Laptop Recommendations

MathsParMathsPar New
edited March 2007 in Hardware
Any laptop recommendations for a student, will mostly use it for studying, using a bit of software like Word, Excel and some more specialised programmes. Will play the odd game on it (i.e Football Manager 2007) and would like it to be relatively light with a decent battery life. Budget is probably up to £400, cheaper the better though lol.

Comments

  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited March 2007
    Your needs are pretty simple as far programs and applications go. I will not advise for the specific store (online or brick and mortar), as you are in a different country than me.

    For best compromise of value-quality-price-functions, I would look at Lenovo, HP, and Dell. My opinion - don't even think about Gateway. There are other quality brands as well, but the ones I listed I know hold to at least a moderate standard. As your demands are not high, your selection can be made on price.

    Now, let's talk about longevity. How long do you wish to keep the computer? If you purchase a model that has minimal performance, but satisfactory for you today, in just 18 months you might want to throw the "slow" machine out the window. It's not an easy call - deciding what performance level will keep you happy through X number of years. Anyway, give us an idea of how long you think you'd like to keep the laptop, and also tell us what programs/tasks you think you might be doing with the laptop 18 months from now.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited March 2007
    I graduate in a year and a half so it's main use is for getting all those reports and essays done over that period. Depends on what type of job I get after if the laptop will be useful or not. My degree is going to be in Maths and Management Science so could end up in a variety of different jobs, still keeping my options open. Although one thing I'm relatively sure of is that I'll be commuting a lot because the main cities I'd think of working in the house prices have soared. So will be on the train quite a lot so a laptop may be useful for getting some work done, that's another reason why I'm looking for a light one.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited March 2007
    Been looking around a bit, found this Lenovo

    http://www.microwarehouse.co.uk/catalogue/item/LENNB036

    What do you think?
    Going to see if I can find something under £300 though.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited March 2007
    Actually this one looks better,

    http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Lenovo_3000_C200_Laptop_TZ0AZUK/version.asp
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited March 2007
    That does look like a good system for your needs, as long as the games that you do occasionally play are not graphically intense.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited March 2007
    Going to get that laptop tonight unless anyone else has any more suggestions. It's alright I wont need good graphics for the games I play, play most shoot em ups and stuff on my X-Box instead.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited March 2007
    That's it ordered.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited March 2007
    That does look like a good system for your needs,
    I agree. I think you got a solid laptop that will meet your needs without issue.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited March 2007
    Thanks for the help guys, got the laptop and quite pleased with it. One problem though is when connecting to the internet. It seems to connect randomly and wont stay connected for any long period of time. Don't think it's the router as the PC in this room works fine always but the laptop wont.

    It uses a Broadcom 802.11g network adaptor which is built into the laptop, when I say find connections it sometimes recognises my router with 80% signal strength but sometimes not. It always finds my neighbours one with 20% signal strength. Which is why I think maybe I'm needing to configure something because hardware doesn't seem to be the problem.

    Also when I just click connect in the "ThinkVantage Access Connections" bit, it's fine until it gets to 'Waiting for association' then says connection failed.

    Any help much appreciated.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited March 2007
    I think the problem is like you said, a configuration problem. The Broadcom adapter in your laptop is a very good one. The same adapter in my laptop is just as fast and reliable as the Linksys 802.11g discrete cards in a couple of my desktop computers.

    A couple things you can try:

    1) in the task tray, look for the clamshell symbol (wireless connection). Right click on it and it will give you the option of switching between wireless management between Intel and Windows. Try both. Sometimes one will work better than the other.

    2) Also, go to Control Panel, open Nework Connections, and right click on the symbol for your Wireless Network Connection. Click on the "Configure" button beside the inset that identifies your wireless device. Open the Advanced tab and try different settings. CAUTION: if there are any default settings that you might forget after you make changes, you are advised to write down those settings.

    3) Look for all power saving options (for the network device) and disable them. The intentions for power states reduction are good, but in execution that stuff can be problematic.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited March 2007
    Thanks for helping Leonardo but unfortunately I'm no further along. It's still either connecting for 5minutes if it even locates my router. Then will disconnect, maybe the wireless radio just randomly feels like turning itself off or somehow it's lost my router again... then it will and I'll connect... but it says my routers not good enough or something.. then it is... then it works... then disconnects...... lol if you haven't noticed I'm a bit frustrated by this continuous cycle.

    Didn't manage to see a clamshell thing, is it different because I have Vista basic?

    Turned off a couple of power saving things I found too.

    Off to sleep now cause I'm on UK time and it's about midnight. Hopefully some legend will have solved my problem by the time I get up.

    Thanks
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited March 2007
    Hey could someone please move this to the software section because it isn't really a hardware thing anymore.

    Tried phoning up the helpline because it's free help for a week after the purchase but the guy was pretty useless and said a technician would phone me back soon. So 5 hours later and still waiting I'm thinking if anyone can solve this it will be you bunch.

    Thanks
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited March 2007
    Software? Hardware? Don't really know yet, do we? It may be a router or device setting. Pain in the rear, but it might just be a simple settings change.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited March 2007
    I have concluded that my Laptop has a mind of it's own. Today the internet has worked, consistently, on it. And I have changed nothing since yesterday. I wont complain or question though, don't want to anger the generous Laptop gods.

    Thanks for your time anyway guys
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited March 2007
    If you want more help, please don't hesitate to open a new thread requesting assistance.
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