Slow laptop Pt2 :(

[JohnDotCom]

Zeb as regards a Laptop that can be Recommended, your Budget though a lot to yourself will not buy you a gaming Laptop where you would be looking at over £850 upwards for a decent one.

I have 3 Suggestions 2 above your Budget but they are all very good machines for the Money. The Dell Models can have processor, Hard Drive upgraded when required. The Laptops all have Wide Screen 15.4" Screens. On the Dells you can still have Windows XP Loaded as well!

There is many makes out there, but not all can be upgraded and having the same specifcation does not mean it gives the same results, depends on the Motherboard, speed of Memory, power regulation etc. Keyboards can feel very cheap on many with Keys in unusal positions. Brightness of screens make a huge difference as well. Do not go for AMD MobileSempron Processors they are no match for the Core Duo range from Intel. For Best value I would go for the Dell Inspiron 6400 which is currently over £60 Off. It does not have the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor but the Intel Core Duo, but the better processor can be had in next model up. It could of course be fitted later at extra cost but when prices have come down with the option of a much faster speed.

Well enough Ranting here is the specifications.

SYSTEM ONE (RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR BUDGET)

Dell Inspiron 6400.

Processor
Intel® CentrinoTM Mobile Technology:
Intel Core™ Dual Core Processor T2080 (1.6 GHz, 1 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)
Memory
1024MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x512)
upgradeable to 2GB(667 MHz) maximum.
Monitor
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display
Harddrive
60GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Optical Drive
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including software
Graphic Card
Intel® Media Accelerator 950 Graphics Up to 256MB shared graphics memory. Not suitable for latest games.
Modem
56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter
I / O Ports
4x USB 2.0 4-pin connectors (non-powered); 2 at rear, 2 on right-hand side of notebook system
Intel® Pro/Wireless 3945 (802.11a/b/g) network connection
TV-Out (S-video-Out): 7-pin mini-DIN connector (optional S-video to composite video adapter cable)
IEEE 1394 (Firewire): 4-pin serial connector, non-powered
Integrated 5-1 Card Reader
Video: 15-pin monitor connector
10/100 Ethernet LAN: RJ-45 connector
56k V.92 Modem: RJ-11 connector
Audio ports: Stereo Line-out (external speakers/headphone) and external microphone-in connector (mono)
Kensington Lock slot
Sound
Stereo sound Twin Speakers
Power
Primary Battery: 53 WHr, 6-cell "Smart" Lithium Ion battery. Approximate operating time: up to 5.13 hours per battery
Optional upgrade to: 85 WHr - 9 cell "Smart" Lithium Ion battery
Approximate Battery life span: 300 discharge/charge cycles
A/C Adaptor
Input voltage: 90 to 264 VAC
Input current (maximum): 1.5A
Input frequency: 47-63 Hz
Output current 4.34 A maximum
Output power 65 Watts
Rated output voltage 19.5 VDC
Height 28.2 mm (1.11 inches) x Width 57.9 mm (2.28 inches) x Depth 137.2 mm (5.4 inches) Weight (with cables): 0.4 kg (0.9 lb)
Express card slot
Please note that this system has a ExpressCard slot and support the ExpressCard format only. This system does not have a PCMCIA card slot
Dimensions
Width: 356.0mm (14.02-inches)
Depth: 265.5mm (10.45-inches)
Height: 36.55mm (1.44-inches))
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic - English or
Genuine Windows XP Home SP2 - English
Service
Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only

E-Value Code
UKDHSONL-N05645A
Cost £399 Until16th May 2007


System 2
Dell Inspiron 6400. Overall Best Buy.
Computer Buyer Recommended Laptop

Processor
Intel® CentrinoTM Mobile Technology:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5300 (1.73 GHz, 2 MB cache, 533 MHz FSB)
Memory
1024MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x512)
upgradeable to 2GB(667 MHz) maximum.
Monitor
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display
Harddrive
80GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Optical Drive
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including software
Graphic Card
Intel® Media Accelerator 950 Graphics Up to 256MB shared graphics memory. Not suitable for latest games.
Modem
56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter
I / O Ports
4x USB 2.0 4-pin connectors (non-powered); 2 at rear, 2 on right-hand side of notebook system
Intel® Pro/Wireless 3945 (802.11a/b/g) network connection
TV-Out (S-video-Out): 7-pin mini-DIN connector (optional S-video to composite video adapter cable)
IEEE 1394 (Firewire): 4-pin serial connector, non-powered
Integrated 5-1 Card Reader
Video: 15-pin monitor connector
10/100 Ethernet LAN: RJ-45 connector
56k V.92 Modem: RJ-11 connector
Audio ports: Stereo Line-out (external speakers/headphone) and external microphone-in connector (mono)
Kensington Lock slot
Sound
Stereo sound Twin Speakers
Power
Primary Battery: 53 WHr, 6-cell "Smart" Lithium Ion battery. Approximate operating time: up to 5.13 hours per battery
Optional upgrade to: 85 WHr - 9 cell "Smart" Lithium Ion battery
Approximate Battery life span: 300 discharge/charge cycles
A/C Adaptor
Input voltage: 90 to 264 VAC
Input current (maximum): 1.5A
Input frequency: 47-63 Hz
Output current 4.34 A maximum
Output power 65 Watts
Rated output voltage 19.5 VDC
Height 28.2 mm (1.11 inches) x Width 57.9 mm (2.28 inches) x Depth 137.2 mm (5.4 inches) Weight (with cables): 0.4 kg (0.9 lb)
Express card slot
Please note that this system has a ExpressCard slot and support the ExpressCard format only. This system does not have a PCMCIA card slot
Dimensions
Width: 356.0mm (14.02-inches)
Depth: 265.5mm (10.45-inches)
Height: 36.55mm (1.44-inches))
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic - English or
Genuine Windows XP Home SP2 - English
Service
Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only

E - Value Code:
UKDHSONL-N05646A
Cost £499 on Special offer


System 3
GATEWAY MT6825b
Computer Shopper Best Buy Jun 07

This Laptop has very good Battery life of 3 Hours,
Negative is that it has a Very Springy Keyboard and Irregular Key Placement of some Keys.
The Bottom gets very warm in use and Top is like a sandpaper finish.

This Laptop is Only available through Tescos so you get your Points too.

Specifications.
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 1.6GHZ
Memory
1GB upgradeable to 2GB
Monitor
15.4" Widescreen LCD
Hard Disk
100GB useable 84GB
Graphics
Intel Graphics Media 950
224MB Shared
Sound
SigmaTel HD
Optical Drive
NEC DVD+/-RW +/- DL
I / O Ports
4 x USB 2
1 x Firewire
1 x CardBus
Networking 10/100 802.11aq/b/g
Memory card Reader
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium only
Warranty
One year RTB
Modem
56KB

Price £500

Well that took an age. I hope it helps you Zeb PM me if you have a Problem getting Dell's at Stated Prices.

[Zeb]

Thanks John! Very detailed and most useful. You make some good points about upgrading too. Happily the games I play tend to be low spec by todays standards!

[salop75]

Backups are very important. I backup my laptop(used for work) to an external drive every week, and monthly backup all my documents and files to dvd.

Years ago i worked at a firm that backed up its sales and accounting data on a friday evening and over the weekend. Tapes needed changing mid weekend.

The IT manager took charge of backups. Imagine how he felt when one day after various hardware and software problems we needed to rollback to the previous weeks data. He had only been backing up the filenames, not the files....

He left the company the same day

[MGOracle]

Oh dear Lord! I have now come in to two threads were the recommendations for PCs or laptops has been horrific! You can buy a very sensible laptop for £400 that will play most games apart from the modern stuff. HP NC6230s are very good for the money, Acer are too although I tend to stay away from them as they are built like Lego and use very generic parts. Dell stuff is ok, horrifically overpriced for what it is. Asus are also very good but will have shared graphics. ALL laptops are upgradeable (in terms of processor, memory, HDD, CD drive and Wireless) - all but the oldes come with mini PCI slots so you can add wireless cards to them internally or even graphics cards if you want.

I wouldn't pay anywhere near £850 for a gaming laptop. £650 will do you fine.

Stetch your budget by £50-£100 and you open up a whole host of extra options.

[Zeb]

HP NC6230? Cheapest I could find...

http://www.redstore.com/HPXNOT00T

..and the spec is not great!:lol:

[MGOracle]

Originally Posted by Zeb

HP NC6230? Cheapest I could find...

http://www.redstore.com/HPXNOT00T

..and the spec is not great!:lol:

My bad - a slice of humble pie if you will! I meant the 6325 series.

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/124974

^ he shoots he scores!

[JohnDotCom]

Originally Posted by MGOracle

ALL laptops are upgradeable (in terms of processor, memory, HDD, CD drive and Wireless)

I am afraid that Statement is not completely true with many Major makes, including Toshiba Laptops cannot have the Processor Upgraded (they have no socket & are direct soldered) on their cheaper ranges. It is generally the Generic makes that use the same Motherboards and Components from a 3rd Party manufacturer in a different case that can.
The Onboard Graphics on some cannot be replaced internally with better Cards as no space or connections for them, and some of these chip sets are dire!
Dell's may be more Expensive but Pound for pound they have better Keyboards, Stronger Cases can all be fully upgraded including Graphics Cards, and are used by more Companies than most of the third Party makes put together.
You do quite often get what you pay for, the cheaper New Cerleron Processor Laptops cannot match or get anywhere near a P4 Mobile Processor, which is older. The battery life on some Makes is appalling, and the lack of sufficient USB2 and other sockets on some makes is a sin!
By all means buy a cheaper model, but test it out in a Showroom or someone that has one, check that you are happy with all areas that you will use it for, and that the memory can be upgraded if not already fitted with a Minimum of 1GB to availability of 2GB.
Lastly for the Latest all singing Games NO onboard Graphics chip will allow you to play at correct Frame Rates and fewer will work with Direct X 10!

The AMD Sempron and AMD's other Mobile Chips are a very poor 2nd to Intels with Core 2 Duo / and quad processors.
They are cheap thats why they are in a lot of Budget Machines, no Good for most Drawing Programs, Games (unless old), but they have really lost the plot back to Intel Big time in the Last 12 Months or so. Some Semprons can't even run Vista Ultimate Properly, (thats why they still come with XP) but is due to be replaced with most of their range in the future. For general use fine, anything else I would never recommend or use.

Of course one final Great Course of Action? A New Apple Mac Laptop with Intel Core 2 Duo with 17" screen etc, now were talking.

[Zeb]

Still haven't ordered my new one...I am waiting to see if the new job supplies one for me....well, you can but ask

[lightpainter]

Originally Posted by Zeb

Having stuck the Hd in the freezer for an hour I have got it working again and removed the last of my data....so now I am seeing what I can do via software to keep it running for a few more days....


and as the gentlemen say, back up your data!

Zeb what’s the theory behind a frozen HD working again? I have heard of this before but have never understood why.

[Zeb]

Originally Posted by lightpainter

Zeb what’s the theory behind a frozen HD working again? I have heard of this before but have never understood why.

I have no idea, but it works! At least for long enough to rescue your data.....