Computer Questions (formally Your Desktop)

The desktop pc is ok as well just don't expect any gaming with that on-board graphics card (it doesn't interest you anyway from what i've seen)

Yeap, that's pretty much how it goes. But bluetooth on the laptop allows the laptop to be connected via bluetooth and thus without wires, with bluetooth devices such as modern smart phones.

HDMI allows the laptop to be connected with modern lcs tv's / pc lcd monitors that have hdmi connectors.


eSATA comes with many modern hard drives and replaces the usb2.0 in many cases where it's considered as a faster alternative.

You may not want these things, but if you find a laptop in the same price range which does include those, it'll be top.

That's actually Internet Explorer: your web browser, Tom.
And depending on the site you visit and how it's built, it can take up a LOT of memory.

is it time to get rid of this power hungry browser

what do i do? i'm really stupid at this. how do i transfer my favorites, address, email, etc.

Tom, you don't have to dump one browser in order to try another. Install another browser that you'd like to try and try them side by side. See if Opera meets your requirements - e.g., allows you to import your favourites, etc. Try it for a while and if you like it and have it all set up to your satisfaction then dump the old browser.

We have 3 browsers installed on this archaic machine: IE, Opera and Chrome.

You can certainly import your bookmarks from IE into Opera - and you can also import bookmarks into Chrome from IE.

One thing I don't like about Chrome is Google's sneaky install of GooglesUpdate that frequently checks for updates and can be a drain on resources. And it is really hard to disable this. And each Google app installs their own update: Chrome, Picasa, Earth...

The easiest thing to consider is your own needs.
Don't get thrown off by side considerations.
For example, at the end of the day the type of hard disk or memory really aren't all that interesting...unless you're already thinking about replacements.

Make a list of what YOU need and do your research based on that.
Your requirements for a router seem really straightforward (one cabled, one wireless connection), so simply do a search for the most user friendly one with those prerequisites. (I'm sure there must be consumer comparison sites in the UK...there are at least 6 different ones over here in The Netherlands).

Like I said: the real trick is sticking to what is basically important for you.
It's VERY easy to get bogged down by all the details.
(And even though these might be nice to have, on paper at least, if they're not in your basics last, you'll find you won't ever use them...)

Just to be clear: bluetooth is an ADDED advantage, but not a required one! WiFi will do the wireless connection trick as well.

I do not have bluetooth on my laptop, and in 5 years I only came to regret than once (and even then I worked around it).



Again: very nice to have, but usually still not required. Unless you already know you are going to use the laptop often for multimedia purposes or an extension of your home entertainment. In that case it's pretty much a must-have.

USB 2.0 still pretty much is the standard.
eSATA is faster, no doubt, but this is really very much a nice-to-have. Not a must-have by any means. (Not that you suggested that, D. Just shining my own little light on things. )

We are the forum for 42!

I'll put up a few suggestions later - after I've done a bit of work/writing.

But, in the meantime, there are a few considerations I'm working with when I'm looking through the myriad of possibilities.

- Processor: I believe that there's little difference between Intel or AMD but I'm looking for Dual Core
- Processor speed: I'm not considering anything less than 2GHz
- RAM: 3GB or above
- Hard drive: >250GB
- Graphics/sound card: nothing special, probably just integrated(?)
- WiFi

Those are "requirements" for the laptop.

The desktop PC, with these requirements, would be vastly better than I have at the moment. I don't need a monitor so it's just base unit/keyboard.

The router would be a modem router since it's plugged into the socket in the wall that my current broadband connection used (Speedtouch modem).

Cheers!

As opposed to, your needs are many and unfulfilled.

Really?

Four possible laptops:

ADVENT Sienna 500 - £480
Intel Core i5-430M (2.26GHz) / 3GB DDR3 RAM / 250GB SATA / 3 hours battery
3 x USB 2.0 ports / 1 x HDMI / 802.11b/g/n WLAN / integrated graphics card
My current desktop PC is an Advent and although it's not a well-known brand it's lasted well

ACER Aspire 5741 - £480
Intel Core i3-330M (2.13GHz) / 3GB DDR3 RAM / 320GB SATA / 4 hours battery
3 x USB 2.0 ports / VGA, HDMI / Acer Nplify™ 802.11b/g/n / webcam / integrated graphics card

DELL Inspiron N5010 - £500
Intel Core i3-350M (2.26GHz) / 3GB RAM / 320GB / 4.5 hours battery
3 x USB / HDMI, VGA / 802.11 g/n / bluetooth / Intel® HD Graphics

PACKARD BELL EasyNote TJ65-AU-052 - £450
Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4400 (2.2GHz) / 4GB RAM / 320GB SATA / ?
4 x USB 2.0 ports / HDMI, VGA / 802.11b/g/n / webcam / Intel GMA 4500M

They are a bit on the pricey side but I think that the upper £400 bracket seems to be ticking most of the boxes. But are these specifications too much for my needs or are they good for dealing with all that my potential uses will throw at the laptop?