Help! Laptop advice

[scruffygit]

My old lap top has just died - of old age probably as its over 12 years old.

It wasn't anything special (it was a 486DX4 for gods sake) but it did everything I wanted which is run MS office (97, but I also have a copy of XP). I visited PC World but the first spotty school leaver couldn't understand why I didn't want it to play games on and the second just confused me with techno babble.

Can anyone recommend a good quality/value laptop to buy in a hurry? Simple requirements are:

Run MS Office (97 or XP - any comments on the better), namely Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Good quality 15/15.4 screen, wide screen not a necessity.
2hr+ battery life.
Nice positive feel to the keyboard.

Don't need a huge HD because all the data files will end up transfered to my PC, or fancy graphics or sound capabilitybecause its going to be a working machine.

Available budget up to ?800 but the cheaper the better 'cos its coming out of my PCIII/suspension upgrade fund.

Works computers run on MS OS and software so that rules out apple unfortunately.

Many thanks in advance. :bow: :bow:

 

[Jaws]

Any and all available laptops will run everything you have listed ..

A word of advice.. Ditch 97 mate.. I loved it to bits but I am afraid it is wide open to abuse and all sorts of hazards now.. Damned shame but tthats life I spose !

The only two variables you need to know about are
Screen size
Battery life.

So pop along to Currys ( who do some cracking deals as they are part of the same group as PC World without the pushiness ! ) and buy whatever takes your fancy and fits the bill battery and screen wise..

If the sales person starts drivelling on tell them up front that you are ONLY interested in the two criteria and the price.. if they want you to leave they should carry on ignoring what you are saying ! Works for me ! LOL !!

 

[ianrobbo1]

I'll go with Jaws on the "pushiness" of PC world!! :bang:
I looked into their website today and they did me the "honer" of loading some really aggressive cookies on my machine, completely fucked part of my programing up!! had to ask Jaws what was the problem and he was able to tell me immediately I mentioned "PC wankers world"!! :bow:
so not only do they fuck you over when you visit their shops, they can now "do you" at home!!!

 

[parttimepilot]

Morag bought my laptop for me when I was in hospital in July, A Toshiba A4 Tecra. ?499 plus delivery from www.dabs.com

15" screen
60GB hd
cd writer/ dvd player
wireless enabled
Plus a load of other stuff that I dont understand.(and cant be bothered to find out)
Comes with XP
Battery lasts about 2 hours (apperently you can buy additional batteries)

This is my first laptop and seems to be top rate.

 

[Duck n Dive]

Latest

versions of office require authenticatin to continue operating.

Cheapest way to buy kosher versions is at the student/teacher discount price (think it's about ?118) at the moment.

You get the basic version (i.e. no publisher or access). However when I opened mine I found a special offer insode (this was more than 2 yrs ago) which meant I coiuld (and did) send off for "Access" and "One Note" direct from Microsoft for the grand total of ?35.00 for the two.

You qualify for the student/teacher version if you are doing any kind of education course or your kids are in fulll time education. As part of the registration process you do tell what education establishment/course you are doing but this does not appear to be validated at any time with anyone. If you're kids are at school you have to say which one.

As far as the laptop goes PTP's info is sound stuff :yo:

 

[Pugwash]

I bought my last one from here:
http://www.cclonline.com/

Can't fault Sony Vaio for fantastic bright screens, and the older one has even survived the girlfriend's attempts to drown it in red wine.

 

[Shalershasker]

My old lap top has just died - of old age probably as its over 12 years old.

Can anyone recommend a good quality/value laptop to buy in a hurry? Simple requirements are:

Run MS Office (97 or XP - any comments on the better), namely Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Good quality 15/15.4 screen, wide screen not a necessity.
2hr+ battery life.
Nice positive feel to the keyboard.

Available budget up to ?800 but the cheaper the better 'cos its coming out of my PCIII/suspension upgrade fund.

Many thanks in advance. :bow: :bow:

A mate of mine has just bought a laptop from Dell, nothing fancy i think it's one of their lower spec jobbies, but he just wanted it to do very similar things to you and has said it's perfect for him i think it was ?470 (definatly no more than ?500 anyway) and that included 3 years warranty. I've not dealt with them myself but i have heard their quite good, might be worth checking them out.

 

[scruffygit]

Thanks for the advice gents. I ended up with a Toshiba Equium (on special offer at Currys (good call John, my many thanks yet again) - how come effectively the same company can employ helpful people in one outlet and total :wank: in another?), if this one lasts 12 years then I'll be well happy.

Ok next question. Its come pre-loaded with Norton Internet Security (Firewall, anti virus, anti spam etc) on 90 day free trial and then full subscription at a "special" price. Do I:

1. Stick with the Norton stuff.
2. Bin Norton and install, Zone alarm, AVG and Spybot, or
3. Go for one of the Pro versions of Zone alarm or AVG. You have to pay for them but they come as a complete (presumeably integrated) package.

Your opinions as always (well nearly always) are valued :bow: :bow:

 

[scruffygit]

Thanks for the advice gents. I ended up with a Toshiba Equium (on special offer at Currys (good call John, my many thanks yet again) - How come effectively the same company can employ helpful people in one outlet and total :wank: in another?), if this one lasts 12 years then I'll be well happy.

Ok next question. It came pre-loaded with Norton Internet Security (Firewall, anti virus, anti spam etc) on 90 day free trial and then full subscription at a "special" price. Do I:

1. Stick with the Norton stuff.
2. Bin Norton and install, Zone alarm, AVG and Spybot, or
3. Go for one of the Pro versions of Zone alarm or AVG. You have to pay for them but they come as a complete (presumeably integrated) package.

Your opinions as always (well nearly always) are valued :bow: :bow:

 

[scruffygit]

Err, what did I do :blush: I only tried to edit the punctuation :h

 

[ianrobbo1]

it's these bloody cheap laptops your buying!!! :} glad your sorted!! :bow:

 

[Pugwash]

2. Bin Norton and install, Zone alarm, AVG and Spybot, or

I haven't got zonealarm installed now as it was thrashing my machine whilst downloading *stuff*

AVG free version is superb, and I only have the paid version on one machine. I might drop the renewal on that.
The WinXP SP2 built-in firewall is good enough, although I have a router firewall in place also.