Discussion
I really need to replace my Dell Inspiron 8500 with something a bit more portable, i.e. smaller and more lightweight. Performance and storage being less of an issue.
I'm ideally after something ultra portable like a Sony Vaio.
My specs as follows:
P4 2.0M
512MB
15.4" widescreen
20GB HDD
Wifi Card
I'm ideally after something ultra portable like a Sony Vaio.
My specs as follows:
P4 2.0M
512MB
15.4" widescreen
20GB HDD
Wifi Card
http://vaio.sony-europe.com/view/Show
it's tiny but not cheap.
Dell do much smaller ones if you're happy with dell.
http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellst
I'm surprised how heavy your current one is. I've got full spec 17" XPS dell laptop... doesnt weigh much more than that!
it's tiny but not cheap.
Dell do much smaller ones if you're happy with dell.
http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellst
I'm surprised how heavy your current one is. I've got full spec 17" XPS dell laptop... doesnt weigh much more than that!
I have a viao, and I have to say I have been unhappy with it from day one.
Mainly issues with the battery life and overheating.
I reported the problems within a week of purchasing it both to the vendor and the manufacturer. It's been back to the vendor twice - they say nothing's wrong with it. I contacted Sony a few months ago when it seemed the hard drive had expired only to be told that after reformatting I'd have to purchase all the software again (as disks were not supplied with the original purchase - something else I complained about).
After going through all the issues with a sony advisor, they said that they would have supplied a replacement had I notified them of the faults earlier. I explained I had done that but I was told there was no record of any complaint. Because of that, there was nothing they could do.
I'm sure there are other manufacturers out there that are just as obtuse, but I can assure you I will not buy another sony product of any description.
Mainly issues with the battery life and overheating.
I reported the problems within a week of purchasing it both to the vendor and the manufacturer. It's been back to the vendor twice - they say nothing's wrong with it. I contacted Sony a few months ago when it seemed the hard drive had expired only to be told that after reformatting I'd have to purchase all the software again (as disks were not supplied with the original purchase - something else I complained about).
After going through all the issues with a sony advisor, they said that they would have supplied a replacement had I notified them of the faults earlier. I explained I had done that but I was told there was no record of any complaint. Because of that, there was nothing they could do.
I'm sure there are other manufacturers out there that are just as obtuse, but I can assure you I will not buy another sony product of any description.
(better look at that dell one then 
)
Oh, is size the problem or is it mainly the weight because screensizes can be all over the place 11", 12" 14" 15" Obviously these impact overall size but if you just need something lighter its cheaper to get a slightly bigger screen (as components dont have to be so small).
Other things to consider;
Battery life:
bigger screen = room for higher capacity battery (larger capacity battery more weight though)
Heat:
bigger screen makes cooling parts easier, more room for vents etc.
) Oh, is size the problem or is it mainly the weight because screensizes can be all over the place 11", 12" 14" 15" Obviously these impact overall size but if you just need something lighter its cheaper to get a slightly bigger screen (as components dont have to be so small).
Other things to consider;
Battery life:
bigger screen = room for higher capacity battery (larger capacity battery more weight though)
Heat:
bigger screen makes cooling parts easier, more room for vents etc.
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/pro
Absoluty tiny dell, opt with the core duo for the extra grunt.~1.5Kg - your looking at £1000 with dual core (that's with no support, insurance etc)
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjec
- as i mentioned, runs windows if you buy a windows cd. Heavier at nearer 2.5Kg, but way more powerful and you might fall for the max osx. (£700-850 thats including your windows cd)
Absoluty tiny dell, opt with the core duo for the extra grunt.~1.5Kg - your looking at £1000 with dual core (that's with no support, insurance etc)
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjec
- as i mentioned, runs windows if you buy a windows cd. Heavier at nearer 2.5Kg, but way more powerful and you might fall for the max osx. (£700-850 thats including your windows cd)
Edited by bez_uk on Thursday 17th August 00:21
My Dell Inspiron 6400 turned up today (3 days after ordering it - not too shabby 
) and it's taken me about 2 hours to strip off all the 'free for 1/3/6 months' tat (Tiscali, Wannadoo, McAfee, AOL, Ghost, Corel paintshop pro X, Corel photoalbum6 etc etc) and get it set up with Antivir, Adaware, SpyBot, Firefox, iTunes etc.
I specced the TrueLife screen and upgraded the RAM to 1024.
The 15.4" widescreen with TrueLife is amazing - I totally recommend getting this 50 quid upgrade.
I'm very impressed with the silent running - much quieter than my other Dell Latitude X300 which I use for travelling as it's smaller/lighter.
) and it's taken me about 2 hours to strip off all the 'free for 1/3/6 months' tat (Tiscali, Wannadoo, McAfee, AOL, Ghost, Corel paintshop pro X, Corel photoalbum6 etc etc) and get it set up with Antivir, Adaware, SpyBot, Firefox, iTunes etc. I specced the TrueLife screen and upgraded the RAM to 1024.
The 15.4" widescreen with TrueLife is amazing - I totally recommend getting this 50 quid upgrade.
I'm very impressed with the silent running - much quieter than my other Dell Latitude X300 which I use for travelling as it's smaller/lighter.
is that the higher res screen at 1680x1050 or something like that? I got the 17" version of that screen and yes definitely get the truelife (dark glossy screen if you're not sure what that means) just make sure you have a smooth cloth for it if u cant stand dust on your screen like moi!!!
Edited by bez_uk on Thursday 17th August 22:56
No, its the 1280 x 800 display but with TrueLife the image quality is way better than my 19" Dell LCD. With the Duo Core the performance is pretty amazing. I'm really impressed with it and more importantly so's my daughter who's taking it off to Uni in a couple of weeks. Got her the student-discount MS Office for 69.33, an Orange WiFi data card and I'm just researching the best Freeview TV tuner dongle to buy then she's all set!
bez_uk said:
tell her to goto JCR and dont be unsociable that's the line I got from my parents... I'll test that one in october!!
that's the line I got from my parents... I'll test that one in october!!Knowing the bunch of delinquents and nare-do-wells that I hung out with in the JCR I'd rather she watched Eastenders
and Big Bruvver in the comfort/security of her HOR. Actually I'm sure she'll find her own group of reprobates and watching TV will be the last thing on her mind but Mrs Hut and I will enjoy the delusional comfort of imagining her cuddling teddy watching Panorama!
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