Is this laptop ok?

[Barry Sanchez]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/samsung-series-5-np510r5e-15-6-laptop-silver-21374012-pdt.html#packs

 

I dont know much about laptops or pc's to be honest, I want this for web browsing a few games on medium settings and thats about it. Or is there something better out there for £500 -£600?

[pap]

Small screen resolution, crappy GFX card which steals from main memory. I wouldn't go near it.

 

My serious advice to anyone out there thinking of getting a laptop is spend some money on a copy of PC Pro. Their reviews are on the money, and you'll have a hard time getting ripped off following their advice.

 

I'm surprised that Bazza "lives in more affluent part of Liverpool than pap" Sanchez is constraining himself to a £600 budget. I spent almost three times that on my machine, and I've got teenage kids leeching me dry

[Barry Sanchez]

Small screen resolution, crappy GFX card which steals from main memory. I wouldn't go near it.

 

My serious advice to anyone out there thinking of getting a laptop is spend some money on a copy of PC Pro. Their reviews are on the money, and you'll have a hard time getting ripped off following their advice.

 

I'm surprised that Bazza "lives in more affluent part of Liverpool than pap" Sanchez is constraining himself to a £600 budget. I spent almost three times that on my machine, and I've got teenage kids leeching me dry

 

But why do I need to spend £1800 on a laptop? If I needed that high spec I would get that one, the question I was asking is this ok? I dont need or want a Poindexter time machine I require a run of the mill laptop.

Yes for living in posh area like I do concessions have to be made................

[Smirking_Saint]

Small screen resolution, crappy GFX card which steals from main memory. I wouldn't go near it.

 

My serious advice to anyone out there thinking of getting a laptop is spend some money on a copy of PC Pro. Their reviews are on the money, and you'll have a hard time getting ripped off following their advice.

 

I'm surprised that Bazza "lives in more affluent part of Liverpool than pap" Sanchez is constraining himself to a £600 budget. I spent almost three times that on my machine, and I've got teenage kids leeching me dry

 

Maybe he has different priorities, I wouldnt spend 2k on a laptop, I dont use them enough. Isnt your job in computing or something ? And you do spend a lot of time online, so I imagine thats your priority ?

 

Anyways Bazzer, what do you want to use it for ? Web browsing ? Do you need to word process etc?

[pap]

But why do I need to spend £1800 on a laptop? If I needed that high spec I would get that one, the question I was asking is this ok? I dont need or want a Poindexter time machine I require a run of the mill laptop.

Yes for living in posh area like I do concessions have to be made................

 

 

You don't have to, Bazza - but I'd have expected better from a man who is so open about his relative wealth.

 

Get a copy of PC Pro. Pick a 500-600 lappy from their A-list. Buy it. Really is that simple.

[pap]

Maybe he has different priorities, I wouldnt spend 2k on a laptop, I dont use them enough. Isnt your job in computing or something ? And you do spend a lot of time online, so I imagine thats your priority ?

 

Anyways Bazzer, what do you want to use it for ? Web browsing ? Do you need to word process etc?

 

My job is in computing, yep. I spend ages online.

 

I also spend a lot of time consoling people on their bad PC purchases. As amusing as it would be to see Bazza whack 500-600 on a rebadged pocket calculator, there's absolutely no need. Even for that dough, he should be able to pick up something much better than the machine he's looking at now.

 

I bought two Dell Inspiron 17R special editions last December, both with full HD panel and dedicated gfx hardware. £700 each, direct from Dell - and a significantly better spec than the machine listed here.

[buctootim]

But why do I need to spend £1800 on a laptop? If I needed that high spec I would get that one, the question I was asking is this ok? I dont need or want a Poindexter time machine I require a run of the mill laptop.

Yes for living in posh area like I do concessions have to be made................

 

You don't. I think this one would be much better for you if you want to do some gaming. New here for £640 http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/12882688/art/hp/envy-m6-1178sa-15-6-lapto.html#pix-review or refurbed (essentially new) here for £460 http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/refurbished-laptops/hp-envy-m6-1178sa-refurbished-15-6-laptop-black-19572011-pdt.html?srcid=369&xtor=AL-11&cmpid=aff~HotUKDeals~&istCompanyId=9a35962d-802d-4e67-9721-0a3328ca1f02&istItemId=qqpxmxaa&istBid=t.

Edited 20 May, 2013 by buctootim

[Barry Sanchez]

You don't have to, Bazza - but I'd have expected better from a man who is so open about his relative wealth.

 

Get a copy of PC Pro. Pick a 500-600 lappy from their A-list. Buy it. Really is that simple.

 

I'm not open to anything about my wealth at all (I dont have any wealth to speak of), I simply asked a question, heaven forbid for advice and help, you work in computers and your best answer is one loaded with what I can only assume is a patient sarky comment loaded with bitterness.

[Smirking_Saint]

I'm not open to anything about my wealth at all (I dont have any wealth to speak of), I simply asked a question, heaven forbid for advice and help, you work in computers and your best answer is one loaded with what I can only assume is a patient sarky comment loaded with bitterness.

 

What are you going to use it for bazzdune ?

 

Is it just browsing or is it documents etc ?

 

Basically what Im getting at is will a tablet do !?

[Barry Sanchez]

What are you going to use it for bazzdune ?

 

Is it just browsing or is it documents etc ?

 

Basically what Im getting at is will a tablet do !?

 

 

Calling me Dune is neither new nor original SS, thats so last year, I am typing now from a gary so dont need a another one, the smallest room shall become a nusery so changing from a pc to a laptop for the lack of space.

[Barry Sanchez]

You don't. I think this one would be much better for you if you want to do some gaming. New here for £640 http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/12882688/art/hp/envy-m6-1178sa-15-6-lapto.html#pix-review or refurbed (essentially new) here for £460 http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/refurbished-laptops/hp-envy-m6-1178sa-refurbished-15-6-laptop-black-19572011-pdt.html?srcid=369&xtor=AL-11&cmpid=aff~HotUKDeals~&istCompanyId=9a35962d-802d-4e67-9721-0a3328ca1f02&istItemId=qqpxmxaa&istBid=t.

 

Many thanks will look into it.

[pap]

I'm not open to anything about my wealth at all (I dont have any wealth to speak of), I simply asked a question, heaven forbid for advice and help, you work in computers and your best answer is one loaded with what I can only assume is a patient sarky comment loaded with bitterness.

 

You got some good advice. You also got mildly ripped.

 

I love how you use a bitter comment to point out a bitter comment! Good work, skip!

 

Seriously, buy PC Pro and you are sorted.

[Barry Sanchez]

I can only assume when someone asks for advice you mistake that for a sarky chip on the shoulder aren't I clever retort, you must work in richer sounds.............

Simply put you could not resist even when someone is asking for advice, it could now be dominos pizza.

[pap]

I can only assume when someone asks for advice you mistake that for a sarky chip on the shoulder aren't I clever retort, you must work in richer sounds.............

Simply put you could not resist even when someone is asking for advice, it could now be dominos pizza.

 

Nah, only you, and only because you've made a big thing of your posh Cressington pad.

 

Peasant

[Barry Sanchez]

Nah, only you, and only because you've made a big thing of your posh Cressington pad.

 

Peasant

 

No again wrong, that was to tell you where I live in Liverpool and you still dont believe me, I believe you for obvious reasons of not. making it up where you are from as who would do that from Edge Lane? Nothing to do with me more yourself and being chippy from living in one of the more industrial places in Liverpool.

[pap]

No again wrong, that was to tell you where I live in Liverpool and you still dont believe me, I believe you for obvious reasons of not. making it up where you are from as who would do that from Edge Lane? Nothing to do with me more yourself and being chippy from living in one of the more industrial places in Liverpool.

 

 

Frankly, I'm disappointed with the quality of my ghetto, Bazza. I'm the sort of absent-minded bastard who leaves his keys in the door of the house or everything in an unlocked car. Never had anything nicked. Perhaps I need to downgrade. I was down Empress Road the other day and considered it deliciously scummy.

[Polaroid Saint]

Gaming? On a laptop? Defo need to spend out on a device with dedicated Graphics card and high end processor (i5 equivalent).

You might be lucky and get one for 600-700 squid.

 

If you are not gaming, then you could easily spend under £300 for a very serviceable laptop running one of the new low-consumption processors (eg the Asus s400 available for £249 on Amazon).

 

Google user? A Chromebook is all you need. Bit of a learning curve, but once established it is perfect for all but the most demanding of tasks. All for £220.

[Polaroid Saint]

You don't. I think this one would be much better for you if you want to do some gaming. New here for £640 http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/12882688/art/hp/envy-m6-1178sa-15-6-lapto.html#pix-review or refurbed (essentially new) here for £460 http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/refurbished-laptops/hp-envy-m6-1178sa-refurbished-15-6-laptop-black-19572011-pdt.html?srcid=369&xtor=AL-11&cmpid=aff~HotUKDeals~&istCompanyId=9a35962d-802d-4e67-9721-0a3328ca1f02&istItemId=qqpxmxaa&istBid=t.

 

The refurbished Envy for £450 is a steal. I would try to avoid windows 8 personally (it's the windows LiveID requirement and Metro that I hate, plus the extra four clicks to do anything in settings is a right pain for techies), but this is a great price.

[pap]

The refurbished Envy for £450 is a steal. I would try to avoid windows 8 personally (it's the windows LiveID requirement and Metro that I hate, plus the extra four clicks to do anything in settings is a right pain for techies), but this is a great price.

 

Only prob with that is the screen res, but I'd still give this the pap recommendation.

[Barry Sanchez]

The only game I am really want to play is company of heroes 2 on medium settings, no crysis or high specs like that.

[Barry Sanchez]

 

Frankly, I'm disappointed with the quality of my ghetto, Bazza. I'm the sort of absent-minded bastard who leaves his keys in the door of the house or everything in an unlocked car. Never had anything nicked. Perhaps I need to downgrade. I was down Empress Road the other day and considered it deliciously scummy.

 

Not going to rise, not going to rise.

[pap]

Not going to rise, not going to rise.

 

Rise to what?

 

As far as I can tell, my last post was self-deprecation centred on where I live. I wasn't having a pop at you, darling.

[pap]

The only game I am really want to play is company of heroes 2 on medium settings, no crysis or high specs like that.

 

http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=3345&game=Company%20of%20Heroes%202

[Barry Sanchez]

Thank you.

[Barry Sanchez]

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/laptops/1299160/msi-cx61

 

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/laptops/1299184/acer-aspire-timeline-u-m5-581tg/2

 

These any good?

[Barry Sanchez]

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-17-3721/pd?oc=n0037131&model_id=inspiron-17-3721#RatingsAndReviews

 

Even this?

[SaintsAhoy]

Steer clear of anything related to 'PC World' - i had problems with 3 laptops i bought from them and their service wasn't the best. Also steer clear of HP laptops, i've had two die due to poor design.

 

I've been using an Acer laptop for the past few years and whilst it now can't cope with modern games so well, it's been a really reliable machine. They would probably have a decent laptop in your price range

[buctootim]

...

Edited 22 May, 2013 by buctootim

[buctootim]

That Dell is a good spec laptop Bazza but you should read the reviews, not happy bunnies. The HP I pointed you to has a very similar speed processor (passmark), more RAM, better speakers, is lighter with better battery life and its also scored 10 out of 10 from the reviews of people who had bought it. The Dell has a bigger screen and resolution and a slightly better spec graphics card but is £130 more expensive. Personally if I was in the market for a laptop I'd buy the refurb whilst they still have some.

Edited 22 May, 2013 by buctootim

[Barry Sanchez]

Maybe just nip to pc world then and buy a new one, wife does not want 2nd hand, this will play most games on medium setttings? So in short is there a better laptop can buy from a shop for £650?

Edited 22 May, 2013 by Barry Sanchez

[pap]

I've got two of the next model up versions of that Dell in the house, the 17R Inspiron SE. Do read the customer reviews, the negative ones are hilarious.

 

One bloke was moaning about having a GFX card that has never existed in the machine The Dell response is a very gentle "are you sure you are commenting on the right machine, sir?".

 

The other negative reviews are from people who legitimately moaned about the since fixed fan issue.

 

Basically, an Inspiron is an XPS (Dell's old gaming laptop) with a poorer chassis. The internal components are up there, but the external stuff is built with lower quality materials.

 

This is the model I got for the girls, which has a better rating than the one you posted:-

 

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-17r-se-7720/pd?refid=inspiron-17r-se-7720&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=1&~ck=dellSearch&isredir=true

 

The original Company of Heroes was a system resource hog. Relic acknowledge "we sold a lot of graphic cards ( http://www.polygon.com/2012/9/28/3425718/the-cold-logic-of-company-of-heroes-2 ). They are not going to be at the absolute bleeding edge for this, but equally, they've got some very cool stuff, such as terrain deformation, which is integral to the way the game works.

 

The recommended spec on the link I posted says 450GT or higher. The Inspiron 17R SE has a 650GT in it, and is 600 of your finest English knicker.

[pap]

Ooh, having said that, you'd need more RAM.

[Barry Sanchez]

I've got two of the next model up versions of that Dell in the house, the 17R Inspiron SE. Do read the customer reviews, the negative ones are hilarious.

 

One bloke was moaning about having a GFX card that has never existed in the machine The Dell response is a very gentle "are you sure you are commenting on the right machine, sir?".

 

The other negative reviews are from people who legitimately moaned about the since fixed fan issue.

 

Basically, an Inspiron is an XPS (Dell's old gaming laptop) with a poorer chassis. The internal components are up there, but the external stuff is built with lower quality materials.

 

This is the model I got for the girls, which has a better rating than the one you posted:-

 

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-17r-se-7720/pd?refid=inspiron-17r-se-7720&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=1&~ck=dellSearch&isredir=true

 

The original Company of Heroes was a system resource hog. Relic acknowledge "we sold a lot of graphic cards ( http://www.polygon.com/2012/9/28/3425718/the-cold-logic-of-company-of-heroes-2 ). They are not going to be at the absolute bleeding edge for this, but equally, they've got some very cool stuff, such as terrain deformation, which is integral to the way the game works.

 

The recommended spec on the link I posted says 450GT or higher. The Inspiron 17R SE has a 650GT in it, and is 600 of your finest English knicker.

 

Cheers, what one do you recommend then, I can go up to £700, its easierto collect from store but can do dell, has to be new.

[Jonnyboy]

I'm looking for a budget laptop, Any suggestions for under £250? Cheers

[pap]

Cheers, what one do you recommend then, I can go up to £700, its easierto collect from store but can do dell, has to be new.

 

I had to buy two of these buggers in one go, so I ended up taking interest free credit on the pair of them. My view on computers is that they are an expensive purchase, and one easy to regret. The girls wouldn't really be Crysis fans themselves, but everything they play runs smoothly.

 

My genuine best advice is to find a machine you want and get a decent credit agreement on it. Dell do loads of it, and they have some very nice Alienware machines that'll do you for a few years if you're prepared to fork out that much.

 

buctootim will tell you that I'm an elitist bugger when it comes to this stuff, and he is right. I can't even buy computers for my kids that don't have a decent graphics card. However, I do feel it's worth getting a decent machine, and in earnest, it's probably worth waiting until Company Of Heroes 2 actually comes out ( and is out for a month, to give them time to sort out all the massive gamebreaking bugs ).

 

You'll then have a good idea of how well it actually runs, and better machines could well be within your price range.

[Barry Sanchez]

I will pay straight away for it, will that dell play it or is a higher amount of ram needed?

[Jonnyboy]

I'm looking for a budget laptop, Any suggestions for under £250? Cheers

 

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/fujitsu-lifebook-ah512-15-6ins-laptop-intel-celeron-processor-320gb-hdd-199-asda-1556233

 

Was going to get this one but it's sold out now :-(

[Jonnyboy]

It's alright f*ckers I've bought one now.

[Clapham Saint]

I will pay straight away for it, will that dell play it or is a higher amount of ram needed?

 

Do you want to buy from a shop becuase you want it right now, or becuase you want somewhere to go to complain in person if there is a problem?

 

I have had issues with both PC world and Dell customer service in the past after machines have failed just weeks after purchase. It seems that this is not a problem which I have suffered alone.

 

http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.pcworld.co.uk

http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.dell.co.uk

 

I would recomend www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

I received my new machine within a week and am delighted with it. They also have some active forums where those more knowledgable than I will give advice on specs (there is also a function in the sales pages to post your proposed spec directly to the forum for advice).

[Barry Sanchez]

Do you want to buy from a shop becuase you want it right now, or becuase you want somewhere to go to complain in person if there is a problem?

 

I have had issues with both PC world and Dell customer service in the past after machines have failed just weeks after purchase. It seems that this is not a problem which I have suffered alone.

 

http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.pcworld.co.uk

http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.dell.co.uk

 

I would recomend www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

I received my new machine within a week and am delighted with it. They also have some active forums where those more knowledgable than I will give advice on specs (there is also a function in the sales pages to post your proposed spec directly to the forum for advice).

 

 

Yes I want to buy from a shop really in case anything went wrong, I went to pc world last night to buy the hp envy but they did not have any in stock, will buy one from a retailer this weekend though.

[Barry Sanchez]

http://www.johnlewis.com/toshiba-satellite-l855-14k-laptop-intel-core-i7-2-4ghz-8gb-ram-1tb-15-6-silver/p231820511

 

Going for this one tomorrow.

[Barry Sanchez]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-z500-15-6-laptop-dark-chocolate-19430684-pdt.html

 

Got this instead.

[JPTCount]

i7 is complete overkill, the i5 is better for your needs. If youve got

 

i actually bought the same sumsung unit about 8 months ago but with lower specs, i5, 6GB Ram, 500GB HDD. cost just over £400, and it copes with traktor.... you really don't need anything else to browse the web and play a few games

 

pap sounds like the out of date IT systems manager at work

[Polaroid Saint]

i7 is complete overkill, the i5 is better for your needs. If youve got

 

i actually bought the same sumsung unit about 8 months ago but with lower specs, i5, 6GB Ram, 500GB HDD. cost just over £400, and it copes with traktor.... you really don't need anything else to browse the web and play a few games

 

pap sounds like the out of date IT systems manager at work

 

Hehe. Harsh but true. I deal with plenty of IT managers that are entrenched in old Wintel (or in awe of Apple) that simply don't get that most users need the internet and nowt else these days.

 

I can easily match any creative output on Mid range Laptop as I can on a little Samsung Chromebook. Except high end creative stuff like Adobe CS which really needs a high spec laptop anyway. And games, but then I don't use my PCs for gaming I have a PS3. (ooh, except Total War which is brilliant but ancient).

[Barry Sanchez]

i7 is complete overkill, the i5 is better for your needs. If youve got

 

i actually bought the same sumsung unit about 8 months ago but with lower specs, i5, 6GB Ram, 500GB HDD. cost just over £400, and it copes with traktor.... you really don't need anything else to browse the web and play a few games

 

pap sounds like the out of date IT systems manager at work

 

Papster gets his masculinity from a large drive..................

[pap]

i7 is complete overkill, the i5 is better for your needs. If youve got

 

i actually bought the same sumsung unit about 8 months ago but with lower specs, i5, 6GB Ram, 500GB HDD. cost just over £400, and it copes with traktor.... you really don't need anything else to browse the web and play a few games

 

pap sounds like the out of date IT systems manager at work

 

Actually got an overclocked i5, not an i7, in my own machine.

 

Not a laptop though.

 

Let's hear your up to date IT knowledge before you impugn mine, eh - JPTCount

[pap]

Hehe. Harsh but true. I deal with plenty of IT managers that are entrenched in old Wintel (or in awe of Apple) that simply don't get that most users need the internet and nowt else these days.

 

I can easily match any creative output on Mid range Laptop as I can on a little Samsung Chromebook. Except high end creative stuff like Adobe CS which really needs a high spec laptop anyway. And games, but then I don't use my PCs for gaming I have a PS3. (ooh, except Total War which is brilliant but ancient).

 

Ah, you lost me at the "I don't play games on my PC" bit.

 

That creative output term is a bit vague and catch all. What are you talking about, exactly?

 

Word processing?

 

Word Perfect on a 286 was good enough for that.

[pap]

Papster gets his masculinity from a large drive..................

 

^^

 

Pretty much why you can't buy a laptop without help

[Polaroid Saint]

Fair dos!

 

Not picking on you Pap; however when you mentioned and suggested Dell – that is when I think anyone REALLY into IT would have groaned and felt their hearts sink. Each to their own and all that, but that's why the comment of 'out of date it manager' seemed so apt to me. Sorry!

 

I think I was trying to say : unless you are a professional in need of a high end machine, or an enthusiast looking to play games, you simply don't need a top, or even mid, range Laptop these days.

 

If someone comes on a footy forum asking what laptop to get then it is fair to assume that they are neither a professional IT user or an enthusiast.

 

You are right to be suspicious of my 'don't play games on a PC' : I am one of the weirdos that would rather spend a day building and tweaking the hardware and OS on a PC than shooting zombie aliens (or whatever it is you kids do on your games).

[Barry Sanchez]

^^

 

Pretty much why you can't buy a laptop without help

 

I have never claimed to be anything I am not pap, surely even you can now acknowledge this? Asking for help is not a bad thing indeed to me its a postive thing.