Discussion
Need the collective advice from the PH Techie massive please. I'm looking for a Laptop for under a grand with a fairly good spec. I'm predominantly going to use it for photography and Photoshop CS2. Reading on other threads it needs at least 512ghz Ram to run PS smoothly.
Also looking for a wireless setup to connect to my desktop pc at home, so I can surf PH anywhere
so in summary it needs to be:
1. >512ghz Ram
2. Wireless capable
3. >40gb Hard drive
4. light enough to be portable in camera bag.
Any ideas or recomendations please ?
Also any ideas of the cheapest retailers ?
Second question:
What's the best way to setup being wireless at home? (equipment etc)
cheers
Shady
>> Edited by shadytree on Tuesday 11th October 07:45
Wireless at home - get yourself a cheap wireless router and plug your adsl/cable modem into it. Job done. They set themselves up these days so its dead easy.
Laptop wise... Mac. For a grand you could get a 14" iBook upgraded to 1GB ram. This is more than fast enough (don't compare processer GHz to a PC, its a different type of chip) and comes the 60GB HDD, wireless built in, DVD writer, all the software you'll need except PS. The screen's are also superb.
The OS is the easiest to use in the world ever, the provided software is the mutts for importing from a digital camera (it'll just work, no faffing with drivers or that rubbish), doing DV movie work, burnin DVD's etc. In fact, to burn a DVD slideshow of photos is about 3 clicks of the mouse!
Mac's are the industry standard for the creative arts (music, photography, design, movies) for a reason. If you're near Bluewater, Regent Street or Birmingham, pop into an apple store and play with one.
Laptop wise... Mac. For a grand you could get a 14" iBook upgraded to 1GB ram. This is more than fast enough (don't compare processer GHz to a PC, its a different type of chip) and comes the 60GB HDD, wireless built in, DVD writer, all the software you'll need except PS. The screen's are also superb.
The OS is the easiest to use in the world ever, the provided software is the mutts for importing from a digital camera (it'll just work, no faffing with drivers or that rubbish), doing DV movie work, burnin DVD's etc. In fact, to burn a DVD slideshow of photos is about 3 clicks of the mouse!
Mac's are the industry standard for the creative arts (music, photography, design, movies) for a reason. If you're near Bluewater, Regent Street or Birmingham, pop into an apple store and play with one.
Stu,
To add to what jimothy said, you'll certainly need a WiFi router, 802.11g is the standard at the moment and works at up to 54Mbps, useful for transferring large amounts of data between say your laptop and desktop, and probably far quicker than your internet connection. Which router you buy though depends on your connection - do you have ADSL? If so it's easiest to buy a combined ADSL modem and wifi router. Mine's Belkin and works fine, 3com and Netgear are also good, although my dad's netgear one requires you to log into it and press the connect button each time you turn it on, which is odd.
THe only potential problem is that most wifi networks operate on 2.4Ghz, the same frequency as some cordless phones, bluetooth, and video senders so it's possible to get some interference between them. If this is an issue you could send back the kit and get 802.11a instead if you can find it, which works on the 5Ghz frequency.
To connect the desktop to the wireless network you can buy an internal PCI card which has an aerial that sticks up at the back of the PC card, which gives pretty good range. Or you can get a USB 'dongle' that looks like one of those USB data key things, and is less messing around but may have less range.
For the laptop you either buy one with WiFi built in (less range) or buy a plug in PCMCIA card or again the USB key. More range but you have bits sticking out of the laptop. Out of PCMCIA or USB I'd go with the PCMCIA. Some of the online shops do deals when buying things together, like a router and a USB key. Starting points: www.expansys.com/d_adsl.asp or www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3MR0&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=wifi&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=50909
As for laptops, Samsungs are good for the money and have the best screens around. Mine's a V25, which was I think £900. 15" screen, 2.8Ghz processor speed, 512Mb RAM, 30Gb HDD, DVD reader and CD writer, optical output for surround sound, firewire, SVHS out etc. That was a couple of years ago, so I'm sure there's a version now with 40Gb hard drive or more plus DVD burner built in. My only criticism is that it's a bit heavy, at 2.8Kg. After sale service is good, if something goes wrong under warranty, Samsung send a courier to pick it up, ship it to Ireland, fix it and courier it back to you all within 3 days and progress of shipping / fixing is all viewable online.
Or how about Toshiba:
www.gultronics.co.uk/og/index.asp?par=notebooks&chi=pentium%204
If you want super lightweight, you can go down the route of smaller screen and port replicators (i.e. smaller laptops don't have the full range of ports/sockets since when you're carrying it around you generally don't need them. When you're at home you plug the machine into the provided "port replicator" base station thing. My bro has an incredibly light Toshiba laptop like this, with wifi built in.
hope that helps
Edited to add: take a stroll along Tottenham Court Road with your list of demands, cheapest & easiest way I've found of buying IT kit. Possibly quicker even than surfing the online shops.
>> Edited by munky on Tuesday 11th October 12:31
To add to what jimothy said, you'll certainly need a WiFi router, 802.11g is the standard at the moment and works at up to 54Mbps, useful for transferring large amounts of data between say your laptop and desktop, and probably far quicker than your internet connection. Which router you buy though depends on your connection - do you have ADSL? If so it's easiest to buy a combined ADSL modem and wifi router. Mine's Belkin and works fine, 3com and Netgear are also good, although my dad's netgear one requires you to log into it and press the connect button each time you turn it on, which is odd.
THe only potential problem is that most wifi networks operate on 2.4Ghz, the same frequency as some cordless phones, bluetooth, and video senders so it's possible to get some interference between them. If this is an issue you could send back the kit and get 802.11a instead if you can find it, which works on the 5Ghz frequency.
To connect the desktop to the wireless network you can buy an internal PCI card which has an aerial that sticks up at the back of the PC card, which gives pretty good range. Or you can get a USB 'dongle' that looks like one of those USB data key things, and is less messing around but may have less range.
For the laptop you either buy one with WiFi built in (less range) or buy a plug in PCMCIA card or again the USB key. More range but you have bits sticking out of the laptop. Out of PCMCIA or USB I'd go with the PCMCIA. Some of the online shops do deals when buying things together, like a router and a USB key. Starting points: www.expansys.com/d_adsl.asp or www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3MR0&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=wifi&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=50909
As for laptops, Samsungs are good for the money and have the best screens around. Mine's a V25, which was I think £900. 15" screen, 2.8Ghz processor speed, 512Mb RAM, 30Gb HDD, DVD reader and CD writer, optical output for surround sound, firewire, SVHS out etc. That was a couple of years ago, so I'm sure there's a version now with 40Gb hard drive or more plus DVD burner built in. My only criticism is that it's a bit heavy, at 2.8Kg. After sale service is good, if something goes wrong under warranty, Samsung send a courier to pick it up, ship it to Ireland, fix it and courier it back to you all within 3 days and progress of shipping / fixing is all viewable online.
Or how about Toshiba:
www.gultronics.co.uk/og/index.asp?par=notebooks&chi=pentium%204
If you want super lightweight, you can go down the route of smaller screen and port replicators (i.e. smaller laptops don't have the full range of ports/sockets since when you're carrying it around you generally don't need them. When you're at home you plug the machine into the provided "port replicator" base station thing. My bro has an incredibly light Toshiba laptop like this, with wifi built in.
hope that helps
Edited to add: take a stroll along Tottenham Court Road with your list of demands, cheapest & easiest way I've found of buying IT kit. Possibly quicker even than surfing the online shops.
>> Edited by munky on Tuesday 11th October 12:31
Well PC world are doing a tosh laptop for 499 that would probably fit the bill - so thats an extra trackday in the AMV8 for you.
Or if you want something cooler then try these :
TOSH LIBRETTO (micro laptop)
www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mobile/display/toshiba-libretto.html - small screen though - 7.5" but still 1280 / 768
DELL X1
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/latit_x1?c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&l=en&s=bsd
Dell will be easier for photoshop etc.
or the samsung already mentioned looks ok - I'd go for the dell personally ahving worked there for 3 years - they are pretty darn good machines and I've had a few...
Or if you want something cooler then try these :
TOSH LIBRETTO (micro laptop)
www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mobile/display/toshiba-libretto.html - small screen though - 7.5" but still 1280 / 768
DELL X1
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/latit_x1?c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&l=en&s=bsd
Dell will be easier for photoshop etc.
or the samsung already mentioned looks ok - I'd go for the dell personally ahving worked there for 3 years - they are pretty darn good machines and I've had a few...
I'm considering going for a DELL Inspiron 6000 ???
this is the spec:
Any comments or things I've missed?
PROCESSOR Intel® Pentium® M 725A Processor (1.6GHz 2MB L2 cache 400MHz FSB) & shared graphics memory
MEMORY 1024MB 400MHz DDR2 RAM (2 x512 MB)
80GB (7,200rpm) IDE Hard Drive
15.4" Wide Screen UltraSharpTM WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD Panel
Intel® Media Accelerator 900 Graphics Up to 128MB shared system memory
Wireless 350 Bluetooth 2.0 Module
this is the spec:
Any comments or things I've missed?
PROCESSOR Intel® Pentium® M 725A Processor (1.6GHz 2MB L2 cache 400MHz FSB) & shared graphics memory
MEMORY 1024MB 400MHz DDR2 RAM (2 x512 MB)
80GB (7,200rpm) IDE Hard Drive
15.4" Wide Screen UltraSharpTM WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD Panel
Intel® Media Accelerator 900 Graphics Up to 128MB shared system memory
Wireless 350 Bluetooth 2.0 Module
shadytree said:
I'm considering going for a DELL Inspiron 6000 ???
this is the spec:
Any comments or things I've missed?
PROCESSOR Intel® Pentium® M 725A Processor (1.6GHz 2MB L2 cache 400MHz FSB) & shared graphics memory
MEMORY 1024MB 400MHz DDR2 RAM (2 x512 MB)
80GB (7,200rpm) IDE Hard Drive
15.4" Wide Screen UltraSharpTM WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD Panel
Intel® Media Accelerator 900 Graphics Up to 128MB shared system memory
Wireless 350 Bluetooth 2.0 Module
Pretty good... Dell's seem pretty solid in my experience.
Check out their outlet as well... can sometimes get a real bargain.
mr_tony said:
DELL X1
Dell will be easier for photoshop etc.
or the samsung already mentioned looks ok - I'd go for the dell personally ahving worked there for 3 years - they are pretty darn good machines and I've had a few...
Actually, the Dell X1 IS a Samsung. Samsung Q30 to be precise.
Podie said:
I'm considering going for a DELL Inspiron 6000 ???
this is the spec:
Any comments or things I've missed?
PROCESSOR Intel® Pentium® M 725A Processor (1.6GHz 2MB L2 cache 400MHz FSB) & shared graphics memory
MEMORY 1024MB 400MHz DDR2 RAM (2 x512 MB)
80GB (7,200rpm) IDE Hard Drive
15.4" Wide Screen UltraSharpTM WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD Panel
Intel® Media Accelerator 900 Graphics Up to 128MB shared system memory
Wireless 350 Bluetooth 2.0 Module
Pretty good... Dell's seem pretty solid in my experience.
Check out their outlet as well... can sometimes get a real bargain.
Rich24235 mentioned going for a shared graphics memory might slow things a bit ?
Exactly the same dilemma as you, looking for one and my wife say "Get Powerbook G4 !" and it is very pricey and I wonder PC laptop will do the job better than Apple's?
What is the link for outlet store? can't find anywhere.
I'm trying to sell my Sony Vaio V1 for laptop (anyone interested?)
What is the link for outlet store? can't find anywhere.
I'm trying to sell my Sony Vaio V1 for laptop (anyone interested?)
agent006 said:
We use mainly Latitudes but have a few inspirons, and he differencein quality is huge. Components are mainly the same but it's the quality of the case that stands out most. Even the screen hinge mounts are plastic on the inspiron.
We've got the older Inspirons and the latest Latitudes.
Just got some D610's actually... blimey... bigger than the outgoing D600...!
I bought a Dell Inspiron 8600c about a year ago. Upped the memory to 1Gb and specified the top end screen (UXGA is it?). Superb screen for photos. (Though the resolution does make most of the icons and text very small indeed. Pin sharp though.)
I left the graphics as standard at the time since I don't use it for games or much video work.
With the 1.7GHz Centrino processor at the time the whole thing came to about £1100 iirc. I'm very pleased with it. The only comment I would make is that it is not a size that would fit into any camera bags I have! However one could find a computer bag with enough capacity to take the camera as well ...! But I would certainly not want to be carrying it and camera kit around all day so I don't see the need to compromise on size. A dedicated photo mass storage device would be a better bet for mobile use keeping the PC for the portable, wirelessly networked activity undertaken mainly at home. IMHO of course.
I left the graphics as standard at the time since I don't use it for games or much video work.
With the 1.7GHz Centrino processor at the time the whole thing came to about £1100 iirc. I'm very pleased with it. The only comment I would make is that it is not a size that would fit into any camera bags I have! However one could find a computer bag with enough capacity to take the camera as well ...! But I would certainly not want to be carrying it and camera kit around all day so I don't see the need to compromise on size. A dedicated photo mass storage device would be a better bet for mobile use keeping the PC for the portable, wirelessly networked activity undertaken mainly at home. IMHO of course.
Just got a Dell Inspirion 9300 with 17" screen (much better), 60gb hd, subwoofer, wireless. This also comes with an ATI 128mb independent graphics card too.
Not bad for £700.
Edited to add 1gb of RAM too, so Adobe Creative Suite 2 flys along.
>> Edited by schueymcfee on Thursday 13th October 12:27
Not bad for £700.
Edited to add 1gb of RAM too, so Adobe Creative Suite 2 flys along.
>> Edited by schueymcfee on Thursday 13th October 12:27
OK, decision help needed here!
I've bought WHAT LAPTOP and various computer mags. Been to all the stores to check them out, but the choice is huge !
I love the Black display screen on the Sony Viaos, but have a doubt about the battery life seems a tad short at 3 hours.
What with the below spec ideas, what model should I be looking at ?
Good solid machine, reliable, with good spec.
Budget about £1200
Screen - 12"-15" (good for images , photoshop etc)
Fastish processor (to cope with photoshop CS2)
Dedicated Graphics card 128mb or >
80gb or > Memory
Windows XP
DVD/CD optical drive
Weighs less than 3kg
Wireless
Bluetooth
regards
confused Shady
>> Edited by shadytree on Tuesday 18th October 08:53
I've bought WHAT LAPTOP and various computer mags. Been to all the stores to check them out, but the choice is huge !
I love the Black display screen on the Sony Viaos, but have a doubt about the battery life seems a tad short at 3 hours.
What with the below spec ideas, what model should I be looking at ?
Good solid machine, reliable, with good spec.
Budget about £1200
Screen - 12"-15" (good for images , photoshop etc)
Fastish processor (to cope with photoshop CS2)
Dedicated Graphics card 128mb or >
80gb or > Memory
Windows XP
DVD/CD optical drive
Weighs less than 3kg
Wireless
Bluetooth
regards
confused Shady
>> Edited by shadytree on Tuesday 18th October 08:53
schueymcfee said:
Just got a Dell Inspirion 9300 with 17" screen (much better), 60gb hd, subwoofer, wireless. This also comes with an ATI 128mb independent graphics card too.
Not bad for £700.
Edited to add 1gb of RAM too, so Adobe Creative Suite 2 flys along.
>> Edited by schueymcfee on Thursday 13th October 12:27
I have the 9200 but with the WUXGA screen, Excellent for all graphics stuff.
Maybe check out the 15.4 Dells Shady?
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff