Help for first time laptop buyer

lil9 · 01-06-2006, 05:17 PM

Basicaly im looking to buy my first laptop, payday is on the 20th of january so im just doing my research before i go out and buy one. Im not looking to build a laptop or get one built for me im just going to buy a ready made one. So what features sould i be looking out for?

I wont be using it for gaming so i dont need a superpowerful one, I just be using it for everyday use, homework, internet, music, etc.

Ive got a wireless network set up in my house and i know laptops can cannot to it too but what is it that my laptop needs to have inside it?

What kind of processors should i be looking for? ive read somwere that you shouldnt get a intel celeron(or was it centrino?) because its old technology now.

im sure il think of more questions before i go out and buy it but right now my mind has gone blank lol

thanks in advance

LaptopExtreme · 01-06-2006, 05:53 PM

I'd look out for a Centrino system. It's a combination of Intel pentium M, chipset and wireless card built in. Much more performance than the Celeron and saves more battery. Most units come with a built in wireless cards nowadays, so I dont think you'll have to worry about that. Some other preferences are: widescreen or normal ratio, glossy or matte, size, weight, build quality (chassis, keyboard), and style.

lil9 · 01-12-2006, 10:46 AM

how do you guys rate this lap top.

256 Mb RAM isnt good but can that be easily upgraded?

LaptopExtreme · 01-12-2006, 05:17 PM

It can easily be upgraded, but that unit is pretty old. For the same price, I'm sure you can find current HP/Compaqs or Toshibas in your area.

lil9 · 01-13-2006, 05:08 PM

Any suggestions? (Not over £600 please)

LaptopExtreme · 01-13-2006, 06:15 PM

Well I dont know what's in your area, but that same website has quite a few for under 600. This Toshiba at least will give you more power since its a Pentium M and better battery life.

AdmnPower · 01-14-2006, 05:34 AM

personally i bought a dell inspiron 1200 last spring, it suites me very well, i use mine for the same things you listed, although it only has a celeron m processor (1.3ghz) it preforms like it's at least a 2.4 ghz standard celeron. It suites me really well, it dosn't come with wireless capability right out of the box so you'd have to go out and buy a 30 dollar wireless PCMCIA card. I think they cost about $499 now.

spamdos · 01-14-2006, 08:47 AM

yes PMs are awesome processors for laptops thoug hif all you are after is surfing the web etc even a Celeron M would suffice

LaptopExtreme · 01-14-2006, 09:09 AM

Yes it'll work, but for the same price, petium M is the way to go. Extra power (saves battery) & performance. Even if its a $100 more, it would still be a better investment so you would have update as frequently.

01-06-2006, 05:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
lil9 Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hull Age: 21 Posts: 39	Help for first time laptop buyer Basicaly im looking to buy my first laptop, payday is on the 20th of january so im just doing my research before i go out and buy one. Im not looking to build a laptop or get one built for me im just going to buy a ready made one. So what features sould i be looking out for? I wont be using it for gaming so i dont need a superpowerful one, I just be using it for everyday use, homework, internet, music, etc. Ive got a wireless network set up in my house and i know laptops can cannot to it too but what is it that my laptop needs to have inside it? What kind of processors should i be looking for? ive read somwere that you shouldnt get a intel celeron(or was it centrino?) because its old technology now. im sure il think of more questions before i go out and buy it but right now my mind has gone blank lol thanks in advance

01-14-2006, 08:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
spamdos Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canberra Australia Age: 20 Posts: 1,163	yes PMs are awesome processors for laptops thoug hif all you are after is surfing the web etc even a Celeron M would suffice __________________ TROGDOR the BURNINATOR

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01-06-2006, 05:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
LaptopExtreme VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 880	I'd look out for a Centrino system. It's a combination of Intel pentium M, chipset and wireless card built in. Much more performance than the Celeron and saves more battery. Most units come with a built in wireless cards nowadays, so I dont think you'll have to worry about that. Some other preferences are: widescreen or normal ratio, glossy or matte, size, weight, build quality (chassis, keyboard), and style.

01-12-2006, 10:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
lil9 Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hull Age: 21 Posts: 39	how do you guys rate this lap top. 256 Mb RAM isnt good but can that be easily upgraded?

01-12-2006, 05:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
LaptopExtreme VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 880	It can easily be upgraded, but that unit is pretty old. For the same price, I'm sure you can find current HP/Compaqs or Toshibas in your area.

01-13-2006, 05:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
lil9 Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hull Age: 21 Posts: 39	Any suggestions? (Not over £600 please)

01-13-2006, 06:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
LaptopExtreme VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 880	Well I dont know what's in your area, but that same website has quite a few for under 600. This Toshiba at least will give you more power since its a Pentium M and better battery life.

01-14-2006, 05:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
AdmnPower VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 1,379	personally i bought a dell inspiron 1200 last spring, it suites me very well, i use mine for the same things you listed, although it only has a celeron m processor (1.3ghz) it preforms like it's at least a 2.4 ghz standard celeron. It suites me really well, it dosn't come with wireless capability right out of the box so you'd have to go out and buy a 30 dollar wireless PCMCIA card. I think they cost about $499 now.

01-14-2006, 09:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
LaptopExtreme VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 880	Yes it'll work, but for the same price, petium M is the way to go. Extra power (saves battery) & performance. Even if its a $100 more, it would still be a better investment so you would have update as frequently.