Couple of laptop questions... memory and networks

[D_Fivehundred]

Looking for a sub £500 laptop... easy, there's loads out there. I like the Acer brand and I'd like to stick with them if possible, but the question of graphics memory is causing me some concern as dedicated cards on sub £500 machines don't seem that popular.

I'll be looking at a dual-core around 2.1-2.2Mhz with 3-4gb ram and a suitable hdd (will ultimately back up to NAS... see next question).

The laptop will be for general everyday use; surfing, MS Office and photo editing on CS4... it wil not be used for gaming.

So, will a graphics card with shared memory be ok, or should I be looking for something with dedicated graphics memory?

And so on to NAS... there is currently no network available, and only mobile broadband is used as required. So how would an NAS device work... could it talk directly to the laptop, or would I need to install a wireless router first (which I'd rather not have to do if possible, although I appreciate I could add the likes of a wireless printer later on).

If anyone can offer any solutions, I'd be very grateful. Please consider that I would prefer to collect from store, although 24hr delivery could be an option.

Thanks all

 

[neil_g]

as long as youve got 4Gb memory shared graphics memory should be okay.

re NAS - you can either bung in a network switch (which will require cables) or a wireless router (just use it for wireless to the laptop and cable to the NAS) or you could use a crossover network cable and connect the NAS direct to the laptop and set the network details manually.

 

[PaulF]

Hi,

As Neil ref the graphics.

The NAS would be difficult without a network and somewhat pointless, unless you are planning a network later.

Otherwise just use an external USB/Firewire (depending on laptop connections) drive as they are generally cheaper than the NAS equivalent.

NAS is useful as a central storage point if using multiple machines and not needed if only one machine is going to access it. ie personally I have a MAC, 2x PC's and a laptop so the NAS is accessible to all.
Oh, just thought, one other advantage of NAS, generally you can 'add' further storage via another USB drive attached to the NAS.