Lap top thicko question !!

shazrazmataz

Thicko alert , ok guys I want to buy a lap top & as I'm totally thick about technical things I want to ask how does it work in regards to connecting to the internet by lead or wireless ?


Thanks in advance !

CIS

Some laptops have built in ethernet ports, if not you can use a PMCIA card with an ethernet port or plug in a Ethernet to USB converter.

If you use dial up (54k ) modems , you can get a PMCIA card with the relevant connectors, and for wireless access, just plug in a USB or PMCIA wireless card.

JimArnold

most new laptops come with a network connection look for 10/100, the plug looks a bit like a larger american telephone socket. Over 50% probably have wireless built in. Many older/lower spec models have 56k modems

if it doesn't have what you want then £20-£40 will get you an add on; either a USB or PCMIA card (a thin slot a bit larger than a credit card and 2-3 mm thick)

shazrazmataz

Thanks for your replies, I've seen a laptop on Dell web site, would I also need to buy a 54Mbps WIRELESS-G 4 PORT ROUTER & ACCESS POINT (802.11g) to go with it ?

This is the laptop http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/inspn_6000?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

It's the £548 one.

Any advice much appreciated, thank you

Mr_Skint_2

Give em a bell and ask how many USB ports it has then see how many things you have
that need a USB connection, i.e Printer, Camera, Scanner, Phone Data Cable.

Also dont forget with a laptop its harder to upgrade as a lot of shops
dont touch lappys, they are usually sent away, and take a 3week return.

Also you might want to buy a cooling pad http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29973&&source=14&doy=search something like this.

Also when it arrives check it thoroughly as Dell have sold Used as New in a couple
instances within the last week, there is one post on the Techie Forum.

highlighter

shazrazmataz wrote:

Thanks for your replies, I've seen a laptop on Dell web site, would I also need to buy a 54Mbps WIRELESS-G 4 PORT ROUTER & ACCESS POINT (802.11g) to go with it ?

This is the laptop http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/inspn_6000?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

It's the £548 one.

Any advice much appreciated, thank you

Shazramataz, if your buying a dell you need to do your research. Their marketing can mean you pay alot more for an identical system if, for instance, you do not use an e-value code.
Try d-n10601
Ive had a quick look and if you downgrade the warranty to 1 year the system comes out at £468 deliverd-compared to 548 (you need to double check the systems are idential-only had a quick scan).
If your budget is £550 look out for evalue codes.

Any questions post and i or someone else will help, no probs:)

highlighter

Try d-n10601a - £538 - 512mb ram - 60gb hard drive

Still wouldnt say it is a majorly good deal.

If £550 is your budget you should really be looking to get a pentium m processor (battery lasts longer and keeps laptop cooler than celeron)

callansdad

Further to this Q i need help too, im looking for a laptop also, the major thing for me is to have a good wireless connection, not really bothered about anything else its only going to be for internet use.

Any suggestions (cheap as possible obviously)

Thanks

rogerramjet

callansdad wrote:

Further to this Q i need help too, im looking for a laptop also, the major thing for me is to have a good wireless connection, not really bothered about anything else its only going to be for internet use.

Any suggestions (cheap as possible obviously)

Thanks

Check the grabbit board everytime you log on, the Dell laptops (2200 model up) have wireless built in and good deals are always popping up

Chippy_Minton

shazrazmataz wrote:

Thanks for your replies, I've seen a laptop on Dell web site, would I also need to buy a 54Mbps WIRELESS-G 4 PORT ROUTER & ACCESS POINT (802.11g) to go with it ?

This is the laptop http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/inspn_6000?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

To answer your question we need to know how you currently connect to the internet. Is it by broadband or by a dial-up connection? If broadband, is it by cable or by BT line, and what modem/router do you have?

Those Dell laptops have built-in wireless capability, so can connect to the internet either wirelessly (to a wireless router or access point) or wired.

shazrazmataz

Chippy_Minton wrote:

To answer your question we need to know how you currently connect to the internet. Is it by broadband or by a dial-up connection? If broadband, is it by cable or by BT line, and what modem/router do you have?

Those Dell laptops have built-in wireless capability, so can connect to the internet either wirelessly (to a wireless router or access point) or wired.

At the mo we are with AOL broadband, BT & the modem is BT voyager 100 adsl.But we are emigrating to Oz in the next 6 weeks or so, hence the reason why we need a laptop.

Any hints/tips are much appreciated.:o