Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

shh... i was trying to post whilst solving one problem over the phone at work, and one via PM on this forum... and email someone at the same time ;)

Building a PC is not difficult- most things only go in the slot that they fit in, and it is a great way to save money.

If i was going to spend over a thousand pound on a pc now, i would only consider buying a mac- i think you can get a perfectly decent pc for half that money, so couldn't personally justify spending that much on something that has a windows o/s.*


*i am not trying to turn this into a pc vs mac debate btw

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

If you want to pay that have a look at what evesham or mesh offer with an amd 64 bit chip
DDR2 has been found to be a bit of a damp squib not the performance boost it was ment to
hard drives and gfx fine
sound card and screen fine
IMHO I would look at a amd64 and with that cash you will be buying one hell of a machine

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

Others have pretty much summed-up most points I was going to add, but just thought I'd mention that if space-saving is the only reason you're considering a laptop, as opposed to portability, then why not consider getting a Small Form Factor (SFF) case such as a Shuttle? Just a thought... you may not even like/want 'em.

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

Unless you need to game or edit video (and nowdays even that is less of a problem) then a laptop will do the job perfectly. Our Centrino 1400 is Dell Inspiron 8600 is fantastic, though as others have said the keyboard is not as good for long term use.

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

Thanks everyone for your help so far.

I would (I think) have no problem going for the Dell Option listed previously. BUT there is one problem - there's a free "Dell" printer that comes with it and I dont want it - Ive still got my Deskjet 950C, it's working well and I have no problems with it!!

Anyone know if it's possble to remove this from the order?? Or do I have to accept it regardless and try to give it away to someone??

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

There not gonna give you a discount so you may as wll give it away
Good luck with whatever you go for :)

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

You don't have to accept it (you'd probably need to phone them to place an order - good luck it'll probably be some bod in India - so they can amend the standard offer). My experience suggests you won't get much money off at all. Peripherals such as the printer probably aren't worht a great amount to Dell at wholesale values.

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

To be honest, I wouldn't be looking for a reduction in the cost of the computer. I understand that the printer is free and accept that there would (as in most cases) be no cash alternative!!??

2 more queries for you useful people!!

1. Does anyone know who makes Dell printers?? In other words, will I have to buy "Dell" brand printer cartridges or could you buy the manufacturers eg HP, Lexmark, etc??

2. Regarding Financing the computer - I remember seeing last month that Dell were offering 12 months interest free credit - I cant seem to find that now. Any ideas folks??

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

It is my belief that dell printers are rebadged hp but I may well be corrected

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

Well, yesterday I ordered the Dell PC that I spoke about earlier in the thread. This was not without it's hassle though.

First of all, the price I had previously quoted increased by around £100 - £150 within 2 days of me actually configuring it. I was not terribly impressed by Dell at that point. This pushed me very close to purchasing the HP Laptop - but I resisted.

I was online late last week when I noticed that I would be able to buy the same PC configuration for £1266. (Almost the same - on this occassion the video card was a Nvidia GeForce 6800 GTO 256MB) Well, I couldnt let this one slip away!! :)

The free Dell Printer offer was still on, so I rang the Dell sales number to try and find out if I could remove this. Well, as MovedGoalPosts said, I was put through to someone in India who I could barely understand as the sound kept dropping off. The tried to pressure me to purchase online because it was "safer (more secure), easier (I could remove the printer), and I would be able to change the billing address (Why??) Well, I ordered it off the internet because I was able to get 12 months interest free (Im buying it with my sister).

Anyway, Im just gonna accept the printer even though it's a basic model - hell, it was free so it can sit in its box!! :D

By the way, I dont think the printers are manufactured by HP - reason being, I saw a picture of the cartridges - they are definately not HP style. The problem with these Dell branded Printers is that when you need a cartridge, you have to order it off Dell rather than go to the shop down the street (and they are no cheaper).

Just waiting now on the PC - probably be 2 weeks or so - then the fun begins when I have to reconfigure my NTL Broadband account, email, etc (On a completely alien Operating System!!!!) :Yikes: :Yikes: That'll be F.U.N.

James

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

Windows Xp now loads into James79's computer,

givehelltonewbie.exe

The most feared .exe aside explorer.exe.

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

It will almost certainly be a re-badged Lexmark.

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

I have never owned a Lexmark (nor do I want to) - just dont like them!! But having seen a few, the Dell printers look very like Lexmark to me!!

J

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

Well, the PC was ordered from Dell on 25th June and after getting financial contracts etc sorted and faxed off to them, I received it yesterday.

Only learning the basics of what the computer can do but from what I can see - its a great setup.

For one, I have heard people saying that you dont really need a 5.1 surround sound system with a PC (this one came with it - no choice). All I can say is give it a try - put a Star Wars DVD on and nearly fell off my seat - cranked the Sub Woofer up to Max as well!! Phew!!!

I can even notice a vast improvement in the internet speed!! All I had to do was disconnect the old PC and insert the Network lead into the RJ45 socket in the new one!! Hey presto it worked first time!!

A 19" screen makes all the difference too!! If you're sitting in a room and it begins to get dark outside, you dont notice - big, bright display and it's easy on the eyes!!

Haven't tried any games yet, but plan to get something good to test this graphics card out!!

James

Re: Can You Help Me Choose Between a Desktop PC and a Laptop??
 

Great to know your enjoying it :D