Buying a laptop

TiTheRev

Mine has 2usb ports indeed, but I only use them for my external HDD back-up and iPod connection, both of which are only temperary, so it doesn't bother me. Internet connection on mine is done via Airport (which is wireless connection), so you'd need a wireless internet connection or to use one of the usb ports for that. I only plug my printer in when needed, so again it's not a real issue.

I was genuinely surprised how quickly it runs despite doing lots of things. When I first got it, I had a couple of downloads going (QuickTime/security and Safari updates I think), plus iTunes playing in the background whist I loaded some photos onto it...all at the same time, and it was in no way slowed down, it's amazing!

My Mac has a CD writer, but not a DVD writer, although they are available for a little extra. All of the software is on the computer already at least

VEE_2

That's great. Thanks for the info.
I've never heard of airport before, but then I have never had a wireless connection before but I will soon learn! I tend to keep my printer plugged in as I use it every day so maybe that is where the hassle comes in. Then again if I get a wireless connection then I would have a usb port free. Also, apparently you can buy like a usb router thing from Apple that you plug in giving you four more ports for 17quid.

As for the dvd rewriter, it is one of those things that would be nice to have in case i ever wanted to try it but i don't think it would be something i would use much anyway.

The fast speed though...that is something important to me. In the past my computer shuts itself down when i 'overload' it with like 2 or 3 programmes and even when I visit other people with new computers/laptops like my Dad the same thing seems to happen and I don't run much except music and internet! So...that would definitely be the great thing about the Macbook.

Thanks for those answers

Vee

TiTheRev

If you get a wireless connection you can even wire the printer to print wirelessly too and free up the usb on the laptop as well. The wireless hub has a few usb/firewire connections, depending on the manufacturer, but you should be able to link that to the printer and print that way too

VEE_2

Really? No cables. Oohh sounds good to me. The Mac is back up to the top of my list! Cheers.

allyssa

Just to update. Thanx for the replies here it's been very informative!
I've made my decision on what to buy, it came down to either the:

Toshiba P300-156 for £649.00 (PC WORLD or Comet)

Or the Samsung R700 £599.00 (direct from Samsung or Play.com)

Or the Hewlett Packard (HP) DV9820EA between £579 and £650 (Tesco and play.com)

All had pretty much what I was looking for at least 3GB ram. 17" screen, built in webcam, etc. The HP looked and felt like tat, I couldn't get hold of a Samsung to see it in person, but when I saw the Toshiba I fell in love with it. It's a beautiful professional looking machine with everything I need. It feels like quality next to everything else I've seen in that price bracket.
So I'm going for the Toshiba P300-156 from PC World - getting it Monday Yay!

Allyssa

sarah_smurf

I'm no computer techy but went for a Dell laptop last year. Not because of make or anything, simply because I'd looked around for a few months and found that I got the most memory for storing things, the quickness and best battery life from them for the cheapest at the time, plus added things like free double memory or whatever else it was.

The only things that influenced me though were that my pc know-it-all friend told me not to go to pc world, I'm not really sure why but I've had loads of things from there including my wireless router and have never had problems so I ignored him lol... and the fact that I knew one or 2 people who had toshiba laptops who all had problems with theirs over a 12month -3 yr period and were thankful they took that 3 yr insurance that covered for the cost of the repairs & told me they wouldn't be getting another one from that make simply because of the amount of repair needed.

There's a laptop that's called Acer that seems to be selling well in my area. So whatever you get, you are covered for 12 months under manufacturer waranty but if you can afford it then try to get that extra insurance, even with a pc as you never know. But that's just my opinion.

TiTheRev

allyssa wrote: »

Just to update. Thanx for the replies here it's been very informative!
I've made my decision on what to buy, it came down to either the:

Toshiba P300-156 for £649.00 (PC WORLD or Comet)

Or the Samsung R700 £599.00 (direct from Samsung or Play.com)

Or the Hewlett Packard (HP) DV9820EA between £579 and £650 (Tesco and play.com)

All had pretty much what I was looking for at least 3GB ram. 17" screen, built in webcam, etc. The HP looked and felt like tat, I couldn't get hold of a Samsung to see it in person, but when I saw the Toshiba I fell in love with it. It's a beautiful professional looking machine with everything I need. It feels like quality next to everything else I've seen in that price bracket.
So I'm going for the Toshiba P300-156 from PC World - getting it Monday Yay!

Allyssa

All my good work for nothing

Sounds like you've got one you like at least...but wouldn't got to PC World unless it's the only place that does them, they are useless with customer service/warrenty etc... (Well in my experience anyway)