what is the *best* ((laptop) chip these days
Discussion
I need a laptop, but am flat broke (about to re-studentise myself...).
Looking at computers to use, it has to be a laptop, due to travel involved. I'm starting to look around, but am quite bamboozled by whats around.
My problem is that i haven't bought a new computer since 1998 so everything (and i mean EVERYTHING) is completely different!
I don't know what is best now, and certainly not which chips are best. I know that when i was last looking AMD had seriously turned the screws on Intel and were producing decent stuff, so nowadays are probably better etc etc, but that was then...
I am interested in a laptop that can deal with working in the field, has powerful chip and memory and reasonable (but not bonkers) hard drive. (sort of i want the best engine, gearbox, chassis combination and couldn't care less about electric windows and air conditioning - if you see what i mean!
)
I have to limit my money to around the grand mark, so at this price you can often be bambozzled by lots of flashy add-on bits and rubbish hardware. Basically i want it the other way around, great hardware, minimalist extras that i don't need.
What bits should i look for in a laptop and what should i avoid..?
Thanks a lot!
Looking at computers to use, it has to be a laptop, due to travel involved. I'm starting to look around, but am quite bamboozled by whats around.
My problem is that i haven't bought a new computer since 1998 so everything (and i mean EVERYTHING) is completely different!
I don't know what is best now, and certainly not which chips are best. I know that when i was last looking AMD had seriously turned the screws on Intel and were producing decent stuff, so nowadays are probably better etc etc, but that was then...
I am interested in a laptop that can deal with working in the field, has powerful chip and memory and reasonable (but not bonkers) hard drive. (sort of i want the best engine, gearbox, chassis combination and couldn't care less about electric windows and air conditioning - if you see what i mean!
) I have to limit my money to around the grand mark, so at this price you can often be bambozzled by lots of flashy add-on bits and rubbish hardware. Basically i want it the other way around, great hardware, minimalist extras that i don't need.
What bits should i look for in a laptop and what should i avoid..?
Thanks a lot!
Is battery life important? Will you use the PC on the move and away from the mains a lot? Or will you use the PC on desks in lots of different places but with a mains socket nearby.
Is it important that the PC is highly portable - small and light with a minimum of periperals - or is it important that it have all the features of a desktop computer.
Specifics: Do you need a DVD/RW (records and plays) drive?
Will you use Wifi (Wireless networking - often used to access internet "hotspots" - you can create your own with home broadband - and you can use ones in public spaces with a subscription)?
Do you need a built-in modem so you can dial-up the Internet where broadband is unavailable.
Frankly it doesn't matter a jot what processor is in the PC - they're all the same - you just get the fastest one you can afford. Also - you should plan on upgrading the RAM in the machine to AT LEAST 768MBs and, better, 1GB. Modern apps eat memory. After that its what peripherals are built in that matter as to a particular machine's suitability.
Why don't you create a checklist of what you want to do with it. Then translate that into features the laptop should have...then its just a matter of going shopping.
BTW: For a grand or, say £1200, you should be able to get a stonking laptop that will totally replace any desktop computer.
FWIW I recommend Sony Vaio machines - but loads of other people make perfectly decent boxes.
Is it important that the PC is highly portable - small and light with a minimum of periperals - or is it important that it have all the features of a desktop computer.
Specifics: Do you need a DVD/RW (records and plays) drive?
Will you use Wifi (Wireless networking - often used to access internet "hotspots" - you can create your own with home broadband - and you can use ones in public spaces with a subscription)?
Do you need a built-in modem so you can dial-up the Internet where broadband is unavailable.
Frankly it doesn't matter a jot what processor is in the PC - they're all the same - you just get the fastest one you can afford. Also - you should plan on upgrading the RAM in the machine to AT LEAST 768MBs and, better, 1GB. Modern apps eat memory. After that its what peripherals are built in that matter as to a particular machine's suitability.
Why don't you create a checklist of what you want to do with it. Then translate that into features the laptop should have...then its just a matter of going shopping.
BTW: For a grand or, say £1200, you should be able to get a stonking laptop that will totally replace any desktop computer.
FWIW I recommend Sony Vaio machines - but loads of other people make perfectly decent boxes.
Don's right. You can no more have a "best" laptop than you can a "best" car - you have to define your needs because everything is a compromise.
For example, we have two laptops in our household. One is a Sony VAIO GRT796HP which is a true desktop replacement with a 16" screen, built-in DVD reader & CD writer, heavyweight processor and RAM, but equally heavyweight mass at over 4kg with battery(s) and a PSU that resembles a brick in size and weight which raises the luggable weight of the whole package even further.
The other is an ancient IBM Thinkpad 240 which is crappy in every respect apart from weighing only a kg.
Guess which one stays on a desk for 99% of its time and which one is carried around the house as a wireless browser (PH on the loo, anyone?)
The point being - there is no such thing as 'best', there is alwasy comproise.
For example, we have two laptops in our household. One is a Sony VAIO GRT796HP which is a true desktop replacement with a 16" screen, built-in DVD reader & CD writer, heavyweight processor and RAM, but equally heavyweight mass at over 4kg with battery(s) and a PSU that resembles a brick in size and weight which raises the luggable weight of the whole package even further.
The other is an ancient IBM Thinkpad 240 which is crappy in every respect apart from weighing only a kg.
Guess which one stays on a desk for 99% of its time and which one is carried around the house as a wireless browser (PH on the loo, anyone?)
The point being - there is no such thing as 'best', there is alwasy comproise.
Cheers guys...
I am basically looking for one that can handle both wireless and wired modem applications, dvd player would be nice, but some form of "write" ability would be minimum requirement as i shall be travelling to parts of world i have never seen before...
...Therefore as well as being my workstation for my masters degree, i want to be able to use it as a pseudo-desktop i suppose, to store/process digital camera images, music to write to MP3 player when out and about etc, as well as being able to email home wherever i am (bush work...).
So many different "catchy" names for chips etc, i'm tyhe sort of guy that gets carried away by gadgets, so I just wanted to limit myself to a price (£1200 is absolute tops) and make sure i picked and chose the most useful bits from within that budget.
I am basically looking for one that can handle both wireless and wired modem applications, dvd player would be nice, but some form of "write" ability would be minimum requirement as i shall be travelling to parts of world i have never seen before...
...Therefore as well as being my workstation for my masters degree, i want to be able to use it as a pseudo-desktop i suppose, to store/process digital camera images, music to write to MP3 player when out and about etc, as well as being able to email home wherever i am (bush work...).
So many different "catchy" names for chips etc, i'm tyhe sort of guy that gets carried away by gadgets, so I just wanted to limit myself to a price (£1200 is absolute tops) and make sure i picked and chose the most useful bits from within that budget.
Take a look on Dabs - there's a Toshiba for around £610 inc VAT with DVD, built-in wi-fi, 14" screen, etc. They tend to be fairly well put together too, although more of a "desktop replacement" than truly portable.
If it has to survive lots of travelling and knocks, the IBM thinkpads are miles ahead of the competition (although more expensive).
Shop around and you'll get a great machine for your budget. Check Dabs and eBuyer first.
Also Dell have their factory outlet shop online, which sells machines with a full warranty at substantially reduced prices. They tend to be reasonable tough, yet ergonomically sound too.
>> Edited by blueski on Sunday 26th December 17:11
If it has to survive lots of travelling and knocks, the IBM thinkpads are miles ahead of the competition (although more expensive).
Shop around and you'll get a great machine for your budget. Check Dabs and eBuyer first.
Also Dell have their factory outlet shop online, which sells machines with a full warranty at substantially reduced prices. They tend to be reasonable tough, yet ergonomically sound too.
>> Edited by blueski on Sunday 26th December 17:11
Basically comes down to two things:
Do you want to play games/do CPU intensive stuff
and
Do you want to carry it about/use WiFI etc
If yes to the former, big screen, big P4 processor, lots of memory, it's gonna be heavy
If yes to the latter, don't worry too much about the processor, get Centrino, compromise a bit on stuff to get the weight down (really makes little difference what processor you have when you just use Word and Internet Explorer)
If yes to both, prepare to compromise
Do you want to play games/do CPU intensive stuff
and
Do you want to carry it about/use WiFI etc
If yes to the former, big screen, big P4 processor, lots of memory, it's gonna be heavy
If yes to the latter, don't worry too much about the processor, get Centrino, compromise a bit on stuff to get the weight down (really makes little difference what processor you have when you just use Word and Internet Explorer)
If yes to both, prepare to compromise
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