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finally replacing PC with Laptop...

2

Comments

  • johannis
    johannis Posts: 175 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    DavidP24 wrote: »
    What screen size and CPU are you considering?

    I think you have to weigh up the VALUE to you of SSD in comparison to the other specs you are after, you may want a particular screen size or CPU and be prepared to add SSD later.

    I have installed an SSD on a Vista system with low ram and it only really felt improvement in startup, there was still a lag when it wrote to disk for the page file. Obviously not as bad as with a traditional hard disk and also Vista was a dog of an OS.

    Consider that you can get one later for £45, so if you have a number of options and the difference in spec for SSD is more than £45 perhaps fit it yourself. You can always put the traditional disk in an external USB case for under £7

    I have one laptop with a duff DVD so I am getting a caddy for it for £6 on ebay and recycling that SSD, I am curious to see how much it actually improves as I have a number of identical laptops of different specs of Ram and CPU, certainly a lot of SSD fans on here.

    It may be worth you looking at the Dell outlet, bear in mind these are almost all as new with cheaper ones being scratch and dent category.

    Prices quoted are ex vat but you can apply code MayMadness to get 10% off

    http://www.dell.com/learn/uk/en/ukdfh1/campaigns/splitter

    Whatever manufacturer and model you choose fit is worth looking for reviews and youtube videos.

    Thanks for the reply, tbh screen size and to certain extent cpu were dependent on the deal on offer. We've been using 19-21'' TVs with the pic so anything will feel small. Wouldn't want to go below 14. With the budget I have I wasn't necessarily expect anything special cpuwise.
    I'm just trying to ensure, as much as I can that I don't get mugged!
  • DavidP24
    DavidP24 Posts: 957 Forumite
    I use a 15 inch screen most of the time, I would prefer 17 but I have other kit hooked up to a 26 inch.

    The problem is resolution, the better it gets the smaller the fonts, so many badly designed websites out there that 15 inch can feel a little cramped, but 17" inch can be a bit heavy.

    Despite small screen size there are some nifty deals being proposed here, well worth considering with nice CPU and 8gb ram.
    Thanks, don't you just hate people with sigs !
  • ReadySteady_2
    ReadySteady_2 Posts: 57 Forumite
    A comprehensive review of the Dell Latitude 14 E5450 here; https://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Latitude-14-E5450-Notebook-Review.130555.0.html

    Alternatively, if it's a desktop replacement, you might want something with an enhanced graphics capability.

    http://mcscom.co.uk/product/dell-inspiron-15-3543-i5-5200u-2-20ghz-8gb-500gb-geforce-820m-15-6-hd-w8-1-1yr-rtb-wty-mln464/
    http://mcscom.co.uk/product/dell-inspiron-15-5555-amd-a10-8700p-1-80ghz-8gb-1tb-radeon-r6-m345dx-15-6-hd-w10-90day-wty-mln503/
    http://mcscom.co.uk/product/dell-inspiron-15-3543-i5-5200u-2-20ghz-8gb-500gb-geforce-820m15-6-hd-w10h-1yr-rtb-wty-mln451/

    I like the spec of the Latitude and the design of the Inspiron 15 5555(only a 90 day warranty on that one).
    Though if you want an internal optical drive, that would rule out the Latitude.
  • Biggles
    Biggles Posts: 8,209 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You'll certainly miss a decent-sized screen and a proper keyboard if you downgrade to a laptop.
  • AndyPix
    AndyPix Posts: 4,847 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Biggles wrote: »
    You'll certainly miss a decent-sized screen and a proper keyboard if you downgrade to a laptop.


    Trivial to hook it up to existing monitor and keyboard whilst at home though ..


    And as for optical drive .. who uses disks these days ??
    For the rare occasion you might need one, an external usb dvd rw costs around a tenner
  • johannis
    johannis Posts: 175 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I have to say your collective responses have been brilliant...too many recommendations really and i'm now second guessing myself (i was going to be so disciplined with budget too!)
    At the start of this i was leaning towards the Latitude 6400's on ebay and upping the spec as much as i can. still am to a certain extent but i'm now distracted by the other recommendations and also wondering if i might hang fire and wait to see what comes up in the next couple of weeks.
    I really appreciate your help.
  • Biggles
    Biggles Posts: 8,209 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    AndyPix wrote: »
    Trivial to hook it up to existing monitor and keyboard whilst at home though ..
    But he was trying to save room (#1)!
    ;-)
  • johannis wrote: »
    I have to say your collective responses have been brilliant...too many recommendations really and i'm now second guessing myself (i was going to be so disciplined with budget too!)
    At the start of this i was leaning towards the Latitude 6400's on ebay and upping the spec as much as i can. still am to a certain extent but i'm now distracted by the other recommendations and also wondering if i might hang fire and wait to see what comes up in the next couple of weeks.
    I really appreciate your help.

    Are you joking? A laptop from 2008?

    My recommendations are from 2015 to 2016.

    Get that crazy idea out of your head.
  • johannis
    johannis Posts: 175 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Biggles wrote: »
    But he was trying to save room (#1)!
    ;-)

    fair enough, although the main issue is the desk and chair that accompanies our PC rather than the PC itself. screen size isn't a deal breaker.
  • Doshwaster
    Doshwaster Posts: 6,351 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Biggles wrote: »
    You'll certainly miss a decent-sized screen and a proper keyboard if you downgrade to a laptop.

    Easy enough to plug a laptop into an external screen (or even dual screen), mouse and keyboard if you want to work at a desk.
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