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Original poster

New a new laptop....big dilemma

62 replies

KatyMac · 27/02/2008 21:32

Should I buy an 'all singing all dancing' laptop - this one cost £700 about 2 yrs ago

Or should I buy as cheap as possible as it is only going to last 2 yrs so why pay more

Or should I buy a Mac

Tell me what to do I have computer indecision - I have been chuntering about this for about 6 months now

OP posts:
nannynick · 27/02/2008 23:05

NEC EASYNOTE MX37 - better spec than the Wyse, lower price. Comes with Vista, so would suggest more RAM... would expect upgrade to 2GB to cost £30.

Original poster
KatyMac · 27/02/2008 23:06

yuk Vista yuk

OP posts:
nannynick · 27/02/2008 23:06

Ah well in that case, find a local man/woman in a small computer repair shop... get them to get you a new laptop, and arrange a maintenance contract with them - so they fix it whenever it goes wrong.

nannynick · 27/02/2008 23:07

Yeah my view as well... though alas will have to make that switch at some point I guess, keep considering getting a new laptop.

Original poster
KatyMac · 27/02/2008 23:09

Which is why I am looking at a Mac

Like the contract idea

OP posts:
nannynick · 27/02/2008 23:13

How about DELL then, as they let you choose the operating system. Vostro 1500 looks reasonable - suggest a model with Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor, so it has a bit more power!

nannynick · 27/02/2008 23:14

So what does your 'MAC GUY' (or 'MAC GIRL') say you should get? MAC obviously... but what about software, so you can use things you already have on your PC, such as the excel spreadsheet.

Original poster
KatyMac · 27/02/2008 23:21

I don't know

I don't really understand it all

So I should stay with MS just not Vista

OP posts:
nannynick · 27/02/2008 23:24

I don't know...

But if it were me, I would stick with PC's running MS Windows XP... as I'm used to that (should say used to that now, as I first started with MS DOS ver 3.0 - now that will really start to confuse you )

Original poster
KatyMac · 27/02/2008 23:27

See you tomorrow - Night All

OP posts:
WiiMii · 28/02/2008 07:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/02/2008 07:39

I use Firefox & AVG & I have heard of people having problems

I would also like a different email thingie (gosh I'm techy - aren't I?)

OP posts:
throckenholt · 28/02/2008 07:48

if you are used to firefox - then you could use thunderbird for your mail (I am assuming you use outlook at the moment ?).

Why a laptop rather than a desktop - you get more for your money with a desktop.

And sounds like you want windows xp - do you already have the disks so that you can reinstall it on a new machine ? And MS office or open office.

pelafina · 28/02/2008 07:55

Message withdrawn

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/02/2008 08:06

If I get work a desktop I will either have to buy DH a laptop (for the 3 or 4 times a week that he uses it) or share mine (very bad idea) plus DD will use it too

OP posts:
throckenholt · 28/02/2008 08:09

why does DH need a laptop ?!

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/02/2008 08:12

Because he might occasionally once in a while think he wants to use one Grrrr

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 28/02/2008 08:42

Because he is a man
Because he is a pain

Ideally I would like:

Desk top for childminding
Laptop for DH & DD to share
Laptop for me (lovely new wonderful & special)

Then laptop & Desk top for the nursery

But that's a bit ambitious

OP posts:
throckenholt · 28/02/2008 08:53

how about cheap and basic desktops for work and DH/DD - fine for office stuff, email and surfing, and then the laptop for you.

And get DH to pay for his one !! (ps less easy to break a desktop too).

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/02/2008 09:07

No-where to put a desktop for DH & DD because 3/4 of my house is given over to childminding

DH has no money - it all mine

OP posts:
opinionateddad · 28/02/2008 09:36

FYI - XP SP3 will be released very soon so M$ have not stopped writing services packs... there wont be any new features but for a home user XP does everything you need and more..

Statistically 85% of laptops have issues in the first year and this is covered by warranty... I have 3 laptops at home at the moment the oldest is my wifes and that is 3 years old.. mine is about a year.. and the other is somewhere inbetween.. all are still going strong (some of the batteries could do with replacing but that is life)

FYI laptops with less bells and whistles are generally more robust and have less to go wrong inside..

For a home user on XP an good Centrino chipset with at least 1gb RAM will be more than enough... I would recomment Toshiba or IBM as a brand... they do not give too many extras but are solid and work well..

FYI - laptops are designed to be portable but this does not mean that they can be 'thrown' from room to room!!!!.. treat them nice and they will last forever (almost).. most important thing is to keep them cool when using... do not block air vents when laying on sofa covered in cushions or leave above the radiator or in the hot sun.

opinionateddad · 28/02/2008 09:37

ooops I meant '85% of laptops that have issues have them in the first year'

my bad

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/02/2008 10:28

The over heating is why I was looking tathat computer at 22:52 - it seems approriate

OP posts:
opinionateddad · 28/02/2008 10:40

get a cheap Toshiba, HP or Lenovo... Centrino or greater chipset with XP SP2 (SP3 will be out soon)..

For what you are doing anything more would be a waste of money

If it was my money and the time was now.. here is what I would consider

HP will need memory upgrade

a little fragile but ok

I would buy this one

I have 3 IBM/Lenovo's at the moment and they are all working great

You may need to contact the supplied to get XP preloaded.. DABS should be able to do this for you

Disclaimer - I provide no warranties with the above information, so no coming back to complain please

GeekBoy · 28/02/2008 10:55

not lenovo.. ...serious quality issues since no longer IBM - a friend provided 30 to a client - 10 failed in the first 3 months - NOT good odds..

I have perfectly working Acers at 5 and 3 years old.. ...just switching over to Acer laptops at work due to much better reliability than Sony (which are seeming to average around 8-15months before dying - the +3 year Sonys are much better - just the new ones seem shiiite..)