Buying a new laptop (yet another thread!)

schiff

I don't think these questions will be too difficult. I have decided many things already. It's the minimum system requirements I need advice on.

Firstly I don't use it to download films and music; playing CDs and DVDs very occasionally. Do use it in conjunction with my digital camera and keep my photos in the memory. Webcam not important. Will want to use it at Wi-Fi hotspots.

It will be in use all day and every day. OE open all day. Multiple websites open at one and the same time (max say 6) with visits to hundreds to different pages in an average day. Refresh used a lot. From time to time I get the message that I am runnng out of 'virtual memory' and that some emergency measures have been put in place to get me over the hump (I don't really understand!). I clear files and cookies but this doesn't seem to make much difference!

I've worn out three already though I don't abuse them! Last but one was a Dell which I liked, but at least two keys have stopped functioning and the picture disappeared. Remedied to a certain extent by the attachment of a wireless keyboard and a monitor, but it's unwieldy. My last (this) is an Acer which I've never liked. Keyboard too soft and springy and the metal device in the middle of the touch pad I hate. I disabled it very soon after purchase but it comes back to haunt me. I still have to use it, as the right and left clicks don't work properly.

I have a feeling that it is the size of the RAM that will be important. If that is the case, what minimum do I need? And any other advice related to the above would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Marty_J

If I were buying a laptop, I'd get a MacBook. They're very well put together, quite thin and light, you won't have to use Vista (not unless you really want to anyway), they have nice keyboards, and they all have wifi as standard. They come with a host of different applications, including iPhoto, which is a great way to organise and edit your photos. They also look very nice, which is the most important thing.

As for RAM, I'd say 1 GB minimum, but the more the merrier.

schiff

Thanks marty but I need a link with my previous machines which of course are not Mac! Thanks anyway.

Marty_J

I'm not sure what you mean exactly by "a link", but you can network Macs and PCs easily.

You can also run Windows on a Mac should you ever need to use it.

S0litaire

Have you looked into the UMPC's?

That's the ones like the Eee pc and the MSI Wind.

They come in XP or Linux versions (The linux version can be made to see mac and Windows machines.) they usually come with no CD/DVD drives, but with slots for memory cards (like the one your camera uses). As well as wireless and bluetooth.

They will do what you require them if it's just for email and Surfing with the odd spot of photoshopping