Laptops

Haly · 05-03-2008, 15:56

Thanks to my accident a few weeks back, my shoulder's a bit knackered to say the least (back to where it was pre-physio when I was in Stafford last year for those who heard me whining about it back then

) and sitting at a desk all day is the worst thing I can possibly do to it.
Unfortunately my new job involves all desk work so I can struggle through that but by the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is sit at a desk on the PC at home. Same thing happens at the weekend as I'm trying to rest it as much as possible then too.
As I still need a PC for various things (if nothing else, the game reviews I do), I've decided to go for a laptop come next payday as I can sit on the floor against a beanbag and rest my shoulder.

I don't want a desktop replacement but I've got a rough idea of requirements.
It'll mainly be for basic word processing/internet etc. But I would like some form of graphics card so I can still play World of Warcraft on it every now and then. I'd only need something like a Geforce 8300GS (which is what's in my PC at the moment). I just don't want onboard graphics.
2gb RAM is essential.
Not sure on CPU, overheard the IT guy at work saying AMD are equal to the core2duos in laptops but I'm not sure about that as I don't know him well enough to know if he knows what he's talking about

Not bothered about HD space as I've got an external HD kicking around and as it's not a desktop replacement, it's not vital for masses of space.

My budget is max £450 but ideally £400. I'm not adverse to paying £450, it just has to offer enough to warrant the extra £50

I've had a look on Europc, Dell, Dell Outlet and Ebuyer. Dell Outlet and Europc seem a good bet so far.

Main thing after all that waffle is just to check that I'm going down the right routes.

Admiral Huddy · 05-03-2008, 16:07

Checkout Novatech.. I've been supplying PCs and Laptops from them for a few months now.

LeperousDust · 05-03-2008, 17:25

Dell everytime! Check their outlet thing like you have, and hot uk deals for the usual dell offers. I've experienced quite a few laptops now (fixing students laptops gives me pretty good indication) and Dell make some stunning laptops, thats why i'm using one right now

Although the other big makes (not the cheap crappy Acer types et all) are generally just as good, in fact i've been pretty impressed with HP lappys too if you can get those cheaper...

Basically to sum up, go for bigs names and big offers with hot uk deals

Works everytime

Haly · 05-03-2008, 17:29

Thanks Huddy

I'll have a look now.

Sounds like I'm doing the right thing then Alex

Been keeping an eye on hotukdeals and I know Dell seem to have the new offers on a Thursday.

Don't suppose you know anywhere that does student discounts? Still got an NUS card as I'm a part time student. It'd be handy if somewhere did them

And should I stick with looking for a core2duo or would an AMD chip be any good?

LeperousDust · 05-03-2008, 17:45

C2D all the way, i forgot to mention the guy was kinda talking out his arse when he compared the two. I'm all for competition but AMD pretty much suck atm, C2D are great performers but more importantly are great on battery life too

Don't know of any decent student discount stuff that would be better than HUD, and by god i've tried to find one!

Mark · 05-03-2008, 17:51

Agreed on HUKD and the C2D processor.

Sadly the spec is rather too high for my ol' D600, otherwise I'd have offered you that.

Stan_Lite · 05-03-2008, 18:27

Another Dell fan here. I love my M1710 - I know it's a lot meatier than you're looking for but the build quality is excellent and it works beautifully.

Oddly enough, I was just reading an article in last month's PCPlus magazine last night about AMD mobile systems. The gist of it was that, although AMD were catching up on Intel's Centrino platform, they still have a way to go yet. The newer AMD platform (Kite Refresh) is close to Centrino in functionality but the chips aren't up to the job yet with lower performance and higher power usage, shortening battery life. Their new platform due out this year (Puma) doesn't sound all that promising either. The article said that "The introduction of Puma will bring AMD up to date with last year's technology."

Basically, you won't get much better than a Dell with a C2D Centrino, imo

Haly · 05-03-2008, 19:13

Fair enough

I thought he was talking nonsense from what I knew of desktops but thought I'd check just in case

Funnily enough hotukdeals have got a decent Dell one for £445 listed that matches everything I want but I don't have the money right now, doh!

Daz · 05-03-2008, 20:01

Agreed with the majority, Dell, C2D, HUKD

I'll recommend EuroPC though if you want it on 0% finance - they were great with me. Had to ring up to get the spec I wanted though, the website doesnt have everything on it.

Haly · 05-03-2008, 20:30

Don't tempt me with 0% deals

I'll end up buying more than I need

I'll keep an eye on things then

I get paid on a Friday in a couple of weeks so just in time for the Thursday deals

05-03-2008, 15:56	#1
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Laptops Thanks to my accident a few weeks back, my shoulder's a bit knackered to say the least (back to where it was pre-physio when I was in Stafford last year for those who heard me whining about it back then ) and sitting at a desk all day is the worst thing I can possibly do to it. Unfortunately my new job involves all desk work so I can struggle through that but by the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is sit at a desk on the PC at home. Same thing happens at the weekend as I'm trying to rest it as much as possible then too. As I still need a PC for various things (if nothing else, the game reviews I do), I've decided to go for a laptop come next payday as I can sit on the floor against a beanbag and rest my shoulder. I don't want a desktop replacement but I've got a rough idea of requirements. It'll mainly be for basic word processing/internet etc. But I would like some form of graphics card so I can still play World of Warcraft on it every now and then. I'd only need something like a Geforce 8300GS (which is what's in my PC at the moment). I just don't want onboard graphics. 2gb RAM is essential. Not sure on CPU, overheard the IT guy at work saying AMD are equal to the core2duos in laptops but I'm not sure about that as I don't know him well enough to know if he knows what he's talking about Not bothered about HD space as I've got an external HD kicking around and as it's not a desktop replacement, it's not vital for masses of space. My budget is max £450 but ideally £400. I'm not adverse to paying £450, it just has to offer enough to warrant the extra £50 I've had a look on Europc, Dell, Dell Outlet and Ebuyer. Dell Outlet and Europc seem a good bet so far. Main thing after all that waffle is just to check that I'm going down the right routes. __________________ Halycopter

05-03-2008, 16:07	#2
Admiral Huddy HOMO-Sapien Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 6,692	Checkout Novatech.. I've been supplying PCs and Laptops from them for a few months now. __________________ I just got lost in thought.. It was very unfamiliar territory. Techie Talk \| My gaming Blog \| PC spec \| The Admirals log

05-03-2008, 17:25	#3
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Dell everytime! Check their outlet thing like you have, and hot uk deals for the usual dell offers. I've experienced quite a few laptops now (fixing students laptops gives me pretty good indication) and Dell make some stunning laptops, thats why i'm using one right now Although the other big makes (not the cheap crappy Acer types et all) are generally just as good, in fact i've been pretty impressed with HP lappys too if you can get those cheaper... Basically to sum up, go for bigs names and big offers with hot uk deals Works everytime __________________

05-03-2008, 17:29	#4
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Thanks Huddy I'll have a look now. Sounds like I'm doing the right thing then Alex Been keeping an eye on hotukdeals and I know Dell seem to have the new offers on a Thursday. Don't suppose you know anywhere that does student discounts? Still got an NUS card as I'm a part time student. It'd be handy if somewhere did them And should I stick with looking for a core2duo or would an AMD chip be any good? __________________ Halycopter

05-03-2008, 17:45	#5
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	C2D all the way, i forgot to mention the guy was kinda talking out his arse when he compared the two. I'm all for competition but AMD pretty much suck atm, C2D are great performers but more importantly are great on battery life too Don't know of any decent student discount stuff that would be better than HUD, and by god i've tried to find one! __________________

05-03-2008, 17:51	#6
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Agreed on HUKD and the C2D processor. Sadly the spec is rather too high for my ol' D600, otherwise I'd have offered you that.

05-03-2008, 18:27	#7
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	Another Dell fan here. I love my M1710 - I know it's a lot meatier than you're looking for but the build quality is excellent and it works beautifully. Oddly enough, I was just reading an article in last month's PCPlus magazine last night about AMD mobile systems. The gist of it was that, although AMD were catching up on Intel's Centrino platform, they still have a way to go yet. The newer AMD platform (Kite Refresh) is close to Centrino in functionality but the chips aren't up to the job yet with lower performance and higher power usage, shortening battery life. Their new platform due out this year (Puma) doesn't sound all that promising either. The article said that "The introduction of Puma will bring AMD up to date with last year's technology." Basically, you won't get much better than a Dell with a C2D Centrino, imo __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

05-03-2008, 19:13	#8
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Fair enough I thought he was talking nonsense from what I knew of desktops but thought I'd check just in case Funnily enough hotukdeals have got a decent Dell one for £445 listed that matches everything I want but I don't have the money right now, doh! __________________ Halycopter

05-03-2008, 20:01	#9
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Agreed with the majority, Dell, C2D, HUKD I'll recommend EuroPC though if you want it on 0% finance - they were great with me. Had to ring up to get the spec I wanted though, the website doesnt have everything on it. __________________ apt-get moo

05-03-2008, 20:30	#10
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Don't tempt me with 0% deals I'll end up buying more than I need I'll keep an eye on things then I get paid on a Friday in a couple of weeks so just in time for the Thursday deals __________________ Halycopter