. I'd say pay the extra £40 to upgrade the processor to the T7250 if you can, but certainly as it is you should find it more than satisfactory.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5550 (1.83 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
HARDWARE SUPPORT  1 Year Base Warranty
 
COLOUR CHOICE Jet Black Colour with Matte Finish
LCD 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display with TrueLife™
MEMORY 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
HARD DRIVE 160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
GRAPHICS CARD Integrated Intel® Graphic Media Accelerator X3100
OPTICAL DRIVE 8x DVD+/-RW Optical drive, including SW


That's £400, then like I said above if you have an extra £40 upgrade the processor. You can also add an inbuilt webcam for £20 if you wanted one of them.
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Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #44 on: May 3, 2008, 01:16:05 pm »
Thanks mate. What do you make of this Dell's specs at PC World? (its the same Dell as the one you suggested but with slightly different specs. Worth the added money?)

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1613924892.1209816182@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdeadedmjmgjelcflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=024227&category_oid=#productInformationSection
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Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #45 on: May 3, 2008, 10:58:34 pm »
In anycase, Dell offers change every 2 weeks so you could just wait.

So do you think that £400 laptop could be reduced a lot within the next couple of weeks or is it likely to be a smaller reduction than the first promotion on the laptops?
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Offline sminp

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #46 on: May 4, 2008, 08:50:30 pm »
So do you think that £400 laptop could be reduced a lot within the next couple of weeks or is it likely to be a smaller reduction than the first promotion on the laptops?

Small changes at the moment, then in June I don't think the price will change much, but the hardware available at that price will be much better and the hardware they have now will be phased out.
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Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #47 on: June 27, 2008, 09:26:02 pm »
Just wondering if anyone has ever bought a laptop from PC World? I want to get that Dell and PC World sell them but I'm not sure how they are when it comes to service etc (especially when the service from Dell direct is quite good).
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Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #48 on: June 27, 2008, 09:31:15 pm »
Just seen this on the Dell website. Thoughts?

Base
Learn More   
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5750 (2.00 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 cache)

Microsoft Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista SP1™ Home Premium - English

LCD
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display with TrueLife™

Video Card
Integrated Intel® Graphic Media Accelerator X3100

Memory
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]

Hard Drive
160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive

Optical Devices
8x DVD+/-RW Optical drive, including SW

Service
1 Year Base Warranty


£429.
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Offline Graeme

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #49 on: June 27, 2008, 09:35:50 pm »
I'd look at the option of an extended warranty.

Offline Mudface_

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #50 on: June 27, 2008, 09:42:11 pm »
Some Dell deals on the Vostro line got posted on HotUKDeals fairly recently, might be worth a look there as from memory they were better specced and cheaper than the one you posted.

Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #51 on: June 27, 2008, 09:53:10 pm »
Just been on Dell site looking at Vostros. How are they so cheap?! And do you need to be a business to get them or something?
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Offline duggs74

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #52 on: June 27, 2008, 10:00:22 pm »
yeah im the same mate what r these free ones from carphone warehouse like when u sign up for aol like all iwant one for is download music surfing play poker and last but not least porn porn and thrice porn (to be fair thats what we all want am i right nudge nudge wink wink say no more) any advice would be useful
thats what we call history!!

Offline Mudface_

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #53 on: June 27, 2008, 10:01:30 pm »
I think the bottom of the range has the old Celery chips, but you can still get a C2D for under £300. Mind you, if all you're using it for is browsing the web and a bit of word processing, the Celeron would be fine.

Offline Mudface_

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #54 on: June 27, 2008, 10:02:19 pm »
yeah im the same mate what r these free ones from carphone warehouse like when u sign up for aol like all iwant one for is download music surfing play poker and last but not least porn porn and thrice porn (to be fair thats what we all want am i right nudge nudge wink wink say no more) any advice would be useful

At a guess, they'd be shite and not worth the extra you'd pay over the term of whatever hellish contract you have to sign up to.

Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #55 on: June 27, 2008, 11:07:30 pm »
The new Dell studio range look quite good!
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Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #56 on: June 28, 2008, 09:10:36 pm »
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop_studio_15?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

What do people make of the £479 model on the left? Again, not great with specs so would appreciate some advice.
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Offline Mudface_

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #57 on: June 28, 2008, 09:13:23 pm »
Fine, should run everything bar the latest games with no real problems.

Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #58 on: June 28, 2008, 09:35:05 pm »
You say latest games I'm assuming because of their enhanced graphics etc. I'm assuming DVDs should be ok though?
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Offline Ben J

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #59 on: June 28, 2008, 11:27:11 pm »
You say latest games I'm assuming because of their enhanced graphics etc. I'm assuming DVDs should be ok though?

It will certainly run DVDs.  I'm currently weighing up between a studio 15 and an XPS at the moment.

Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #60 on: June 28, 2008, 11:28:04 pm »
It will certainly run DVDs.  I'm currently weighing up between a studio 15 and an XPS at the moment.

What do you make of the specs on the £479 one mate?
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Offline Ben J

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #61 on: June 28, 2008, 11:35:18 pm »
I don't know much about processors (although 2.0 dosen't sound bad), but the video card looks decent, the RAM should cope with multitasking and the hard drive is pretty big.  What are you looking to use it for?

Offline Raz

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #62 on: June 28, 2008, 11:56:15 pm »
I don't know much about processors (although 2.0 dosen't sound bad), but the video card looks decent, the RAM should cope with multitasking and the hard drive is pretty big.  What are you looking to use it for?

Nothing too over the top but want it to be reasonably powerful and fast. My current one is fucking slow as shit.
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Offline Ben J

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #63 on: June 29, 2008, 12:07:38 am »
I'm not an expert but I reckon that'd do you.  If you can afford it, I'd pay the extra £20 to up the RAM to 3gig, should be plenty for multi tasking (i think the 32 bit vista can only use 3.5gig maximum, so that's as good as it's going to get).

Edit -

As I mentioned, I'm crap with processors, in the laptop I'm looking at would there be much difference between a 2.4GHz T8300 processor and a 2.5GHz T9300 processor (says the 8300 has a 3 MB L2 Cache while the 9300 has a 6 MB L2 Cache), is that worth a £60 upgrade?
« Last Edit: June 29, 2008, 01:06:01 am by Ben J »

Offline Drunknmunky

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #64 on: June 29, 2008, 03:43:10 pm »
If you can get yourself down to Manchester then I recommend Bowlers on a saturday morning. You can pick up a brand new Celeron for under £250, if your looking for a top end machine you could save hundreds, new and used.

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #65 on: June 30, 2008, 01:00:28 pm »
Right I use my lap top for itunes, footy manager, firefox surfing web, emails, and the odd bit of word processing, latex work and excel

what specs do i need so it runs fast for all that

and then how much further would i have to go to say be able to run pro evo

Offline leighton

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #66 on: July 2, 2008, 09:04:05 am »
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5550
(1.83 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 2 MB Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium
2 GB Memory
250 GB Hard Drive
DVD-SuperMulti Dual Layer Drive
15.4'' Widescreen Display
Realtek Sound
Wireless Enabled
4 No. of USB Connections

http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/Computing/Laptops/Standard+Laptops/Advent/5302/075885


^^^just bought that for me mam^^^
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Offline Something Else

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #67 on: July 2, 2008, 01:42:58 pm »
can someone give me a quick idiots guide to processor speeds and the dif between having a duo core etc, the cashe bit and the mhz bit

thank you please

Offline leighton

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #68 on: July 2, 2008, 02:28:27 pm »
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Offline Something Else

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #69 on: July 2, 2008, 05:09:54 pm »
cheers, so in thicko speak, if i look to get a 1.8Ghzduel core processor with 2gb ram min I will be laughing for footy man, general work programes and searching porn on the net?

what graphics card would i need to play evo for example?

the one you link to doesnt say it has one, does that mean it doesnt, or just not a great one

Processor Type     AMD Turion TL60     
Processor speed    (2.0 GHz, 1MB Cache)    The higher the number of Megahertz (MHZ) the faster the processor should be
Memory Size    3072 MB    
Memory Type    DDR2    
Hard Drive Capacity    160 GB    The bigger the capacity the more you can store
Optical Drives    DVD SuperMulti Drive    
CD-ROM Speed    24 x    Enabling access to CD ROM data. The higher the number the faster the speed
CD-RW Speed.    24 x    Enabling you to access and store data on CD-RW disks. The higher the number the faster the speed
DVD-ROM Speed    8 x    Enabling you access to data on DVD. The higher the number the faster the speed
DVD-RW Speed    4 x    Enabling you to store data on DVD. The higher the number the faster the speed
Screen Size/Type    15.4'' WXGA    
Graphics Card Type    NVIDIA GeForce 7000M    To enable images to be displayed on your monitor
Graphics Memory    Up to 896mb shared MB    The higher the memory the better quality images you are display

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0562456618.1215014889@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdkadeehkmefdjcflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=873891&category_oid=-35054#productInformationSection

is this worth it? or is it a brand i should stay clear of?

I will need it for work to so for conferences and stuff.

Offline leighton

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #70 on: July 2, 2008, 07:13:48 pm »
you really need to be looking for a laptop with dedicated graphics for any 'bought' retail games nowadays....

dont get me wrong, the laptops we both linked are more than good enough for most everday stuff that you chuck at it.

pro evo specs 'recommend' dedicated graphics, not saying that is the minimum though.
why buy a lappy to play games on though?

mine is for 99% of stuff that i do, but the media centre under the tv is the gaming machine.
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Offline Mudface_

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #71 on: July 2, 2008, 07:48:58 pm »
Here's a list of graphics cards ranked by performance. The mobile cards are the Geforce ones ending in 'M' (e.g. 8600M, 8700M GTS) or starting with 'Go' (e.g. Go 7950 GTX) or the Radeon parts named 'Mobility'. Anything above a Go 7700 should be able to handle Pro Evo at a decent resolution.

However, gaming laptops tend to be pretty expensive compared to their desktop counterparts and also heavier and noisier than 'ordinary' laptops. They're usually desktop replacements rather than true portables. Getting a £300-400 laptop which can handle all your stuff along with a PSP or DS if you want mobile gaming would probably work out cheaper.


Offline leighton

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #73 on: July 3, 2008, 09:39:39 am »
that second one is still onboard graphics.
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Offline Mudface_

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #74 on: July 3, 2008, 09:47:52 am »
Yep. Something like this Dell with an 8600M GT card should be OK for Pro Evo and other games.

Here are some benchmarks for that card.

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #75 on: July 4, 2008, 03:38:27 pm »
Ciara, i want to spend as little as possible, my budget is not great at the min

a lap top that could play games would be a bonus for long trips away from home for work, but really it needs to run footy man, that would do, and run programmes great.

If i get a vista version can i load my old office stuff? as in the software or do i need the new shite version

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #76 on: July 17, 2008, 11:33:38 am »
if you have vista, can i  use office 2003?

Offline Mudface_

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #77 on: July 17, 2008, 03:34:51 pm »
Yes.

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #78 on: July 17, 2008, 07:31:54 pm »
also if i have the choice between a core duo 2ghz and one thats exactly the same but 1.83ghz, both with 663 or whaterver and 2mb cashe, is there much difference

Offline Fiend

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Re: New laptop advice
« Reply #79 on: July 17, 2008, 07:37:36 pm »
also if i have the choice between a core duo 2ghz and one thats exactly the same but 1.83ghz, both with 663 or whaterver and 2mb cashe, is there much difference

Nope. Save money on the chips. Any chip would do fine what you want to do.