Laptop

[jacey]

So I'm thinking of getting a laptop to replace my cranky old desktop PC and I'm looking at Dell, possibly their Vostro range with a dual core processor. I need it to be able to work 16 hours a day without getting tired and I'd like it to drive an extra screen and to have a keyboard port (I'm hard on keyboards, wear the letters off the keys). Wi-Fi and networking as standard, of course and decent graphics - not for gaming, but for Photoshop and design-for-print.

I'm not looking at spending more than 400 ish ex-VAT and I'm certainly not looking to convert to a MAC (before anyone starts).

I'll be ordering it with the old Windows operating system, not Vista.

Though I do want the machine to be portable (for things like heading off to Milford) I'll mostly be using this in the office, so unlike the last laptop  bought, lightweight portability is not the main issue.

Does anyone have experience of a similar machine? Any advice?

Comments

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

I've used Dell Latitudes for several years and find them to be useful workhorses.

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

Thanks. A workhorse is exactly what I'm looking for. It couldn't fail to be faster than the ancient PC I'm currently using.

[elen-sentier.livejournal.com]

I've got a Dell. 'twas a gift from a rich friend, her old one, about 3 yrs old. It's great. I use windows XP on it at present but I will convert up IDC. Hubby (ex-computer boffin) says it's worth it for all sorts of techy reasons which actually do make sense!

The newer ones are a bit lighter than mine and more "stylish".

If you want to use photoshop (I do, but not yet on laptop) spend every spare bean you have on memory. You prob know how hungry Photoshop is !!!

Just about to go wi-fi. Have done lots of research into what to get. My needs are to be able to work in my hammock out in the garden 70 yds from house in summer, and in bed or sitting room in winter. Apparently this ain't too difficult nor espensive. Don't have £ figures yet but will post you when I do, and what I get, if it's useful for you.

I've had Dell desktops before - neat, smart and cheap - so I say go for it. You should be able to do fine for £400. But, like I said, spend the dosh on memory for the pix-work.

Wish I could get to Milford but it keeps being when I have my students over and I ain't got the hang of being in 2 places at once yet *g*. I will one day - get there I mean LOL. Hope to meet you there.

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that. The more I hear the more convinced I am that dell is the way to go as I can be specific about what I want to spend my money on and specify the operating system. Thanks for the tip about memory. I use photoshop a lot and also have a bad habit of leaving several applications running at the same time, often switching between them as i handle a project on both Photoshop and Quark at the same time, or Photoshop and Dreamweaver.

Number One Son had a top-of-the-range one but sadly it was stolen out of his flat in New York a few months ago (uninsured - bummer) otherwise I was contemplating buying his old one as he wants to transfer to a Mac platform for film editing. His was was a couple of years old but still way over the spec I can afford now as he used it for architectural stuff - CAD and Photoshop and Quark.

We have Wi-Fi in the house, mostly for the sake of visitors, but it's an old stone house with thick walls so there are blank spots and currently my desktop is plumbed in via network cable. When I'm working at my desk I'll probably still do this, but it will be nice not to be limited to working in the office.

Pity about Milford. Bluehairsue and I were talking about having a mini-Milford again for a weekend. Would you be up for something like that? We did it a few years ago for us northerners when real Milford was in Devon.

[elen-sentier.livejournal.com]

Crikey! If you've got Dreamweaver up and several screens going to once you do need memory. I can be jsut as bad although I don't use Dreamweaver. should I? Is it fun? I don't want to do languages, just drag-n-drop is fine for me, but I enjoy playing with how things look and appear.

I learned Quark back in the 80s but use In-Design now. I find it works just fine and I enjoy the Abode stable. Sounds like you're a real wizz with web design then ... *g*. And publishing?

Thanks for the wi-fi tip. Our house is ancient too, with thick walls. Paul (hubby) says I need to get the "N" version to be quite sure of being able to work outdoors, although the "G" version might do it. Am looking at Thompson and NetGear as 2 main makes.

Hey, mini-Milford sounds good. where? somewhere I've not been yet ???

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

I have to be able to throw a web page together and change it again at very short notice becaise of the (music) agency which is my day job.
http://www.jacey-bedford.com

You'll see I don't do anything fancy with design. Until a couple of years ago I was using a very ancient programme called Hot Metal, but decided it was time to upgrade. It took me a long time to get to grips with Dreamweaver, but I can make it do simple stuff now even if I can't make it jump through hoops.

Also for the agency I have to design professional print-quality leaflets, booklets, flyers and posters which in turn means learning how to manipulate photographs. I also do all the artwork for CD production) our own and other peoples on occasions.) I am. however, not a real artist, or even a real graphic designer, but have been made one by economic necessity. If I could afford an art department I'd have one, but I can't so I'm it. Ditto tech. I do what I can with software and scream for Best Beloved if something hardware or systems related crops up.

The thing about the music business, on the level that I operate, at least, is that you're always trying to produce professional promo at amateur prices and mostly the only way to do that is to do it yourself; pay for the print and provide your own labour.

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

Forgot to answer the Milford question. We had our other mini-Milfords in York because it was halfway between me and bluehairsue, but we're open to suggestions. Are you on the Milford announce mailing list? If you've ever been to Milford before you should be on the general Milford list and if not you can be on the announce list. Send me your details and e-address to artisan (at) artisan-harmony.com and I'll make sure you get on the list. Milford proper is in Snowdonia.
http://www.milfordsf.co.uk