Laptop Computers

[Skids]

Hi
A question for you Computer Wizzards,(Brian )
My kids 12 & 10 years old are pestering me to buy a Laptop,I know absoulutly ****all about computers so here are my basic requirements.
1/ Cheap
2/ Good internet conectivity by wireless connection
3/ so I can use it on Business Trips want to have mobile phone connection for Internet and emails.(I told our IT guy that I did not want one for work but it seems everyone on the Trains and Planes has them so at least I can do something constructive whilst waiting for delayed flights),get on this BB etc.
4/ Compact Size
5/ Good Warrenty
As you can see RAM,Gigs,Hertz etc. mean nothing to me.So what computer do I need ,people have recomended Dell ?

Any basic information would be appreciated so I am not sold a load of BS by the PC World sales Geeks.
I'm sure this BB members will come up trumps again.
Cheers
Skids

[Banishit]

Do not buy from PC hell


yes a Dell Core Duo one about £399 dependant on specs, the Duos last well on the battery 4 hours plus, the 9 cell battery one I had lasted 6 hours

1 gig of ram, and at least 80 gig pref more hard drive, 14.1" screen, but in that price range its usually about 15" screen, weight about 2kg + lighter ones cost

If they are not going to play games, this is where things get expensive, you need a good graphics card, and the price goes up to £500 +

STEER CLEAR OF DIXON group, they are arse with older models generally at new prices

the first one

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/notebooks_mobility?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1

if gaming a bit th last one here expert choice

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/notebooks_good?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1

[rwdrs]

It's difficult these days to buy a complete pig of a computer.

Warranty, hmmm, well I bought a computer from Compaq once (not a laptop) and when after 3 months I had a problem they refused to send out an engineer, and the shop where I bought it told me to contact the manufacturer.

I emailed Compaq in the US and got a driver CD which fixed the problem (bloody Win 98!) after that I built my own PC, so if I was you I wouldn't worry too much about warranties, if anything serious goes wrong often it can't be fixed and if it can it often costs as much as a new one anyway.

system memory as much as you can get! Much over 1 Gig isn't really necessary.

80 Gigs of HD is also surely the max you'll need, unless you're storing films on there?

Nearly all laptops come with a WLAN / WiFi on board so no need usually to worry there, but check.

Some Laptops will come with Bluetooth, but normally your mobile will have a USB cable to connect up to the computer, just need to use this to connect to mobile, then set it up using network connections (on XP, haven't got Vista)

Like everything else in the world of electronics, the smaller the more expensive, most are pretty compact these days anyway, have no specific manufacturer advice, HP is usually a good bet, Sony are 1 expensive and 2 of late not very reliable.

Dell, I've always found not very cheap and I couldn't have what I wanted, if so really bloody expensive!

I know a lot of commercial / industry (insurance reps) use Toshiba, but have no personal experience with them.

[Skids]

Thanks guys ,I will steer clear of the shops you mention,looks like Dell are the favourites.

[Trickster]

My wife has just brought a Dell laptop and it seems all ok pretty quick and the wireless internet was so simple to setup which makes a change

[DazRS2K]

I got a Dell Inspiron year ago no probs, payed a bit more for dvd writer , wide screen etc and other stuff, but you can customise to what you require.
Pay in full at the end of the 12 months, however charge you £50 for admin, but at the time of order, say if the lap top was 500 say you only have 450 budget, they will try it on saying i'll have a word with manager and get back to you, keep at it, and say i'll go somewhere else they will give. Then the 50 you save pays the admin, as i did!

Hope this helps
Daz

[DazRS2K]

Forgot to mention, if you get a wireless router make sure its compatible with your laptop, i use a netgear wireless router, ok around the house to a certain range.

Daz

[Skids]

Thanks again to everyone who has responded,I am learning more with each post,no negatives on Dell yet so will go that route.The ones on the Dell mail shot that was in yesterdays papers at £399 do they do what I need ??

[rwdrs]

Forgot to mention, if you get a wireless router make sure its compatible with your laptop, i use a netgear wireless router, ok around the house to a certain range.

Daz

Wireless router are universal, unless somehow you manage to dig up an old 80211a Router, almost all are 802_11_g & b which all new laptops will be able to communicate with.

One thing you must never forget to do however is to use at least WEP encryption but better is WPA, otherwise someone else can fiddle with your computer no probs using the wireless connection

[dasadrew]

I've found a nifty little extra is a built-in card reader. I use it to get the photos off the camera, but also to put mp3's onto a card for the car etc.

They're becoming standard, but there are still models out there without one.

On my next one, weight will be the prime consideration. There's a difference between 1,8kg and 2,8 kg!

Hi-Brite (or whatever) screens are popular for movie and game viewing at home when you can control the light source, but if you're mobile you might not like the light reflections. I find the older 'matt' screens are more comfortable.

[Banishit]

There's a difference between 1,8kg and 2,8 kg!

about 1 kg

[rwdrs]

about 1 kg

Na closer to a bag of sugar I'd say

[Skids]

Brian
What do you think to this machine £399

Components AMD® Turion 64 Mobile Technology MK36

Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic - English

Collect & Return, 90 Day Service only


15.4" Wide Screen XGA TFT Display: 1280x800


1024MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x512)

80GB (5,400rpm) Hard Drive

Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including Software

ATI Radeon® Xpress 1150 256MB HyperMemory™

4Cell 29WHr Primary battery












Accessories
Dell™ Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini-PCI Card (for AMD Processors)


Free Nylon Carry Case





No Floppy Drive Option





Services & Software No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English

Microsoft® Works 8.5 - English





No Photo Organising & Sharing Software/No Photo Editing Software





Also Includes
Internal Keyboard - (QWERTY) - UK/Ireland
List N03156 - DHS 1501 (3)
Inspiron Order - UK
English Documentation with Eng Power Cord
56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter
Collect & Return, 90 Days Service only
Save £50 inc VAT
DHS Inspiron / Dimension Flyer
Dell Internet Order.
65W AC Adapter
Inspiron Resource DVD - Vista (Diagnostics & Drivers)

Compatibility Alert
Recalculating Price


Before I pass the plastic
Thanks
Mark

[Banishit]

good job

[rwdrs]

Wireless LAN is not on board it's an accessory in a mini PCI slot, which is not really up to date, should really be onboard.

Otherwise fine

Best bet is always have a gander at some in a "real shop" see if the display is pleasant to use (as Dasa says the shiny display suits you etc, if used in direct sunlight those shiny displays are useless) and have a fiddle with a few laptops before just taking the plunge