Laptop Recommendations

**Hitman** · 19/06/2009, 2:37 PM

I'm looking for something new, it won't be doing anything more demanding than running Football Manager to be honest. My budget isn't too restricted, I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips on what's worth looking at, or indeed avoiding?

**dahamsta** · 19/06/2009, 5:02 PM

Much as I dislike huge multinationals, I usually advise people to bite the bullet and buy a Dell. They're easy to buy, they very rarely go wrong, and when they do go wrong they're no better or worse than anyone else for support. (Which isn't to say it won't be a mind-bending experience, it'll just be equally as mind-bending as doing it with anyone else.)

Go for a mid-range Inspiron or Studio, prioritising the processor over hard disk size or memory, both of which can be upgraded later.

adam

**pete** · 21/06/2009, 8:01 PM

If getting Dell you should check out the power adapter. They use one that falls out very easily & after a while the cable will crack after benching. Relative to cost of laptop they are expensive to replace.

After my Dell died after 4 years went with HP this time. Sales guy in PC World was good but usually they are rubbish. HP was good value - more expensive than Toshiba but much cheaper than Sony.

**dahamsta** · 21/06/2009, 9:28 PM

What model Dell pete? I've worked on several and I've never had that problem.

**pete** · 21/06/2009, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

What model Dell pete? I've worked on several and I've never had that problem.

Inspiron 8600. The adapter was never the tightest fit but became loosely over the years. On the Dell Shop forums the cable cracking seems to be common issue. That said Dell machine was solid enough as dropped it enough times to test that.

**pól-dcfc** · 28/06/2009, 3:11 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Inspiron 8600. The adapter was never the tightest fit but became loosely over the years. On the Dell Shop forums the cable cracking seems to be common issue. That said Dell machine was solid enough as dropped it enough times to test that.

Yeah, I've had 2 Dell laptops and had to replace the adapter on each one. normally my laptop wouldn't be moved from the desk, so it seems to be a design fault. The replacements are scandalously expensive too. I got an Acer 6920g (aka Acer Gemstone Blue) about 5 months ago. Fantastic bit of kit. Cost me £450 sterling (it's a refurb, but you would never know) and has a bluray drive, class 16" true widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) with HDMI out (looks class on our TV). The graphics card is very good for a laptop as well. I'd recommend it to anyone.

**dahamsta** · 28/06/2009, 4:04 PM

Speaking of Inspiron adaptors, anyone got an old one lying around with the rubber cable tidy still attached?

**pete** · 29/06/2009, 9:14 AM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Speaking of Inspiron adaptors, anyone got an old one lying around with the rubber cable tidy still attached?

What is that?

**pól-dcfc** · 09/07/2009, 7:05 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Speaking of Inspiron adaptors, anyone got an old one lying around with the rubber cable tidy still attached?

One of the handiest things ever, those rubber holdy things. I don't think they come with the new Inspirons. I've had a root around the attic, but two of the three adapters we have up there are the newer ones and the other one has the rubber bit missing.