Borderline luddite wants a laptop.

  • Thread starter Roo
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Roo

Roo

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Note: My knowledge of computers is marginally less than my knowledge of quantum mechanics. Random Access Memory is what happens in my head when I'm daydreaming. An Apple Mac is a waterproof coat for fruit. And so on. Please bear with me when I ask something stupid that you've already answered, or I ask you to repeat yourself for the terminally dim; I'll do my best to understand, but I just don't get computers.

Righty, so I've decided to get a laptop. I don't need it for gaming - the only game I'll play on it will probably be Destruction Derby 2, if it'll run - so graphics cards are fairly irrelevant. I'll be using it for Internet usage, going through my digital camera photos as and when I take them (in a field on the evening after a motorsport event, say) and sorting out Scout records and such on camps. I'll also use it for playing music and videos. Regardless of how bad Microsoft is compared to Apple, I'm sticking with it because it's what I know. So, to summerise, things I think I'll need:

  • Long battery life
  • The ability to cope with having a bundle or programs open (fast processor?)
  • Largeish hard drive (can compromise on that)
  • Reliable - I don't want to have to change it for at least 5 years
  • Preferably the ability to withstand bouncing around
  • <£400 (US$780)
  • Easy to use

I don't mind how old it is, I'm not after the newest of the new.

Sorry to be so vague, and I'll try not to ask anything stupid.

I'll also need some sort of anti-virus firewall thingy... any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
 
Give this one a look. I'm sure someone will come up with a better option, but it's a start, right?

It gives you around £150 for tax, shipping and extras/upgrades.

As far as anti-virus goes, just get AVG.
 
Toronado
I don't get it.
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The keyboard issue ?..

Look at your keyboard - Z is supposed to be below the A and S keys on a qwerty board - Yet, Dell decided to extend the left shift and thereby shifting the keys one place to the right...
 
Thanks for all the replies, it gives me something to start from 👍 I'll let you know what I get when I eventually decide.
 
Here is a Tip Roo:
Make sure if you get an MS OS(or an Apple OS) to keep on track with anti-spyware programs, as the normal firewall is not very strong.

The main reason I use Ubuntu is the ports to the internet is closed(does not mean internet does not work) which means much less viruses you would experience from a MS OS.
 
Not sure. At the moment, I'm finding Vista OK; I was thinking about trying to get XP because I've heard a lot about Vista and not much of it was good. I haven't had any problems so far... but I've only had it 48 hours :)
 
I've had no problems with Vista, and it's coming up one year. By the sound of it, I use my Vista box for similar purposes as you.

A lot of my friends have been like you - wanting to stick with XP, eeewwww that ugly evil Vista thing? - but once they've moved over and got used to it after a couple of weeks they realise it's not all that bad.

Good one Roo! 👍
 
Same here. There are actually a few things I like better in Vista. Vista is not the devil. It's just new and takes some getting used to, like all software.

For the record, I use my laptop for the same things as well - surfing, music, movies, photo editing, online games, etc.
 
Have you checked on one of the updated Asus Eee 900s? I believe those are available now with XP and an Apple-like trackpad for less than $600 USD. They seem to be pretty reliable, easy to use, although they aren't going to win any awards for speed and overall capability.

I'd consider waiting a little bit longer if you can, they're updating the Eee 900 again with a new Intel chipset and a revamped exterior. I'm considering getting one myself.
 
YSSMAN
Have you checked on one of the updated Asus Eee 900s?
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If you're alright with a 7, 9 or 10" display, sure. A co-worker has a Eee and loves it as it fit his need perfectly - he already has a desktop PC and wanted something small that would let him go online and check email when he is out of town for work, which his Eee does for under $500. For me, it wasn't even close to an option as my laptop is my main computer and I don't have a problem carrying around a 17" desktop replacement.

The Eee definitely fills a niche, though. If it works for you, go for it. 👍
 
I set up an Eee last week for display at work. I hate the things, you can't type on them if you have above average sized hands, the built in touchpad is ****house, and it doesn't even have a CD/DVD drive.

Pass.
 
I think this Eee 900 update may get one, but I'm not sure. They're constantly updating it, which is nice, but generally speaking its really only going to be a good idea if you're using it lightly.

I'd be looking for an Eee just so I can do my notes at school and other internet stuff at the same time. I must be one of the only kids at AQ without a laptop...
 
TB
Same here. There are actually a few things I like better in Vista. Vista is not the devil. It's just new and takes some getting used to, like all software.

For the record, I use my laptop for the same things as well - surfing, music, movies, photo editing, online games, etc.
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Eh, I used Vista for months and I have found some issues I have with it. Of course, those are from a techie geek that spends entirely too much time with computers. It does have its good bits though, but the quirks and RAM usage still annoy the crap out of me.

TB
If you're alright with a 7, 9 or 10" display, sure. A co-worker has a Eee and loves it as it fit his need perfectly - he already has a desktop PC and wanted something small that would let him go online and check email when he is out of town for work, which his Eee does for under $500. For me, it wasn't even close to an option as my laptop is my main computer and I don't have a problem carrying around a 17" desktop replacement.

The Eee definitely fills a niche, though. If it works for you, go for it. 👍
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Niche product indeed. It was high on my list till I started thinking about keyboard size and that it would still be about as large as some other ultra-portables. The price ended up with me comparing it to the iPod touch, which I wrote about a while a go. I just need to find a folding, PDA-style keyboard for it :lol:
 
YSSMAN
Have you checked on one of the updated Asus Eee 900s? I believe those are available now with XP and an Apple-like trackpad for less than $600 USD. They seem to be pretty reliable, easy to use, although they aren't going to win any awards for speed and overall capability.

I'd consider waiting a little bit longer if you can, they're updating the Eee 900 again with a new Intel chipset and a revamped exterior. I'm considering getting one myself.
Click to expand...
Did you read the thread before posting???

Roo
Search over. Checked PCWorld's stock and bought one yesterday :) Thus far, it does everything I ask of it. ...
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Roo
... At the moment, I'm finding Vista OK; I was thinking about trying to get XP because I've heard a lot about Vista and not much of it was good. I haven't had any problems so far... but I've only had it 48 hours :)
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