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Old 15-07-2009, 20:01   #1
Mark
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Question Spec me big laptops

I'm a bit out of the loop with these. What are the current options when it comes to big(ish) laptops on a budget. Say 17", dual core, cheapest graphics, 1280x768 or above, 2GB, any non-Apple OS (already have a Windows 7 HP license earmarked for it if needed). It won't be doing anything more strenuous than web/email and a bit of Photoshop Elements or similar.

I'm very much a Dell/Intel fanboy, but it isn't for me so I can be persuaded otherwise.

Edit - 16" might do, and maybe even 15.4", but the word "big" was certainly used in the request. Don't mind if it's heavy, do mind if the battery life sucks.

Last edited by Mark; 15-07-2009 at 20:16.
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Old 15-07-2009, 21:52   #2
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Unfortunately the bigger the laptop, the worse I've found the battery life to be. My Acer is 17" and the battery will last between 90 mins and 2 hours depending on usage. It's very rarely off mains power so it's not really an issue for me though.

I'll go hunting for some laptops tomorrow for you
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Old 15-07-2009, 22:37   #3
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Thankyou. Based on usual usage, that sort of battery life would be OK. Some of them barely manage an hour and it's those that I'd like to pass on.
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Old 15-07-2009, 22:59   #4
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Hmmm, I actually have a Inspiron 9400 from new that would do the trick. 1920*1200 on a 17" screen. The trick with these laptops is to get the more battery pack with more cells. If I just do spreadsheets then it will last 3.5 hours (that was with the backlight turned down a bit).

A 9400 that I found on ebay is with the 9 cell battery is (you can probably hunt around).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dell-Inspiron-9400-17-LCD-Gaming-Laptop-ndc-7094_W0QQitemZ380139150611QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Co mputing_Laptops_EH?hash=item58820f1d13&_trksid=p32 86.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|2 94%3A50



Alternatively I priced up the following on Dell with a 17" 1900*1200 screen, 7200 hdd, bluetooth, wireless, 9 cell but it was £700. Again a 30 second price up....




ComponentsIntel® Pentium® Processor T4200 (2.0GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)

Genuine Windows Vista® SP1 Home Basic - English

Jet Black Colour with Matte Finish

Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)

1 Year Limited Warranty - Collect & Return

17.0" Widescreen WUXGA+ CCFL (1920x1200) TFT Display with TrueLife™

2048MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]

250GB (7200RPM) Serial ATA Hard Drive

Intel Integrated GMA 4500MHD

Fixed Internal DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software

Primary 9-cell 85 WHr Lithium Ion battery

Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g)

No Mobile Broadband Selected

Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module

Web Camera Not Included

Internal UK English Qwerty Keyboard

No security option selected


AccessoriesNo Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English


Services & SoftwareNo Accidental Damage Support

DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year



Also Includes
1 Meter Power Cord (3 Wire) - UK
English - Documentation Studio 1737
N0773501
1Yr Limited Warranty - Collect & Return
90W AC Adaptor
Studio 1737 Order - UK
No Carrying Case
Studio 1737 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
Wireless Label - Pentium Dual Core
Datasafe Local 2.0 Basic
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Old 16-07-2009, 00:08   #5
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Good call on both counts. Will be discussing this at the weekend.
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Old 16-07-2009, 06:24   #6
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17" MBP with Windows 7 on it?

*hides behind Dym*
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Old 16-07-2009, 10:34   #7
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May I suggest you stop hiding and say what you really think.
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Old 16-07-2009, 17:43   #8
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?
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Old 16-07-2009, 17:52   #9
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What the....!!??
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Old 16-07-2009, 17:54   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dymetrie View Post
What the....!!??
It's a big laptop...
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