Need to buy a ne laptop, but cant decide between a few...

S

skillzz

New Member
Right first of all, HI to everyone on the forum as i am new, and only discovered this forum though a google search.

Right im thinking of buying a new laptop, and £700 is my LIMIT.

just a few questions, if any body can help?

1. Windows vista 32 bit or 64 bit?

i know 64 bit will be more efficient and i can make use of the 4gig RAM on some of the laptops.

But i am aware there maybe a few compatibility issues, with some software...Will this be any small software i download from the interenet or any software brought "off the shelf" from a store?
Also isit likely to cause many hardware compatibility issues?

Isit worth going for the 64bit operating system to make the laptop more "future proof" ?

2. Is there much diffrence between the intel dual core P7000 series and the P8000 series?

3. 3GB RAM - 4GB RAM....noticable diffrence in performance? or is the 4gb only needed for hardcore gamers?

4. Anyone know os any issues with the "intel pro/wireless 4965AGN" adapter in the laptops?...a friend has said they lose signal alot when rebooting or putting on standbye

5. and LAst question...Sony or HP?

Any help/Advice is much appreciated :)

Thanks guys


These are the ones i am considering at the moment.....but if anyone has any other suggestions please let me know

1. http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-3744231-3770559.html

2. http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-3744188-3758221.html

3. http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-3744188-3753634.html

4. http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-3744231-3753795.html

5. http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/sto...fm=1&sm=0&tm=2&sku=356900&category_oid=-27403


Some of them are out of my price range, but with various codes/discounts i should get them within my budget:)

Thanks agen for your help guys!
 
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1
Indeed a 64bit operating system can make use of the full 4GB of RAM if you have that much installed, whereas a 32bit would only make use of around 3GB. However, at the moment 2GB is deemed as plenty. I personally have 4GB with a 32bit OS (so I've got 3GB in use), and everything runs rather nicely without the extra gig.

Of course, in the future, the amount of RAM the average user needs will increase, and a 64bit operating system will be able to make use of 4GB and over, but the time when 4GB is actually needed is probably a little while away yet.

64bit operating systems can run both 32bit and 64bit programs. The main compatiability issue is with the drivers, or lack of them. It can be very difficult, if not impossible, to get the 64bit versions of the right drivers. In theory, if the computer comes with a 64bit operating system, this shouldn't really be an issue running everything out-of-the-box, but there may well be problems when you want to install external devices that need their own drivers. This means that there shouldn't be any problems with software (although that is theoretical - in practice it may be different), but there are hardware compatiability issues.

At the moment, there is very little manufacturer support for 64bit operating systems, the reason being the average home user doesn't need the extra efficiency. Going 64bit is of course more "future proof", but by the time it actually matters you will probably need a new computer anyway. In the meantime, you'll probably have to deal with loads of headaches with the 64bit OS. In that sense, it's probably better to stick with 32 for now (although 64 is seriously cool).


2
Core 2 Duo P7000-8000? Do you mean T7000-8000? According to the listins you posted, it is called P7000-8000. Interesting. Sorry, I can't really reccommend, but the P8000's seem to have a faster clock speed (GHz).


3
At the moment, 3GB of RAM is plenty. People with 4GB or RAM tend to be graphics designers/gamers/ppl who use CAD etc., or are just very nerdy :D

Tbh, 4GB isn't really NEEDED for anything you would normally do on a personal computer. It just gives the computer that extra capiability if it is needed, which in most cases it isn't.#


4
I don't personally know of any issues with that card, but I've never tested it so I'm probably not the best to advise. Having said that, your friends problem may not be to do with the card (athough it might, so...).


5
Depends on what you want. Both are good manufacturers. Sony tend to be a little overpriced perhaps, but they normaly do have good build quailty. I don't think there is really anything wrong with HP either.


Hope that helped. All the laptops you are looking at look good, so you probably can't really go wrong with those. It depends, what sort of thing do you want it for?
 
Answering your questions in order. Wow. Here we go.

  1. For the time being, 64Bit Windows is useless. You could have compatibility problems with pretty much any aftermarket programs that you put on the laptop. Unless you're a graphic designer or an avid gamer, then 32Bit will suit you fine for the next year at least. At this time, it won't really future proof the laptop, just cause it to malfunction. We are still talking about Windows here.
  2. The difference between the P7000 series and the P8000 series, is that the P8000's were slightly more efficient than the P7000's, and they we're more efficient than the T7000's, T8000's and T9000's. Other than that, the only difference is the processor speed.
  3. Unless you want to be browsing about 200 web pages at once, downloading a game demo and writing a letter (or just playing Crysis, CoD4 and CoH at once!), 4GB is overkill for the average user. 3GB should be fine. 4GB is worthless anyway, as you need a 64Bit OS, which creates all the compatibility problems.
  4. There are issues with the Intel Pro/WIRELESS 4965AGN chipsets. They usually fall down to a faulty motherboard or wireless chipset. Getting the laptop exchanged for a new unit should solve this issue, as not all units have the same problems. Sometimes it's not only reboot and standby. If you're transferring a large amount of data (eg downloading a film from Amazon Unbox), you can also experience disconnection. When this happens, you have to reboot. Even this sometimes doesn't solve the problem.
  5. HP and Sony have pretty identical build quality, so in that respect, it pretty much comes down to your personal preference. However, HP laptops usually come with much less preinstalled crap. Sony's are absolutely loaded, just like Acer's. Also, please be aware that the Sony laptop you have chosen there is a 16:9 (TV format) model, and not a 16:10 (standard widescreen laptop format). In everyday use, this doesn't make too much difference, but if you watch a lot of videos, movies and TV, there will be a very noticeable difference.

I would choose one of the HP's over the Sony, simply because of less preinstalled crap. HP customer service is normally much better than Sony's, unless you have a Sony Centre near you. All of the HP's you listed are a pretty good choice, but depending on what you want to use them for, the processor/screen/hard drive/battery life should take priority.

Now, I think that covers all of your questions. If you need any more help, just post back.
 
first of all thank you guys for taking the time out to write a long detailed reply.

i need the laptop mainly for uni...but i will be playings games on it and probably doing a lot od downloadin, streaming large online videos, and using office, photoshop and software like xilinx.

I have a 2gb ram and dual core processor at the moment, which is fine for most things, but does tend to slow down a bit somtimes and crash if i load too many things, like photoshop and halo as well as a download etc.
so i do overload it somtimes.

ive had a look at all the laptops i like in my price ramge, and the ones I posted is what i narrowed it down to. Also like the look of the HP, and sony one also looks good.

azwebs, you mentioned somthing about the format on the sony, its 16:9 right?

So does that mean it will be better than the hp as a laptop, or isit only good for waching films and not as a laptop?

Also the 32bit vista systems usually come with 4gb, and it will only use 3gb...so would be be easy enough to upgrade to the 64bit in the future or will i have problems? cheers
 
also wanted to know, which i sthe better graphics card manufacturer. Nvidia or ATI?

im under the impression that ATI is better for HD screens and nvidia is better for gaming?

the 2 card are : nVidia GeForce 9300M Dedicated Graphics
and ATi Mobility Radeon HD 3470

cheers
 
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