Digital Paint Discussion Board
Digital Paint Community => Other Stuff => Topic started by: lekky on March 31, 2008, 02:55:19 PM
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I'm looking to buy a laptop and wondered of anyone had any advice or recommendations?
I'd like to spend around £300 ($600?) on it, with at least 1GB of RAM and a decent HD 80GB min although I'd prefer more.
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Seen the recent PC World adverts? Looks like what you're looking for.
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There is no such thing as a gaming laptop.
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What about those quad-core beast laptops?
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There is no such thing as a gaming laptop.
Thanks...
Back on topic, PC World refurbished laptops seem cheap at a decent spec? No idea if refurbished laptops will last tho, anyone offer any help on that?
This is the result of my thus far lacklustre research:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1153236251.1206989936@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccegadedjmflledcflgceggdhhmdgml.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=973396&category_oid=#productInformationSection
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I'm serious. :( You can get a really good overpriced one that'll play the lastest games, until it starts to break down five or six months later. And laptops are pretty tough to reliably repair yourself. If you want one that can actually play game decently, just get a desktop. It'll cost about half as much for the same thing, and it'll be a cinch to swap out parts if something breaks.
If you just need the laptop for office-based stuff or not-so-new games, then disregard the above. :D But either way, get a Vista-free laptop.
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I'm sure by both of Lekky's post that he doesn't want a 'gaming' laptop :P
Lekky: Do you have anywhere you could buy a laptop like this?
(http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pavilion-DV6701US-15-4-Widescreen-Laptop-DV6701US/sem/rpsm/oid/203096/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do#prodspecs)
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There is no such thing as a gaming laptop.
I play on laptop most of my time and it suites me well ???
For Lekky: One that actually has inet :P
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I'm serious. :( You can get a really good overpriced one that'll play the lastest games, until it starts to break down five or six months later. And laptops are pretty tough to reliably repair yourself. If you want one that can actually play game decently, just get a desktop. It'll cost about half as much for the same thing, and it'll be a cinch to swap out parts if something breaks.
If you just need the laptop for office-based stuff or not-so-new games, then disregard the above. :D But either way, get a Vista-free laptop.
I don't want to play games on it!!! Only football manager...
I'm sure by both of Lekky's post that he doesn't want a 'gaming' laptop :P
Lekky: Do you have anywhere you could buy a laptop like this?
(http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pavilion-DV6701US-15-4-Widescreen-Laptop-DV6701US/sem/rpsm/oid/203096/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do#prodspecs)
Wow y00tz, thats double the rpice here... but its exactly what i want.
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Vista Free is the Way To Be!
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(don't mind my spam)
£332.57 ex vAT
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Samsung R60 Plus - Pentium Dual Core T2330 / 1.6 GHz - RAM 2 GB - HDD 160 GB - DVD±RW (+R double layer) / DVD-RAM - Radeon X1250 - WLAN : 802.11b/g - Vista Home Premium - 15.4" Widescreen TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
Extended specifications
General
System Type: Notebook
Built-in Devices: Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial
Width: 35.8 cm
Depth: 26.5 cm
Height: 3.7 cm
Weight: 2.7 kg
Localisation: United Kingdom
Audio
Audio Output: Sound card
Compliant Standards: High Definition Audio
RAM
Installed Size: 2 GB / 2 GB (max)
Technology: DDR II SDRAM - 667 MHz
Memory Specification Compliance: PC2-5300
Configuration Features: 2 x 1 GB
Processor
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core T2330 / 1.6 GHz
Multi-Core Technology: Dual-Core
Data Bus Speed: 533 MHz
Battery
Technology: 6-cell Lithium Ion
Installed Qty: 1
Capacity: 4000 mAh
Run Time (Up To): 2.5 hour(s)
Operating System / Software
OS Provided: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Software: Cyberlink PowerDVD , Samsung Network Manager, Samsung Battery Manager, Samsung Update Plus, Cyberlink DVD Solution, Magic Doctor, Microsoft Office 2007 (Trial), Samsung Recovery Solution II, Samsung Speed Up Manager, Samsung Display Manager
Input Device(s)
Type: Keyboard, touchpad
Video
Graphics Processor / Vendor: ATI Radeon X1250
Video Memory: 128 MB
Display
Display Type: 15.4" TFT
Max Resolution: 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
Widescreen Display: Yes
Colour support: 24-bit (16.7 million colours)
Features: Super Bright Gloss
Networking
Networking: Network adapter
Wireless LAN Supported: Yes
Wireless NIC: Atheros Super G
Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Compliant Standards: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Cache Memory
Type: L2 Cache
Installed Size: 1 MB
Optical Storage
Type: DVD±RW (+R double layer) / DVD-RAM
Read Speed: 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
Write Speed: 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 2.4x (DVD+R DL)
CD / DVD Rewrite Speed: 16x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM)
Power
Power Device: External
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support: 1 year warranty
Service & Support Details: Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Storage
Hard Drive: 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Slots Total (Free): 2 ( 0 ) x memory
1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard/54
Interfaces: 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 PIN USB Type A
1 x display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
1 x headphones - output - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
1 x microphone - input - mini-phone 3.5mm
1 x modem - phone line - RJ-11
1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
Card Reader
Type: Card reader
Supported Flash Memory Cards: SD Memory Card, MultiMediaCard
Miscellaneous
Features: Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately), system password
Telecom
Modem: Fax / modem
Max Transfer Rate: 56 Kbps
Protocols & Specifications: ITU V.92
Storage Controller
Type: Serial ATA
Serial ATA Interface: Serial ATA-150
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£335.48 ex vAT
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ASUS X51RL AP030C - Pentium Dual Core T2330 / 1.6 GHz - RAM 2 GB - HDD 160 GB - DVD±RW (+R double layer) / DVD-RAM - Radeon Xpress 1100 - WLAN : 802.11b/g - Vista Home Premium - 15.4" Widescreen TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ) Color Shine
Extended specifications
General
System Type: Notebook
Built-in Devices: Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial
Width: 36.5 cm
Depth: 26.4 cm
Height: 3.6 cm
Weight: 2.8 kg
Audio
Audio Output: Sound card
Compliant Standards: Sound Blaster Pro, High Definition Audio
Audio Input: Microphone
RAM
Installed Size: 2 GB / 2 GB (max)
Technology: DDR II SDRAM - 667 MHz
Configuration Features: 2 x 1 GB
Processor
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core T2330 / 1.6 GHz
Multi-Core Technology: Dual-Core
Data Bus Speed: 533 MHz
Chipset Type: ATI Radeon Xpress 1100
Battery
Technology: 6-cell Lithium Ion
Installed Qty: 1
Capacity: 4400 mAh
Operating System / Software
OS Provided: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Software: Drivers & Utilities, ASUS Live Update, ASUS Net4Switch, ASUS MultiFrame, ASUS Power4 Gear eXtreme, ASUS Data Security Manager
Input Device(s)
Type: Keyboard, touchpad
Video
Graphics Processor / Vendor: ATI Radeon Xpress 1100
Display
Display Type: 15.4" TFT
Max Resolution: 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
Widescreen Display: Yes
Features: Color Shine
Networking
Networking: Network adapter
Wireless LAN Supported: Yes
Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Compliant Standards: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Cache Memory
Type: L2 Cache
Installed Size: 2 MB
Optical Storage
Type: DVD±RW (+R double layer) / DVD-RAM
Power
Power Device: External
Voltage Required: AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support: 2 years warranty
Service & Support Details: Limited warranty - 2 years
Storage
Hard Drive: 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Slots Total (Free): 2 ( 0 ) x memory
1 ( 1 ) x CardBus
Interfaces: 1 x display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 PIN USB Type A
1 x audio - SPDIF output/headphones
1 x microphone - input - mini-phone 3.5mm
1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
1 x modem - phone line - RJ-11
Card Reader
Type: 4 in 1 card reader
Supported Flash Memory Cards: SD Memory Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, MultiMediaCard
Miscellaneous
Features: Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately), system password, hard drive password, power-on password
Telecom
Modem: Fax / modem - MDC
Max Transfer Rate: 56 Kbps
Storage Controller
Type: Serial ATA
Serial ATA Interface: Serial ATA-150
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£ 399.00 inc VAT
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HP G6065EA Notebook PC (KH948EA)
technical specifications
Operating system installed Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 32-bit
Processor type AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK57 Mobile Technology
Internal audio 3D Sound Blaster Pro compatible sound 16 bit integrated
Speakers and microphone Altec Lansing® speakers
Battery type 6-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery
Cache Level 2 cache 512 KB
Display resolution 1280 x 800
Display size 15.4" WXGA High Definition BrightView Widescreen
Hard disk controller SATA Hard Disk Drive
Internal hard disk drive 160 GB
Hard disk drive partition up to 9 GB partition for system recovery
Hard disk drive speed 5400 rpm
External I/O ports 3 USB 2.0, 1 VGA port, 1 RJ11 modem connector, 1 RJ45 ethernet connector, S-video TV out, 1 headphones-out, 1 mic-in
Keyboard 101 key compatible keyboard
Memory layout (2 x 1024 MB)
Maximum memory Supports up to 2 GB DDR2 memory
Standard memory 2048 MB
Modem High speed 56K modem
Pointing device Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical Scroll Up/Down pad, volume control, mute button
Network interface Ethernet 10/100BT integrated network interface
Optical drive driver software Windows Media Player ; Windows Photo Gallery ; DVD Play ; Windows Movie Maker, Windows DVD Maker ; Cyberlink DVD Suite ; Windows Media center, QuickPlay for Windows ; HP Total Care Advisor
Optical drive type Super Multi DVD Writer (+/-R +/-RW) with Double Layer support
Power supply type 65 W AC Power Adapter
Downloadable software Special offer: for accessories, software and warranty promotions, please visit: www.mypcchoice.com
Software included Recovery partition (including possibility to recover system, applications and drivers separately); Optional re-allocation of recovery partition; Recovery CD/DVD creation tool; Symantec™ Norton Internet Security™ 2008 (60 days live update); Notebook Help & Support
Pre-installed software Microsoft® Internet Explorer 7.0; Windows Mail; Adobe® Reader 8.0
Software - Productivity & finance Microsoft® Works and Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 60-Day Trial Version
System bus Up to 1600 MHz system bus running at AC/DC mode 35 Watt
Video adapter NVIDIA® GeForce™ 7000M
Video RAM Up to 336MB Total Available Graphics Memory
Webcam Webcam with integrated microphone
Wireless technologies 802.11b/g WLAN
Dimensions (W x D x H) 35.70 cm (L) x 25.70 cm (W) x 2.54 cm (min) H / 3.96 cm (max) H
Package dimensions (W x D x H) 485 x 112 x 360 mm
Weight 3.10 kg (6.87 lbs)
Package weight 4.45 kg
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Spam isn't tolerated here.
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Comparison:
http://qehs.indiereview.co.uk/r/laptops.xlsx
http://qehs.indiereview.co.uk/r/laptops.xls
I guess these are the best i'll find for £400 (yeah my budget went up apparently..). If they are the best (still open to suggestions) which would you guys prefer?
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My only suggestion would be to get one with XP preinstalled.
I am assuming that this is for school work right?
Running XP on a lower end system ( read more affordable) will save you from pulling your hair out in the end.
Also, if you dont need it, dont get an internal modem or straight TV out. Botyh are vary rarely used.
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My only suggestion would be to get one with XP preinstalled.
I am assuming that this is for school work right?
Running XP on a lower end system ( read more affordable) will save you from pulling your hair out in the end.
Also, if you dont need it, dont get an internal modem or straight TV out. Botyh are vary rarely used.
If I was at school it might be...
I work at client offices mostly which means i spend weekdays in a hotel, so for the most part it will be my main PC. I'll be running Football Manager on it and watching pornographic movies mostly, and doing a bit of dev in eclipse and photoshop. It needs tyo be fairly powerful but cheap!!!
I may install XP on it, depending on how fast it runs with Vista, but XP pre-installed is not necessary. Don't need a modem but it seems to come as standard? TV out is ok actually, i would use that quite often!
Would I be able to play any decent games on any of those?
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The ASUS. While I'm not 100% sure about the comparison between the graphics cards I don't think that's as relevant as the CPU, and while the AMD seems good, it's got a nasty bottleneck for the RAM interface in that 512KB of L2 cache... I think that's most likely to impact upon your gaming (since you're not playing a graphically intensive game anyway). The ASUS has a 2MB L2 cache.
ASUS ftw. Even though I like NVidia more.
Oh, you didn't give battery life for the ASUS and I cba reading your spreadsheets. I reckon battery life is important, but not while you're playing or compiling (just plug in).
Sidenote: not that I could be bothered reading the specs for all those gfx cards, but I don't think any of them have dedicated chips for HD content decoding, meaning the CPU gets the brunt of it. So while it may be possible to watch your HD pr0n, just don't do it while running on battery :)
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This is such a pain :(
Is a Core 2 Duo much better than a Dual Core processor? If so thinking about buying one of these and buying some additional RAM
I've kind of narrowed it down to a few laptops:
Asus X50RL-AP999 Laptop (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134523/show_product_overview)
Samsung R60+ Laptop (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139167/show_product_overview)
Asus X50R-AP391C Laptop (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139074/show_product_overview)
I'm thinking about the Asus X50RL-AP999 as it's C2D and then buying an extra GB of RAM to bulk it up..
EDIT: This is meddling hard...
Lenovo 3000 N200 0769 Laptop (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142148/show_product_overview)
HP 6720s Business Laptop (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/133308)
EDIT: Dell Vostro 1700 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5670 1.8GHz 2048MB RAM 160GB HD 128MB nVidia GeForce 8400M GS
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Ok, made up my mind:
Dell Vostro 1700 : £460
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5670 (1.8 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB)
17.0" Widescreen WXGA+ (1440x900) TFT Display
2.0 mega pixel camera
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024)
160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
256MB nVidia® GeForce® 8600M GT
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
Primary 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56 WHr)
56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter
Dell™ Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3Mbps) with Enhanced Data Rate
Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini-Card
Any last ditch advice before i go ahead with it? :P
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Ask if you can get the XP downgrade for it. I talked to my Dell rep a few days ago about it and he said that depending on who you ask when you buy your system, you can get the downgrade media for systems.
Just a thought.
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Ah cool, just been browsing forums and some have mentioned that you can haggle with the salesman if you buy over the phone? I'll try that and get see if i can knock down the prive with XP too thanks KnacK
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So just ordered it, feel sick now.. Said i could get XP on it, but i'll try vista and put xp on myself if required..