Could you help me chose my new Laptop?

NiftyDigits

Mr_Warren wrote: »

Hi all. thanks for reply so far.


I have tried to download latest Internet Explorer version but because I am on Windows 2003, the system tells me that I am unable to upgrade to newer IE.
As for Windows 365, the IT man @work in the US said that I needed a newer version of Windows to allow Email merge onto Outlook.

Office 2003, not Windows...completely different things.

IT man...he's a monkey.

Send him this link

This is nothing wrong with your system. Can easily be cleaned up. Alternatively, a clean install of Windows 7 64 bit can be undertaken.. RAM can go up to 8GB if necessary.

Create a backup of your emails and data.

enfield_freddy

Fightsback wrote: »

The U stands for ultra low voltage, i5 desktop processors and i5 laptop processors are completely different beasties as a desktop i5 has unlimited access to power a laptop i5U series is designed as a trade off between performance and flattening your battery with 5 seconds and melting your laptop. An i5U typically has a power design envelope of 15w where as an i5 desktop (latest i5-5675C) has a power design envelope of 65w. It's all about horses for courses.

See here for info:

http://ark.intel.com/products/family/84980/5th-Generation-Intel-Core-i5-Processors

correct , but people forget about the "u" series and think they have a full blown I5 , and fall for the advertising hype

Cisco001

Mr_Warren wrote: »

Hi all. thanks for reply so far.


I have tried to download latest Internet Explorer version but because I am on Windows 2003, the system tells me that I am unable to upgrade to newer IE.
As for Windows 365, the IT man @work in the US said that I needed a newer version of Windows to allow Email merge onto Outlook.

You can re-stall with Win 7 pr 64 bit. and you can have free upgrade to Windows 10 next month...

Mr_Warren_2

enfield_freddy wrote: »

.... you have clearly not read what I noted down , as you can see some CPUs have a prefix after them , your case "u" , what does "u mean? ...

Easy enfield freddy. I am not computer literate and am on my own here in the UK, as IT specialist is based at HQ in USA.
You have all given me a lot to consider and I will be happy to upgrade my existing Toshiba following all your comments.


I will visit my local IT shop tomorrow. Thanks again all. Will report later.

agrinnall

Mr_Warren wrote: »

as IT specialist is based at HQ in USA.

Well, considering the very poor advice he's given you that's probably the best place for him. If your employer wants you to have an up to date computer with up to date software, the answer is for them to buy it for you. If they won't do that then follow the advice you're being given on here, and if you don't understand something ask questions until you do understand.

And I'm not convinced that going to an IT shop is a great idea, they'll have in incentive to get you to buy things, so if you do go I'd suggest you come back on here and tell us what they say before committing to anything.

GunJack

agrinnall wrote: »

And I'm not convinced that going to an IT shop is a great idea, they'll have in incentive to get you to buy things, so if you do go I'd suggest you come back on here and tell us what they say before committing to anything.

OK, this is a possible scenario, but a half-decent independant should be customer-focussed. The idea of coming back here to check the advice given before commitment is a very good one

or, DIY with some help from here...

Mr_Warren_2

Hi all. DIY is NOT to be considered .....


I have contacted my local independent IT shop and have gone through your recommendations. Main man is to call me back to discuss but the kid I spoke to appeared to understand what I was talking about which in itself is VERY encouraging.


He even mentioned that if I changed to an SSD with 64 bits system (???!!!) this would free @1.4GB of my existing 4GB RAM.


..... More later.

GunJack

Mr_Warren wrote: »

Hi all. DIY is NOT to be considered .....


I have contacted my local independent IT shop and have gone through your recommendations. Main man is to call me back to discuss but the kid I spoke to appeared to understand what I was talking about which in itself is VERY encouraging.


He even mentioned that if I changed to an SSD with 64 bits system (???!!!) this would free @1.4GB of my existing 4GB RAM.


..... More later.

...hang on........

J_B

Mr_Warren wrote: »

He even mentioned that if I changed to an SSD with 64 bits system (???!!!) this would free @1.4GB of my existing 4GB RAM.

GunJack wrote: »

...hang on........

Maybe he meant that the PC would run 'as if it had an extra 1.4GB RAM'

???

GunJack

right, think I see where the confusion is creeping in, either with yourself, the kid, or a bit of both....

32-bit versions of Windows can only "see" and use about 3.6GB of RAM, whereas 64-bit versions can see and use much more. So, out of your current 4GB, you cannot use 0.4GB of it. However, whether the software you use will actually require more than a couple of GB of RAM is another matter.

This ^^ has nothing to do with having a SSD, the 64-bit version of Windows can quite happily be installed on your existing hard disk drive, sounds like the kid is trying to flog you more than you need - wait for the "main man" to call you back......