Advice please re. laptop ...

MimiJane

Hi all,

At the moment, I have a wired desktop p.c. and am thinking of buying a laptop for my husband to use and also as a back-up to the desktop.


I have no idea about going wireless and what it involves, but would think maybe it would be best for now/cheaper to plug a new laptop into my wired router.


I have a few (perhaps stupid!) questions before I choose a laptop and am hoping someone can help me :-


1. I'm presuming that, if a laptop is plugged into my wired router by ethernet cable, it will run off the same ISP as my desktop?


2. Does it matter that my desktop runs on XP and a new laptop would probably have Windows 7/8?


3. Could I use the desktop and laptop both together and independently ... so, if the desktop packs up, I can still use the laptop?


4. Can you buy long ethernet cables/extensions, as the standard size wouldn't be long enough?


5. I'm thinking of buying the "budget" Samsung Series 3 300E5A, which I've read good reports about. Anyone have any views on this laptop?


Thanks for any advice - really appreciated.


x

closed

if you are getting a laptop, then it would be sensible to get a wireless router (often free from your isp), to make use of the wireless capability.

The pc can still be plugged into the wireless router wired connections

1 yes
2 doesnt matter.
3 yes
4 yes, but if you use wireless, not needed.

cartoonjase

Hi MimiJane I hope this helps:-

1. I'm presuming that, if a laptop is plugged into my wired router by ethernet cable, it will run off the same ISP as my desktop?

Yes you are correct on all counts and my personal option is to always opt for wired, this is based on security reason and safety and health reason relating to wifi (not everyone is concerned with this it is down to personal choice)


Most routers / modems can run between 1 and 4 separate machines look on the back for the number of ports, you will connect to the same ISP.


2. Does it matter that my desktop runs on XP and a new laptop would probably have Windows 7/8?

No this makes no difference for internet purposes, if you wanted to link them then it would make a difference but no many people would both with this option.

3. Could I use the desktop and laptop both together and independently ... so, if the desktop packs up, I can still use the laptop?

You can run both at once and connect to the net at the same time, if one fails yes you can use the other, but I would still back each machine up on a regular basis and separately.

4. Can you buy long ethernet cables/extensions, as the standard size wouldn't be long enough?

You can buy ethernet almost any size I am using one at 20 meters around my home and it works fine, I buy mine from Cabglestop and ebay shop it is very cheap and easy to do.

5. I'm thinking of buying the "budget" Samsung Series 3 300E5A, which I've read good reports about. Anyone have any views on this laptop?

I have purchased similar models for many of my customers, and a similar TOSHIBA model, they are perfect for daily use, office, web, email, photo work and medium end gaming, more than ample for your average user and again your right it always comes out top end in reviews 8.5/10 or 4/5 depending on review site it would suit your needs fine I am sure. Good build for price as well.

I hope this all helps.

MimiJane

Many thanks closed and cartoonjase ... great advice, just what I was after! I may be back with more questions over the next few days, so be warned

x

Figment

The maximum recommended length of an ethernet cable is 100 metres.

cartoonjase

Good shout figment forgot to mention that, not many home users would max that, of course I am assuming that the OP does not live in a mansion house ;o)

Figment

Agreed, but OP asked about long ethernet cables (although I wouldn't recommend trailing an ethernet cable through the house)

dispossessed

MimiJane wrote: »

Hi all,

At the moment, I have a wired desktop p.c. and am thinking of buying a laptop for my husband to use and also as a back-up to the desktop.


I have no idea about going wireless and what it involves, but would think maybe it would be best for now/cheaper to plug a new laptop into my wired router.


I have a few (perhaps stupid!) questions before I choose a laptop and am hoping someone can help me :-


1. I'm presuming that, if a laptop is plugged into my wired router by ethernet cable, it will run off the same ISP as my desktop?


2. Does it matter that my desktop runs on XP and a new laptop would probably have Windows 7/8?


3. Could I use the desktop and laptop both together and independently ... so, if the desktop packs up, I can still use the laptop?


4. Can you buy long ethernet cables/extensions, as the standard size wouldn't be long enough?


5. I'm thinking of buying the "budget" Samsung Series 3 300E5A, which I've read good reports about. Anyone have any views on this laptop?


Thanks for any advice - really appreciated.


x

My answers :-

1. Yes

2. No

3. Yes

4. Yes (try eBay for the best value - you want a CAT 5e "patch" cable)

5. Unless you want the device for playing high definition games then it will probably serve your needs.

katty1166

are you consider buy a gaming laptop?

katty1166

maybe you can consider this one for a gaming laptop,Acer Aspire v3-771G-6851,just for your reference:)

closed

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