I'm looking for new laptop but i'm not sure how to choose the best (and cheap also). Any suggestion?

Answer 1

look for the 'cache' make sure it is no less than 2mb..
also, minimum Ram of 1gb, and 80+gb hdd.....

Answer 2

I am going to assume you dont want a hardcore games machine.

Processor - intel dual 2 core processor, doesnt matter how fast really. Make sure its a core 2 processor not the first generation.

Memory - or RAM. The more you have the more programs you can run. Bare minimum you should buy is 1024mb. Buy a machine with as much memory as possible and also look for expandability, how many free memory slots has it got? You can cheaply buy more later on and fit it yourself if it has extra slots.

DVD R9 rewriter - will write, rewrite and play all cd's, normal dvd's and dual layer dvd's. Sony's machines have bluray drives but they are expensive.

Harddrive - 80gb is plenty really because you can burn things to DVD.

Connectivity - As many USB 2 ports as possible, Ethernet/LAN, Multicard reader (reads memory cards from cameras and other things). If you get a intel dual core 2 processor it will have built in WIFI so you can have wireless internet at home if you want it.

Screen, The bigger the screen the better it is for entertainment, however if you want a small machine the screen size will be limited.

Battery power - choose a laptop that will give you a minimum of 2 hours, the more the better.

Graphics card - its basically a separate processor and memory dedicated to processing graphics and so freeing up the main processor to do other things. allows more sophisticated gaming and better video handling. Try and look for a machine with a seperate graphics card, as opposed to integrated graphics where some of the RAM is given over to it. It will push up the cost of your machine though.


In terms of buying a cheap good machine, first stop should be -
www.currys.co.uk
They have some of the best machines and are much cheaper and more competant then pcworld.

as for a recomended machine -
http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1822926374.1182974670@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdladdlfjidhedcflgceggdhhmdgmk.0&page=Product&fm=1&sm=0&tm=0&sku=690558&category_oid=-27405

This is the base spec you should look at really. Best brands are packard bell, compaq and toshiba.

Answer 3

In my opinion the most important factor in buying a laptop is YOU. What I mean is, what will you be doing with it? Just to give you an example if you like drawing, editing pictures, or making podcasts you would be using a lot of the features that make a MacBook a good buy. Another example would be if you are looking to play video games (you may be better off with a desktop) you would want to make sure that you have a premium graphics card lots of ram, etc.

Another thing that's important is to make sure that most (if not all) the components are upgradable. As you know technology keeps moving forward, nothing stands still, and if tomorrow's operating system requires 80GB of RAM (or some crazy amount) then you wanna make sure that your computer can take a parts upgrade.

Last but not least, from personal experience... get a good long lasting battery (nothing is worse than having a laptop that you can't move around cause you have to keep it plugged in) and a good carrying case. Good luck!

Answer 4

Although this may be an obvious question, what will you use your laptop for?

For spreadsheets, small databases (but not large database systems), presentations, and documents a laptop is ideal especially if you work on the move, at home, or in schools. They are also good for connecting to larger systems if your work involves that, but take care of data protection.

I don't keep files on my laptop apart from programs and system files, as this helps keep the hard disk clutter free, so a USB stick is ideal and the price of them has come down a lot. Floppy disks are good for storing individual files but these are gradually becoming a thing of the past.

So I would recommend archiving personal files regularly on to CD RW disks, and not keep personal information on the laptop in case of theft - which of course can be another problem, so take obvious precautions.

I use a marble mouse since I don't like the cursor control pads on laptops. A marble mouse (with a track ball) means you don't need to move the mouse around when using it.

Also, get a proper carrying case or bag for the laptop too. Some quite posh ones can be got for around £30.

As I only use my laptop on stand alone, without internet connection or wi-fi, I can't advise on particular anti virus software.

Packard Bell make good laptops, but expect to pay around £400 to £500 for a fairly good basic laptop. Cheaper ones can be bought for around £300.

Oh, and despite their name, laptops should not be used on your lap! This is because of heat, and ventilation. So laptops are best used on a table, bench, or desk.

Answer 5

Be careful of price. It may not have what you want, and may not "feel" good to use. I suggest you go to a National Brands start like Circuit City, Best Buy, Wal-Mart (which now carries Dell), Office Max or Staples. Try the system keyboard, and look at the screen. On some holiday sales you can get a good unit for $550-850. It will be higher cost with added memory, larger drives, and bigger screens. I like the Acer, HP, Compaq, Dell and Sony. I listed my preferences in order of name. I have had good luck with all of these. Be careful about the processor type. The Celeron is not good for number crunching, which includes some games. Shared Video memory takes away from installed RAM. If you go to the store web site you can get user reviews for systems.

Answer 6

You could buy a copy of Micro Mart computer magazine, it's only £1.99 and you will find numerous adverts. There are some excellent bargains in reconditioned as new laptops with a full warranty.Also a lot of brand new at discount prices. It's also a good magazine if you want to know a little more about how things work. Hope this helps

Answer 7

I'd support a lot of what Romantico_1 wrote, except about upgrading.

If quality is important, and games less so, then I'd recommend Apple. That route doesn't suit everyone, but they do have a robust and usable operating system. Talk to some Apple users, see how they get on.

Ask around - how often do people upgrade their laptops (or desktops). Not many people do, though many will change / add peripherals.

And...

Alexander Chancellor
Friday June 8, 2007
The Guardian

While in New York, I paid a visit to a glamorous downtown computer shop in the hope of being tempted. Although I have a laptop that works perfectly well, I wanted an excuse to buy a new one, especially as computers are much cheaper in America than they are in Britain.

With my friend, Mike, a patriotic believer in the American way of commerce, I approached one of those knowledgeable and personable young salesmen that Macintosh employs to encourage customers to part with their money.

"What kind of computer do you have?" asked the salesman. "A PowerBook G4," I replied. "A PowerBook G4?" exclaimed Mike, striking his forehead with his hand in mock horror; for he knew that I wanted to be persuaded to replace it. "That's a good machine," said the salesman. "How old is it?" "About five years," I said. "Five years old!" shrieked Mike. But the salesman said: "I'd hang on to it if I were you. It should be good for a while yet."

"Who on earth trained you to be a salesman?" asked an astonished Mike before we left the shop empty-handed; the young man just smiled. I am beginning to be worried about the future of the United States.

in: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,2098261,00.html

___________________
found on yahoo answers - anti-vista

http://www.jibjab.com/view/111288

Answer 8

Get a MacBook Pro.

It's dual core duo, Intel-chipped (Indeed, the Mac Pro is quad-core! But that's a desk-top,not a laptop).

Cheap? Not!

Well, you did say "the best".

But if you look at the second hand market they most certainly are. (Well, compared to new). I've seen one less than a year old going for £600 on Gumtree. That cost £2,000 new! 17inch screen, 120Mb HD. Can't moan at that. Be sure to get the original bill of sale, though. Check the usual places for second-hand things. Even check the boards on your local supermarkets.

Answer 9

Go to http://www.slickdeals.net and click on hot deals in the right column. Keep an eye on this forum for laptop deals or search for them. You will ussually find a lot really cheap laptops deals in that forumn and there are always plenty of opinions on every deal so you will know if its a good laptop or not.

Answer 10

goto different review websites there are tons of them - see what others think - they are the best source (people like you)

as far as brands, HP is OK, Dell laptops are better, Toshiba is good, Sony is overpriced - and Compaq (Compcrap) suck.
IBM/Lenovo are really good -
The best are
Falcon NW Fragbook
Voodoo Envy
Alienware ALX
(they are the Lexus, Mercedes, and Rolls Royce of computers...not cheap - but very good)

Answer 11

manufacturers to evade: Acer and HP(you're able to do a try via finding the internet and you will locate out an excellent sort of human beings complaining approximately them) good manufacturers: Toshiba, Lenovo, Dell, Vaio and dont overlook Asus