Looking for some advice on a new laptop

DaveG247

Hi all,

Been looking at buying a laptop not had one before and so not really sure what’s any good I have a budget of about £600 could go higher if need be. I don't do any gaming mostly just do video converting/editing, backing up dvd's to my ipod surfing the web, bbciplayer, 4od etc

My current desktop pc seems to be very slow (it is rather old now and 2nd hand) so I would like something with plenty of power not really fussed with the looks/thinness as its probably only gonna be used around the house, I would rather concentrate on performance. I’d like to have a cd/dvd writer, wifi, bluetooth (guessing most of these are standard now)and maybe a bluray drive a 15" screen should be fine.[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

I've had a look round the net and like the acer 6930 and the Dell studio 15 which both have 4G Ram and a bluray drive the dells slightly over my budget.

Can anyone suggest any other laptop which I should consider? What are people’s thoughts on the dell and acer?

Thanks
Dave

GunJack

you should get plenty of bang for your buck at well under your budget....may I ask why a lappy ?? more bang for less buck with a desktop, and FAR easier to upgrade/fix as & when....

damo24

If you're set on a laptop make sure the model you choose can do what you want as you can not upgrade a laptop in the way that you can a desktop computer.

If you shop around, you can usually find good deals on Acer warranties, some of which include accidental damage cover.

DaveG247

cheers all,

GunJack the reason for wanting a laptop is I don't really want to get rid of our exisiting pc its fine for the other members of my family who just do a bit of surfing and word processing but when I start video converting its really slow and fustrating, I can't always get on the pc if other people are using it, and as we have just upgraded our boardband its a lot easier to catch up on tv via the web which I think would be much more convenient on a laptop anywhere in the house.

Dave

GunJack

DaveG247 wrote: »

cheers all,

GunJack the reason for wanting a laptop is I don't really want to get rid of our exisiting pc its fine for the other members of my family who just do a bit of surfing and word processing but when I start video converting its really slow and fustrating, I can't always get on the pc if other people are using it, and as we have just upgraded our boardband its a lot easier to catch up on tv via the web which I think would be much more convenient on a laptop anywhere in the house.

Dave

fairy squff dave...just checking, as some people think "I want a laptop", without actually considering what they want it to do and why

best look for 3-4 GB of RAM, then, and reasonable graphics.....as for where to go ??...a few suggestions would include HP's ebay shop (similar to dell's outlet in principle), you may have to watch for a wee while for thegood stuff to come up, but saves a packet when it does....and the usual suspects (ebuyer, misco, etc., etc., ) and keep an eye out for those deals

...oh, and keep an eye on the "cheapest decent laptop" sticky at the top of the techie board

chunter

• 4gb Ram good.
• Also big hard drive. 250 gb min for all those films. (an external hard drive is an option but apple haven't actually realised they exist and that people use them so itunes can't cope with them in a sensible manner)
• Twin core cpu will do you fine, as we may holding our breath for a while for 4-core software to overwhelm us.
• Blue-ray is a bit of a problem for this price range.
• Stick with the 15" screen. !7" screen good for watching movies, largely impractical as a mobile computer. In fact I'd go as far as to say you'll look like an idiot if you take it out and plant it it down in a public place!
• Big powerful battery if you're going to do a lot of "shrinking" and watching away from a power lead.

Wizmark and DMXDimension have any number of Dell's that'll suit your pocket. (without BlueRay)

Also
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/153373
OR
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/153371
1x HDMI™ port with HDCP support

DaveG247

Thanks for the info chunter, I'll give them a look.

DaveG247

Right I've decided not to bother with the bluray drive and I'm gonna take the plunge and get a Dell studio 15 with the 4GB of ram. its listed on the dell site at £549.00. The only problem now is I've check both Wizmark and DMXDimension which I find really confusing and then I have to pick the spec. Is it better to just use the dell shop? If not what spec's should I look at changing.

The final thing am not sure about is getting a warranty any advice?

Dave

billy_the_kid_2

I have had a Dell Studio 17 since Christmas. I cant fault it.

bitsandpieces

DaveG247 wrote: »

Right I've decided not to bother with the bluray drive and I'm gonna take the plunge and get a Dell studio 15 with the 4GB of ram. its listed on the dell site at £549.00. The only problem now is I've check both Wizmark and DMXDimension which I find really confusing and then I have to pick the spec. Is it better to just use the dell shop? If not what spec's should I look at changing.

The final thing am not sure about is getting a warranty any advice?

Dave

One suggestion - contact Dell sales, say you're getting quotes on laptops and would like a quote on the studio 15 with the spec you want. Ask them to e-mail you their best quote. They will likely give you a slightly better spec and/or price than is on the website. You might even get a free warranty upgrade...