Buying a laptop - how low can you go?
Posted 18 July 2008 at 8:44AM by Ian Betteridge in IT systems and support
If you read the ads for computers in newspapers or watch them on TV, you'll know there are loads of deals for low-cost laptops at the moment - some as low as £300. A laptop is a great business tool, but are these kinds of machines actually suitable for business?
The good news is that if you're looking for a computer for business, you don't need the kind of high-specification, high-power machine that goes for over a grand. In fact, there are really only three things that you need to think about when judging if a laptop is right for you.
The first is how powerful it is. You don't need something capable of creating a movie, but business applications like Outlook or Word do need something reasonable. That means a processor of at least 1.5GHz, with at least 2GB of memory - although 1GB is fine if you're using Windows XP the latest version of Windows, Vista, really needs at least 2GB to shine.
The second thing to consider is the screen. You'll spend quite a bit of time staring at it, so spending a few extra pounds to get a better quality display is worth the money. If possible, try to actually get some hands-on experience with the machine you're thinking of buying, and check that the sharpness and brightness of the screen is comfortable for you.
The third element is size. Most laptops in the budget category come with 15in screens, which means they can be quite large. If you're looking for something to carry around on a daily basis, you may need something smaller and lighter - and smaller machines are usually more expensive. If, on the other hand, your laptop will mostly be tied to your desk, then weight will be much less important.
So think about what you need before you buy - and you could find yourself a bargain.
Tags: bt, bt broadbandoffice, laptops
New feature: Rate this post!
Average rating: 4.7/5
Comments
2. At July 18, 2008 9:39 AM, Pam wrote:
This is good advice to bear in mind, thanks.
3. At July 18, 2008 6:59 PM, James Lyon wrote:
Great advice - One more point to remember about Laptops especially the lower priced ones - Do they bounce when accidently dropped on a hard floor. Could be expensive especially if the case breaks and hard drive fails to operate !!
4. At July 20, 2008 8:07 AM, Julie wrote:
I am about to buy a lap top and this post has given me a simple and useful guide. Can anyone tell me their views on the benefits or otherwise of buying an apple over (or under) a PC for business use. I've been told the graphics are a strength with these machines - for producing art work for promotional and training material. In the 'olden days' there was a problem with sending/receiving emails in Word form between apple and PC systems. (receivers of the emails couldn't open them up) Do any compatability problems exist nowadays?
5. At July 21, 2008 9:21 AM, Jonah wrote:
I've used an Apple for over 2 years now and found it really good, to be honest I couldn't go back to Windows now. In answer to your questions there's no problem sending email between the 2 systems and you shouldn't have a problem with any files these days either. If you really have a problem you can now run Windows on Apple hardware using Boot Camp or Windows programs within Mac OS using software such as Parralels.
The graphics use is more variable, of late Apple haven't fitted great graphics cards on all their machines. The MacBook for example has no graphics card and uses shared graphics that would be little use for any graphic intensive applications. The MacBook Pro does have a graphics card and should do quite nicely for pretty much anything you can throw at it.
As to whether you should buy a Mac or a PC a lot of it comes down to preference I'd say. The Mac OS is more efficient and uses less memory but then Macs also cost more so you could probably use the extra money to beef up the specs of a PC laptop. If you do decide to go for a Mac I'd probably wait a few weeks as the MacBook and MacBook Pro lines are rumoured to be due updates soon.
6. At July 21, 2008 9:21 PM, Thomas Grewar wrote:
I do agree mostly with what you said Jonah, however with a buisness they would be looking for professional software to do their tasks. Though the 'Freeware' applications do a good job, such as Thunderbird from Morzilla and Open Office from Sun Microsystems, sometimes they don't cut it in the real buisness world.
This is where professionally made software such as Microsoft Office come in. Would you find large companies such as BT, McAfee, Norton and Sitel to name a few use open office? There are just some things that require the 'big daddies' and the 'new kids on the block' just don't cut it in that respect!
There is one thing that seem's to be overlooked, forgotten about or just ignored completly and that is backup strategies! Most complaines, small / medium or large in size all have vital important information, that must not be lost in any case. We all dread the day when we the computer is switched on, and you get the blue screen of death (Windows 98 / XP) or a virus ruins everything on the drive, and all that vital customer information or orders are gone! Wither it be an online back up (BT PC Backup 1 - 7gb Versions) service, or an external 500gb USB / Firewire harddrive, it is VITAL that regular back up's are done, incase anything happen, then you have at least some data to begin with all again!
For me that is a vital thing indeed when looking into getting a buisness computer, is the form of backup. One thing that you could look into is having some form of DVD burner drive, wither it be regular, Blue-Ray or HD.
Hope this helps.
Thomas Grewar
7. At July 22, 2008 12:47 AM, the master chief wrote:
1. Do not buy a laptop with AMD Mobile or intel celeron processor they tend to overheat and fry your system
2. Look for built in functions like web cams ,memory card readers or bluetooth capability.3. Always watch for the magic word 'pre-installed OS ' which normally suggests that the laptop manufacturer would throw in a bunch of useless trial programs that tend to stay on your pc forever
4. Try to get a complete OS disk (rather than a recovery one) .
5. Rule of the thumb - it takes 6 months to level any laptop battery and 12(when it is just outside warranty) to bring its lifetime down to 20 minutes. Tip -always discharge and /or calibrate your laptop battery once a month this avoids the memory effect which results from the laptop being plugged into the mains forever or parallel processing.
6.Buy the laptop that offers maximum RAM - NOT the faster dual ,multi or zillion core processor.more cores does not mean more speed - hardly any software of daily use can utilize these extra horsepower.
7.fact - all laptops originate from 5 manufacturers in far east. so ,do not expect innovation - unless it is an apple (or an asus).
8.Laptop insurance is generally a good idea.
9.Most people forget that almost all laptops come with two display cards - one for the built in screen and a second option to plug in your old crt monitor. Hey Presto ! you have just increased your screen real estate. use this with abandon and you will love it .
10. Last but not the least - NEVER Buy the latest , most fastest,most modern or most good looking laptop - it will be worthless as soon you walk off the till.
8. At July 22, 2008 10:30 AM, Adrian wrote:
Julie: These days, with Apple machines using Intel processors, there really isn't that great a difference between them and the old 'Wintel' PC. And if you do have an application that doesn't work right under MacOS - just boot into Windows!
That said, you will pay a premium (about 30% more) to get the Apple brand...so it's up to you if the sheer coolness of MacBooks is worth the extra few bob.
9. At July 22, 2008 11:17 AM, Thomas Grewar wrote:
In regards to the poster, "the master chief" these are fantastic points that you have raised, basic in their nature, but great none the less. Though there is one small thing that you forgot to mention in the graphics point in your list.
Shared graphics is a big no no as it takes vital processing time and power away from the processor and also eats away at the vital ram, a good point that you mentioned. I know that 'Mobile Graphics' may not be the best of options, or chip sets for graphics, but that will free up essential memory and processing power for the laptop.
Thomas Grewar
10. At July 28, 2008 11:45 AM, Ian Betteridge wrote:
Julie - I've got to confess a little bias on this as I've used Apple machines for over 20 years, but I've always loved my Macs and recommend them to almost everyone. That said, a Mac isn't always the right machine - if there's a particular application you need which is only available on Windows, then Windows is likely to be a better option.
11. At July 28, 2008 12:54 PM, Sandra Williams wrote:
Hi Julie,
I have only used PC's, so can't really comment on MACS, other than to say the following :- I have been a commercial printer for over 25 years and used PC's for the last 18 years or so to do all my typesetting. We have created football programmes, books, restaurant & takeaway menus, to name just a few items all with great success. PC's are quite a bit cheaper than MACs, back up is better with PC's and the software is fastly cheaper and more accessible. Nowdays you can do the same on PC's as you can MACs, as far as graphics go. Also the majority of people use PC's so if compatibility with others is a requirement then PC's would win hands down. I am yet to come across a problem that cannot be solved on PC's.
Good luck with your purchase
Post a comment
As 14 days have passed, comments are now closed for this entry.
1. At July 18, 2008 9:35 AM, Jonah wrote: