Joe_Elding Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 (edited) Hi, I've managed to get about £500 to spend on a laptop now, either new or second hand not too bothered. Two questions: 1)Whats out there in my price range, looking for something with about 40gb HDD, and it must be wireless enabled. Not to sure about what else there is but reccomendations would be great. 2) Would it be cheaper to buy all the parts seperately and give them to my stepdad to buid together(he knows all this stuff) If so what would I need and where can i buy from? Cheers B) Edit: I would only really use it for msn, videos and music so dont need anything top of the range. Edited October 15, 2005 by Joe_Elding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bionic Balls Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 if you can get the packard bell 4012....that'd be wicked- £499 in places. Intel centrino 40gb wireless etc.. adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
on that? u must be joking Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 (edited) Have a good think about exactly what you want from your laptop, cos they vary from desktop replacements that weigh a shedload and are big, but quite fast, to ultra portables which may only have something like a 1.6ghz processor and smallish hard drive, but are about the same size and weight as an a4 writing pad. If you get one when you really were after the other then i'm pretty sure you'll be disappointed and fed up with it after a few weeks. Good luck with finding the right lappy, Andy nice example of an ultra portable a desktop replacement for the record I got myself an ultraportable a couple of years ago, and it's been a hell of a lot of use, though I already have a desktop pc. Edited October 15, 2005 by on that? u must be joking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Centrinos are generally a bit better (for laptops) than P4s etc. Better battery life and they aren't as slow as 1.6Ghz would suggest. They are better made for laptops in that they are more energy efficient (ie, cooler + quieter, better battery life), and have stuff like wireless technology built in. Building your own is a complete no-no, it just doesn't happen with laptops. Built-in wireless isn't that important. It's nice but you can always stick a Wireless PCMCIA card in and you're off. Make sure you get 802.11g not 802.11b though (faster). Also it might be worth thinking about (shock horror) Apple laptops. They have pretty awsome battery life (mine lasts around 5 hours, as compared to some PC laptops which have about 90minutes of battery life). And the 12" iBook (aka the cheapest one) is pretty small. Not as small as the "ultra portable" PC laptops you see, but the iBook is fully featured (ie fast, DVD drive etc) which some of the small PC laptops aren't. Oh, and it's super quiet too. With the educational discount you can get them from about £600, or get a second hand one. Something to think about [/hard sell] B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Nick Riviera Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 £656.83 *mutters something about anal retention* cant really go wrong with an ibook B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 *mutters something about anal retention* cant really go wrong with an ibook B) Eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Elding Posted October 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 I'm starting to look more towards a desktop now. Would something like this be ok? comp I only really woud use it for msn, internet surefing and watching vids. Not really editing/ paying games or anything. As said before I don't actually know anything technical about computers so reccomend stuff! Cheers B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Elding Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Ok I've decided to get something completely different and go for a shuttle. So one more question: What shops sell harddrives and is there a package that has everything you need to build it up?(HDD ect.) I've got a xp disc and keyboard,monitor, mouse ect. so i only really need the base unit. Wheres the cheapest place to get all this sort of stuff? Ebuyer? Cheers :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 (edited) <a href="www.icubes.co.uk">www.icubes.co.uk - probably the best place for a shuttle, because they are SFF PCs only, but Shuttles aren't cheap, I think your best bet is too look on ebay. I got a Shuttle with the following spec; 3.4Ghz Extreme; 1 gig Ram; 256mb grapjhics; 74Gb High speed HDD; etc. For about £530. Which is pretty awesome spec for tiny price, you'll get something cheaper than that, for the spec you want however. I can't remember the link but there is a site who make a £250 complete shuttle. You could lok into that. Edited October 16, 2005 by Haz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Elding Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 How about something like this: Shuttle SK43G barebone AMD Sempron 2400+ Processor 256MB PC2700 DDR ram Onboard graphics, can be upgraded to a separate graphics card, see additional options 40GB hard disk 52X CD Rewriter Floppy drive (this will be replaced by card reader if ordered as additional option) 5.1 channel sound 10-100 network Firewire & USB 2.0 on the front & back Digital Optical In & Out Keyboard & optical mouse Dimensions: 30 x 20 x 18.5 cm (LWH) 1 year return to base warranty on parts and labour. For extended warranty see below. Dimensions: 30 x 20 x 18.5 cm (LWH) + extras: 512mb pc 2700 DDr Ram maxtor 120gb 7200 rpm 2mb cache hard drive diamond max 9 Total price: £316.00 inc. Vat Would this be alright to watch videos, surf the web and chat to mates on msn on? Or will i need something a bit better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Yeah, it'll be fine. Won't be great for games, but it should just about manage if you buy a proper graphics card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoojames Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Sorry to hijack the thread but... I'm kindof in the same position, looking to spend less than about £800 for a laptop, I want something basicly as a 6th form/Uni thing, hope to get some video and photo editing on there, some music etc. My current PC is my families (full of cack and runs like a snail) I'm not so fussed on games or anything but want to be able to wirelessly connect to my internet and share files around a bit, want about an 80gb hdd, pref not a huge heavy thing though as most time will be spent in my room with it, I like my peace and quiet. Cheers for your help guys! James :turned: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Apple Apple Apple :turned: If you don't play games, get one. Or just get a desktop (Windows PC) if you're only gonna be using it in your bedroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 It seems Tomm has been won over. (Y) You can't really beat iBooks. I only bought my Shuttle because I play too many PC games, and I'm getting an iBook in a month or two anyway. :turned: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 It seems Tomm has been won over. (Y) :turned: I don't think I would get a mac for a desktop system, but for a laptop they're sweet. Really small and sooo good battery life. I get like 5 hours off a full charge. It ain't quite as quick as my PC (3200+), but it's not far off, even though it's only a 1.33GHz with half as much RAM. It's fast enough anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 (Y) I don't think I would get a mac for a desktop system, but for a laptop they're sweet. Really small and sooo good battery life. I get like 5 hours off a full charge. It ain't quite as quick as my PC (3200+), but it's not far off, even though it's only a 1.33GHz with half as much RAM. It's fast enough anyway. You wait. :turned: Haha, yeah, understand where you're coming from there. I just want one for MSN at home and watching videos in college, the odd bit of homework and stuff would be sweet. Then I can come how and play games/doss around on Creative Suite on my PC, without having MSN windows everywhere. :P Is your iBook new/running tiger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Is your iBook new/running tiger? Both :turned: I think it's a bit excessive just using a whole computer so MSN doesn't clog your screen though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Both (Y) I think it's a bit excessive just using a whole computer so MSN doesn't clog your screen though! Not when you're getting it as cheap as I am. :turned: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Not when you're getting it as cheap as I am. :turned: I don't think I want to know to be honest (Y) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoojames Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 How much we lookin at for an iBook? After having a look will 12" be big enough? I have no problem iwth sight but editing videos and photos could get a bit tedious (allthough I'm an english student at the moment and so typing is probably more appropriate at the moment) Hows the Wireless ICS with iBooks? I'm lookin atchu Tomm (Y) Sorry for the annoying questions, don't really do the whole buying new computers! Cheers again James :turned: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 How much we lookin at for an iBook? After having a look will 12" be big enough? I have no problem iwth sight but editing videos and photos could get a bit tedious (allthough I'm an english student at the moment and so typing is probably more appropriate at the moment) Hows the Wireless ICS with iBooks? I'm lookin atchu Tomm :P Sorry for the annoying questions, don't really do the whole buying new computers! Cheers again James :S I haven't tried ICS with the Wireless, but there is an option for it, so I presume it would work fine. And Wireless networking is a total dodle connecting to a router or whatever, no different to a PC. The signal is pretty good, it's fine upstairs when the router is downstairs etc. At the moment I have the max amount of signal. All good :P The screen is 12" but the resolution is 1024x768, which is the same as most 15" PC screens and the same as the 14" iBook. To be honest, the bigger iBook isn't really worth it, because it's not as compact, the screen is no better and it's noisier (apparently). It's just a tiny bit faster, but it's loads more expensive. And it's plenty powerful enough for a bit of potatoshop. Not tried editting anything, but I'm sure it would manage just fine :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 The screen is 12" but the resolution is 1024x768, which is the same as most 15" PC screens and the same as the 14" iBook. To be honest, the bigger iBook isn't really worth it, because it's not as compact, the screen is no better and it's noisier (apparently). It's just a tiny bit faster, but it's loads more expensive. Superdrive is 14" only. Which is dumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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