Laptops
 

I'm looking to buy a new Laptop.

Anyone got any recommendations for maunufacturer and specs ?

Re: Laptops
 

Probably the hardest hardware purchase decision I know of these days.

As a general rule I recommend either on the basis of features or build quality.

For build, I'd go with Toshiba or IBM.

For features, Dell.

The difficultly is that there are so many manufacturers and models available.. you will always be finding "the one I should have bought" it's just the nature of the beast.

If you post a description of it's intended usage it might narrow things down a bit.

Re: Laptops
 

Just don't go for a Packard Hell.

Re: Laptops
 

It's like a desktop replacement, not gaming, programming, word apps, picture apps, etc

Re: Laptops
 

www.evesham.com always get good reviews. :tu:

http://www.evesham.com/PCs/index.asp...3-69C562296DB6

Re: Laptops
 

I have a dell and my dad has a Toshiba laptop both have performed well, my Dell has exceeded my expectations many times.

Most of my m8's have either Dell or Toshiba too. I know someone with a sony vaio - but he has nothing but trouble with it, still I know the way he handles computers so maybe that's just him.

Re: Laptops
 

The dell outlet is a good place to go shopping.

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/pr...=uk&l=en&s=dfh

V.Happy with our purchase from there of an Inspiron 8600
£1,739. 28 Dell Inspiron 8600 Notebook: Mobile Pentium ® M Processor, 1.4GHz, 15.4 WSXGA+ Display, Internal NIC/Modem/Sound, Bluetooth, 512Mb ram (in one card so upgradable), 60Gb 7200rpm HDD, DVD-RW, Wireless B (since upgraded to b/g), XP Pro, Office SBE (which adds a fair bit to the cost).
£650.00 CR Total discount for system and accessories
£1,089. 28 Order Sub Total
£0.00 Estimated System Shipping* for Standard
£1,279. 90 Grand Total Including Delivery and VAT
(That was March this year so things have obviously fallen in price since then).

I would not have specced it to such a high degree from the main store as the budget was around the 1300 mark including software, so the bluetooth, bigger HDD, faster processor and XP pro are all bonuses.

Re: Laptops
 

I find my laptop two (year old Toshiba Sattellite, Celeron 1.1 GHz, 250 meg Ram with integrated Graphics) to be quite slow, even for general use. Startup takes very long compared to my desktop. My impression is that this is mostly due to the lack of Ram/onboard graphics, so I would recommend one with half a gig of memory and/or dedicated graphics.

Also be aware that many laptops come without a VGA port. If you need it to do presentations/hook it up to an external monitor/beamer, make sure you get one with a VGA port.

Re: Laptops
 

I`d def` make sure you check the battery life too. As some can be absolute pants.

My missus has an AJP one which if pretty tough (she`s not the most delicate creature about).

Re: Laptops
 

Non-gaming = GFX card spec unimportant.
General apps = not top of the range processing, but higher is always better.

What about wireless ?
Is it truely a desktopper or will you want a fairly light and portable one?
Also, there are some intensive non-gaming persuits like DV editing/authoring.. are you planning to do any of that now or in the future?

Re: Laptops
 

Personally, I have always used HP/Compaq laptops and have had a pretty good experience.

Current desktop replacement is an Evo N610 (obsolete now) with P4m 2.0, 512Mb, 30Gb drive.

The ebay HP marketplace (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/HP-Marketplace-UK) is a good place to get remanufactured systems cheaply, but only two laptops there today.

Re: Laptops
 

I have a HP Compaq nx9105 absolutley awesome bit of kit, widescreen bluetooth, wireless, dvd-/+rw memory card reader built in, 32Mb Geforce2Go built in, 1Gb DDR, not sure what speed the processor is but its an AMD Athlong XP-M, i got this one from Dabs about 4 - 5 months ago for around £1000

Re: Laptops
 

I have a work Dell laptop, and have had no probs. Very good quality.

Just got an Evesham desktop, and if their laptops are like their desktops, then I'd recommend them too.

Re: Laptops
 

Got 2 Evesham desktops already ....

How's this for a Dell spec ?

Re: Laptops
 

This is the one I just got :p: :cool:

http://www.evesham.com/PCs/Info.asp?...3-187FB25C3459

Re: Laptops
 

Very nice, both the ones I have are AMD Athlon XP based, ones a tower and the other a mini-tower. Never had a problem with them :D

Re: Laptops
 

I use a Toshiba Satellite Pro.... not bad build quality, and the one I have has Harman Kardon speakers (although they still sound naff). Handles games quite nicely too.... although I'd not really know that, seeing as though it's my work machine and not intended for games. Just hope the boss doesn't read these forums ;)

I have yet to see a better laptop screen than my sister's Sony Vaio - for watching films, it's truly incredible.

Re: Laptops
 

The 15.4 in WSXGA+ screen on my dell lappy is absolutly fab.

Re: Laptops
 

I have an Evesham laptop, it's just over 18 months old - and despite their good reviews for everything, including awards for good customer service, I wouldn't buy another from them.

It's been back for repair twice - the second time because they mis-reported the faults in the first place and so the laptop came back to me in the same state (I'd also enclosed a letter with a list of faults on, which they didn't bother to read). I don't know if it's a normal thing, but Evesham didn't do the repairs either - they told me (6 months ago) that they only sold rebadged laptops, but selling their own was something they "were looking into". May not mean much, but it's incredibly hard to get Evesham to contact the repair centre on your behalf, and they also couldn't give me any time limits or shipping details so I had no idea when the laptop would be returned to me.

The laptop is still under warranty, and still doesn't work as I believe it should - with a mobile P4 chip it still overheats, can't be used without a 2" clearance underneath it to take some of the load off the fan, the CD/DVD drive is noisy, slow, doesn't read a lot of the DVD's I have.

I'd hope that this is a one-off - but I'd definitely ask if it's one of their own laptops, or a rebadged one (not sure this is how they phrase it though)

Re: Laptops
 

i would always suggest IBM laptops all the way, the reviews they get are always outstanding, There main downfall is cost, there always more expensive, but if you want a laptop built like a tank (titanium lid etc) with security (T42 range now has finger scanner built in) and little extras like keyboard light then you need a Thinkpad.

but if budget is your option then go for a Dell, when I used to support a company with them, they were cheap good little laptops, although they did feel tacky and had a habbit to fall apart...

Re: Laptops
 

When I travelled a lot, my corporate laptop was a thinkpad 360 (i think). Fantastic piece of kit, light, portable, durable, perfect for the road warrior in me.

The laptop we bought was a dell, it was bought more as a portable desktop for use around the house so the size (primarily due to the 15.4in W/S TFT and weight were lesser considerations, it also meant a slightly larger keyboard is built in. We also have a fairly high performance desktop XP2400+ 1GB ram, so the crunchy stuff could be left to that, as the other use was inflight DVD for the few times a year i still fly, the Centrino processor gives great battery life and overall it fits our needs perfectly.

Re: Laptops
 

Looks like John Lewis are doing some top deals on laptops at the mo, eg A64 3400+ HP Pavilion for £999 (http://www.johnlewis.com/Shopping/Pr...U&Id=230205985)