Buying a laptop

TiTheRev

ukdutypaid wrote: »

They're all pretty much similar spec.
Things I think about are;
How much will you be lugging it about... If it's for home/space saving then 15 or 17" screen size..
If off the mains, then battery life/weight......

Warranty is also worth looking at, plus how rubbish does the keyboard feel... Big issue with laptops... Over three laptops, I've been through about 6 keyboards... The letter symbols, wear off, and the actual key action wears out..
Personally, I'm down PC world next time.... I want to touch it... see where the fingers go.... Hell, I'd have no issue walking out of there, if I wasn't sure...
Plus you'll get your Wifi router and anti virus software and be able to get it all working when you get home....
Don't worry about the tech spec so much it's the physicals .. weight, screen size, keys, battery life, where's the mousepad....

Im actually almost entirely the opposite to this. I would rather have a computer that is quick, has the right software and price of course! For me, a Mac had all this, plus its not had any of the issues you've mentioned. It has build in bluetooth and wifi connection (Airport), plus has no need for expensive anti-virus software because 99.99% of viruses are windows based. I have NEVER had a virus/pop-up or internet issue with it, and this I value more highly than where the mouse pad is, the weight or what colour it is etc!

All IMHO of course, and we are all entitled to our respective opinions

VEE_2

Argghh sooo much to think about. Hope Allyssa is more decisive than me!

I like the look of the Sony Vaio and the Mac. Then again, you probably are paying in part for the brand. Looks like you have to consider the speeds and software etc plus the keyboards and weight and size too. Oh dear, more to think about. But I would certainly rather think about it now than when it is too late!

allyssa

Great to see the replies!

Mmm.. that's twice the Sony Vaio has come up. thanx for the link merlinormartin. I trust Sony as a reliable company. .... But I noticed the HP model has a bigger 17" screen! If these two are comparable then I'd go for the bigger screen I think. decisions, decisions...

Allyssa

merlinormartin

Well ... i'm currently on the hunt for a laptop but i had a set of specs that i required ... 3gig .. non intergrated graphics ..no AMD .. after searching many online stores and retail shops the Sony Vaio .. has won my vote .. due to price/specs and brand name. .. forgot to add there is "money off" play.com codes on the discount board

allyssa

Where is the discount board??

merlinormartin

Discount codes n voucher board
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?s=&daysprune=&f=38

i would post the codes here; but it breaks the "rules" and they will be deleted.

VEE_2

Looks like the Sony Vaio on Play.com has gone up in price overnight. It is now about £620, I think. Don't like places where prices change all the time! That said Play.com is a good place to buy from generally.

Ally, one other thing I have come across whilst looking at laptops usb ports. This might not be that relevant to anyone else, I don't know, but the Apple Mac only seems to have two whereas say the Sony Vaio has four. When you plug in your broadband and your printer that takes up two and then if you want to use an Mp3 player or Scanner or whatever you need more 'space'. Such a shame on that about the Mac as I think unplugging and plugging back in the printer everytime you need to use something else really inconvenient. Oh..and I don't think the Mac has a dvd rewriter (?) not that I would have any idea how to use that kind of thing anyway! The Vaio is seeming better and better I think...cept for the fact the price has gone up.

Then again, that little Toshiba one (Toshiba A300d-13x) from PC World was only £499 and it actually looked really nice and seemed (I think) to have a decent spec..although I have no idea of the virtues (or not) of a Toshiba.

ukdutypaid

Wasn't disagreeing with you on the Mac laptop thing. My point is that all laptops are pretty much the same...
BT, Wifi, sufficient disk space etc..... If you like the feel of the Mac and you don't mind the price then go that route........
The OP said normal use... So I'm not getting into high end graphics, movie editing....
Yes, if I'm obsessed then I want .11g/n and WiMax even.. but other than that.
It's screen size, weight, battery life, feel and I meant ergonomic, build quality, I wasn't coming from the colour stand point... (but no I don't want a beige, matt plastic laptop either, come to that).

All I'm saying is don't worry about 20Gb here and there, you'll appreciate 200g lighter, or 45 mins extra on the battery life.... and the fact that the buttons are in the right place, or they feel as if they won't fly off....
(Mmm, now where's that Linux EEe 901... lol)

I mean hell there's an Acer for 299 on Play at the moment, that's pretty much got everything, unless you're after somethingspecial..
Just check their 'Area-51' range of laptops out.. and for a laugh, seriously you simply have to look at the design of their PC's...
They are about 2k though!! lol
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/3477734/Acer-Aspire-7520-Turion-64-TK55-1-8GHz-1GB-80GB-17-WXGA+-DVD-SM-Vista-Home-Premium-Laptop-Notebook/Product.html

Then again, there's always http://www.alienware.com/ if you're after hi-end gaming... Mental machines.. bought by Dell....
Just have a look at their 'Area-51' range of laptops.. (I know, I know the name) and for a laugh, seriously just have a look at the design of their Desktop Area-51 PC's.... They are about 2 grand though.. lol.

TiTheRev

I was just putting a different viewpoint across, making it an even assessment of all available oppertunities I am, however, not a big fan of Windows so will never recommend it

VEE_2

TiTheRev,

Wondered if I am right in thinking the Macbook (standard) just has two usb ports..how do you find that? I do like the look of the Mac...can't help myself...but on my old pc having just two usb ports has been a pain but then i do have to lug the unit out and go in behind it due to their location. On the Mac do you have to plug in the broadband and the printer and then have no room for anything else like to charge an MP3 say?

My Dad bought a new laptop a Dell recently and despite it being new it runs soooooo slowly i would be tempted to chuck it out the window! Does a Mac really let you run lots of programmes and not go slowly.

Oh...also if you don't mind me totally picking your brains on this...does it have a cd and dvd rewriter?

Thanks very much

Vee