New Laptop required!

Lance · Jul 23, 2007, 12:55:32

Here's a challenge for you all - find me a laptop for £800 or less (or might be persuaded to stretch a little further). It will mainly be used for office work, although it will also be used for DVD's and the occasional game.

I'm going to ask for a Core 2 Duo processor and 2gb Ram. Hard disk size isn't too important, but 100GB+ would be nice. As for screen size, 14.1" I would say is minimum and widescreen would be nice. Weight isn't too much of an issue as it won't be carried far.

To start you off, I've costed up a laptop on HP's website. I admit though, I have cheated as I get a discount on the normal prices anyway (employer benefit

, plus I can get an additional 15% off as a special offer. What do you guys and girls think?

BASE MODEL   HP Pavilion dv9500 notebook PC with Intel mobile technology

When only the best will do, go for the HP Pavilion dv9500 Entertainment Notebook PC. Loaded with leading edge technologies such as Intel® Core 2 Duo processors , this 17" notebook is a dream entertainment machine.
Common features for this series:
1.   dimensions 15.6" (L) x 11.65" (W) x 1.65" (H) - sophisticated design weighing 7.7lbs (up to 8.4lbs with a dual lamp display) with integrated webcam and fingerprint reader

2.   17 WXGA+ High-Definition* BrightView (1440 x 900) display featuring HP BrightView technology for bolder, more vibrant images, with the NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400 or 8600 Graphics and dedicated Video Memory

3.   dual-core processor for multitasking

4.   from 1GB up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM Memory

5.   from 120/160GB to 2x120/2x160GB(5400rpm)/2x200GB(4200rpm) Hard Disk Drive

6.   SuperMulti DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support and LightScribe technology - optional HD DVDROM

7.   Wireless LAN including Bluetooth (option), 10/100 LAN Ethernet integrated and High Speed 56K modem integrated

8.   HP mobile remote control, Memory reader 5-in-1, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 express card/54 (supports also express card/34), 1xIEEE 1394 FireWire® Interface, RJ-45 Ethernet jack, RJ-11 modem jack, 2 Headphone jacks including one withSPDIF Digital Audio, microphone in, HDMI interface, S-Video TV-Out, External VGA monitor port

9.   90w AC power adapter

10.   one-touch access to the movies, music and photos you wantwithout having to boot the entire systemusing HP QuickPlay with Altec Lansing speakers integrated -includes two integrated microphones for video conferencing and VoIP

And the spec I've put together:

Intel® Core 2 Duo processor T7300

Genuine Windows® Vista Home Premium Edition

1 year standard + 1 year warranty extension (HP Care Pack service)

17 WXGA+ High Definition Ultra BrightView Widescreen and NVIDIA® GeForce Go 8600/256 MB video

HP Imprint finish with webcam and 2 integrated microphones and Fingerprint scanner

2048MB Memory DDR2 667MHz (2x1024MB)

320GB SATA 5,400rpm Hard Disk Drive (2x160GB)

Lightscribe Super Multi DVD Writer (+/-R +/-RW) with Double Layer support

Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945AGN integrated wireless LAN with Bluetooth® wireless networking

8-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery

Total cost = £819.02 including delivery and 15% discount.

mrapoc · Jul 23, 2007, 12:58:17

Thats sounds a good buy! DX 10 too

You wont find a setup like that cheaper tbh

Check dell - they have good deals every now and again

Rik · Jul 23, 2007, 13:28:50

I would buy that spec, Lance.

Inactive · Jul 23, 2007, 13:31:03

Looks good to me Lance, I very much doubt that you will find better for the money.

Not that you Essex lot are short of a few bob.

Rik · Jul 23, 2007, 13:39:54

Quote from: Inactive on Jul 23, 2007, 13:31:03
Not that you Essex lot are short of a few bob.

Though, if the BBC is to be believed, they and we are spending it on fakes...

john · Jul 23, 2007, 13:45:36

Usually Dell take some beating but you have to watch the prices for a month or so as they fluctuate/vary the deals quite often. After noting how low/high they get then you can make a decision of when is best to buy.

I bought a Dell laptop last October and the price difference between the highest and the lowest was over £400. I've been happy with the machine though.

Of course if cost was the main consideration then you could always buy one of these : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6679431.stm

(not quite up to your spec though)

Rik · Jul 23, 2007, 13:48:40

Though I'm sure it would be marketed at £100 not $100 here!

john · Jul 23, 2007, 13:53:01

QuoteThough I'm sure it would be marketed at £100 not $100 here!

Sadly your probably right Rik, and here was me expecting a discount on $100

Lance · Jul 23, 2007, 13:57:55

Thanks for the comment's guys! I didn't think you would be able to beat it!

The only problem with Dell is I've heard they have poor support (plus I don't think they would beat my spec/price!). I've used HP support before (albeit for a printer, not PC), and while it was an Indian call centre, the person I spoke to spoke clearly and fluently, and was very knowledgeable.

Rik · Jul 23, 2007, 13:58:35

Mmm. Let's see, the exchange rate is at 2.03 or thereabouts. Using standard computing industry formulae, I come up with a market price of £106 plus VAT.

Rik · Jul 23, 2007, 14:00:27

Quote from: Lance on Jul 23, 2007, 13:57:55
I've used HP support before (albeit for a printer, not PC)

HP's support has been first-rate over the years I've bought from them, Lance. I'll be round to borrow the machine as soon as it arrives.

(Can't tempt you to go with XP can we???)

Inactive · Jul 23, 2007, 14:03:30

Quote from: Rik on Jul 23, 2007, 13:58:35
Mmm. Let's see, the exchange rate is at 2.03 or thereabouts. Using standard computing industry formulae, I come up with a market price of £106 plus VAT.

Rip Off UK.

Lance · Jul 23, 2007, 14:05:06

XP isn't a listed option! To be honest, I'm not sure if I would take it, even if it was. I think I'm ready to make the jump (and probably drown!) to Vista, after using a couple of machines with it on.

I also think you got your formulae wrong Rik, I come out at £112 plus VAT!

Inactive · Jul 23, 2007, 14:07:34

Quote from: Rik on Jul 23, 2007, 13:39:54
Though, if the BBC is to be believed, they and we are spending it on fakes...

Now if the " Designer " brands.

stopped ripping gullible people off, the fakes industry would cease over night.

Rik · Jul 23, 2007, 14:10:38

Quote from: Lance on Jul 23, 2007, 14:05:06
I also think you got your formulae wrong Rik, I come out at £112 plus VAT!

I was using the Adobe version of the formula.

You realise you are volunteering for all the Vista support questions...

RobMc · Jul 23, 2007, 14:40:47

Quote from: Rik on Jul 23, 2007, 14:10:38
I was using the Adobe version of the formula.

You realise you are volunteering for all the Vista support questions...

I've tried to help people with vista issues and queries but whenever anybody mentions Vista here in these forums, we get so many people bashing it without any consideration of the issue, that it quickly became a thankless task.

Rob.

MoHux · Jul 23, 2007, 17:16:12

Quote from: Rik on Jul 23, 2007, 13:39:54
Though, if the BBC is to be believed, they and we are spending it on fakes...

"However, some trade bodies working to counter intellectual property crime have told the BBC ...................... "

Intellectual b*****ks!!

The classless society right?

If the idiots who buy the genuine rubbish want to sell their souls to the fat-cats just to be one-up on the next guy, let 'em! The rest of us work too hard for our money!!

If what they say is true, then I for one am glad. Perhaps the great British public has at last worked out who the real rip-off merchants are!

Inactive · Jul 23, 2007, 17:22:54

Hear Hear to that Mo, I couldn't have put it better.

The two words that get under my skin are " designer " and " celebrity "..

Rik · Jul 23, 2007, 17:26:43

Talking of celebrity, and way OT, I noticed that Digital Spy was referring to someone as having starred in a reality TV show.

I just wonder what 'rank' will now have to be afforded to people like Streisand if appearing in a reality show makes you a star...

mrapoc · Jul 23, 2007, 17:40:08

TBH vista isnt that bad - I've moved over to it and had no hiccups (all my hardware and software is fairly new though so yeh)

It looks nice and so far runs a lot better than xp (in terms of error free not performance)

My laptop can cope well too with a bit of tweaking (1.6ghz turion dual core, 2gb ram)

MoHux · Jul 23, 2007, 18:30:35

Quote from: mrapoc on Jul 23, 2007, 17:40:08
TBH vista isnt that bad - I've moved over to it and had no hiccups (all my hardware and software is fairly new though so yeh)

It looks nice and so far runs a lot better than xp (in terms of error free not performance)

My laptop can cope well too with a bit of tweaking (1.6ghz turion dual core, 2gb ram)

No problems running it on my bog-standard Athlon 2600+, 2gb ram either Sam.

The thing to remember, is to make sure when buying hardware, that it's Vista compatable.

Lance · Jul 23, 2007, 21:43:34

Well, the laptop has been ordered! Due to arrive in 11/12 working days. 'll give a report when it comes!

Rik · Jul 24, 2007, 09:37:58

It's Christmas come early.

Lance · Jul 24, 2007, 09:49:54

It certainly is Rik!

Glenn · Jul 24, 2007, 09:53:28

Quote from: Lance on Jul 23, 2007, 13:57:55
Thanks for the comment's guys! I didn't think you would be able to beat it!

The only problem with Dell is I've heard they have poor support (plus I don't think they would beat my spec/price!). I've used HP support before (albeit for a printer, not PC), and while it was an Indian call centre, the person I spoke to spoke clearly and fluently, and was very knowledgeable.

Far from the truth, I call Dell Support once or twice a week in the course of my job, and they have been first class. They always call back when they say they will, if a field engineer is required, they call to let you know when the engineer is coming, and the engineer him/herself calls to confirm when they will be onsite. The first time fix rate is high.

This is from an HP site engineer.