[AlanH]

Well today I managed to cross the road safely. I know what you're thinking, "Who cares?", so I will elaborate. Whilst crossing said road, laptop falls out bag, double decker bus continues driving, laptop... Well let's just say that the laptop had to go away for a bit. i.e. It's dead. Now I need to buy a new one. Suggestions much appreciated.

[Abyss]

Effective day to day computer crap, good price, nothing fancy -> get a Dell.

- Abyss, ...also suggests a better bag.

[alt146]

I have it on reasonable authority that chicks dig netbooks Plus you have the sympathy factor from your old one

[AlanH]

Abyss, on 18 February 2010 - 07:14 PM, said:

Effective day to day computer crap, good price, nothing fancy -> get a Dell.

- Abyss, ...also suggests a better bag.

I had a Dell proper computer once, and it never worked properly, but I'll have a look at them anyway. Also, the bag is fine - personally I blame the idiot who didn't zip it up...

[AlanH]

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:16 PM, said:

I have it on reasonable authority that chicks dig netbooks Plus you have the sympathy factor from your old one

Netbooks do look quite nice, but I thought they were quite expensive. Also, I'm not sure what the girlfriend would say if I spent a lot on a laptop to pick up chicks...

[alt146]

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 07:21 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:16 PM, said:

I have it on reasonable authority that chicks dig netbooks Plus you have the sympathy factor from your old one

Netbooks do look quite nice, but I thought they were quite expensive. Also, I'm not sure what the girlfriend would say if I spent a lot on a laptop to pick up chicks...

The most expensive netbook I've seen is about the same price as a mid-range laptop. You can get some pretty basic linux based ones for like $150. It really depends on what you're going to use it for though. Actual work or gaming a proper laptop is a must-have; for more multimedia based use a netbook will do you fine.

[AlanH]

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:39 PM, said:

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 07:21 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:16 PM, said:

I have it on reasonable authority that chicks dig netbooks Plus you have the sympathy factor from your old one

Netbooks do look quite nice, but I thought they were quite expensive. Also, I'm not sure what the girlfriend would say if I spent a lot on a laptop to pick up chicks...

The most expensive netbook I've seen is about the same price as a mid-range laptop. You can get some pretty basic linux based ones for like $150. It really depends on what you're going to use it for though. Actual work or gaming a proper laptop is a must-have; for more multimedia based use a netbook will do you fine.

All I use my laptop for is typing, music, and internet surfing. Nothing major. It's kind of important for getting these damn essays done though...

[alt146]

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 07:41 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:39 PM, said:

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 07:21 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:16 PM, said:

I have it on reasonable authority that chicks dig netbooks Plus you have the sympathy factor from your old one

Netbooks do look quite nice, but I thought they were quite expensive. Also, I'm not sure what the girlfriend would say if I spent a lot on a laptop to pick up chicks...

The most expensive netbook I've seen is about the same price as a mid-range laptop. You can get some pretty basic linux based ones for like $150. It really depends on what you're going to use it for though. Actual work or gaming a proper laptop is a must-have; for more multimedia based use a netbook will do you fine.

All I use my laptop for is typing, music, and internet surfing. Nothing major. It's kind of important for getting these damn essays done though...

Might be worth it then, OpenOffice is good enough for whipping up a decent document (plus LaTeX seriously rocks, but that's a different story entirely), although if you dont like it you'd have to pay a bit more for a Windows based system.

[AlanH]

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:51 PM, said:

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 07:41 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:39 PM, said:

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 07:21 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:16 PM, said:

I have it on reasonable authority that chicks dig netbooks Plus you have the sympathy factor from your old one

Netbooks do look quite nice, but I thought they were quite expensive. Also, I'm not sure what the girlfriend would say if I spent a lot on a laptop to pick up chicks...

The most expensive netbook I've seen is about the same price as a mid-range laptop. You can get some pretty basic linux based ones for like $150. It really depends on what you're going to use it for though. Actual work or gaming a proper laptop is a must-have; for more multimedia based use a netbook will do you fine.

All I use my laptop for is typing, music, and internet surfing. Nothing major. It's kind of important for getting these damn essays done though...

Might be worth it then, OpenOffice is good enough for whipping up a decent document (plus LaTeX seriously rocks, but that's a different story entirely), although if you dont like it you'd have to pay a bit more for a Windows based system.

I've used Linux before (Ubuntu) so I'm sure I could get used to it. Also, Windows 7 with my student discount is about £30 I think, so not to expensive to change it.

[alt146]

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 07:54 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:51 PM, said:

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 07:41 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:39 PM, said:

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 07:21 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 07:16 PM, said:

I have it on reasonable authority that chicks dig netbooks Plus you have the sympathy factor from your old one

Netbooks do look quite nice, but I thought they were quite expensive. Also, I'm not sure what the girlfriend would say if I spent a lot on a laptop to pick up chicks...

The most expensive netbook I've seen is about the same price as a mid-range laptop. You can get some pretty basic linux based ones for like $150. It really depends on what you're going to use it for though. Actual work or gaming a proper laptop is a must-have; for more multimedia based use a netbook will do you fine.

All I use my laptop for is typing, music, and internet surfing. Nothing major. It's kind of important for getting these damn essays done though...

Might be worth it then, OpenOffice is good enough for whipping up a decent document (plus LaTeX seriously rocks, but that's a different story entirely), although if you dont like it you'd have to pay a bit more for a Windows based system.

I've used Linux before (Ubuntu) so I'm sure I could get used to it. Also, Windows 7 with my student discount is about £30 I think, so not to expensive to change it.

I'm not sure that would work, but you can try. Most windows netbooks come with either XP or 7 starter preinstalled, so the OS is part of the cost of unit. Most of the linux based netbooks come with a customised distro, but the latest Ubuntu comes with a netbook version now too.

I'd suggest you try take a couple for a test-drive in store, see how you like the feel of the small keyboards and touchpads; check if they're powerful to meet your needs etc. I know a couple of people who're very happy with their netbooks for studenty type applications, watching the occasional movie etc and a lot of them are dirt cheap.

[AlanH]

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 08:05 PM, said:

I'd suggest you try take a couple for a test-drive in store, see how you like the feel of the small keyboards and touchpads; check if they're powerful to meet your needs etc. I know a couple of people who're very happy with their netbooks for studenty type applications, watching the occasional movie etc and a lot of them are dirt cheap.

I think I will do that - I think the smaller keyboards/touchpads should be easy enough to get used to. Thanks for the advice.

[alt146]

AlanH, on 18 February 2010 - 08:09 PM, said:

alt146, on 18 February 2010 - 08:05 PM, said:

I'd suggest you try take a couple for a test-drive in store, see how you like the feel of the small keyboards and touchpads; check if they're powerful to meet your needs etc. I know a couple of people who're very happy with their netbooks for studenty type applications, watching the occasional movie etc and a lot of them are dirt cheap.

I think I will do that - I think the smaller keyboards/touchpads should be easy enough to get used to. Thanks for the advice.

Not a problem. At the end of the day it really boils down to deciding how you're willing to spend and comparing whatever costs just lest than that.

[masan's saddle]

@ AlanH I'm currently using a Hewlett Packard Mini netbook and I've had no problems with it whatsoever. I use it for similar things as yourself (web browsing, music and occasionally a bit of work shite).

It's got Windows7 Starter, Intel Atom, a funky splashtop and loads of other shit that i'm not technically proficient enough to understand. I've managed to divulge from my beloved that it cost just under 300 quid (Crimbo pressie) and that she got it as part of some special deal QVC are running with HP. I got a load of "free" stuff with it as well (couple of memory sticks, some downloading apps, mouse, mat, sexy padded bag and a suped up RAM capacity, whatever the fuck that means.)

It's compact,got very fast HP Instant Web and it's quite stylish in design. I got used to the smaller keyboard quite quickly and to be honest I no longer notice the difference with my old lappy.

Check it out.

[Silencer]

Someone mentioned watching a movie on a netbook...fuck that, might as well watch it on a phone.

The main drawback to netbooks is their size, and lack of power. Their Atom CPU's (or the ATI semi-equivalent, forget its name) are called ULV (ultra-low voltage) processors. That's just code speak for ultra-low performance. They get away with it due to incredibly small screen sizes. Chances are, you might have to go without a disk drive, too - though these days some netbooks are managing to squeeze them in. And the small keyboards aren't just small...they're really small. Some people are OK with them, others can't even use them without cramping up. If you've got to do a lot of typing, I'd suggest checking it out at length first...maybe find a friend with one or something.

You can forget having a video card, too - Nvidia's Ion platform has just released, but it's in much the same vein as ULV CPU's. I.e. useless in most respects.

Things to watch for in a netbook? Lots of connection ports, especially if it has no DVD drive. That means 3, preferably 4 USB 2.0's, an HDMI port, a DVI port, possibly an eSATA that doubles as a USB port....you might never need them, but it pays to have them. Check the RAM, especially if it's running Win7 - 2Gb is basically required in that case, I wouldn't try running it on anything less. And you shouldn't be able to find a Vista-based netbook...manufacturers seem to be nice enough to not try and run that beastly OS on them.

Regarding cost, netbooks are normally cheaper or as cheap as a mid-size laptop. Of course, price = performance, so take that into consideration...not that even the most expensive netbook will ever dream of gaming or anything. Unless you're like me, and buy the Alienware M11x just released for substantially more than a normal netbook-sized computer. It can actually game, but weighs only 2kg (still quite a bit more than a normal netbook, but light enough, imo), and you can turn the graphics card (a GT 335M @1Gb) off...going from 2 hours battery life to about 6 hours.

Which brings me to the next point, I suppose: battery life. Should be looooong with a netbook. If it's under 6 hours, you've probably got a slightly older model. These days 8 is standard for a netbook, 10 is above-average. Note also, that the advertised battery life and real battery life are related like this: real = advertised - 2 hours.

Larger, real laptops are a different story altogether, but the price for a decent one usually spirals out of all control very quickly. Almost better off getting a good desktop and a netbook (and I very nearly did do this for university, honest) to take on trips with you. The one thing you probably don't want is a full-sized laptop with the capabilities of a netbook! XD

Anyway, the basic rule is: shop around, and don't rush into anything. Post stuff here that you're looking at, if you want, I'm sure we'd give you feedback.

[Jusentantaka]

Second on the desktop + netbook. Although my netbook is a phone, and probably cost about half as much, its the same thing really, the only exception being that I can call people and go on the internet. So basically like, I is supporting the 'buy a desktop or a good laptop' option. Might as well just buy a very nice phone instead of a netbook.

OT HO! : Silencer, how do you 'game' with a piddly 1.4ghz dual core?

This post has been edited by Jusentantaka: 18 February 2010 - 09:58 PM

[Adjutant Stormy~]

I would strongly suggest that you do not, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES purchase a Dell. They have been nothing but trouble for me, and their customer service, (which you're going to need...) sucks.

If you want to hear my gigantic Dell rant, you may ask for it, but I will spare you all until then.

For day to day stuff, with a little power on the side, I'd look into Lenovo (formerly IBM, clunky functional) or my personal favorite, Asus.

[Silencer]

@Jusen - 4Gb of DDR3 RAM and a 1Gb graphics card = medium specs on Modern Warfare 2 at the native screen res (720p). The core just limits the maximum resolution you can output, which, on an 11 inch screen, doesn't make a ton of difference. Check some of the reviews if you don't believe me.

[Jusentantaka]

Silencer, on 18 February 2010 - 10:24 PM, said:

@Jusen - 4Gb of DDR3 RAM and a 1Gb graphics card = medium specs on Modern Warfare 2 at the native screen res (720p). The core just limits the maximum resolution you can output, which, on an 11 inch screen, doesn't make a ton of difference. Check some of the reviews if you don't believe me.

I was about to be all 'well, with a pair of 4850's and 4 gigs of ram I could max out that game easy with my desktop' and then I realized that you're using a laptop video card, and now it all makes sense Also amazing how those reviews point to the conclusion that MW2 is woefully coded, 'cause there's just no way that engine is twice as nice looking as the crysis engine.

[Macros]

Had my dell for 5 years now, its been dropped banged and had more drink spilt on it than an irish bartop.
still going, I'd say strong, but its too full of crap to be going strong.

If all you want is typing internet and music, just walk into a computer shop and get a bog standard laptop and spend the extra not wasted (i say wasted, as it would be wasted if you werent using it) on graphics and ridiculous ram on great battery life and extra space for your music

[Silencer]

Or, just buy a netbook, then get a good desktop.

@Jusen, the scary thing is, you can buy a configuration from Alienware's desktop department that actually scares me: Core i7 @3.8GHz, 12Gb of DDR3 RAM (not a great clock speed, mind you...only 1333MHz...still, plenty with that amount of space behind it! XD), and the default card setup is a GTX 285. You can also upgrade to:
A GTX 295
Dual GTX 295's
An ATI 5970(!!!)
OR....

Dual. ATI 5970's. Crossfired, ofc. Who the fuck needs dual, dual-GPU cards, two of the most powerful GPU to yet be released, for any game, hell, for any game in the next year or two? :S Especially with that processor and RAM configuration.

Sure, being Alienware, it is hugely overpriced - $6,000NZD for the basic, 4GB RAM configuration :S - and you could buy the same thing for much less with better RAM and build it yourself. But...holy fuck. That sort of specification is just plain crazy. It's pointless to buy even a single 5970 - you will be able to cope with modern games at highest graphics settings with ease using a 5870 or less for the next six months. And by that time a new raft of graphics cards will have been released (Nvidia Fermi/4xx series, anyone?), and you will then be able to buy another, newer graphics card that is just as effective for the next six months, and you will STILL have cash left over compared to the price of two 5970's. In fact, if you started with a single 5870, you could then buy a second one and SLI it for half it's current price, and have pretty damn good performance from there.


>.>

Apologies to anyone who just totally blanked at that post. My point is - yes, you can get some kickass desktop PC's...but they're overpriced and often use redundant configurations that are just a waste of money.