Need a laptop -Advice please

gunsandbanjos

I'm not a complete technophobe, i've just never had a laptop before and dont really know where to start
I have a budget of about £1000, have my eye on a nice Vaio with 2 year warranty.
Laptop will be used for university work, it needs to run 'R' and other data analysis programmes.
Needs to have a fast web connection and a lot of storage space. I also tend to keep a lot of music on my computer.
Any advice greatly appreciated:D

gunsandbanjos

Also should have said ideally i would like a screen size of less than 15.4"

dougk_2

It might be worth contacting the IT department at the university.
Some universities have arrangements with manufacturers/resellers and you can get IT hardware/software cheaper. Its also the case that some universities may have guidelines / policies as to what they will allow on their network (if you are staying in halls)

mikegahan

While not wishing to start the Mac versus PC debate the price of a Mac with the spec is quiet high compared to an equivalent PC. I will not recommend specific machines - others who know better will do that for you. But some general tips. Vaio tend to be expensive cos you are buying the name. Personally I would go for samsung, toshiba or Acer. Wait until after Xmas for some real bargains. Lastly you will need a workhorse; suppose you got a lovely mach and it got stolen, damaged or sat on by the rugby club in the bar. And avoid sellers like PC World. Good luck

[Deleted User]

If I was buying a laptop then:

http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=59B8&CategorySelectedId=11105&NavigationKey=11105,51320000&InMerch=1

Is a nice, powerful laptop for £655 which leaves you £345 in your pocket to do what you want with.

It's got:

Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor (2.26GHz) - Enough grunt to power it
4GB RAM Memory - Plenty to handle mass data files
320GB Hard drive - Lots of music storage
13.3" Widescreen display
DVD ReWriter drive - Put your work on DVDs
HDMI Out (video and audio) - Connect it to your TV
Wifi - b/g/n - handles it all
NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS - nice graphics card for a laptop

Looks a bit better than you're average grey slab too!

gunsandbanjos

mikegahan wrote: »

While not wishing to start the Mac versus PC debate the price of a Mac with the spec is quiet high compared to an equivalent PC. I will not recommend specific machines - others who know better will do that for you. But some general tips. Vaio tend to be expensive cos you are buying the name. Personally I would go for samsung, toshiba or Acer. Wait until after Xmas for some real bargains. Lastly you will need a workhorse; suppose you got a lovely mach and it got stolen, damaged or sat on by the rugby club in the bar. And avoid sellers like PC World. Good luck

Dont worry, wouldnt touch PC world with a bargepole:eek:

Thanks for the advice guys, i can live with a 15.4" screen but that is probably the biggest i would like to go. It has to be nice and light, my dad has a laptop which is 16.1" and i think its far too big.

Sorry, dont really want a mac - dont want to get involved in a mac v PC war but i dont really like using them.

I know i would be paying extra for the name Vaio but i must admit i do like them, have used my dads and it fab:D

[Deleted User]

With the Q 310 with a quick tweak of a couple of settings you can get just over six hours of life out of the battery. That's impressive.

gunsandbanjos

That looks good anewhope!

I want something that will last me hopefully until i finish my degree - i'm only in 1st year, i've gone back as a mature student. Which is why i want i dont mind paying so much as i want it to last. I'm doing a maths degree and will need it for statistical analysis etc.

Will there be real bargains after xmas on a newish range laptop? I would imagine they will reduce end of line stuff to shift it I heard a rumour that Sony would be putting prices up not down as the pound is now a lot weaker against the dollar.

gunsandbanjos

dougk wrote: »

Its also the case that some universities may have guidelines / policies as to what they will allow on their network (if you are staying in halls)

Not an issue as i own my own flat away from uni.

Battery life not a big issue either as there are loads of plugs in lecture theatres and in study areas.

Like this one, i know i could probably get it cheaper from another retailer but the 2 year warranty is swaying me:o

Leopard

mikegahan wrote: »

...suppose you got a lovely mach and it got stolen, damaged or sat on by the rugby club in the bar.

Be sure to get Accidental Damage cover - home and away - on your House Contents insurance and if you're using it for work purposes be sure to declare that, too. :money:

PS. Especially for you.

With AppleCare you can get three year's warranty. :cool:

You'd love a MacBook - even when using Windows. :happylove

jaydeeuk1

I'm seconding anewhopes choice - good spec at a good price. I'd avoid the mac as it is more expensive for a poorer spec, and you'd have to fork out for an XP license to run your required software.

Leopard - are you steve jobs?