Calling all laptop users.....

[Headfry]

Zazen999 never thought of a Mac, a few have macs at work and I know they love them, but worry that as I use windows at work I might get even more confused than I do now!
Have had a little play in the stores, one thing I did find difficult - really silly but the flat key board is difficult with nails!
How does an in built camera work? is it any good or just a gimmick?

[Pumpkin Becki]

My inbuilt camera is excellent, I was making skype calls to my Boss in Dubai this week, and it worked perfectly.

[bobleponge]

Have had a little play in the stores, one thing I did find difficult - really silly but the flat key board is difficult with nails!

I found that too HF!!

How does an in built camera work? is it any good or just a gimmick?

Most modern lappies have built in camera's these days, and they are perfectly acceptable for Skype, MSN webcam stuff.


Too logical?? It depends on how the logical mind works. I'm used to Windows, and tried the Mac and simply didnt get on with it, stuff wasnt where it "should" have been. As I said, my mate swears by his, but I wont get one.

[Headfry]

TEB thanks, many good points, Laptop will be just for me (mine, all mine! Mr HF -hands off )
As for budget - not sure - can I get one for �500-�600? really don't know what to expect by way of cost......
Dont think I will run photoshop as Mr HF has this on home computer.
I may want to watch TV podcasts and films on it? listen to radio etc....can this be done on a laptop....see told you I have no idea about laptops. Wanted one for years now.

[zazen999]

TEB thanks, many good points, Laptop will be just for me (mine, all mine! Mr HF -hands off )
As for budget - not sure - can I get one for �500-�600? really don't know what to expect by way of cost......
Dont think I will run photoshop as Mr HF has this on home computer.
I may want to watch TV podcasts and films on it? listen to radio etc....can this be done on a laptop....see told you I have no idea about laptops. Wanted one for years now.

Yup, you can do all those on it. You can make your own films on Macs as well.....

If you list all your wants and go to somewhere like PC world [don't take your � with you] and ask them all the questions - and then take away all the info and find the best place to buy from....try and visit an apple shop to try out their macs if you are interested; again don't take any � so you don't make a snap decision!

I use my macbook with the flat keys with nails.....it's so gentle you just need to tap them - I typed this just with nails!

[Pumpkin Becki]

As for budget - not sure - can I get one for �500-�600? really don't know what to expect by way of cost......
.

Think mine was around the �350 mark, plus the extra software to upgrade to Windies 7

[Headfry]

This is all brilliant help - thank you

[TEB]

TEB thanks, many good points, Laptop will be just for me (mine, all mine! Mr HF -hands off )
As for budget - not sure - can I get one for �500-�600? really don't know what to expect by way of cost......
Dont think I will run photoshop as Mr HF has this on home computer.
I may want to watch TV podcasts and films on it? listen to radio etc....can this be done on a laptop....see told you I have no idea about laptops. Wanted one for years now.

Thats more than enough to purchase a half decent laptop, you could probably include a docking station in that, this would allow you to connect an external keyboard/Mouse/Monitor/Printer etc. If what you want to do you currently do on a desktop then it can be down on a laptop.

[HeyWayne]

We've both ends of the spectrum (no, not the computer) in terms of laptop size in our house.

I have a Sony Vaio VGN-BX51VN for work, it does loads and has a big screen (15.4") for me to do the arty stuff for work, but it weighs a tonne and travelling with it anywhere soon makes your shoulders ache. It's got a big proper sized keyboard on it with space to spare. Running Vista and has something called an "Intel Centrino Duo".

LadyWayne has a tiny Advent "Netbook" which is great for surfing the net and general low key stuff, but due to it's size it has limited features - no CD/DVD drive, no camera (I think) and the keyboard is only 75% full size so it's a pain for a ham-fisted typist like me.

My next home computer (which does very little, just acs like a hub really) is likely to be a mac, mini Mac maybe.

Good luck with your search HF, it's a minefield and I often don't have the patience.

[SueA]

I use a Sony VAIO VGN-NS30E with Vista & Intel Pentium, it's slim, not too heavy & it's fine. The screen is very clear & photos look good on it & it works with the printer I already have & has lots of slots USB ports etc. It has a built in webcam but I've no idea whether that's any good as I've never used it!

[coreopsis]

I'll be the next one to back up Mac.It just works and very easy to use.We have an ancient printer,mac recognised that no probs,no downloading drivers for printer and so on.Camera not compatible with the system?No probs,it works with iPhoto.And all the stories about "how difficult it is to switch from PC to Mac" are fairytales.Go for Mac.

[Bigmallly]

It's a minefield Headfry & at the end of the day it's a personal choice. That's why I do not say what I have as it is personal to my needs.

[HotStuff]

For �500-�600 you'll have a big choice. If you don't go for a Mac then points to note would be:

minimum 3GB preferably 4GB memory
250GB or more Hard Drive

Do you want/need a DVD drive?

If you're not going to use it for gaming or editing video then you don't need a gutsy graphics processor.

Most important really is try before you buy. Do you like the screen or is it too reflective? Does the keyboard have the right "feel" for you or is it too cheap and plasticy?

[Glutton4...]

My two-penneth - I'd suggest getting a separate hard disk drive for storage. You can put all your pictures and music on it, saving space on your Lappy's hard drive. Useful if you have loads of photos, as having them on the Lappy will slow it down. Well, it does if you have as many as I do!

I don't watch a lot of telly, but recently I caught an advert for the new Apple iPad. It looks like an iPhone but the size of a Laptop - I WANT ONE!!!

[Hilary B]

The answers on here remind me of the Thelwell cartoon about buying a pony
'Expert advice should be sought... finding a reliable expert also has it's problems'
The experts in the picture obviously all have totally different ideas of what is best (which is the connection to this thread).