Need a new laptop

[paul2008]

There's only one word.


Mac.

A good word if you can afford it although you still have to lion or leopard taming if you've never played with the big cats before.

[Fleegle]

Paul..

That has been some serious advice..thankyou for your trouble, as you've cleared up pretty much all of my concerns about getting the new machine..we both appear to be content with Big Bill's microsoft presentations, and I was glad to hear you prefer the XP format..as you said..if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Merlin..

One of my best friends has a very successful Graphic Design business in Edinburgh. He SWEARS by MacIntosh..and I have to admit, having seen his work, I must agree..It's unbelievably good..
He also thinks microsoft is "so full of glitches it's not worth the effort". I know he's right, but watching him work on his computer is like watching Ali winning a fight..he uses a "speed-mouse"..totally out of my league...think I'll stick with the old Bill just now, and take a course in computing!!

Fleeg.

[Zoggite]

My 72-year-old mother is a photographer, and she has just bought herself her first Mac (iBook Pro I think): she has also come to the conclusion that Macs are better for the "Creatively-minded", i.e. Graphics designers, artisticky-people etc...
I don't fall into that category, I'm more yer scientisty-type, like my dad...
Incidentally, you can still find brand new laptops with XP installed, and also quite a few I've seen in the specialised press that come with Vista pre-installed, but supplied with XP on a disk, "Windows XP-downgradeable"! So obviously there must still be some demand for it!

[Web Ferret]

Vista is a bit of a nightmare - Took me 2 days to get my new vista laptop to talk to my XP desktop over the wireless link.
I have de-tuned vista to turn off all the fancy graphics that just slow the PC down and now it runs fine.
If getting a vista machine you need at least 2GB of RAM or it will be really slow.

If I had the choice again I would stick with XP.

[Fleegle]

I have revived this thread one year on because I need a new laptop again. Still not a fan of vista though. Still using XP as I type. Have now used new office 2007 and think it's just a glammed up version of 2003. I find it harder to operate as well. Sometimes spend ages trying to find a simple task in the toolbars.

Anyway..if vista is the way forward..please post some suggestions re the best machine (I'm anti-Mac) to drive it, and perhaps a website or two which will allow me to operate vista a bit more easily.

Thanks guys,

Fleeg.

[Rafael]

i hear you fleeg! office 2007 and viesta are not my type! now i have to learn how to use them as i got a laptop gateway N57 series as a gift from my relatives in the states.
need some time to get used on it.

[paul2008]

Well if you turn off some of Vista's functions like aero its not too different from XP, essentially I believe it runs fine with most new processors, just ensure you have enough RAM. i've been okay with vista for almost two years now, my little acer aspire is still running well although has a tendancy to over heat so omagine I'll burn it out soon.

Have a look at open office (openoffice.org). This free office software is getting better and better and much closer to office 2000/97 than office 2007, and has good compatibility although have not used it with powerpoint which was the problem with the old versions. Many people found it easier to switch from office 2000 to open office than office 2007.

[Web Ferret]

Toshiba do a range with an XP "downgrade"

There is a large mail order company called insight in sheffield (google it).
Have a look at their extensive range and check the offers/promotions.
I have a tosh satellite pro running XP off them.
Paid £250 for it after promotion voucher with a 3 yr warranty!

[Fleegle]

Downloaded open office a couple of months back to give it a try. I have microsoft office 2003 anyway. Re compatability, if I attached an open office 'word equivalent' document to an email, the recipient had random problems when they tried to open it with microsoft word. Sometimes it wouldn't open at all.

My current laptop is a Toshiba, and I think it's great! Was considering an upgrade just to keep up with new technology, but on second thoughts I think I'll stay where I am for now.

Thanks for the advice lads,

Fleeg.

PS.. an XP 'downgrade'? Best oxymoron I've heard in years!

[vanquish s]

Hp do some excellent machines for relatively good prices. Here is an example it looks good and is powerful HP Pavilion dv6-1131ea Entertainment Notebook PC (NZ863EA) specifications - HP Home & Home Office products. Although there is no beating a mac . If not a really good website is Cheap Laptops | Laptop | Huge range at low prices on Ebuyer.com. Search by price, spec etc and they are cheaper than from the main retailer. Anymore advice just ask.

Antony