Shame that a 12 inch Powerbook is out of the question as this is close to ideal (lovely thing with 6-pin firewire and USB 2 and apart from the need for an airport card, could almost have been made for it). Also, the Mac version of PSCS needs no activation nonsense.
Anyway, that aside, the PC market is absolutely chocker with choices. You need to think carefully about what exactly you need it to do, i.e. what ports, are the main considerations processing power, quality of the display or portability? Inevitably, there will be trade-off between these considerations. If ultimate portability is the thing, you would do well to look at the JVC mininote series which are about the size of a hardback novel, with a small, but very high quality display. You will need to buy the external DVD writer and more memory to go with a machine like this, but they are very popular amongst pros and Calumet sells them (e.g. in Bristol). Apart from that, I suggest you look at some mags e.g. the latest PC World Magazine has a review of desktop replacement machines, which should be plenty powerful enough. It also has some longer term recommendations such as a subnote laptop favourite.
I do not really understand the need for a physical outlet. In the UK this will mean the dreadful Dixons or the equally dire PC World (the shop). The burger flippers who work in these outlets will not know their a**e from their elbow when it comes to advising you on what is best. Personally, I always buy from ebuyer.com as they are the cheapest and they have a very good returns policy.
Full Version: Choice of (budget) laptop in UK?
Having worked my way through various on line reports and reviews the JVC mininote sounds wonderfull but at the size needing an external DVD burner not ideal ~ also the price is steep at over £1000, very like the Apple iBook!
I was hoping that something suitable would come in more like £800 or less?
I did spot the Packard Bell Easynote A7145 (new intro to the UK only in PC World!!!!!!!!!!) at £800. The spec looks spot on?
Anymore experiences and recommendations very welcome.
I was hoping that something suitable would come in more like £800 or less?
I did spot the Packard Bell Easynote A7145 (new intro to the UK only in PC World!!!!!!!!!!) at £800. The spec looks spot on?
Anymore experiences and recommendations very welcome.
Hi All
I am looking into the possible purchase of a laptop with the following criteria and would welcome any feedback based on other members experiences.
1) Must be Windows as I currently use PSCS Windows version & would be taking advantage of the EULA that allows installing PSCS on 2 PCs.
2) Small screen - perhaps 12inch; 512MB RAM; 60GB HDD; DVD burner; wireless network capability builtin; robust enough for taking on holidays i.e. potentially slightly rougher handling than it might get carrying it from car to home to office and back again!
3) The (outline) spec above is based on the need/usage as a field PC (i.e. small overall size) for transfering the camera images for safe storage and burning them to DVD as added protection. As well a general purpose use on wired/wireless networks as needed for web surfing & file transfer when needed.
I look forward to any guidance and feedback that is offered.
TIA
PS I normally prefer to purchase such items from a physical outlet i.e. not purely mail order.
I am looking into the possible purchase of a laptop with the following criteria and would welcome any feedback based on other members experiences.
1) Must be Windows as I currently use PSCS Windows version & would be taking advantage of the EULA that allows installing PSCS on 2 PCs.
2) Small screen - perhaps 12inch; 512MB RAM; 60GB HDD; DVD burner; wireless network capability builtin; robust enough for taking on holidays i.e. potentially slightly rougher handling than it might get carrying it from car to home to office and back again!
3) The (outline) spec above is based on the need/usage as a field PC (i.e. small overall size) for transfering the camera images for safe storage and burning them to DVD as added protection. As well a general purpose use on wired/wireless networks as needed for web surfing & file transfer when needed.
I look forward to any guidance and feedback that is offered.
TIA
PS I normally prefer to purchase such items from a physical outlet i.e. not purely mail order.
QUOTE (drew @ Jan. 04 2005,10:46)
Shame that a 12 inch Powerbook is out of the question as this is close to ideal (lovely thing with 6-pin firewire and USB 2 and apart from the need for an airport card, could almost have been made for it). Also, the Mac version of PSCS needs no activation nonsense.
Hmmm!!!! Pity Adobe in their 'wisdom' do sell the Win and Mac versions together ~ that was the case then the 12inch iBook or Powerbook would be of interest but I think the price premium is high?
Anyway, that aside, the PC market is absolutely chocker with choices. You need to think carefully about what exactly you need it to do, i.e. what ports, are the main considerations processing power, quality of the display or portability? Inevitably, there will be trade-off between these considerations. If ultimate portability is the thing, you would do well to look at the JVC mininote series which are about the size of a hardback novel, with a small, but very high quality display. You will need to buy the external DVD writer and more memory to go with a machine like this, but they are very popular amongst pros and Calumet sells them (e.g. in Bristol). Apart from that, I suggest you look at some mags e.g. the latest PC World Magazine has a review of desktop replacement machines, which should be plenty powerful enough. It also has some longer term recommendations such as a subnote laptop favourite.
Will have to check the current issue of PCW (do mean that it is this issue that has the reviews now)
As for the JVC that is new one on me - will look at that.
I do not really understand the need for a physical outlet. In the UK this will mean the dreadful Dixons or the equally dire PC World (the shop). The burger flippers who work in these outlets will not know their a**e from their elbow when it comes to advising you on what is best. Personally, I always buy from ebuyer.com as they are the cheapest and they have a very good returns policy.
Dixons group are not the only retailers. What I incorrectly implied was that I like the e-taliers and mail order companies to have physical outlet to collect from ideal if they are local to me.
Hmmm!!!! Pity Adobe in their 'wisdom' do sell the Win and Mac versions together ~ that was the case then the 12inch iBook or Powerbook would be of interest but I think the price premium is high?
Anyway, that aside, the PC market is absolutely chocker with choices. You need to think carefully about what exactly you need it to do, i.e. what ports, are the main considerations processing power, quality of the display or portability? Inevitably, there will be trade-off between these considerations. If ultimate portability is the thing, you would do well to look at the JVC mininote series which are about the size of a hardback novel, with a small, but very high quality display. You will need to buy the external DVD writer and more memory to go with a machine like this, but they are very popular amongst pros and Calumet sells them (e.g. in Bristol). Apart from that, I suggest you look at some mags e.g. the latest PC World Magazine has a review of desktop replacement machines, which should be plenty powerful enough. It also has some longer term recommendations such as a subnote laptop favourite.
Will have to check the current issue of PCW (do mean that it is this issue that has the reviews now)
As for the JVC that is new one on me - will look at that.
I do not really understand the need for a physical outlet. In the UK this will mean the dreadful Dixons or the equally dire PC World (the shop). The burger flippers who work in these outlets will not know their a**e from their elbow when it comes to advising you on what is best. Personally, I always buy from ebuyer.com as they are the cheapest and they have a very good returns policy.
Dixons group are not the only retailers. What I incorrectly implied was that I like the e-taliers and mail order companies to have physical outlet to collect from ideal if they are local to me.
Drew
Thanks the feedback - some food for thought I have added in the quote above some thoughts
hi there BoxBrownie,
you get what you pay for...
and if you really decide to buy a lap make sure you listen at how loud the fan is when it goes into overdrive!
all those cheapies out there will turn you mad and crazy and aggressive after a short while working on PSCS+CaptureOne+Photomechanic!
the next issue will be processing power/memory/battery life.
here again cheapos will let you feel the difference!
and if you really need something to work in the field it should be sturdy/unbreakable.
in this respect I can vouch for toshiba and sony vaio, both of which I ended up dropping from a height of 1.5m without any damage! the stupid security check at the airport it was..
same thing happened with an Acer from a low table - some 0.5m - and the thing didn't make it..
RE the in built DVDs you also must be aware that writing/recording speed is minimal, you'll be better of transfering your pix to your dsktops DVD.
hope this helped ;-)
did you think about a fast hop to the US and buy a unit there? must cheaper than the UK!
dn
you get what you pay for...
and if you really decide to buy a lap make sure you listen at how loud the fan is when it goes into overdrive!
all those cheapies out there will turn you mad and crazy and aggressive after a short while working on PSCS+CaptureOne+Photomechanic!
the next issue will be processing power/memory/battery life.
here again cheapos will let you feel the difference!
and if you really need something to work in the field it should be sturdy/unbreakable.
in this respect I can vouch for toshiba and sony vaio, both of which I ended up dropping from a height of 1.5m without any damage! the stupid security check at the airport it was..
same thing happened with an Acer from a low table - some 0.5m - and the thing didn't make it..
RE the in built DVDs you also must be aware that writing/recording speed is minimal, you'll be better of transfering your pix to your dsktops DVD.
hope this helped ;-)
did you think about a fast hop to the US and buy a unit there? must cheaper than the UK!
dn
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