New lap top help

[Redline]

It's a webcam so won't get used anyway.

Annoys me because if that isn't technically correct then what else can you trust?

 

[Bozzy]

We buy these at work now, although we buy the top spec'd i7 processor 16GB versions. Get it from John Lewis and they give you a 3 year guarantee on it (compared to Dells own standard 1 year). Another £70 will get you 3 years accidental damage on top.

It's a 2 in 1, which means you can use it as a tablet as well as a laptop. 13.3 inch screen so not as big to lug around as a full sized laptop, and a reasonable sized SSD drive (don't bother with "spinning drives" any more, the only advantage is larger capacity).

https://www.johnlewis.com/dell-insp...ntel-core-i5-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-13-3-/p3075996

This also looks like it would suit us,thanks Gaz.
I guess if any extra memory was needed I could use an external hard drive ?.

 

[GazHyde]

I guess if any extra memory was needed I could use an external hard drive ?.

Technically disk/storage space, rather than memory but yeah. A minor inconvenience but it will at least encourage you to back your files up occasionally - which I would imagine you already do

 

[Redline]

This also looks like it would suit us,thanks Gaz.
I guess if any extra memory was needed I could use an external hard drive ?.

Yes - simply plug in any USB drive. I use WD portable drives with USB3 interface. Quite small and easy to use. There's lots to choose from.
You can also get wireless disks too - slower but easier to use.

 

[Bozzy]

Technically disk/storage space, rather than memory but yeah. A minor inconvenience but it will at least encourage you to back your files up occasionally - which I would imagine you already do

Back up my files ? Don't have the energy to write things down twice and it uses too much ink. But I do make sure the filing cabinet is locked .

 

[Redline]

To explain what Gaz just said - Memory is inside the machine and is used by programs. When powered off, the data in memory is lost. This is what the 4GByte or 8GByte memory is.
Storage is just that - what you put there is stored. That covers hard disks and SSDs, USB sticks etc. You don't get CD ROMs or DVDs nowadays.

 

[billz]

You could always get a storage unit like the one i have below and just copy it over via your network
http://www.buffalo-technology.com/e...r-nas/linkstationtm/ls220d-linkstationtm-220/

 

[GazHyde]

Oh, actually while I think about it, and if anyone is still awake after reading this far...

Windows Vista has reached "end of life". There will be no further security patches or fixes released, which means that you are on your own if you continue to use it.

So, if you do happen to be running a steam powered older computer with Windows Vista on it, you may want to start thinking of upgrading your device to Windows 10 asap. Microsoft have put the final nail in the coffin for their most hateful operating system so far.

 

[billz]

You can even access your files and everything else whilst you are out and about so long as you have internet connection

 

[GazHyde]

You could always get a storage unit like the one i have below and just copy it over via your network
http://www.buffalo-technology.com/e...r-nas/linkstationtm/ls220d-linkstationtm-220/

The very one I have under my desk to store the 15GB daily Z.org backups on. Actually it's the second one, because the first one failed. Luckily wasn't the drives so I bought another case and switched them over.

 

[billz]

Oh, actually while I think about it, and if anyone is still awake after reading this far...

Windows Vista has reached "end of life". There will be no further security patches or fixes released, which means that you are on your own if you continue to use it.

So, if you do happen to be running a steam powered older computer with Windows Vista on it, you may want to start thinking of upgrading your device to Windows 10 asap. Microsoft have put the final nail in the coffin for their most hateful operating system so far.

I still use a dell running windows XP for work as it is the most robust system for connecting to third party panels via rs 232 port

 

[GazHyde]

I still use a dell running windows XP

You'd be surprised how many companies (including many high street banks) still use XP in house. It's the operating system that just won't die, and Microsoft still make a fortune out of charging for support and updates to the large companies who use it.

A lot of cash points and point of sales systems (shop tills) run either XP or Windows NT which share most of the base software code. Not bad for an OS released 16 years ago.

 

[Redline]

You could always get a storage unit like the one i have below and just copy it over via your network
http://www.buffalo-technology.com/e...r-nas/linkstationtm/ls220d-linkstationtm-220/

An essential device - Think we'll discuss that after the laptop is sorted though.

I'm running 5TByte of mirrored NAS and a 6TByte backup. Said I was OCD somewhere!
The question I ask is, if there's a fire, do I save the kids or my disks

 

[Bozzy]

Just read some reviews Gaz on that in your link,it has some quite bad reviews .

 

[hard top]

Windows Vista

I use it and get on OK with it.

 

[GazHyde]

Just read some reviews Gaz on that in your link,it has some quite bad reviews .

Reviews are awesome. I've bought a load of Lenovo laptops before the Dells which were superb. Someone gave it a 1/5 because they didn't like its smell. Another because one of the keys wasn't in the same place as their old laptop.

You'll get a better idea from a recommendation than a review. But that's just the same with anything. You pays your money, you takes your chance.

 

[Redline]

You'd be surprised how many companies (including many high street banks) still use XP in house. It's the operating system that just won't die, and Microsoft still make a fortune out of charging for support and updates to the large companies who use it.

A lot of cash points and point of sales systems (shop tills) run either XP or Windows NT which share most of the base software code. Not bad for an OS released 16 years ago.

I wish I could tell you about XP - But I can't. A lot of senior people are running very scared because they've failed to allow investment in systems. Don't understand why these systems aren't always Linux based.

 

[GazHyde]

I wish I could tell you about XP - But I can't.

Got a whole wardrobe of XP themed tee shirts already.

 

[gookah]

Solid State Drive (SSD) is a good idea. No moving parts so not going to get hurt if the laptop is dropped or knocked while it is on.
The only downside is that hard disk drives hold a whole lot more than the average SSD and so are cheaper per GByte of storage.
If you don't download lots of videos then it won't matter. If you do, then if you go SSD you will either need an external hard drive just for videos or as large an SSD as you can afford. I store all my photos on external hard drives, not just for disk space but also security. But then, I'm a little OCD as far as keeping files secure and safe from all possible damage and loss.

Start-up times with an SSD will as little at 10-15 seconds (that is if you ever switch the laptop off - many people don't nowadays - but, its a good idea imho. Laptops that are left switched on suffer ever increasing problems.

SSDs do fail but after lots and lots of use - I mean serious amounts. Its the read/write cycle that kills them, but they have clever software to manage this so it is very very unlikely to be stressed by what you're going to use it for. I've had one for 5 years now with no problems - so its likely to outlast the laptop anyway.

SSDs use less power too so your laptop will last much longer on a single charge.

i3, i5 & i7 are the processor type, and, as you save Dave, they become ever more expensive.
What's the difference?
Its very much down to processing capability. The kind of use that you are going to put your laptop to an i3 is going to be more than enough to be honest. It should easily handle dash cam footage - you're not going to be doing any complex video editing etc.

An i5 may be a little quicker than an i3, but with an SSD I don't think you'll see much difference to be honest.
My work laptop has an i5 processor and that is well capable of handling the massive amount of data that I use.
i7 is a very fast processor aimed at digital image and video manipulation and very numerically intensive applications. Absolutely no need to go there for your laptop. I use an i7 on my own laptop but then i'm manipulating and processing huge 100+MByte files.

I'd be careful on which brand I'd choose too. At Curry's you'll be paying top whack too. Choose what you want at Curry's but take a look on line too. You'll almost certainly be able to get a similar spec machine cheaper elsewhere. Curry often sell laptops that are exclusive to them. you may not be able to get the same one from another on-line store.

Let me know which you are thinking and I'll take a look for you.

Hope that helps.

Eh

I have a laptop for sale.
It's a red one...
any use?

 

[Grumps]

I have a laptop for sale.
It's a red one...
any use?

Better!