Looking for a new laptop?

Question

My laptop has recently died on me. Which is fine as it was quite old. I'm in the market for a new one. It will be used mainly to surf the internet and managed my music files. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Hey Cleo t.
I looked everywhere for a new laptop.
I wanted a 17" screen but they were all really expensive. Then i found a great laptop at Tesco direct!
Have a look on Tesco direct.com, iv got the Gateway 17" MX8716B, its really powerfull with Windows Vista Home Premium and with its larger screen its great for watching movies.
I paid £549 which i thought was a really good price.
Iv just had a look and its in the sale at £499.

Answer 2

to get you thinking
I suggest to buy one from a store that can give you extended warranty

This is from my notes, hope it helps..

Choosing a laptop
=============
You have to decide on weight and battery criteria.

1. Weight - If you are going to carry it to and fro to school/office then consider getting a lightweight model. An external CD drive may be an option as if you not into burning disks or watching DVD then you hardly use the CD drive. Something about less than 2 kg is a lightweight.

2. Battery Life, - if you never going to use it on batteries then you can go bigger processor and larger screen. You can consider not buying the battery if appropriate. You can have two power supplies; one at home and one in the office is good for large heavy laptops.
If you want to use the laptop on batteries then you may have to choose a smaller processor and a smaller screen so you can get the hours required out of the battery.

3. Minimum specifications –
Games will require more specifications – more ram and –more video card specs – more processor power.
Generally though:
-a decent video card (for projection of power point presentations)
-Wireless networking
-Ethernet
-Consider a high speed hard drive
- Consider 80GB Hard drive or larger
- Consider an external DVD drive or an Internal Burner -depending on your needs
-Consider 1 Gig RAM for XP or 2 Gig RAM for Vista
-Software able to update from their websites
-Internet security and
-Antispyware (free from net) is a must for internet use.
-Easy accessible USB ports
- built in webcam
- A Mouse
- a keystone lock
-A carry bag. Sometimes the manufacturer’s bag is the best buy

Consider getting the hard drive partitioned to C: and D:. The C drive can be 30 gig for a la[top D drive is extended across the remaining.

When looking at laptops in the shop do this:
(this is written for XP but should be able to do it in Vista, ask the attendant for assistance.)
Click Start – help and support.
Type in Processor in the search (for Vista type Hardware)

Go through the results you can see what hardware and what Microsoft products are installed in the laptop/ computer.

Google luck!!!

Answer 3

Be one of the first in line at a Best Buy on Friday morning. Their Black Friday ad has a really nice Sony for $399. There is only 10 or 12 per store so have to be there when the door opens. The one advertised at Circuit City isn't too bad either but a little higher priced.

Answer 4

"It will be used mainly to surf the internet and managed my music files." tells me you won't need the most expensive laptop out there.

So, decide on a budget figure, then go to the various manufacturer's websites, by country (see examples below, not ordered), and select an appropriate model. Then, and here's the "trick", Google for: Make Model user review

You can read hundreds of evaluations from people who bought THAT make & model and learn from their experiences.

Answer 5

Hi there. I was in your boat a few months back.
I chose the HP Pavillion DV6000 entertainment Laptop. It was £650 then but now around the £600 mark. Mine has a 160GB hard drive, 2GB RAM, 15 inch HD widescreen (Great for watching movies) and Altec Lansing speakers that in my fiew are the best. Nice and loud- good for music
Hope this helps.

Answer 6

if you going to have a lot of music files on the lap top i would go with a macbook if price is not the issue

Answer 7

HP's tx1222au (if it's still available) or Compaq Presario V34xx. You can search for it.

Answer 8

I like sagernotebooks... very good quality... very good pricing!

Answer 9

look on amd processor