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Help, want to buy a laptop but haven't a clue!

happi_2
happi_2 Posts: 144 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
Hi,

I really want to get a laptop as can't get my wireless router to work and fed up with cables everywhere for the kids to trip over! Would anyone be able to offer some advice? I basically want:

15" or bigger screen
Reasonable storage and good processor speed (hate slow connections)
Wireless enabled (have broadband)
Easily connected to tv
CD/DVD writer

I'll be using it a bit for work, but mainly for the internet and storing photos/music etc. I would like it to have a good quality screen as need to be able to watch programmes on it.

Someone suggested the "HP Compaq Presario Laptop, CQ60-100EA", would that cover everything I need?

My budget is really limited, so the cheaper the better (ideally around £300).

Many thanks in advance for your help,

Happi
«13

Comments

  • Jaffa.
    Jaffa. Posts: 1,193 Forumite
    I would stay away from notebooks with AMD processors as they tend to overheat.
  • Psychofly
    Psychofly Posts: 439 Forumite
    I wouldn't stay away from them at all. AMD processors run hotter than Intels as standard but the cooling in a decent laptop or desktop is designed to cope with that. I've never had an AMD processor overheat unless I was messing about with overclocking them and pushed them too far, and that's not a problem that's specific to AMD.
  • Jaffa.
    Jaffa. Posts: 1,193 Forumite
    edited 9 June 2009 at 2:23PM
    Psychofly wrote: »
    I wouldn't stay away from them at all. AMD processors run hotter than Intels as standard but the cooling in a decent laptop or desktop is designed to cope with that. I've never had an AMD processor overheat unless I was messing about with overclocking them and pushed them too far, and that's not a problem that's specific to AMD.

    My HP Pavilion DV6190eu, is by far a 'decent' £899 laptop and it needs a new motherboard for the second time because it's overheated. HP and Compaq do not adequately cool their laptops, the AMD processor does not help in a laptop. Even with a laptop cooler it still overheats. Says it all.
  • Psychofly
    Psychofly Posts: 439 Forumite
    I wouldn't blame the AMD laptop for that, I would blame HP. That's bad build not bad processor. I've used many laptops with AMD, mainly Acers and Dells but there is nothing inherently wrong with AMD processors. They used to offer exceptional value for money, not so much now. I'm also a bit unsure why a new motherboard would be needed if the processor overheated. Sounds like inadequate cooling on the northbridge or southbridge rather than the processor.
  • icecube2T8
    icecube2T8 Posts: 11 Forumite
    go on ebuyer.com and search for hp6735s i paid £370 for mine and im really happy with it

    heres the spec
    HP 6735s Laptop, AMD Turion X2 Dual Core RM-70 2GHz, 3GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 15.4" DVDRW LS, WLAN, 6 Cell Battery, Webcam, Bluetooth, ATI Radeon, Vista Home Premium, MSO rdy

    also you get a free hp laptop case aslo which all comes to £370 and you get next day delivery for free also ;-)
  • 4Fingus
    4Fingus Posts: 120 Forumite
    I would have a look at Dell as a benchmark. What you buy will very much depend on your individual needs (Storage, Multimedia capabilties, speed, multiprocessing... blah blah blah) If you want something a little better than standard look at the Business level laptops.

    If you want a laptop with Windows Vista I suggest at least 3GB RAM or you will notice performance issues over time and it's alot more expensive to upgrade at a later date. Dont overlook the weight of it if you wish to travel and the battery life should be well researched as like RAM, it's expensive to upgrade at a later date.

    Dell support is also very good should you have any problems. Dont like Dell, look at HP. These 2 manufaturers lead in the business arena for a reason..... Happy hunting.
  • Psychofly
    Psychofly Posts: 439 Forumite
    I really dislike Dell PCs after using them at work for many many years. However, their laptops are excellent and I would highly recommend one. If you want to save some cash try here : https://www.mcscom.co.uk. They are refurbished but most come with a years warranty, if not more. Look at the ones that are 'Refurbished by MCS', you'll get better savings on them. Pay attention to whether an OS is included and remember to add VAT to the displayed price.
    Definitely worth a look.
  • Jaffa.
    Jaffa. Posts: 1,193 Forumite
    edited 9 June 2009 at 2:40PM
    Psychofly wrote: »
    I wouldn't blame the AMD laptop for that, I would blame HP. That's bad build not bad processor. I've used many laptops with AMD, mainly Acers and Dells but there is nothing inherently wrong with AMD processors. They used to offer exceptional value for money, not so much now. I'm also a bit unsure why a new motherboard would be needed if the processor overheated. Sounds like inadequate cooling on the northbridge or southbridge rather than the processor.

    No it was the Nvidia graphics that failed, They share the same heatsink though so the AMD processor caused a malfunction in the graphics. Speedfan went up to about 90° on the processor, must have overheated the graphics on the board. Yeah poor design on HP's part and they issued a statement acknowledging the fault, shame the 2 year warrenty is up now though.

    Nothing inherently wrong with AMD processors... If I would have picked the intel that ran cooler, face it, I still would have had a laptop. It's up to the OP though, play it safe and go with another brand of laptop like Toshiba (which have brill cooling, big vents on the side) with an Intel processor, or take a risk with an AMD.
  • 4743hudsonj
    4743hudsonj Posts: 3,298 Forumite
    Jaffa. wrote: »
    No it was the Nvidia graphics that failed, They share the same heatsink though so the AMD processor caused a malfunction in the graphics. Speedfan went up to about 90° on the processor, must have overheated the graphics on the board. Yeah poor design on HP's part and they issued a statement acknowledging the fault, shame the 2 year warrenty is up now though.

    Nothing inherently wrong with AMD processors... If I would have picked the intel that ran cooler, face it, I still would have had a laptop. It's up to the OP though, play it safe and go with another brand of laptop like Toshiba (which have brill cooling, big vents on the side) with an Intel processor, or take a risk with an AMD.

    this is a problem but they do also have rubbish cooling

    all the vents are on the bottom with very little ground clearance
    Back by no demand whatsoever.
  • Jaffa.
    Jaffa. Posts: 1,193 Forumite
    4743hudsonj wrote: »
    this is a problem but they do also have rubbish cooling

    all the vents are on the bottom with very little ground clearance

    The Toshiba? Na they have huge strips of vent in the side, the laptops cool to the touch.
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