new laptop

marchez · 06-17-2006, 10:27 AM

I'm getting a new laptop next week, as the one I have now the screen has broken and am currently using a CRT monitor!! I have been looking around and have found this one.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en...-69074395.html

Is this worth the money, I can get it with 10% off the retail price, and I will just be using it for general surfing, music, movies, I won't be gaming on it at all, but there will be some word-processing etc.

I was also looking at a Gateway computer, which I can get from Staples for £499.

http://www.uk.gateway.com/products/p...ateway_MX3220b

Which would you choose??

I do prefer the Gateway, due to it being a bit more compact, but I would like the machine that will perform better.

On another note, I do have a lot of stuff on my original laptop that I would like to move to the new one, I use my current laptop wirelessly with a router, which is the easiest way of transferring all the data over without using loads of blank discsto do it??

Thanks

ebackhus · 06-17-2006, 10:30 AM

If it were me, I wouldn't get either one. HP makes GREAT printers but their PCs and laptops are on the shallow end of the dream pool... Gateway used to make some wicked machines in past years but lately I've been left unimpressed with their offerings. My suggestion is to get either an Acer or an IBM. Acers come in a huge range of models and prices but are great machines for the price. IBMs are expensive but worth their weight in gold.

marchez · 06-17-2006, 10:33 AM

I have an ACER Travelamte 2200 ATM, it's ok but not fantastic. What is it about HP that makes their products poor??

marchez · 06-17-2006, 10:36 AM

I have actually just found this, I take it this is a lot better?

http://www.europc.co.uk/pages/Produc...aspx?PID=64790

**Joefireline** · 06-17-2006, 10:49 AM

That isn't bad, but it is a bit big...
Go for a Acer, look: http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/572_327468.html
http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/572_314420.html
http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/572_325465.html
Or look on acernotebooks.co.uk - I got from this website, they are great, and cheap!

marchez · 06-17-2006, 11:00 AM

i like those Acer's (the 2nd 2 links you gave), out of those which would be the laptop of choice??

ebackhus · 06-17-2006, 12:47 PM

Honestly, I'm not impressed by the Centrino laptops. We have one here at work and it is SLOW. It's a Dell, so obviously it's junk too. :)

**Joefireline** · 06-17-2006, 12:52 PM

Well, it depends on weather you like dual cores. From what a lot of people say, they are apparently a bit unreliable, and I think what you would be using it for, the ASPIRE 1652WLMI would be better for you. I would personally go for that one. The ASPIRE 1652WLMI has some better features.

marchez · 06-17-2006, 01:12 PM

and that is the one I have decided on!!

thanks for your help.

When I come to transfer my files, is it just a case of connecting the 2 laptops to my wireless network??

Another quick q, when I bought my original Acer, the hard-drive was partitioned into C & D, is this a standard thing amongst Acer or will i have to do it myself??

ebackhus · 06-17-2006, 01:36 PM

All the Acers I've seen have dual partitions. Not sure why they do this...

A wireless network for swapping files is usually easiest because it doesn't require messing with the hardware. It can just be a bit slow.

**Joefireline** · 06-17-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebackhus

A wireless network for swapping files is usually easiest because it doesn't require messing with the hardware. It can just be a bit slow.

I find it is the fastest and easist and most reliable way of transfering files...

ebackhus · 06-17-2006, 02:00 PM

I bought a tiny IDE 2.5" -> USB2.0 adapter and it works great for moving files between drives. $19 from a local shop.

**TheMatt** · 06-17-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebackhus

Honestly, I'm not impressed by the Centrino laptops. We have one here at work and it is SLOW. It's a Dell, so obviously it's junk too. :)

Nor am I. I would actually rather have a single core turion than a core duo.

**laboye** · 06-19-2006, 07:11 PM

I am a bit late, but I suggest going for an IBM.
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...86018425057762
The Lenovo (bought IBM) 3000 C Series is a good deal. Centrino is excellent for what marchez seems to need to do. It does in fact allow long battery life (5.8 hours on my Toshiba Tecra) and still performs well when at half power. I can play most games on it, so power is not something absent in Centrino. Dual Core is no real beef. And... the USB 2.0 Hard Drive will be faster than WiFi. USB 2.0 has a bandwidth of 480MBpS while WirelessG has one of 56MBpS or 108MBpS with acceleration (i.e.: Linksys' SpeedBooster).

Go for something cheap, with either a P4, P4m, or a Centrino processor. If you need more power, go for the P4 or P4m.

06-17-2006, 10:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
marchez Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 70 OS: win xp home	new laptop I'm getting a new laptop next week, as the one I have now the screen has broken and am currently using a CRT monitor!! I have been looking around and have found this one. http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en...-69074395.html Is this worth the money, I can get it with 10% off the retail price, and I will just be using it for general surfing, music, movies, I won't be gaming on it at all, but there will be some word-processing etc. I was also looking at a Gateway computer, which I can get from Staples for £499. http://www.uk.gateway.com/products/p...ateway_MX3220b Which would you choose?? I do prefer the Gateway, due to it being a bit more compact, but I would like the machine that will perform better. On another note, I do have a lot of stuff on my original laptop that I would like to move to the new one, I use my current laptop wirelessly with a router, which is the easiest way of transferring all the data over without using loads of blank discsto do it?? Thanks

06-17-2006, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,974 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 26	If it were me, I wouldn't get either one. HP makes GREAT printers but their PCs and laptops are on the shallow end of the dream pool... Gateway used to make some wicked machines in past years but lately I've been left unimpressed with their offerings. My suggestion is to get either an Acer or an IBM. Acers come in a huge range of models and prices but are great machines for the price. IBMs are expensive but worth their weight in gold. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

06-17-2006, 10:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,313 OS: XP Pro SP2(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	That isn't bad, but it is a bit big... Go for a Acer, look: http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/572_327468.html http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/572_314420.html http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/572_325465.html Or look on acernotebooks.co.uk - I got from this website, they are great, and cheap! __________________ - Joseph LAPTOP: Acer Aspire 5512WMLi (Specification) OPTIMIZE XP BEFORE POSTING HJT LOG - POST HJT LOG >>HERE<< If TSF has helped you, please help TSF: Please DONATE

06-17-2006, 12:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,974 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 26	Honestly, I'm not impressed by the Centrino laptops. We have one here at work and it is SLOW. It's a Dell, so obviously it's junk too. :) __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

06-17-2006, 12:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,313 OS: XP Pro SP2(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	Well, it depends on weather you like dual cores. From what a lot of people say, they are apparently a bit unreliable, and I think what you would be using it for, the ASPIRE 1652WLMI would be better for you. I would personally go for that one. The ASPIRE 1652WLMI has some better features. __________________ - Joseph LAPTOP: Acer Aspire 5512WMLi (Specification) OPTIMIZE XP BEFORE POSTING HJT LOG - POST HJT LOG >>HERE<< If TSF has helped you, please help TSF: Please DONATE

06-17-2006, 10:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
marchez Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 70 OS: win xp home	I have an ACER Travelamte 2200 ATM, it's ok but not fantastic. What is it about HP that makes their products poor??

06-17-2006, 10:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
marchez Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 70 OS: win xp home	I have actually just found this, I take it this is a lot better? http://www.europc.co.uk/pages/Produc...aspx?PID=64790

06-17-2006, 11:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
marchez Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 70 OS: win xp home	i like those Acer's (the 2nd 2 links you gave), out of those which would be the laptop of choice??

06-17-2006, 01:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
marchez Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 70 OS: win xp home	and that is the one I have decided on!! thanks for your help. When I come to transfer my files, is it just a case of connecting the 2 laptops to my wireless network?? Another quick q, when I bought my original Acer, the hard-drive was partitioned into C & D, is this a standard thing amongst Acer or will i have to do it myself??

06-17-2006, 01:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,974 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 26	All the Acers I've seen have dual partitions. Not sure why they do this... A wireless network for swapping files is usually easiest because it doesn't require messing with the hardware. It can just be a bit slow. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

06-17-2006, 02:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,974 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 26	I bought a tiny IDE 2.5" -> USB2.0 adapter and it works great for moving files between drives. $19 from a local shop. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

06-19-2006, 07:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	I am a bit late, but I suggest going for an IBM. http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...86018425057762 The Lenovo (bought IBM) 3000 C Series is a good deal. Centrino is excellent for what marchez seems to need to do. It does in fact allow long battery life (5.8 hours on my Toshiba Tecra) and still performs well when at half power. I can play most games on it, so power is not something absent in Centrino. Dual Core is no real beef. And... the USB 2.0 Hard Drive will be faster than WiFi. USB 2.0 has a bandwidth of 480MBpS while WirelessG has one of 56MBpS or 108MBpS with acceleration (i.e.: Linksys' SpeedBooster). Go for something cheap, with either a P4, P4m, or a Centrino processor. If you need more power, go for the P4 or P4m.