Starting small business, need new laptop: advice pls

rag31

I am in the process of starting up a small e-commerce business and desperately need to update my laptop.

Current one is a Dell inspiron with a few keys missing, dvd player not working, speakers not working - really done in.

I would like to get a very decent one with all office capabilities and everything I would need to run a small business from home.

I am wondering about getting a Mac but concerned about compatability probs as all i've really come across with them is 'peoples computers not being able to talk to each other' - don't know what that is supposed to mean but on the other hand they are supposed to be so good etc.

So does anyone have any advice re: mac/non mac as it feels like a minefield.

Thanks
Becky

tobyct

Only go the Mac route if you are going to be doing creative stuff with your computer.

To run a business, i.e spreadsheets, databases, contacts, diaries etc then stick to Windows.

There are some good deals out there at mo and for 399 you can pick up some nice spec machines. Stick to pentium or athlon processors as these are faster than semprons and the like.

Acer were doing good deals a while back.

Go for a decent size screen as you will be working on it so no point straining your eyes. Make sure it has plenty of ram, no less than 2GB, preferably 3 or 4GB.

Most come with 120 or 160 gb hard drives. These can be backed up with relatively cheap external drives to back up your work and files too. You can pick up 320GB externals these days for about £50 ish. Back up to externals is essential as you don't want to loose the info on your laptop ;-)

Not many machines come with MS Office so you will have to purchase this separately.

-TangleFoot-

tobyct wrote: »

Stick to pentium or athlon processors as these are faster than semprons and the like.

Your information is ever-so-slightly out of date; Intel's Core processors have been top dog for several years now.

cyberbob

tobyct wrote: »

Only go the Mac route if you are going to be doing creative stuff with your computer.

To run a business, i.e spreadsheets, databases, contacts, diaries etc then stick to Windows.

.

Totally disagree. Compatabilty is no problems with macs or mac software. You can run Microsoft office if you dersire. Build quality on Macbooks is far better than a lot of windows bases laptops. You will also have far less problems with Viruses or Malware.

MAC OS is not for everyones liking but dont discount it untill you've seen or tried it. Its worth having a good look.

If you want to go the windows route I would say a sony vaio and try to stick to windows xp as personally i think vista is horrible and resource hungry

diable

You can also partition the drive on a MAC and run bootcamp so you can either boot into the MAC os or Mickey Soft one if need be.

Is your business going to be legit as whatever laptop you buy you can just hand the receipt to your accountant to see how much you can claim back.

tobyct

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Your information is ever-so-slightly out of date; Intel's Core processors have been top dog for several years now.

:-) I did mean the core processors, my bad.

As for Mac over Windows for running a business then I would still say Windows. Windows is for the corporate field, that is it's sole purpose, yes it might be trying to look all Mac like but it was built for the office and always will be.

Mac is over priced just for an office computer. They come into their own for creative work flow, and by all means purchase a Mac for design work and the like, they are very good, over kill though for an office computer imho.

Vista is fine, it will be replaced with Win 7 soon but it does what it does and utilises modern hardware better than XP.

There is no need to spend buckets on fancy equipment if you just want to use a laptop to run your business (unless you are a 3D graphic artist then of course you will be looking at super fast graphics cards and processor etc etc). Mine has served me well ;-)

macman

If you are just exchanging Office files (Word, Excel etc) then a Mac is 100% compatible with Windows. And a vastly better OS.
If you just want a cheapo £399 laptop then of course you will go the Windows route, but if your budget is higher then you should certainly look at a MacBook (starting at £750).

M4RKM

And also, you can currently pick up a nice apple laptop from the refurb store on their website for only £729

tobyct

Obviously we don't know what the OP's business intentions are.

Don't get me wrong, I like Macs, being a graphic designer I am fully aware of its benefits over a PC and will sing its praises, but for an office computer...

This is a money saving forum and if the OP's intentions are non creative then why spend extra on a MAC, seems a bit OTT to run spreadsheets, Customer Relationship Databases, diaries and file management systems on.

ABH_3

All we need now is for someone to jump in and mention the relative benefits to the OP of linux over all the other 'paid' for operating systems... mark my words, it will happen. Then we've got the full compliment.

Halloway

I'd get a blue laptop if I were you.