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

[Chris W]

Originally Posted by monkeybreath

- Laptops are normally cheaper than desktops

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

Originally Posted by James79

I seem to be moving more and more towards a desktop here with my statements, but portability isnt very important to me - space saving probably is more important??

Ive seen a PC on Dell that I like - very high powered spec - not a bad price imho:

Basically -


All for £1,395. 63 (including delivery)

Any pointers??

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

[Gareth]

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.

[SMHarman]

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.

[James79]

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??

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

[MovedGoalPosts]

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.

[James79]

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??

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

[James79]

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!!

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!!!!) That'll be F.U.N.

James

[AndrewJ]

Windows Xp now loads into James79's computer,

givehelltonewbie.exe

The most feared .exe aside explorer.exe.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by James79

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).

It will almost certainly be a re-badged Lexmark.

[James79]

Originally Posted by Neil

It will almost certainly be a re-badged Lexmark.

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

[James79]

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

[MovedGoalPosts]

Great to know your enjoying it