Laptop recommendations please
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Laptop recommendations please
No1 son has decided it's time to get away from "the family pc" and he's after a laptop for his room; maybe not such a bad idea as he's soon to start his GCSE studies.
So, what should I look out for, what's the best make, etc.
Any suggestions?
Fred.
So, what should I look out for, what's the best make, etc.
Any suggestions?
Fred.
No.1 daughter has been using her own Toshiba laptop at Uni. for the past couple of years. So far it has proved a success.
No.2 daughter is after her own laptop by the Autumn, so I'm also interested in any up-to-date advice.
No.2 daughter is after her own laptop by the Autumn, so I'm also interested in any up-to-date advice.
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have an HP 5245(?) with the 15 inch screen. Heavy, clunky gets bloody hot and the battery only lasts a couple of hours. Serves me right for not staying with Macintosh.
The main decision is whether you want a true laptop or a desktop replacement. If it really is going to be used on the move, on trains, on aircraft - all over the place - then you need a slim, light system. On the other hand if it's just going to be a desktop replacement that gets moved from time to time then who cares if it's a little clunky. If you're willing to accept a little robustness you can usually get a higher spec system for the same price as an ultra-slim.
At the extreme end of things a colleague just bought very chunky new Toshiba which has a desktop P4 processor squeezed inside (it was brought to market before the mobile P4 was introduced). Anyway, it was a lot cheaper than a slim system with a mobile P4 - plus it generates enough heat to warm a small room
Myself I have a Dell Latitude C600 - quite slim and light - and I regret not having got something a bit larger like an Inspiron because mostly it just sits on my desk at home. Ok, it's less than 2.5kg but once it's in its bag with the power supply, a mouse, some CDs, papers etc - would I notice the difference if it weighed 3.8kg? Unlikely.
At the extreme end of things a colleague just bought very chunky new Toshiba which has a desktop P4 processor squeezed inside (it was brought to market before the mobile P4 was introduced). Anyway, it was a lot cheaper than a slim system with a mobile P4 - plus it generates enough heat to warm a small room
Myself I have a Dell Latitude C600 - quite slim and light - and I regret not having got something a bit larger like an Inspiron because mostly it just sits on my desk at home. Ok, it's less than 2.5kg but once it's in its bag with the power supply, a mouse, some CDs, papers etc - would I notice the difference if it weighed 3.8kg? Unlikely.
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About 5 of my chaps have laptops from Rock Direct - they had the choice of a standard issue Tosh or 1,400GBP - they took the cash and got the Rock - the model they have even has Firewire port on it and the only other Laptop I have seen with this as standard is the Sony. Leather carry case as standard!
Gets my vote.
Gets my vote.
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I'll speak up for the Hi-Grade/ASUS range although the customer support left me a bit grumpy.
The 8400 range would do the job; they are clunky but very robust. DVD/CD drive and Floppy drive are integral. For his room he would run off the charger so battery life not too critical.
I passed on my 7400 to No 3 son at Uni; when I used it I liked to warm my fingers in the airflow from the vent on the left side and coming up through the keyboard.
New, they're expensive at £1200 or so but you may get a used one for less. PC World bulk buy from Hi-Grade/ASUS and put their own badges on. Worth a look. If I wanted similar again I might be tempted to try another one.
Lacking a Firewire Port but has double PC Card slots.
An ideal solution for a student in a small study bedroom
The 8400 range would do the job; they are clunky but very robust. DVD/CD drive and Floppy drive are integral. For his room he would run off the charger so battery life not too critical.
I passed on my 7400 to No 3 son at Uni; when I used it I liked to warm my fingers in the airflow from the vent on the left side and coming up through the keyboard.
New, they're expensive at £1200 or so but you may get a used one for less. PC World bulk buy from Hi-Grade/ASUS and put their own badges on. Worth a look. If I wanted similar again I might be tempted to try another one.
Lacking a Firewire Port but has double PC Card slots.
An ideal solution for a student in a small study bedroom
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What Lap
Get your criteria right then buy the latest PC Mag and match the criteria to their lists for your country.
Recommendable criteria are possibly:
Space available - small = Baby Sony Vaio or similar
How often will it be lugged around = every day or once a week/month = more lugging = less weight (including most accessories)
How long will it be used at a time = longer suggests bigger screen (15") which is more cost also & perhaps a slightly less strong build
Will it have to survive dropping etc. = if yes small screen and cheapo
How much does it have to store 10 Gb, 20, 30, more? = depends on users fancy, tidyness and which faculty they are attending !
Look hard at the warranty - 3 years is a minimum and then check how easy and cheap it is to get it to a warranty center (some towns have drop off points chech what your youngster's university town has !
DELL price performant (no slow ones available) - If user is computer literate - possibly good choice - repairable almost worldwide ! (possibly another hidden criteria)
COMPAQ mid and cheaper parts of their range are good quality and fairly rugged - to of the range - possibly a bit fragile
IBM can be best value for money, but not always.
Finally check with the IT department at your employer ! Most companies have a solid deal with a supplier and will normally pass the full benefits on to staff ! Can mean that an IBM or COMPAQ at 20% more than the equivalent DELL turn out to be around 5% less. If going DELL ask for the student rebate.
And then when quoted a price always ask for a further rebate to make the quoted price just better than the competitions (only do this if this is the magic choice) - I'm surprised how often another 1 to 8-9% can come.
Remember average lifespan of a laptop in hard (student) type environments is 20-30 months.
Recommendable criteria are possibly:
Space available - small = Baby Sony Vaio or similar
How often will it be lugged around = every day or once a week/month = more lugging = less weight (including most accessories)
How long will it be used at a time = longer suggests bigger screen (15") which is more cost also & perhaps a slightly less strong build
Will it have to survive dropping etc. = if yes small screen and cheapo
How much does it have to store 10 Gb, 20, 30, more? = depends on users fancy, tidyness and which faculty they are attending !
Look hard at the warranty - 3 years is a minimum and then check how easy and cheap it is to get it to a warranty center (some towns have drop off points chech what your youngster's university town has !
DELL price performant (no slow ones available) - If user is computer literate - possibly good choice - repairable almost worldwide ! (possibly another hidden criteria)
COMPAQ mid and cheaper parts of their range are good quality and fairly rugged - to of the range - possibly a bit fragile
IBM can be best value for money, but not always.
Finally check with the IT department at your employer ! Most companies have a solid deal with a supplier and will normally pass the full benefits on to staff ! Can mean that an IBM or COMPAQ at 20% more than the equivalent DELL turn out to be around 5% less. If going DELL ask for the student rebate.
And then when quoted a price always ask for a further rebate to make the quoted price just better than the competitions (only do this if this is the magic choice) - I'm surprised how often another 1 to 8-9% can come.
Remember average lifespan of a laptop in hard (student) type environments is 20-30 months.
