Converting

[Tina]

i've decided for what i use a  computer for I can't justify a Mac So been looking at winodws conputers. I like the look of Toshiba, or is samsung better? What price do I need to pay for a 'good' laptop? Thanks

[Steve]

Have you looked at 2nd hand Macs Tina?

http://www.usedmac.org.uk/auctions/used-macbook-auctions/

[Technical Ben]

What price range, and screen size is best for you?

[Tina]

Price range up to about £600 tops. Screen size about 3.3 inches

[Glenn]

3.3 inches    Do you mean 13.3 inches, Tina?

Price range up to about £600 tops. Screen size about 3.3 inches

[Tina]

LOL yes I do .. just checking you're all awake

[cavillas]

Price range up to about £600 tops. Screen size about 3.3 inches

With that size screen an Iphone would be ideal

[Rik]

I'd go Samsung, Tina.

[Tina]

Thanks Rik Would I be better going for a specific model or any samsung? Would I get a better laptop paying more money oer isn't it like that ?

Here is some I've seen - do you like any of them? HERE
i may have to get one out of my catloague or else I'll be saving for a long time, and this little notebook really hurts my eyes (eye sight failing in left eye)

[Rik]

I don't know their current range, Tina, but I have a Samsung netbook and it's been very good, brilliant screen and long battery life. Obviously, the more you can pay, the better the machine. Look for 3-4GB RAM, 250GB or better HD and the fastest processor you can.

http://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/product/details/show.action?pdLpUid=SU691&pdBoUid=4980&lpgUid=11140266#colour:,size:

would be my choice...

[Tina]

That is the one I had my eye on

[Rik]

Google the model, see if you can find a better price, Tina.

[Glenn]

If you can afford £606, this Samsung looks a good deal http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Samsung_Q430-JU01UK_Core_i5_Laptop_NP-Q430-JU01UK/version.asp

[Tina]

Ok while I make a  decision which one to go for lets talk about things I need on it

I will use Firefox - used to it and like it
I've got avast on this little notebook - will that be OK still?
Will it come with lots of stuff on it I don't need?
What do I need?
Do you need to defrag still?
is windows 7 better than x ( I find xp slow )


Sorry never really done windows and feel out of my depth

[Rik]

No problem.
Yes
Yes - but some of it is actually useful
Very little other than your installation disks for any software you want to install (or downloaded installers)
I do, others say it's unnecessary
I find 7 a bit frustrating as it hides many of the system functions from me. Personally, I don't think it's faster than XP, but I've only got it on the laptop so can't do a direct comparison.

[Glenn]

You will find it very hard to buy a new Windows laptop/PC with anything other than Windows 7 installed.

[D-Dan]

If you wanted to save some money (and get a more powerful system into the bargain) you could always go down the "No OS" route and install Linux (Linux Mint is great for new users).

Spotted this at Novatech - http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/laptop/range/nspire2410.html - amongst others, which beats the Samsung spec hands down and costs £160 less.

[Simon]

Or buy XP as an OEM disc from someone like Ebuyer.  A new XP will be much faster than an old bloated out one. 

[Rik]

I resemble that remark! 

[Glenn]

£120 for an 11 year old OS   http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132195

I have several copies of Dell supplied XP Pro here still sealed in their packets.

[Simon]

How much, Glenn??   Last time I checked, XP OEM was about £40.

[Glenn]

£75 - XP home
£120 - XP Pro

Both OEM versions

[Rik]

Ouch. MS don't want to sell many copies, do they.

[Glenn]

I think MS don't want to sell any copies.

[Simon]

You can get it for less than £50 on Amazon. 

[Tina]

You've all lost me, but it doesn't take much :p Which e-mail client will be the best to use?Also will it be possible to get all my files from my Mac to windows?Just got alot of photo's and stuff  on it. Thanks guys

[trophymick]

I bought one of these a couple of months ago: http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_Pro_C660D-185_1077301.html

It's good so far, have it dual booting for Linux Mint.

[trophymick]

You've all lost me, but it doesn't take much :p Which e-mail client will be the best to use?Also will it be possible to get all my files from my Mac to windows?Just got alot of photo's and stuff  on it. Thanks guys

I use "Windows Live" on Widows 7, I actually prefer it to Thunderbird, which is also a option. If you just want a simple email client "Sylpheed" is another option.

A memory stick should suffice for getting your files transferred easily.

[Tina]

can anyone please tell me what they think to this? Thanks http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/samsung-np-s3510-500gb-dual-core-laptop-black-10783809-pdt.html

[Technical Ben]

Or buy XP as an OEM disc from someone like Ebuyer.  A new XP will be much faster than an old bloated out one. 

Windows 7 is usually faster on new machines than XP. Because you may have trouble finding drivers for XP now.
If it's a laptop with Windows 7 installed, it should be fine. I have no problems with Windows 7 now I know where to find the options. For most users, they will never need them anyhow.

[Glenn]

This would be a better laptop in my opinion, after cashback from HP (takes around 4 weeks) it's just under £300

[Rik]

Though I found I had to jump through hoops to get an HP cashback recently, they accepted the application but then decided the serial number was wrong. Rather than contact me to check, they merely cancelled the cashback. The retailer, Misco, paid it to me as a goodwill gesture.

[Den]

Who in their right mind would out XP on a new machine these days? Go for W7 and learn to love it, XP is like reading from a scroll instead of a book. 

[cavillas]

This would be a better laptop in my opinion, after cashback from HP (takes around 4 weeks) it's just under £300

Looks a very nice machine especially being an i3 rather than a Celeron but I still don't undersatnd why these manufacturers insist on only supplyin 3GB memory with 64 bit Windows 7 and not 4Gb which would work much better in such a situation.

[Rik]

Who in their right mind would out XP on a new machine these days? Go for W7 and learn to love it, XP is like reading from a scroll instead of a book. 

There's things to be learnt from scrolls, Den.

[Glenn]

Security isn't one of them though. 

[Rik]

Depends on whether they were a one-time scroll.

[Den]

Unroll a scroll to fast and the dust flies out giving you a virus, I rest my case.   

[Rik]