| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Calli |
Lap top computersI have had a search through and so will have to 'fess up to being ignorant of the latest lap tops available.Are there any special offers - I am travelling back to the UK for a week or so and wondered ifthere were any bargains around? It is mostly for personal use rather than complex programming ( I have a remote control for the tv for that  ) and is there any way of connecting on line ( I will be staying at my fathers - no 'net  )
Many thanks Callie |
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| Rob R |
Mis-read that one 
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| Calli |
Rob! What did you think I was looking for????
Oh I see
Better edit that
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| Calli |
Is that better? 
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| jema |
I use a nifty 3g USB modem to stay online from anywhere except Alisons But that is hardly a cheap option for a holiday.
You can get really good notebooks these days for about £500, but I have never seen anything much below that which is especially attractive. |
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| Calli |
Its not just for the holiday - its also for my Oh to use for work when I get back 
Notebook sounds the right level. |
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| Jonnyboy |
What did it read the first time?
£399 will buy you a basic laptop from PCworld, currys etc. It'll do all the basic stuff and probably have wireless and dvd rewriter. At that range and spec go for windows xp rather than vista IMHO. |
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| boisdevie1 |
I got a very nice Optiplex model from Dell a couple of months back for 359 quid. Very pleased with it. | ||
| Rob R |
Much. NL won't even notice it now
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| Calli |
Rob - So I won't need the illustrative link then
Sounds like PC World off the ferry - is there one in Holyhead
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| Jonnyboy |
Bangor would be the closest one to Holyhead. | ||
| Calli |
That'll do fine! Thanks JonnyBoy 
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| sean |
If you go for one with Vista make sure it's not the basic OS which is (by all accounts) terrible, allegedly. We've got an Advent which seems fine. Vista seems less annoying to me than most MS software. | ||
| sean |
And if you want XP try to get them to give you XP pro which is vastly superior to any of the 'home' packages. | ||
| Calli |
This sort of advice is invaluable to a novice like myself.
Thank you all |
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| Calli |
Lap Top Models
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| dougal |
Re: Lap top computers
You can get a factory refurb (full warranty) Apple MacBook for £599. If the spec matters here it is (its not at all shabby) 2ghz core duo, 1gb ram, 80gb hd, dvd writer, wired and wireless network, firewire, usb2 and bluetooth. There's a built in microphone, speakers and webcam. Screen is 1280x800 (quite big) and the thing really will run for 5 hours or more from its battery. It only weighs 2.36 kg (5.2 lb) And it looks cool. Oh and as of now, you still don't need any anti-virus or anti-spyware software - because that problem doesn't really exist. Ideal for personal use. And as easy as it gets for a novice. But for internet connection via a plain old telephone line, you'll need to add a modem (maybe £30) - its too old fashioned to be included! Thats the hardware suggestion. Now as regards internet connection from a UK telephone, I'd suggest a pay-as-you-go access account, where you just pay as though it was a call at standard local call rates (and you do pay, its not included in any 'free calls' deal your hosts may have) but that's all you pay. Have a look at http://uk2.net and write down their dialup number 0845 665 3000. That should be all you need. You can use any username and any password (like 'uk2') for basic connection. They offer mail facilities as well, but you probably want to access your own mail account. (You may well need to use 'authentication' to send while you are connecting from 'abroad'.) Enjoy the trip! |
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| Chez |
We're using Dell now - but I've bought from PC World in the past and been happy. The DO try to sell you the 'extended warranty' thingy though, which if I remember rightly was about £150 and IMHO unnecessary. We had to stick them out to get them to take it off as it was 'part of the package' (presumably because it's a lot of profit for them), but they did in the end. And I've just sold the two laptops on, well outside the warranty period, without regretting not having it. | ||
| Nick |
Extended warranties are, usually, a licence to print money. We sell them at work, and items usually either fail out of the box, or never. Out of the box is covered by standard warranties, so there are rarely any claims against the extended bit. The longer people pay for, the more money. Why? Everyone forgets they've got a 5 year warranty on a bit of kit when it breaks down in 4 years.
It's not something I'd buy.
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