Laptop advice please anyone?

[spuds]

Evenin' All.....


My antiquated PC is driving me nuts so I'm thinking of replacing it with a laptop.

70-80% of my home computer-time is spent on the web (emails & forums, not 'gaming' or anything) & the other 20-30% is basic home accounts, word-processing & photo-editing.

I don't want so spend any fortunes but I'd like a bigger screen than my wife & kids have on their laptops & I've narrowed it down to a choice of these two.....

HP Pavilion DV7-4141SA AMD Turion II Dual Core 4GB/500GB 17.3”
http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/shop...nav=4294935766

or a

Dell Inspiron 17R - N7110
http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/S...fh1&l=en&s=dfh


By the time I apply any discounts & stuff I can get they work out about the same price delivered (UK£370) so could anyone tell me which is better or steer me in the direction of their recommendation (without breaking UK£400)...??


Thanks in advance.....

[TSW]

Dan i'd say save up a bit and buy something from here!
http://store.apple.com/uk

[tattooedfagin]

have to agree mate, or if you shop wise on ebay you can pick yourself up a great pre-owned macbook that's probably just over 12 months old as the owner wants to upgrade to the newer model...it'll last you years & works like a dream

[daveathall]

If your screen for your PC is still OK, you might want to look at a Mac Mini.

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/hom...co=MTAyNTQzNTk

[gettocard]

Originally Posted by daveathall

If your screen for your PC is still OK, you might want to look at a Mac Mini.

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/hom...co=MTAyNTQzNTk

+1. Go for the apple thing,love it or hate it,you will love it and hate it like I do...

[spuds]

Thanks for the tips guys & never having used ANY form of 'Apple' gizmo.....

Are they really that much better??


Will it be like learning to use a computer for the first time all over again....??

[eman1200]

Just make sure to save your computer monitor so when u get ur laptop u can set up a dual monitor system. U won't be disappointed!

[usbzoso]

Out of the two you mentioned i would go for Dell Inspiron 17R - N7110 because it has a better processor Intel Quad Core which is much better than AMD Dual Core processor in the HP.

Pretty sure these will be good "home" media laptops. They are going to be kind of heavy for traveling tho.

[SPORTSFAN]

I would go for the Dell also, it looks like great value to me.

I like simple to use products and like you I just use a laptop as my home PC.

[gettocard]

Originally Posted by spuds

Are they really that much better??


Will it be like learning to use a computer for the first time all over again....??

1) no.

2) yes.

We would hear your swelling and cursing for the first two weeks,then one day you will go back to a PC (just because of an emergency,not because you will ever buy one back again) and your cursing will last well over 6 months...

[TSW]

Andy you got the answers all wrong

They should be:

1) Yes
2) No

Trust me Dan you will never go back to PC

[dalip]

I also would urge you to pick up a macbook Spudsy......you will be pretty clear after a day and it'll be one thing you'll never regret!!

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by dalip

I also would urge you to pick up a macbook Spudsy......you will be pretty clear after a day and it'll be one thing you'll never regret!!

Absolutely!!!

[gettocard]

Originally Posted by TSW

Andy you got the answers all wrong

They should be:

1) Yes
2) No

Trust me Dan you will never go back to PC

when it comes to a Mac it goes both ways I guess....

[SPORTSFAN]

Originally Posted by spuds

Thanks for the tips guys & never having used ANY form of 'Apple' gizmo.....

Are they really that much better??


Will it be like learning to use a computer for the first time all over again....??

I have just looked on Amazon and a macbook 17" seems to be about £1900.

So by my reckoning it would need to be roughly 5 times better than the Dell.

I will leave on that thought.

[Speed]

Dan,

Your MacBook will come with 95% of the software you will want / need. AND it will work together.

A cheap windows laptop will come loaded with bloatware / trial software that Dell or Hp have decided necessary to help them make money that they cannot charge unlike Apple. Apple cost more because quality and design of HW and SW are better. As Rolex fan, you can relate, I am sure.

[MonBK]

I don't know how it is in GB but my idea of Laptop is break a $100 bill to singles, sit back and enjoy the show.

[esm]

Originally Posted by MonBK

I don't know how it is in GB but my idea of Laptop is break a $100 bill to singles, sit back and enjoy the show.

I think you are confusing "lap-dancing" with a device that allows you to visually experience it rather than been there in person....

[drtooth73]

I think you can get a nice new Lenovo, miniMac, or used Mac laptop

[spuds]

Originally Posted by MonBK

I don't know how it is in GB but my idea of Laptop is break a $100 bill to singles, sit back and enjoy the show.

Well I can tell you a single dollar wouldn't get you much of a show in the GB either way!!

Obviously I don't know that from personal experience <cough> but......


Thanks for all the input guys & looks like a trip to the Apple store's in order then (even if only to see what everyone's raving about?! )....

[Dr. Robert]

I've had good luck w/ my Sony VAIO laptop.

[esm]

Originally Posted by spuds

Thanks for the tips guys & never having used ANY form of 'Apple' gizmo.....

Are they really that much better??


Will it be like learning to use a computer for the first time all over again....??

Actually... You have. The laptop you were using at ours was a 13" MacBook Pro

It'd take a little while to get used to. Once you go past that, you will never go back to PC :lol;

[The Joker]

I moved to Mac for the first time a couple of months ago Dan.

It's so intuitive for stuff like web browsing. And are beautifully built.

Although they are more expensive then the laptops you mentioned, they have the latest chips, and solid state drives. And to spec another laptop the same will be almost as much as the Mac. So it will last you longer.

Although having a laptop that has a 17" screen kind of defeats the object for me. I got an 11" air.

[CoopJr]

My wife has a Dell and it's very nice...my buddy made the switch to Mac and loves it, say's he'll never go back. I have to agree with Speed...even though I am more a MS guy, those windows PC's come with an awful lot of useless crap loaded onto them!

[CoopJr]

I also find the finger pad that replaces the mouse to be completely infuriating! I would get a mouse for that laptop ol' chum!

[spuds]

To be honest it'll be more of a 'desktop replacement with occasional portability' so the size isn't really an issue & Allan you're bang on about those bloody finger-pad things!

I'll head over to the Apple store in the week & see if I've got the patience to suss it all out again.

[sherwin]

Originally Posted by tattooedfagin

have to agree mate, or if you shop wise on ebay you can pick yourself up a great pre-owned macbook that's probably just over 12 months old as the owner wants to upgrade to the newer model...it'll last you years & works like a dream

whilst i am a mac user, spare parts are a bitch to find and buy for macs. one reason why i wont buy a preowned macbook pro without applecare. a logicboard (motherboard) can run up a nice bill of about $1000+.

[bayerische]

Mac *full stop*

[paddy_crow]

If you don't plan to use your computer to go mobile, I would suggest an iMac instead of a laptop. I've had laptops from both Dell and HP, they've all wound up having something break within a year or two. Not a single issue with the iMac, I've gone through three laptops in the time I've owned it.

[crew]

I have 3 Dell laptops that are all less than 2 years old. All 3 have experienced "issues" in that time. Two had to be sent back to Dell for repair, the other one needed a new battery. One of the repaired units also required a new battery at 18 months. I'm not at all impressed with Dell's reliability. To be fair, I also have a Dell laptop supplied by my employer (an Inspiron). That computer is almost 4 years old and has never had a problem.
If I were to ever buy another Dell, and I really doubt I will, I will definitely buy the extended warranty.