Buying my first laptop!
-
Okies I'm starting to look around for my first laptop. I've never looked at laptops and am thus a bit baffled by what's hot and what's not. Basically, I'm looking for a cheap laptop, I don't want to be able to write DVD's or even CD's with it. I do however want something that'll at the very least equal my desktop Athlon 1.3GHz in terms of performance. I don't really want wi-fi since I can't see the need for it any time in the next few years. Can anyone give any advice to a first time laptop buyer? What are the catches to look for when buying cheaper models?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
How cheap is cheap? Dell has some notebooks around $700. As far as advice goes it really depends on what you want. Battery Life, Screen Resolution, Weight are all good things to consider. However I don't think it may be like $50 more for Wireless and it'll be worth it. Wireless is only getting better and with a laptop it's great to have.... Conventions, Hotels, Starbucks, McDonalds(Soon) all have hotspots.
-
How cheap is cheap? Dell has some notebooks around $700. As far as advice goes it really depends on what you want. Battery Life, Screen Resolution, Weight are all good things to consider. However I don't think it may be like $50 more for Wireless and it'll be worth it. Wireless is only getting better and with a laptop it's great to have.... Conventions, Hotels, Starbucks, McDonalds(Soon) all have hotspots.
I'm willing to spend about $1200 (~£700?). I'm not too bothered about battery life since it's mostly for home / student flat use. I want something just for general uni work and stuff. The only problem with uni accomidation is net access - no phonelines. So it's gprs for me to use msn messenger - shouldn't cost too much. For some reason I prefer the idea of getting a laptop to use at uni than a new desktop. Always wanted a laptop I have. ;)
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
-
Okies I'm starting to look around for my first laptop. I've never looked at laptops and am thus a bit baffled by what's hot and what's not. Basically, I'm looking for a cheap laptop, I don't want to be able to write DVD's or even CD's with it. I do however want something that'll at the very least equal my desktop Athlon 1.3GHz in terms of performance. I don't really want wi-fi since I can't see the need for it any time in the next few years. Can anyone give any advice to a first time laptop buyer? What are the catches to look for when buying cheaper models?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
first of all... YES u do want to burn cd's YES u do want wifi next go for a big screen at least 512mb ram at least 40gb hdd usb ports - the more the merrier firewire - yes if u can look at sony dell or gateway avoid hp / compaq like the plague avoid no-name companies more so
-
Okies I'm starting to look around for my first laptop. I've never looked at laptops and am thus a bit baffled by what's hot and what's not. Basically, I'm looking for a cheap laptop, I don't want to be able to write DVD's or even CD's with it. I do however want something that'll at the very least equal my desktop Athlon 1.3GHz in terms of performance. I don't really want wi-fi since I can't see the need for it any time in the next few years. Can anyone give any advice to a first time laptop buyer? What are the catches to look for when buying cheaper models?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
-
first of all... YES u do want to burn cd's YES u do want wifi next go for a big screen at least 512mb ram at least 40gb hdd usb ports - the more the merrier firewire - yes if u can look at sony dell or gateway avoid hp / compaq like the plague avoid no-name companies more so
l a u r e n wrote: avoid hp / compaq like the plague Well Lauren, you did fail with that comment. Compaq (HP) makes some really good laptops. Trust me, I have had/used several! - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" ShotKeeper, my Photo Album / Organizer Application[^]
-
This has hyperthreading right?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
-
This has hyperthreading right?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
You might want to ask the seller. :) Jeremy Falcon
-
Okies I'm starting to look around for my first laptop. I've never looked at laptops and am thus a bit baffled by what's hot and what's not. Basically, I'm looking for a cheap laptop, I don't want to be able to write DVD's or even CD's with it. I do however want something that'll at the very least equal my desktop Athlon 1.3GHz in terms of performance. I don't really want wi-fi since I can't see the need for it any time in the next few years. Can anyone give any advice to a first time laptop buyer? What are the catches to look for when buying cheaper models?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
If I were to get a laptop, I wouldn't really seriously use it until summer. I want to know how much the market is likely to vary in terms of price and technology between now and then. Anyone know roughly?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
-
Okies I'm starting to look around for my first laptop. I've never looked at laptops and am thus a bit baffled by what's hot and what's not. Basically, I'm looking for a cheap laptop, I don't want to be able to write DVD's or even CD's with it. I do however want something that'll at the very least equal my desktop Athlon 1.3GHz in terms of performance. I don't really want wi-fi since I can't see the need for it any time in the next few years. Can anyone give any advice to a first time laptop buyer? What are the catches to look for when buying cheaper models?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
I would recommend IBM Thinkpad's with Centrino processors but they are a little pricey. But in any case, you definately should get a WiFi enabled laptop. If you are going to use it at the UNI, the uni most probably provides wireless access and you can connect to the net even when you are in the library, student center, ..etc. Lastly, I think that Centrino chips are quite good in terms of battery performance. I had one non-centrino thinkpad (T30) and the battery life was about 2.5 hours. Now, the ones with centrino chips (T40) are smaller and the battery life is about 8 hours. Mustafa Demirhan http://www.macroangel.com
"What we do in life echoes in eternity" - Gladiator
It's not that I'm lazy, it's just that I just don't care -
I would recommend IBM Thinkpad's with Centrino processors but they are a little pricey. But in any case, you definately should get a WiFi enabled laptop. If you are going to use it at the UNI, the uni most probably provides wireless access and you can connect to the net even when you are in the library, student center, ..etc. Lastly, I think that Centrino chips are quite good in terms of battery performance. I had one non-centrino thinkpad (T30) and the battery life was about 2.5 hours. Now, the ones with centrino chips (T40) are smaller and the battery life is about 8 hours. Mustafa Demirhan http://www.macroangel.com
"What we do in life echoes in eternity" - Gladiator
It's not that I'm lazy, it's just that I just don't careMustafa Demirhan wrote: I would recommend IBM Thinkpad's with Centrino processors but they are a little pricey. I am currently looking too, and from what I have read, a common misconception is a laptop with a 'centrino processor'. There is no centrino processor, a centrino laptop is a pentium-m with an intel 802.11b built in adapter and an 855 chipset. A laptop with a pentium-m and a third party 802.11x adapter has just as good battery life as a centrino based laptop with better 802.11x adapters (in theory). Also, don't confuse these Pentium-M with Pentium4M centrino info
-
If I were to get a laptop, I wouldn't really seriously use it until summer. I want to know how much the market is likely to vary in terms of price and technology between now and then. Anyone know roughly?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
I'd wait a little. Prices are falling all the time, and also there are improvements in battery life coming out in the next six months, and all the major makers are constantly upgrading their screens (although Dell's and in particular Sony's are damn-near perfect already). But maybe the biggest things that will be coming out in the very near future are bigger hard drives and SATA for laptops (yeah, you read correctly). That, plus the fact that if you wait a little the newest laptop video cards will fall in price (the latest tempting Radeon comes with 256 MB of RAM), makes waiting until summer a good thing. I don't think that I'd automatically spring for the biggest screen. If you're comfortable working in XGA resolution, 13.3" is a very nice size, especially since you can get such a nice laptop at that size. This particular laptop will give up to eight or nine hours of battery life with the optional extra modular battery (which I'd get), but even with the standard one you get 4.5 hours! Not bad. Toshiba owners that I've known have always loved their laptops; I've never heard of one going back to the shop, either. Something like this you could tuck under your arm with quite a few books and still not be hurting on a walk to the library. I agree with Lauren that I'd spring for wireless, even if you don't think you'll need it. I'd also strongly consider (since I'd wait 'til summer anyway) saving a few hundred more dollars: the difference between what you can get for $1200 and $1500 is huge. No matter what you do, shop at Kingston's web site to see if you can save money by lowballing the RAM on your order and getting your memory direct from the source. Thank you. Jeff Varszegi
-
I would recommend IBM Thinkpad's with Centrino processors but they are a little pricey. But in any case, you definately should get a WiFi enabled laptop. If you are going to use it at the UNI, the uni most probably provides wireless access and you can connect to the net even when you are in the library, student center, ..etc. Lastly, I think that Centrino chips are quite good in terms of battery performance. I had one non-centrino thinkpad (T30) and the battery life was about 2.5 hours. Now, the ones with centrino chips (T40) are smaller and the battery life is about 8 hours. Mustafa Demirhan http://www.macroangel.com
"What we do in life echoes in eternity" - Gladiator
It's not that I'm lazy, it's just that I just don't careI can vouch for IBM TP's - I love mine :cool: Okay, even if it is a bit old... :-O Paul ;) Homepage: pvdw.ath.cx
Sonork: 100.33943 -
Okies I'm starting to look around for my first laptop. I've never looked at laptops and am thus a bit baffled by what's hot and what's not. Basically, I'm looking for a cheap laptop, I don't want to be able to write DVD's or even CD's with it. I do however want something that'll at the very least equal my desktop Athlon 1.3GHz in terms of performance. I don't really want wi-fi since I can't see the need for it any time in the next few years. Can anyone give any advice to a first time laptop buyer? What are the catches to look for when buying cheaper models?
Simon Walton
Sonork: 10024P
I'd advise looking at some reviews - league tables. For example pcadvisor.co.uk[^] has never steered me wrong, and I've selected three printers, a digital camera, a laptop, a flat-screen, and a graphics card from among their lists! Adnthey've all been brilliant buys. Joel Holdsworth
-
l a u r e n wrote: avoid hp / compaq like the plague Well Lauren, you did fail with that comment. Compaq (HP) makes some really good laptops. Trust me, I have had/used several! - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" ShotKeeper, my Photo Album / Organizer Application[^]
-
Mustafa Demirhan wrote: I would recommend IBM Thinkpad's with Centrino processors but they are a little pricey. I am currently looking too, and from what I have read, a common misconception is a laptop with a 'centrino processor'. There is no centrino processor, a centrino laptop is a pentium-m with an intel 802.11b built in adapter and an 855 chipset. A laptop with a pentium-m and a third party 802.11x adapter has just as good battery life as a centrino based laptop with better 802.11x adapters (in theory). Also, don't confuse these Pentium-M with Pentium4M centrino info
Sorry, my bad. I did not mean that Centrino is a processor :-O I work at Intel and I should have been more careful about my company's products :) Ok, let me put it this way then: Centrino mobile technology allows extended battery life and smaller designs. Power management options in Centrino provides 2 or 3 times more battery life in most usage scenarios. hotlemonade wrote: A laptop with a pentium-m and a third party 802.11x adapter has just as good battery life as a centrino based laptop with better 802.11x adapters (in theory) That is correct. The advantage of Centrino laptops is that they use Pentium-M processors, instead of 4M processors. There is a very significant difference between these two in terms of battery life. Anyway, thanks for corrections... Mustafa Demirhan http://www.macroangel.com
"What we do in life echoes in eternity" - Gladiator
It's not that I'm lazy, it's just that I just don't care