Another laptop thread...

[scumbalina]

I'm gonna get a laptop (cheap as poss) so that now I'm up the duff I can work from bed when I feel icky . I'll need it to run Vista, Quark, Photoshop and t'internet, preferably all at once, what's the minimum spec I should go for?

 

[scumbalina]

Have seen the cheap Inspirons from Dell, am guessing they'd do all that? Bit worried about having vista though as have heard it's a bit "fussy" about what software you put on , anyone know if this is a problem?

 

[ChrisFilter]

Vista is fine with mass market apps like the ones you mention. Better than XP.

Also, yep, I will as always recommend the new Inspiron range. I have a 1720 and fucking love it. They're incredibly well stocked machines for the price.

 

[boskysquelch]

Get big RAM big time.

Glad to hear the smalls business is still going from strength to strength .

 

[ChrisFilter]

Anothing over 2GB isn't all that useful.

 

[scumbalina]

Hmmmm....some disagreement there on how much ram I need to flog me nic-nacs

The inspiron can have up to 4GB. The computer I use at the mo (xp) has only 1GB and does everything I need, but I've heard vista needs a lot of ram, so maybe I should get at least 2GB? Do I need to worry too much about the proccessor?

It's these I'm choosing between at the moment, I want as cheap as poss, but if it's loads better to get a niftier one I don;t mind spending a bit more...

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/p...s.aspx/inspnnb_1525?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

 

[ChrisFilter]

You need 2GB of ram, really. Anything more is uneccessary, anything less isn't enough.

 

[ChrisFilter]

It's these I'm choosing between at the moment, I want as cheap as poss, but if it's loads better to get a niftier one I don;t mind spending a bit more...

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/p...s.aspx/inspnnb_1525?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

The £399 one looks to the one you want... if you never want to play games, then that should cope more than adequately with anything you throw at it.

 

[scumbalina]

The £399 one looks to the one you want... if you never want to play games, then that should cope more than adequately with anything you throw at it.

That's the one I was thinking of, that or getting the £339 one and paying £30 for an extra 1GB to be aded, do you reckon it's better to go with the £399 one and for the extra £30 get a better processor and bigger hardrive?

No, I won't be doing gaming on it, strictly Playstation and nintendo console gal!

 

[ChrisFilter]

That's the one I was thinking of, that or getting the £339 one and paying £30 for an extra 1GB to be aded, do you reckon it's better to go with the £399 one and for the extra £30 get a better processor and bigger hardrive?

Go with the £399, but get it off a reputable ebay seller. Cheaper and no lead time.

No, I won't be doing gaming on it, strictly Playstation and nintendo console gal!

You don't know what you're missing

 

[scumbalina]

Go with the £399, but get it off a reputable ebay seller. Cheaper and no lead time.

Thanks, will look into that now!

You don't know what you're missing

God, don't, it takes all my will power to resist. I really don't need another excuse to not get any work done!

 

[ChrisFilter]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-INSPIRON...217943636QQihZ002QQcategoryZ177QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-VOSTRO-1...205181825QQihZ004QQcategoryZ177QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-INSPIRON...219551518QQihZ002QQcategoryZ177QQcmdZViewItem

Three that fit the bill. Step-in come with a personal recommendation from me, and several others I know who bought from them on my recommendation!

 

[scumbalina]

Thanks Chris, that was cool of you, will keep an eye on the other stuff that guy has for sale as not sure gonna be decided in time for those auctions!. Have been looking at those links and checking out the Vostro, you can actually get them really cheap from Dell http://www.euro.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/vostro_nb?c=uk&cs=ukbsd1&l=en&s=bsd, am a bit confused as there's so much to choose from but at the moment so if anyone has any advice (or warnings to steer well clear of them) that's be great.

 

[ChrisFilter]

Vostro are fine, halfway between the business and consumer market. Think they're designed specifically for small business. Dell are perfectly cheap, but be careful 'cos they're selling fuck loads at the moment and often have a 6 week lead time. Hence the recommendation of Step-In.

 

[scumbalina]

Vostro are fine, halfway between the business and consumer market. Think they're designed specifically for small business. Dell are perfectly cheap, but be careful 'cos they're selling fuck loads at the moment and often have a 6 week lead time. Hence the recommendation of Step-In.

Thanks Chris, you've been dead helpful.

Think I've decided on the £299 Vostro 1400 with an upgraded battery, now just deciding between vista business or XP professional. As long as I can stick my software on with vista I think I'll go for that. Might get in touch with Step=In and see if they can do it quicker/cheaper!

Nearly there....!

 

[ChrisFilter]

Nice one.. just make sure it has 2GB if you go for Vista.

I'd choose Vista, but then I only run mass market apps and have Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark all installed and working perfectly. They're all the latest versions though, dunno if that has an effect.