posssible new laptop??

[deano_ue]

i'm looking at this laptop

Processor Type    Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor T4300     
Memory Size    4GB MB    
Processor speed    2.1 Ghz    The higher the number of Megahertz (MHZ) the faster the processor should be
Memory Type    DDR2    
Hard Drive Capacity    320 GB    The bigger the capacity the more you can store
Optical Drives    Lightscribe Super Multi DVD-RW    
Screen Size/Type    17.3 Diagonal HD LED Brightvie    
Graphics Card Type    Intel Media Accelerator 4500HD    To enable images to be displayed on your monitor
Graphics Memory    Up to 1695 MB    The higher the memory the better quality images you are display
TV-out    YES    Allowing you to plug your laptop into a TV to watch DVDs
Sound Type    Altec Lansing integrated speak    To enable you to have sound from your computer which is great for games, movies and music
Modem Type    Integrated 10/100Base-T Ethernet    Enabling communication with others via the telephone line. A modem is used for the Internet, e-mail and faxing
Wireless Enabled    YES    Allows you to connect to an existing wireless network such as in a office or a wireless hot spot
No. of USB Connections    3    The more connections the computer has the more equipment you can connect to your computer e.g. a modem, printer, scanner, digital camera, PDA
No. of Firewire Connections    0    High speed data transfer link for digital video and other media. Ideal for quickly downloading video images from a camcorder to PC
Infrared Port Included    NO    Allowing you to connect to other devices with infrared such as an infrared enabled mobile phone
Other Interfaces    HDMI, WiFi, VGA, Card Reader    
Battery Type    6 cell Li-On    
Battery life (up to)    2 hours    
Software Titles Included    Works, Office H&S Trial    
Weight    3.05 kg    This is the weight of the appliance in KG
Height    45 mm    
Width    277 mm    
Depth    412 mm    
Colour    Black/Silver    
Floppy Disk Drive    NO    Floppy disks are 3.5" square and store a small amount of data. CDs,DVDs and memory sticks are now usually used instead

it's windows 7 and priced at ?449, so what do you guys think

[Panther_Gunn]

The processor seems to be the dividing line between mid-range CPU's and high-end ones.

4 Gb of RAM is good, but this will depend on what flavor of Windows 7 it comes with.  From what I've read, the 32-bit version will still top out around 3.4 Gb that will be available to you.  The 64-bit will be able to address all of that, but you might have issues finding 64-bit drivers for all of your hardware, as manufacturers seem to be dragging their heels in developing them.  Other than which bit version of Windows, are you leaning more towards Home or Pro?  Look here for an article that spells it out fairly well.

That's a pretty big screen for a laptop; is it traditional dimensions, or is it a widescreen?  If it's the latter, and you plan to connect an external monitor up to it, you will have issues due to the difference in resolutions between the laptop & the external.  Nothing big, but it would be something you'd have to live with. (a squished image on one of the screens, if you're going dual screen)

The video card seems to be a bare-bones, entry-level card, something that may not hold up well to gaming.  How well it will hold up with graphics programs I couldn't seem to find, but it may have similar issues.  I found a review for the MHD version of the card, and disturbingly, it has no dedicated memory, but rather takes what it needs from RAM, as it needs it.  The "up to 1695 Mb" line also doesn't inspire confidence, as it seems to back up the "no dedicated memory" indication, but also seems a bit ambiguous, as if it's something you can upgrade for more money.  Definitely worth asking the venor about.

3 USB ports should be fine; you can always buy a small USB hub if you need more.  No Firewire may cause difficulties, but only if you have things that need/want that type of interface.

I heard a rumor recently that Altec Lansing had been bought out by someone else, and new drivers may not be available for quite some time, if ever.  Of course, I can't find that article anymore, nor can I even remember if it was AL or some other company, so just take that with a grain of salt.

"up to" 2 hours of battery is nothing to brag about, and can be considered almost abyssmal.  Unless you're not planning on being unplugged much at all, you should look into battery options, such as longer life, or some kind of secondary that can take over when the first is drained (most laptops I've seen anymore don't even support this).

Microsoft Works is only acceptable if you have *no* money for Office, and don't know anyone that can "donate" a copy to you.  Works is the mentally challenged cousin of Office, the one it tries to forget it's even related to.

Not having a floppy drive will only be an issue if you have older programs that you want to access, or want to have boot discs that you can change as needed (I've not booted off of USB before, so I don't know how well that works).  Also, not having a parallel port is not really an issue unless you still want to connect to something that uses one (most printers that aren't USB, some older peripherals).

The dimensions of this thing make it out to be a beast!  That thing is huge.  How much do you plan on transporting it back & forth?  Could you live with that size & weight on your shoulder for various trips?

Everything else seems fine, fairly standard.

[deano_ue]

99% of the time, i will have it plugged in and be using it at home. the only time i may use it outside of the house is on a shoot and even then it will be plugged.

i know it's not a top of the line model, but sadly even this is stretching my budget

[thalaw2]

If you're not trying to replace your desktop then this system is a bit pricey.  It's also too heavy compared to the weight of other laptops nowadays.  And the processor is only mid-rage given that Intel has released newer models.  Do you need the laptop urgently or can you wait a couple of months?  Prices may fall

[Podmark]

The best question to ask is what you need the laptop for?

[deano_ue]

i've used my current laptop for mainly 4 years, all my work is done on it. so this one will be the same. mostly my art/photos and skins and general web browsing

games ways i'll i ever play on a pc is FF