Recommend me a laptop

inflationbusting

OK, here goes, I need some advice on which laptop to get. I replaced my 7-year old Sony with a netbook last year, but the netbook is poor and seems to take ages to do anything, especially on startup. (Samsung NB-30).

I didn't actually need the small size, and the keyboard is a bit small. Some of the ones I have been in the shops are pretty slim anyway and don't weigh that much more.

What I am going to do on it is basic web-browsing, word-processing, maybe a bit of photo editing.

No games, videos or anything that requires good graphics.

What I want is a machine that runs quickly, and also quietly, I don't want one with a loud fan or that gets excessively hot, as I may have to use it on my lap. These kind of things are difficult to tell from just browsing.

Open to any brand, really. Recommendations?

TakeThis

Up the RAM in the Netbook to 2GB. Get a cheap laptop such as this Toshiba C660 for £203.98 and pop another 4GB RAM module in for £15.

Get a Cooling Pad(or similar) for when using it in your lap.

Alternatively, you could tell us your budget.

-TangleFoot-

Sounds like you're after either an Ultrabook or a refurbished Mac. Anything else is apt to set fire to your trousers. Noisily.

C_Mababejive

Get a slightly used Tosh or HP,install ubuntu Linux and all will be well.

inflationbusting

Yeah, sorry, price isn't an issue. I did think about upgrading the netbook, but l think I want something bigger. Portability isn't so much of an issue.

I did think about a refurbished Mac. Is there any bother buying a refurbished model and if I do, should I go for the Macbook Air or Pro?
I really like the idea of the Air and it's solid state drive, but not sure if the Pro offers better value even if it's more cash.

I'm after fast running speed, and quick browsing/opening applications, which the netbook doesn't do, really. I know the HD on the Air is smaller, but I don't really need any hard disk space, had the netbook over a year and used 36GB.

-TangleFoot-

Some people seem to think refurbished tech is more likely to blow up in your face but as far as I'm concerned it just means your purchase gets twice as much QA testing. Almost any system with solid-state storage will fly like the wind without making as much noise, though as you've observed you get less space for your money.

Figment

.... and quite often 'refurbished' just means that the item may have been previously sold, opened and returned for all kinds of reasons. The retailer is not allowed to re-sell it as new, so it goes through QA testing, is repacked and sold as a refurb - usually with the same warranty you get with a new one. You may find it's not in the original box or protective film has been removed.

-TangleFoot-

My Mac's a refurb and it was better packaged than many of the things I've had new.

inflationbusting

You got Air or Pro? Anyway, here's what I typically am running on a typical day at the same time on the desktop:
Chrome (maybe 3-4 windows open)
Word (again, perhaps 3-4 docs open)
MSN Messenger

Media Player, Excel, Skype, Photo editing (sometimes, not all the time)

Having a lot of these open really slows the netbook down. Would an Air be able to run this smoothly, even a 2009/2010 version?

-TangleFoot-

Maybe - I don't actually do very much with mine.

Dexters_Indignation

What you need is fire proof pants.


Oooo Yeah!