Laptop help !

shazrazmataz

OK guys, first of all I'm apologising for being totally thick ! As I'm a computer novice ( as some will know :rolleyes: ) I would like to buy a cheap & cheerfull laptop, nothing to high tech.

My question to you fantastic techie people is :

A) how does a laptop differ from a normal pc I know it's wireless but how does that work ?

b) if I bought one would we be able to use home pc on the the internet & the laptop the same time ?

c) is it difficult to use ?

Any help & as much info is much appreciated, thanks guys

rogerramjet

A) ever tried carrying around a base unit and 17 inch monitor ....basically runs on batterys

Yes but you would need to purchase one which either has a wireless network card built in or buy a wireless adapter to use with it.....you will also need to have a wireless modem/router to allow access unless you internet share from the main computer then you only need wireless cards in both (maybe a cheaper option that buying a wireless router)

C) Nope just a little getting used to if you don't use a seperate mouse and use the touch pad (I assume you mean used to laptop)

BenL

Laptops aint too cheap unfortunately.

I did get this e-mail today though from e-buyer

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=94298

£400

Its the cheapest new one I've seen.

I've never had any problems with e-buyer and I've bought quite a bit from them, other people swear they want nothing to do with them after bad service. Much like most shops I guess.

I tend to use mine plugged in on the mains mostly so not completely wireless.

Ben

streety

shazrazmataz wrote:

OK guys, first of all I'm apologising for being totally thick ! As I'm a computer novice ( as some will know :rolleyes: ) I would like to buy a cheap & cheerfull laptop, nothing to high tech.

My question to you fantastic techie people is :

A) how does a laptop differ from a normal pc I know it's wireless but how does that work ?

b) if I bought one would we be able to use home pc on the the internet & the laptop the same time ?

c) is it difficult to use ?

Any help & as much info is much appreciated, thanks guys

a. it is like a desktop computer but just portable. They run on batteries as previously explained and you charge the battery via the mains.

b. rogerramjet explains this perfectly...

c. it will take a while to get used to the track pad but if you buy a mouse then it will just be like using a normal desktop computer. carrying it will also take a little getting used to. Make sure you have a decent padded notebook case so it doesn't get bashed about.

I have just bought my first laptop and it much better than any desktop pc I have used.

Quasar

I have two laptops and no desk PC. This is because of space restrictions in my overcrowded flat!

I bought a Packard Bell 5012 in April 2000 and it still works wonderfully. In February this year I bought a Toshiba A60, twice as powerful as the other, because of speed and because I cannot afford to be without a computer if the PB suddenly failed.

OK the first cost £1300 and the second £700, but since good, reliable computers are essential for my work, I guess that's money well spent. Especially since I don't have the luxury of spending time looking for the best prices.

Besides, I had not come across this forum yet. Now I know what to do in future... :T

CrazyChemist_2

If you leave a laptop plugged in for most of the time and don't rely on batteries too often, will the battery be 'used', i.e. will it eventually begin to lose life as time goes on?

And if a battery is already charged and the laptop is running off the mains, does the battery get bypassed completely?

rogerramjet

CrazyChemist wrote:

If you leave a laptop plugged in for most of the time and don't rely on batteries too often, will the battery be 'used', i.e. will it eventually begin to lose life as time goes on?

And if a battery is already charged and the laptop is running off the mains, does the battery get bypassed completely?

A lot will depend on the battery, Ni-MH batteries tend to have "memories" which means that if it isn't run flat regualry and is recharged when not flat it will only think it been charged from flat and only charge for a certain time before it thinks it is full (basic explenation) and will eventually not hold the charge.

Li-Ion batteries however do not have a memory and it doesn't matter if it's got charge or flat when you recharge it (mobile phones now use li-ion batteries and look how long they last) however, the cost of a Li-Ion battery will really put the cost up when buying a laptop although I would reccommend having a laptop with one.

The other thing to remember is that all battereis Ni-MH or Li-Ion will eventually fail as they cannot be recharged indefinately without some form of degrading taking place

wallace_3

shazrazmataz wrote:

A) how does a laptop differ from a normal pc I know it's wireless but how does that work ?

b) if I bought one would we be able to use home pc on the the internet & the laptop the same time ?

c) is it difficult to use ?

A - A laptop contains the screen, keyboard and mouse all in one unit, which is more portable than a desktop. Laptops can be battery powered or plugged into the mains; a desktop is mains only.

B - Yes, the cheap option is to share your internet connection on the desktop with the laptop. This would obly cost a few pounds to buy the right cable, but both computers would need to be located nearby. The more expensive option is to create a wireless network. However, you should be aware that not all laptops come with wireless internet capability as default.

C - It might take some getting used to, especially if you only use the mouse pad and don't connect a 'proper' mouse. However assuming both the laptop and desktop run the same operating system (Windows for example), then finding your way round should be no different to what you are used to.

wallace_3

CrazyChemist wrote:

If you leave a laptop plugged in for most of the time and don't rely on batteries too often, will the battery be 'used', i.e. will it eventually begin to lose life as time goes on?

And if a battery is already charged and the laptop is running off the mains, does the battery get bypassed completely?

If you are running from the mains power, I would suggest removing the battery from the laptop. I had a friend who left his battery in the laptop during long periods when it was plugged in. This dammaged the battery, and in the end he had to replace it because it only held about 20 minutes worth of charge.