laptops

[Rincewind]

thought about getting one. Somebody suggested Tesco or Asda. Magna Park too far so looked at Tesco online. What does anyone think? Just want a basic one really that I can use when away from home.

Tesco link to Acer laptop and the price or less. not much more.

[The People's Hero]

What are you planning to use it for?

[Rincewind]

some gaming foxestalk and other messageboards and maybe a backup for my pc. Not too much really. Just want the basics with a wireless output enabled. Probably play some poker on it as well if I can get a connection where I work but not bothered I'll just use it for games and filing unused items that are on my pc. It just depends. If I get a lower priced one I can always sell it on after a year if I find its not for me,

[The People's Hero]

Depends how demanding the games are.

The processor and level of memory you're getting on that are fairly basic. I tend to avoid Celeron to be honest. It's got the bog standard on board graphics card too which basically means that the graphics card and everything else have to share resources, rather than the graphics card having it 'own' memory. This would have impacts on almost all modern games (might be okay for running football manager etc though).

What sort of games are you in to?

This laptop would certainly be fine for standard online browsing use etc.

[Rincewind]

Football manager would be OK though dont have the up to date one. Not very good at shoot em up arcade type games. Better at strategy games but not much better. Games like snooker or golf. I'm a terrible driver in the racing games so theres room for improvement. I play a little poker online so dont know if I could access the site with my pc login details. Just maintaining a connection could be a problem. What sort of price do the other type start from? This was just a random choice from the lowerpriced ones.

theres this one. dont think its Celoron.

[Guest]

Magna Park too far so looked at Tesco online. What does anyone think?

Why would you go to Magna Park? Get the bus to Beaumont Leys Shopping centre, or to Hamilton or whatever.

[Rincewind]

Magna Park is where Asda is but I discounted that anyway., That and Tescos were just two places suggested that had laptops at a reduced price. Beaumont Leys should be OK. I went in Currys. Stood looking at the laptops for about 20 minutes. Nobody came over to try and flog me one. I need to have some idea what I want as I think Tesco will be a pick up from the shelf store. If there is a salesperson about to give additional advice and information all the better.

Only thing is I was thinking of getting a fridge freezer. Seen one in Iceland about the right size and price. I'd just like a laptop for when I go up Lake District. MPossible I'll go on the train so I can play with it then.

[Guest]

Magna Park is where Asda is but I discounted that anyway.

It's the distribution centre and offices from what I can gather. Are you sure you don't mean Fosse Park?

[The People's Hero]

Magna Park is where Asda is but I discounted that anyway., That and Tescos were just two places suggested that had laptops at a reduced price. Beaumont Leys should be OK. I went in Currys. Stood looking at the laptops for about 20 minutes. Nobody came over to try and flog me one. I need to have some idea what I want as I think Tesco will be a pick up from the shelf store. If there is a salesperson about to give additional advice and information all the better.

Only thing is I was thinking of getting a fridge freezer. Seen one in Iceland about the right size and price. I'd just like a laptop for when I go up Lake District. MPossible I'll go on the train so I can play with it then.

Dell?

[Rincewind]

Probably. Got Friday off anyway. Will have a look around. Got a OD facility that'll cover it. Want to get it before my rent rises. Had a letter from the fair rent office saying they had received an application from the landlord for a increase. They want about £12 more pw. The FRO are not bound to grant it tho and I never signed the form.

It is cheap compared to other rented places but I will still object if it goes up too much. The rise they want per month is a days work for me.

[The People's Hero]

Probably. Got Friday off anyway. Will have a look around. Got a OD facility that'll cover it. Want to get it before my rent rises. Had a letter from the fair rent office saying they had received an application from the landlord for a increase. They want about £12 more pw. The FRO are not bound to grant it tho and I never signed the form.

It is cheap compared to other rented places but I will still object if it goes up too much. The rise they want per month is a days work for me.

Sign up to AOL broadband and they will give you a free laptop which is ample for your needs

[danny.]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128981

this is £340 after cash back and will be probably be faster than the Tesco one.

It's important with any budget machine to get XP (which that ebuyer one has) and not Vista. Vista requires a very fast PC otherwise it's just horrible and very very slow.

I have a very quick machine and still I wouldn't want to use Vista.

EDIT: Just seen the Tesco one isn't 599 but has been reduced to 349. Actually seems very decent specs for the price, although having Vista on it would still put me off.

[Rincewind]

Someone else told me not to get Vista (one who said go Tesco or Asda) but they all seem to have Vista on now.

Can the speed be upgraded on a laptop?

Another thing I thought about was is that I could very easily use a laptop as my main PC. I'm on my own so am the only one using it. Instead of leaving it in the house I'd take it withj me to work.

I'm on NTL/Virgin broadband along with my TV and telephone. Mind I only have the basic TV package which I could get with any set top. If I thought I could reach somebody at Virgin Media I'd think about changing to just telephone/broadband.

I shall see if Tesco have any without Vista. They may not put all of them on the website cos the new thing is Vista and they think nobody wants XP now.

this one is XP Home?

There are a couple others but out of my price range. May look in Mays for advice and info before going Tescos.

[mancunianfox]

If your budget can stretch to it I would go with this

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128684

£329.99 inc vat and delivery.

It has an Intel Core2 Duo processor that will be much better than either a Celeron or Sempron processor. Should easily do what you want with it and my HP gear has always been very reliable. Not sure why you would want XP over Vista. Everyone will be using Vista within 18 months so there is no point in buying a laptop with an out of date OS installed.

[Kent Fox]

This has probably been said but I CBA to look through the thread..

Buy a cheap lappy. My experience of them is that they tend to start going wrong after 18mths - 2 years, so you're wasting money buying an expensive one. Unless it's me fcuking them up, of course.

My last bad buy - Sony Vaio.

My next buy - Apple.

Vista is sh ite. It is for people who have no clue on how to use a PC. It is boring. Looks good, but very, very dull.

That's my opinion. Take it or leave it.

[Rincewind]

Nothing against Vista, its just that a previous post said a a higher speed is needed on run it. I've printed the suggestions off so If I do have to tell a salesperson what I want I'll have a guideline. That is about the price range though. It has a DVD so I can watch films as well.. I want to keep the price fairly low as I don't know what extras I'll need.

[coale39]

If you can stretch to this, this one is very good. 1gb of ram, centrino duo and a graphics card. £399

If i was buying a new lappy I would buy this one.

The Samsung R20 demands attention. For high-powered professionals, gamers or anyone who just likes their technology to look good this is the ultimate lifestyle accessory that's guaranteed to get you noticed. With its dark, dynamic aura, the R20 offers the best of everything - style, ergonomics and performance. And its ultra-durable casing means you'll stay looking good wherever life takes you.

• Processor: Intel Core Duo T2350 - 1.86GHz (x2), 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache
  
• RAM: 1GB DDR2
  
• Hard Drive: 120GB
  
• Screen: 14.1" with SuperClear Technology
  
• Optical Drive: DVD±RW
  
• Warranty: 1 Year Collect and Return
  
• Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
  

Here

Edit to say this laptop would run vista fine.

[The People's Hero]

If you can stretch to this, this one is very good. 1gb of ram, centrino duo and a graphics card. £399

If i was buying a new lappy I would buy this one.

The Samsung R20 demands attention. For high-powered professionals, gamers or anyone who just likes their technology to look good this is the ultimate lifestyle accessory that's guaranteed to get you noticed. With its dark, dynamic aura, the R20 offers the best of everything - style, ergonomics and performance. And its ultra-durable casing means you'll stay looking good wherever life takes you.

• Processor: Intel Core Duo T2350 - 1.86GHz (x2), 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache
  
• RAM: 1GB DDR2
  
• Hard Drive: 120GB
  
• Screen: 14.1" with SuperClear Technology
  
• Optical Drive: DVD±RW
  
• Warranty: 1 Year Collect and Return
  
• Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
  

Here

Edit to say this laptop would run vista fine.

Great shout.

Has a 128 mb dedicated graphics card too.

That's great value for the money and would run Vista with no probs.

[Rincewind]

Thats the top end of my price rang but I'll print it off and see if theres another similar when I go and inquire.

Thanks everyone. I would order from the place indicated but now I have the thought in my head I am feeling compulsive and cant wait. As they say its now or never.

[mancunianfox]

This has probably been said but I CBA to look through the thread..

Buy a cheap lappy. My experience of them is that they tend to start going wrong after 18mths - 2 years, so you're wasting money buying an expensive one. Unless it's me fcuking them up, of course.

My last bad buy - Sony Vaio.

My next buy - Apple.

Vista is sh ite. It is for people who have no clue on how to use a PC. It is boring. Looks good, but very, very dull.

That's my opinion. Take it or leave it.

Isn't that the point? As I use my PC for games I have Vista just for DirectX10. Will shut up Xbox 360 owners once they see Crysis running in DX10. I think it is an improvement on XP and certainly easier to use. Perhaps not suited to a laptop thats using less than a gig of ram though.

[Rincewind]

Im no PC expert but I'm no numbskull either. If I keep it junk free and dont clutter it up being a little slow wont matter too much. I can be patient. If its on the laptop I'll be able to see if I want to upgrade my PC and I'll be used to it . I'll make about 1mg a priority though.

[coale39]

Im no PC expert but I'm no numbskull either. If I keep it junk free and dont clutter it up being a little slow wont matter too much. I can be patient. If its on the laptop I'll be able to see if I want to upgrade my PC and I'll be used to it . I'll make about 1mg a priority though.

Vista is only noticable slow and crap with computers with below 1gb of ram. I have just upgraded ta vista premium on my laptop and I dont think its any slower. Mind you I have 1gb ram so I wouldn't expect to.

[MPH]

Someone else told me not to get Vista (one who said go Tesco or Asda) but they all seem to have Vista on now.

Can the speed be upgraded on a laptop?

Another thing I thought about was is that I could very easily use a laptop as my main PC. I'm on my own so am the only one using it. Instead of leaving it in the house I'd take it withj me to work.

I'm on NTL/Virgin broadband along with my TV and telephone. Mind I only have the basic TV package which I could get with any set top. If I thought I could reach somebody at Virgin Media I'd think about changing to just telephone/broadband.

I shall see if Tesco have any without Vista. They may not put all of them on the website cos the new thing is Vista and they think nobody wants XP now.

this one is XP Home?

There are a couple others but out of my price range. May look in Mays for advice and info before going Tescos.

one of the biggest problems with laptops is their upgrading facility- or lack of. Because they are so compact they are specifically designed to be used with the memoery /hard drive/ processor to ensure there is no over heating. if you upgrade them at all you run the risk of them overheating, ect.... you really need to be spending a decent amount of money on a laptop for it to comfortably run games like FM. Mine had a 2.8 pentium processor and struggled with 07.

Dont forget that the speed of a 2.8 pentium processor for a laptop will operate considerably slower than it would for a desk top because it is so much smaller and compact. However if it is just your back up puter or you are using it whilst away then that might not be much of an issue- things like battery life might concern you more!.

[MPH]

my other advice would be to consider getting a laptop mailed to you from the states. I have a friend who did that and she is delighted with hers. she is a barrister and needs somthing reliable.

If you are considering spending £300 pounds on one then thats like $600 and you can get more for your money that way.

http://www.tigerdirect.com

would be the place to look

[Rincewind]

got one from Mays. Fujitsu Siemans. Rhey upgraded to 1 gig for the same price £399. Have it on now but cannot get internet connection. might be my firewall or no pc wireless adapter. In the shop it came up with a list of networks. They were all protected tho. cant find how to bring the list up. just says no network availsable.

bought a cheap golf game from the pound shop and a web designer program from Mays. Just something to play around with when I cant connect. I'll take my time with the web designer one before I publish it on the net.

I have tried connecting before with my pc to local network and failed.. my laptop says there may be a problem with one or more adapters on this compuiter.

no idea what that means.

I may need an adapter.