New desktop/laptop required

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rob13

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Rob
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I need to upgrade my 6 yr old Laptop. Its been a reliable performed but its not suitable for using the likes of Lightroom or Elements as its too slow.

I'm looking to get something with at least a 17" monitor, 4gb Ram and some decent processing power. I'd like it to last another 5+ years if possible but have a budget of around £600.

I like to be able to move about the house with the laptop but dont take it further than that. I've considered an all in one solution and also a mini desktop setup. The mini desktop setup would limit me to leaving it in one place though.

Use is general internet browsing, multimedia and photo editing. Dont touch games on it as I've got an XBox for that.

Can anyone provide any advice as to what I should be looking for?
 
I have been looking at a laptop for my mum as she needs a new one.

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/HP_Pavilion_dv6-2105ea_Core_i5_Laptop_VY131EA/version.asp

Seems like a pretty good deal and just over your budget. Plenty of grunt with the i5 processor and the memory is expandable up to 8GB a 500GB HD is good for a laptop too, doesnt quite meet your screen needs though. Have a look about on that website and you could get a bigger screen probably with an i3 processor, still plenty of grunt.

Personally I am not a big laptop fan, I dunno why maybe its the lack of expandability or there perfomance price ratio when compared to a desktop. Oh and PC gaming? You dont know what your missing, makes the Xbox look like a toy...... wont get into that debate.
 
Yeah, well Ive totally blown the budget as I've seen a mates and now have Mac envy. I'm now staring at an £1100 option (although havent bought it yet) but the screen is absolutely amazing. Its an IPS which is better than the usual TN TFT panels found on laptops.

Theres another debate regarding Mac vs PC never mind PC vs Xbox. I'm quite happy with the Xbox though :D
 
If you are sold on getting a Mac, then I can't help at all. If you are still willing to consider a PC then definitely look at a desktop if at all possible.

Their value for money is much better than laptops and upgrading is very easy on a desktop. You can change memory and the hard drive on a laptop, but that is about it.
 
I've had desktops prior to the Laptop and would go back to one, but only one of the Mini towers. I dont really want the bulk which comes with a full size desktop. The Mac just seems to do things better (not specifically faster) i.e scrolling across a folder displays all of the files inside that folder. I would have gone for a PC all in one but the screens dont match up and the spec for a PC would be higher.

I didnt ever think I'd say this but it looks like I'll be a Mac owner come next week.
 
rob13 said:
the screen is absolutely amazing. Its an IPS which is better than the usual TN TFT panels found on laptops.
Click to expand...
Dont think theres a single laptop on the market which uses IPS technology in its panels, as far as im aware the panel in a Mac is WLED just like on some of the better Dells, look for a studio XPS but if youre going down the Mac route like i did be prepared to spend as much again on software.
 
Once you go mac, you never go back. Ha, I have a 13" MacBook pro and I love it.

If you can, see if you know a student who can buy it for you or can go in when you buy it. I think the discount is around 14%, also if you then buy an iPod for 150, apple give you 130 rebate. I did this, and then sold the iPod for an extra 100, saving me in theory 80 off the total. Students also get 3 year apple care for 50, not 200.
 
Yep, Macs are brilliant, I find the graphics are much better and the LED screens are brighter. Definitely worth the extra money.
 
As said, Mac's are very good. Have you had a look at the Apple refurbished models?
 
You definitely need an iMac.

If you don't want to get down the student discount route then just keep looking on Apple UK's refurbished store. They usually update it about 10am every weekday.
I bought my iMac from there.

There is an iMac on the refurbished store at the moment for £819, I think it's the very latest spec so quite a good deal.
 
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