A Laptop...

[Stuart C]

Originally Posted by Derek S

Pretty sure they will. Although do you actually need Vista?
Since I got my Macbook I've not needed to put Windows onto it, everything I've needed it to do can be done natively.

I've run Vista 64 bit fine on one. The only trouble I had was that the version of bootcamp (the package that contains the Windows drivers for ther mac hardware) supplied didn't support 64 bit, and Apple no longer provide supported downloads of bootcamp. So, I had to download my own version.

[Bender]

dell also do a range of systems under the name 'Vostro' (same as they do 'xps' and 'latitude' for example). not he most serious contenders when it comes to ultimate power, but very well priced laptops and desktops. as you are not looking to play games, one from this range could save you some serious money. and as with all dells, they are very customisable too. I'm seriously thinking about maybe getting a couple for around the house (media centres, etc)

[webcrawler2050]

Hey,

I would certainly most reccomend an Acer Spire 5920G - I just got it and cant fault the spec for the price.

Processor Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Santa-Rosa ( (T7300 - 2.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, 4MB)
Screen 15.4" (Crystalbrite WXGA Acer TFT LCD)
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium Edition
RAM HIGH (2048MB 2GB)
Hard Drive 250GB SATA
Optical Drive DVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi)
Graphics Dedicated (NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 8600m GS with 256MB Dedicated upto 1024MB Total Graphics Memory)
Wireless LAN Wireless (802.11a/b/g Wireless)
Network Card 10/100/1000 Gigabit Fast Ethernet
Integrated Webcam Yes (CrystalEye Webcam)
Card Reader 5-in-1 card reader (SD//MS/MS-Pro/MMC/xD-Picture card™)
USB Ports 4x USB 2.0 Ports
Speakers Intergrated Stereo Speakers
Modem 56.6K Modem
VGA Port 1 External VGA Port
Kensington Lock Kensington lock slot
Charge Time 2.0 Hours
ExpressCard ExpressCard™/54 slot
HDMI 1 HDMI Connector
Firewire IEEE 1394 port
infrared Fast infrared (FIR) port
S Video OUT S-video/TV-out (NTSC/PAL) port
Battery Life 2-3 Hours (This Specific Model 2.5-hours)
Weight 2-3 Kg (This Model 2.82 Kg)
Warranty 12 Months Acer Collect & Return


ONLY £597.97

https://www.simplyacer.com/product/i...6/LX.AN40X.432

[zinglebarb]

Originally Posted by Matthew

If your budget can stretch have a look at Ailenware

Alienware are Dell and they are gamer machines a gamer machine isnt required

[webcrawler2050]

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

Alienware are Dell and they are gamer machines a gamer machine isnt required

I got a Dell XPS at the same time as the Acer and its just rubbish! All you are paying for with Alienware is unfortauntly the name!

[Stuart C]

Originally Posted by Derek S

Apple?

Advanges of the Mac:


Runs Mac OSX (which, when you get used to it, is nicer than Windows in a lot of ways).
Runs cooler than any PC laptop I have used (big advantage if you are using it on a lap)
Even the basic Macbook is powerful enough to run Vista at a fairly reasonable rate.
OS is well integrated with the hardware (no need to mess around with drivers, everything just works usually).
Bluetooth support
802-11n Wireless (OSX seems to handle wireless more reliably than Windows as well) at both 2.4GHz and 5 GHz, as well as 802-11b/g at 2.4Ghz support. Obviously you'd need an 'N' compatible router though. The advantage of 5GHz is that frequency band is less suscepitble to interference from other devices than 2.4GHz.
Can run Windows (upto and including Vista).
Built in webcam.

disadvantages:
Cost
PCs at same pricepoint tend to be more powerful.
Not really poweful enough to run decent games (although the MacBook Pro is).

[Bob]

Thanks everyone - this has given me some serious food for thought

[Rob]

Your not supposed to eat the laptop Indeed food and drink anywhere near it is frequently not a good idea :p

[Bob]

Well I'm getting all confused with this talk of Apples lol!

Must admit they are looking pretty tempting

[DocDutch]

Bob, have to say the MACS are sturdy, good looking, stable and to be fair not really that expensive.

take with that that MACOS runs like a dream for at least 5 years (experience with a mac g3 and ran 10.2 still)

it is a bit different a mac but as Stuart has said its reliable.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by DocDutch

Bob, have to say the MACS are sturdy, good looking, stable and to be fair not really that expensive.

take with that that MACOS runs like a dream for at least 5 years (experience with a mac g3 and ran 10.2 still)

it is a bit different a mac but as Stuart has said its reliable.

Yes, I have a Macbook pro, and it is very well built. As mentioned, you can run Windows on it as well, though there are a few niggles with that (such as the the keyboard lacking some keys, and you have to hook up a mouse to be able to right click).

[Uncle Peter]

I invested in a Macbook Pro over the weekend; mainly for music (audio) production with Protools and also for digital photo workflow in Photoshop. Obviously these are two niches where the Macs excel so it was a no-brainer really. That aside, it really is a superb bit of kit. The display is brilliant, it's virtually silent, Penryn 45nm processor so it runs pretty cool and the battery life seems to be very respectable. Firewire 800 built-in as standard is also pretty handy for external hard disks and high speed audio interfaces.

[Bob]

Well I'm typing this to you on my new macbook - I am well impressed with it so far. Gonna take some getting to use to menu wise and the lack of right click lol!

[Uncle Peter]

Originally Posted by Bob

Well I'm typing this to you on my new macbook - I am well impressed with it so far. Gonna take some getting to use to menu wise and the lack of right click lol!

Nice one Bob, glad you're impressed with it

Go into system preferences - keyboard & mouse

On the "Trackpad" tab check these boxes:

One finger - Tap to Clock

Two fingers - Secondary click

Accept the changes then when you tap the trackpad with two fingers you get your right click and Bob's your uncle

You can also scroll by dragging two fingers down the trackpad which is dead handy when you have your pint or wine glass in the other hand.

[DocDutch]

Originally Posted by Bob

Well I'm typing this to you on my new macbook - I am well impressed with it so far. Gonna take some getting to use to menu wise and the lack of right click lol!

bob, you can just plug in any usb mouse to the mac and you would have the right button again