Recommend me a laptop
- Thread starter bigshurv
- Start date
I'm surprised we've only had a couple mentions for netbooks on here. To me it sounds like that would suit him great.
Since he doesn't want Mac (such a shame) I'll be brief. I know I have used Microsoft products on it, and have swapped files to a windows PC with not too big a problem. Of course those files weren't super complicated spread sheets or word docs but still.
As far as hardware compatibility, I've hooked up 5 different external drives from various manufacturer's, 3 different cameras, the usual phone etc, 2 gps's too, a router. The thing that took the longest to set up was the router, and that was because I was setting up file/printer sharing. Oh that total took me about 10 minutes. There is no drivers required when you plug in a device for the Mac. Oh and the Mac works. I think I've had a total of 3 system crashes where I had to do a hard reboot. That was when I was only running about 5 programs dealing with file sharing/extracting/itunes/lots of stuff. But then I do crazy s**t with my computer that most won't do.
Oh and vmware fusion for any windows games. Most of those are becoming availiable for mac too.
Since he doesn't want Mac (such a shame) I'll be brief. I know I have used Microsoft products on it, and have swapped files to a windows PC with not too big a problem. Of course those files weren't super complicated spread sheets or word docs but still.
As far as hardware compatibility, I've hooked up 5 different external drives from various manufacturer's, 3 different cameras, the usual phone etc, 2 gps's too, a router. The thing that took the longest to set up was the router, and that was because I was setting up file/printer sharing. Oh that total took me about 10 minutes. There is no drivers required when you plug in a device for the Mac. Oh and the Mac works. I think I've had a total of 3 system crashes where I had to do a hard reboot. That was when I was only running about 5 programs dealing with file sharing/extracting/itunes/lots of stuff. But then I do crazy s**t with my computer that most won't do.
Oh and vmware fusion for any windows games. Most of those are becoming availiable for mac too.
lacroupade
Veteran
RX-78 said:
LOL - last night I watched "World of Warcraft Stole My Life", all about people who met, loved and lost in virtual worlds like WoW and EverQuest - absolutely hysterical. Didn't see you though???
I especially liked the guy who bought large bottles of soda so he could piss in them afterwards to save him getting up from the computer!!! :lol:
I'd recommend an Asus, but mainly because I spent a fair while researching and that's what I've ended up sat in front of. If you are commuting a lot then I'd go with the suggestion about considering an eeePC or similar NetBook. I was a fan of the old Psions so if I ended up not commuting in the car I'd have a NetBook straight away.
Also as said above, look and play at press the buttons at PC World etc etc, but then go home and 30seconds in google and you're likely to find the same one cheaper from just as reputable (or more reputable) companies. In fact, if its PC World you're likely to find it cheaper on their own website since they don't seem to match their store and web prices.
Also as said above, look and play at press the buttons at PC World etc etc, but then go home and 30seconds in google and you're likely to find the same one cheaper from just as reputable (or more reputable) companies. In fact, if its PC World you're likely to find it cheaper on their own website since they don't seem to match their store and web prices.
lacroupade said:RX-78 said:
LOL - last night I watched "World of Warcraft Stole My Life", all about people who met, loved and lost in virtual worlds like WoW and EverQuest - absolutely hysterical. Didn't see you though???
I especially liked the guy who bought large bottles of soda so he could piss in them afterwards to save him getting up from the computer!!! :lol:
Not played computer games for a while but I remember how it felt back then! I can see (well kinda) the justice of using urine bottle, leaving the desk for a second sometimes feels like you might miss the most important goal in a footie match. Only difference is, footie doesn't last several hours
I personally would keep the business computer "clean" - no games, no uneccesarly web browsing (there's been a host of virus recently that infected several major company's official web sites which then infected the end user's PCs), no unidentified programes. In fact I would actually think of buying one low spec laptop for business (honestly, you really dont need that much CPU power/RAM/Graphic card for office computing!) and another decent one for gaming/web browsing etc.
p.s. DO think of back up for your business data. Even keeping tax record will become a disaster if you loose all the data (or laptop stolen)
gannet said:
Ah, I can help you there... PS3 + Call of Duty - plenty of time for the forum when in the lobby waiting for the next arse kicking! Just need to add well timed meal breaks and a slot for The Wire re-run / Champions League.
Okay, who can guess my response to the relationship poll?
lacroupade
Veteran
PawnSacrifice said:
My 16 year-old spends his life in the attic on CoD4
I've already posted my recommendation (Dell), but a few commments on the other posts/recommendations.
Firstly, a laptop battery is a consumable part. The more you use it (run off of it), the short its life becomes. So I do not recommended only using the mains to recharge the battery before disconnecting it again. The opposite is the case, only run off the battery when necessary. ANd try not to let it get too low. IDeally run off the battery as little as possible and recharge as soon as you can, don't leave it running off the battery when you're reach a mains socket, plug it straight into the mains. Laptop batteries don't have a memory these days, so running it down to 85% before recharging is much healthier for the battery than running it down to 20% before recharging.
Also, don't remove the battery when it is fully charged when you intend to use mains power. A battery should be in place all the time even when running off the mains. The laptop can handle trick charging etc.
As for a MAC. FOr me, a MAC is like a fashion accessory. I thought about getting one later in 2008 and each time I visited the local store I noticed is was full of kids, teens and students. A MAC is seen as 'cool' by them. On speaking to the manager of the shop it became clear they didn't want to reduce the cost of a laptop,apparantly "due to the image our products have, they sell themselves, we don't have to discount them'.I didn't like that attitude personally and was also clear Microsoft haters (often due to lack of knowledge) were typical customers.
Another thing that puts me off MAC is this Steve Jobs character (or whatever his name is). WHen people panic over him possibly leaving the company, that just isn't right. IMO, it's a great marketing machine is Apple.
In the case of a Laptop for business and personal use, it's WIndows 7 all the way. The Apple laptops are a good fashion accessory, you want to stand out, its cool,and it doesn't run MS WIndows which is good for the MS haters out there due to lack of understanding or sheep hearding behaviour and doesnt runr MS Office unless you pay £££££. But in no way is it great at all things like a buit to custom spec Dell with Windows 7 ....and potentially a decent discount
Firstly, a laptop battery is a consumable part. The more you use it (run off of it), the short its life becomes. So I do not recommended only using the mains to recharge the battery before disconnecting it again. The opposite is the case, only run off the battery when necessary. ANd try not to let it get too low. IDeally run off the battery as little as possible and recharge as soon as you can, don't leave it running off the battery when you're reach a mains socket, plug it straight into the mains. Laptop batteries don't have a memory these days, so running it down to 85% before recharging is much healthier for the battery than running it down to 20% before recharging.
Also, don't remove the battery when it is fully charged when you intend to use mains power. A battery should be in place all the time even when running off the mains. The laptop can handle trick charging etc.
As for a MAC. FOr me, a MAC is like a fashion accessory. I thought about getting one later in 2008 and each time I visited the local store I noticed is was full of kids, teens and students. A MAC is seen as 'cool' by them. On speaking to the manager of the shop it became clear they didn't want to reduce the cost of a laptop,apparantly "due to the image our products have, they sell themselves, we don't have to discount them'.I didn't like that attitude personally and was also clear Microsoft haters (often due to lack of knowledge) were typical customers.
Another thing that puts me off MAC is this Steve Jobs character (or whatever his name is). WHen people panic over him possibly leaving the company, that just isn't right. IMO, it's a great marketing machine is Apple.
In the case of a Laptop for business and personal use, it's WIndows 7 all the way. The Apple laptops are a good fashion accessory, you want to stand out, its cool,and it doesn't run MS WIndows which is good for the MS haters out there due to lack of understanding or sheep hearding behaviour
and doesnt runr MS Office unless you pay £££££. But in no way is it great at all things like a buit to custom spec Dell with Windows 7 ....and potentially a decent discount Well mine certainly didn't handle it. I rarely ran it off the battery and was usually plugged in when operating it, with the original battery in place. Battery life after 12 months was only 20mins from fully charged. Dell didn't want to know. The advice I found online when researching this problem was that you SHOULD remove the battery when using it plugged in, but as I say that was just what I found online somewhere and just reiterating it here so could be wrongDarren M said:
That's actually a very good idea, but for other reasons. I hate the action of the keyboard on my wife's Acer laptop and much prefer the feel of the keys on my Dell. It's enough to initially put me off an Acer but to be honest it's something I'd probably get used to.cj_eds said:
mine neither... Acer laptop, battery life now 5 minsa11y said:Well mine certainly didn't handle it. I rarely ran it off the battery and was usually plugged in when operating it, with the original battery in place. Battery life after 12 months was only 20mins from fully charged. Dell didn't want to know. The advice I found online when researching this problem was that you SHOULD remove the battery when using it plugged in, but as I say that was just what I found online somewhere and just reiterating it here so could be wrongDarren M said:
a11y said:Well mine certainly didn't handle it. I rarely ran it off the battery and was usually plugged in when operating it, with the original battery in place. Battery life after 12 months was only 20mins from fully charged. Dell didn't want to know. The advice I found online when researching this problem was that you SHOULD remove the battery when using it plugged in, but as I say that was just what I found online somewhere and just reiterating it here so could be wrongDarren M said:
Strange, usually this would happen if battery is used too much. In my old Inspiron 6000 this happened but I did run the battery down low sometimes.
Did you use it placed on your lap quite often, or just use it on a table or desk?. Temperature can affect the life of a battery, when on your lap they can get a little warmer than when used on a desk. It's worth noting that newer laptops run cooler now so this will also make batteries last longer, but if you stiffle it by using it on your lap often the temperature will rise.
Also note that batteries even when not used do have a shelf-life. Temperature does affect them. I have heard that storing a new battery in the fridge will enhance its life. Rather than removing the battery when on mains, it could be worth getting two such as a 4 cell and a 9 cell battery and storing the fully charged expensive 9 cell one in the fridge when not needed - but that would be a hassle. I should add that I have not tried this fridge thing
I was quite surprised at how temperature affect the life of a laptop battery
The main killer of a Li Ion battery is indeed its operating temperature.
From Wiki:
Fully Charged (loss per year): 6% loss at 0 °C (32 °F), 20% at 25 °C (77 °F), and 35% at 40 °C (104 °F).
40%–60% charge level; the capacity loss is reduced to 2%, 4%, 15% at 0, 25 and 40 degrees Celsius respectively
Therefore, as the laptops CPU/Mobo/HDD etc. heat up the casing, this suggests leaving the battery out of the laptop is for the best! This is also why you usually recieve Li-Ion devices around half full
From Wiki:
Fully Charged (loss per year): 6% loss at 0 °C (32 °F), 20% at 25 °C (77 °F), and 35% at 40 °C (104 °F).
40%–60% charge level; the capacity loss is reduced to 2%, 4%, 15% at 0, 25 and 40 degrees Celsius respectively
Therefore, as the laptops CPU/Mobo/HDD etc. heat up the casing, this suggests leaving the battery out of the laptop is for the best! This is also why you usually recieve Li-Ion devices around half full
Ah, that's all good info Darren M and EdButler.
I usually use mine on a desk - very rarely do I have it on my lap - so shouldn't have been an issue. Not too fussed as it's rare that I use it from the battery and I just bought a non-Dell battery as a replacement.
LOL at keeping batteries in the fridge. I can see the logic of that but can just imagine my wife's reaction - it's bad enough that I keep my Camelbak bladder (drinking system for biking) in the freezer to prevent bacteria build up :lol:
I usually use mine on a desk - very rarely do I have it on my lap - so shouldn't have been an issue. Not too fussed as it's rare that I use it from the battery and I just bought a non-Dell battery as a replacement.
LOL at keeping batteries in the fridge. I can see the logic of that but can just imagine my wife's reaction - it's bad enough that I keep my Camelbak bladder (drinking system for biking) in the freezer to prevent bacteria build up :lol:
I've taken your advice and been out and about pressing buttons.I've bought a HP Pavilion DM3-1025sa. It seems to have everything I want and is very neat and has plenty of features.It was bang on my £ 500 budget and I'm happy with it. It seemed that all laptops were a compromise of some sort,but boy are there too many to chose from!!!