Staples Laptop ?

blackanchorage

Can you let me know if you need anything more than a minimum spec laptop to watch DVD's? And what would I need to add freeview and ability to record to the laptop?

Thanks, Roger

pjala

alun4 wrote:

Many thanks. I've copied the link to the staples promotion. The comet on line offer (above) has higher ram but 40 Gb. The staples has 60 GB.

http://www.staples.co.uk/ENG/Static/static_pages.asp?pagename=promo_retail-bts

Good points are the fast processor, bad point is the lack of a separate Graphics card. This graphics card won't support playing 3D games like Doom 3, but a separate graphics card, i.e. one that doesn't use the memory of the laptop - uses it's own, will be able to.

MercilessKiller

blackanchorage wrote:

Can you let me know if you need anything more than a minimum spec laptop to watch DVD's? And what would I need to add freeview and ability to record to the laptop?

Thanks, Roger

That laptops fine.

All you would need is a USB Digital TV Tuner with freeview. I advise going to PC World, having a look, then going on the net and buying it for half the price online

alun4

I have a Hauppauge - Win TV Nova USB from a previous desktop. I never really worked out how to delete the programmes I had recorded and was worried this would use lots and lots of storage so I stopped using it. The replacement desktop came with internal TV card etc ... so should I get the Hauppage out of the cupboard ?!

Being a bank holiday monday I'm just going to pop into my office this afternoon. I will be passing Staples .... Is there a better recommendation ? ...... The clock is ticking on me !!!

MercilessKiller

You need one with a digital freeview tuner inside. If your Hauppauge has that, then yes use that. If not you'll need to buy a new one (obviously a bit more pricey though.. around £60?)

To delete the files you need to find out where thye're saved to on the hard drive and then delete the actual file. This can be found in the options/settings of the recording part of the software

PC World will be better than staples in my opinion... more of a range.

alun4

So in other respects I conclude the Staples Offer to be a good deal. With the slight doubt about the RAM size (512) but this will probably be possible to upgrade if I do find problems ?

I think I will go for this if I don't hear from anyone to the contrary. It is a big decision but like everyone, I do understand that deals and offers move so quickly that it is probably better to buy and then not "notice" any deals or offers for quit a while !

MercilessKiller

Yes go for it and enjoy

blackanchorage

alun4 wrote:

So in other respects I conclude the Staples Offer to be a good deal. With the slight doubt about the RAM size (512) but this will probably be possible to upgrade if I do find problems ?

I think I will go for this if I don't hear from anyone to the contrary. It is a big decision but like everyone, I do understand that deals and offers move so quickly that it is probably better to buy and then not "notice" any deals or offers for quit a while !

Have you compared with the equivalent DELL? For £534 you can get a similar spec, with a 80Gb hard drive. (Though I don't know what CrystalView is.) Probably not worth £35 for 20Gb extra disk, but the DELL does allow you to customize e.g. upgrade the battery.

Regards, Roger

pjala

Crystal view is the "shiny" screen, which is supposed to be better on your eyes.

alun4

I bought the staples but then took advantage of their 14 day deal. The Acer with the extra 20gb and double memory together with the 3 year warranty and clubcard points meant I have spent the extra £100 at tesco.

Thank you all for your help as this really provoced the thought process!!