# Laptop Suggestions

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Saturday, 28-Nov-2009 10:23:29

Hi.
I am thinking of possibly getting a laptop within the next few months and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Here are my requirements (the ones marked "if possible" are not essential, but would be nice to have):
Readily available in the UK
Good Battery Life
Decent processor
built in wireless
built in USB
able to run jaws and/or window-eyes without any problems
good sound
built in USB
windows 7 (if possible, otherwise windows XP)
built in bluetooth (if possible)
built in SD/SDHC (if possible)
Right, that's all I can think of for now. If anyone can give any recommendations for laptops that fit all (or most) of the requirements mentioned above, it would be much appreciated (if you can provide links to reviews or further details, that would be even better).
Thanks.

## Post 2 by Jesse (Hmm!) on Saturday, 28-Nov-2009 12:08:59

MacBook Pro, hands down. I don't know the equivalent pricing, but in the states, they start at $1199, and even that model will do exactly what you want it to, and has all the requirements. You'll have to furnish your own copy of Windows 7, however. I'm writing this on a MacBook Pro, using Windows 7, JFW, and Internet Explorer. Within a minute though, I could boot into OS-X, and use Safari with Voiceover, which comes standard on the Mac.
You could save money, and get a Dell, but it won't be built as well, and won't have a 7-hour battery, either.

## Post 3 by season (the invisible soul) on Sunday, 29-Nov-2009 3:34:40

if you want something small, lite, and spend less than 300pounds, go for asus EEEPC netbook series. the latest asus EEEPC 1005HA have all the specs you want, and it run on window7 starter (although you can either upgreat it to window7 home premium or downgrate it to xp) for around 270pounds on Amazon.co.uk.
its about 1.3KG, with the baterry life of 10.5 hours, 10.1inch screen, 92% keyboard, build in microphone and web camera, bluetooth, 3g and wifi wireless, sd card slot, and it come with 3USB pords. and the sound quality is great too. i'm sure it can run either jaws or window eyes, or any screen reader on it.
but if you are not in hurry, you can wait for another few months, somewhare around mid next year, there will have a new range of netbooks coming in to the market.
if you want to have a full notebook, means, come with a combo drive, weight around 2.5 to 4KG, big screen around 15.4 inch, baterry life about 3 hours the most, you can go for either toshiba, or Twinpack, or Dell. these brand are good, but i won't reckonment HP, that is with my unpleasant after sale experience with them.

## Post 4 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 29-Nov-2009 4:08:37

not sure if you have Dell over there, but if you do, I wouldn't go with them. They are not bad computers in and of themselves, but if they do ever break and you need tech support, you're royally screwed. Tosheba seems to be a pretty good brand. As far as your requirements, you should be able to get those in most laptops, if I read everything correctly. Good luck.

## Post 5 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Sunday, 29-Nov-2009 6:21:07

To post 2: I like the sound of the MacBook, but it's a bit too expensive (especially if I need to put a copy of windows on there, plus JAuwS or Window-Eyes), but thanks for the suggestion anyway. I probably should have mentioned this in the original post, but i'd like to spend no more than £500 if possible (not including screen reader costs).
To post 3: I really do like the sound of that netbook. One question: If I did buy that netbook now, when this new range comes out next year, will this netbook become obsolete? If it won't, then i'd definitely consider getting that netbook. Oh, and how fast is it? And are there any known issues with it that I should know about?
Thanks.

## Post 6 by season (the invisible soul) on Sunday, 29-Nov-2009 21:01:38

Asus eeepc 1005HA come in two different specs, one come with a 160GB Harddrive, intel atom n270 and 1.6GHZ which preloaded window XP home. this netbook is slightly cheeper than the one with better specs, which come with 250GB harddrive, intel n280 1.66GHZ processer, preload with window7 starter. as far as other specs goes, they are the same, but this with window7 starter, and faster processer, and 250GB of harddrive, is slightly more expendsive than the one that preload with window xp and 160GB with intel n270 processer.
regarding your another question weather this will be faded in months time, because of the new ariver... it perhaps not, it is still one of the best netbook around untill this point of time, and intel n280 with 1.66GHZ processer is the best you can get right now. with some setting, and switch off the monitor, you can get the processer up to 1.7GHZ, but for doing the daily task, like browsing online, word processing, email, skype, msn, and other ordinary stuff, it is good enough to handle it. either modle you get, you won't be disappointed with it.

## Post 7 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 29-Nov-2009 21:42:46

A netbook is okay, but right now I'm in love with Dell's studio 15. My reasons is it has a full keyboard, great sound, will last you a while, and is expandible. I have had great tech support from Dell, so I think maybe that is how they are approached. Also the studio come with 2 years full support.You can get on in the UK and it will do whatever you need plus more. HP has one as well, but I am not sure you can get it in the UK, plus HP if you have an issue you must send away for parts. 699 is my price here, so I'm not sure your price,. Right now they have deals, so calling the 800 number might get you better. Sony makes great machines as well, but these are pricey.

## Post 8 by season (the invisible soul) on Monday, 30-Nov-2009 2:39:51

dell is good, but the most well known problem with dell's laptop is with their LCD monitor. mine LCD dead twice in the first 12 months, although i got it repare with no cost, it dead again after few months of usage. it is well known for their LCD to be faulty. even though it is not something concerning us, the blindies, but bare in mind with that issue. that is the most common complain that Dell's users ever have.
by saying that, the computer i'm using now its excelent. it was, and still one of the top range from Dell, XPS... i use it as my main machine, and it work very well. i use it for at least 8 hours of usage in average for a day...
i've no problem with their Dell support, and they usually respond to the problem pretty quick and accurate.
i suppose, you gotta ask yourself, what you looking for in a computer. if without an opticle drive and screen size not a matter for you, and you wanting something lite and mobile, netbook is the way to go. but of course, if you want the convinion of having an opticle drive and so on, maybe you should think of a laptop.
as i said before, a netbook is perhaps twice as cheep as a laptop, and at least twice as lite as a laptop. but if you wanting more expendsive, but doing what exactly you can do with a netbook, by all means, go for a laptop.
bare in mind, brands that you might want to avoid for netbooks are, Dell, Sony, and Acer. specially Dell's netbook, the keyboard is just a mess...
brands to consider... Asus, Samsung, HP, and NSI. personally, i highly recommend Asus,... just because, i like their design, and i think they have the most promising baterry life, as well as i prefer the lay out of the keyboard, but they are genally heavier than the rest... Samsung is the second brand that i'll recommend. although, most netbooks of other brands beside Asus still using intel n270, 1.6GHZ processer, with either window xp or they might have free upgrate to window 7 starter pack.

## Post 9 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Monday, 30-Nov-2009 11:12:48

To post 6: How big is the difference in price between the two? Are we talking hundreds of pounds?
Thanks.

## Post 10 by shea (number one pulse checking chicky) on Monday, 30-Nov-2009 17:00:03

you probably will have to go with the net book if your looking at low cost. I do like dell too. have had no problems and we have two dell lap tops and two dell desk tops. so yeah.

## Post 11 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 30-Nov-2009 18:26:40

Agreed with others here about cost. i'm not sure how pounds convert to dollars or vice versa, but here in the US, a Netbook is the cheapest way to go for a laptop.

## Post 12 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Monday, 30-Nov-2009 18:45:02

You don't need JAWS or Window-eyes with a Mac book. i believe it has its own screen reader called Voiceover. That's going to be my next computer when this one or my laptop goes down the shitter.

## Post 13 by season (the invisible soul) on Monday, 30-Nov-2009 18:50:20

to post 9:, check at amazon.co.uk, i think they have both for the very similar price, the different perhaps will be between 20 to 50pounds. not a huge different in price

## Post 14 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Tuesday, 01-Dec-2009 11:04:31

Another question: I would most likely be getting this from a store like PCWorld in the UK instead of getting it over the internet. I know actually going to the store and getting it that way is more expensive, but do you know how much more expensive it would be?
Thanks.

## Post 15 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 01-Dec-2009 23:57:16

Why should it be more expensive? Stores have sales, so shop around once you know exactly what you want.

## Post 16 by season (the invisible soul) on Wednesday, 02-Dec-2009 1:13:50

to post 14: not too sure in the UK though, in Australia, its generally around anything between 50 to 300 or more than what you pay online. but, it might be wise to look around, and do some market research, to see, where you can get the best deal.
i found out so far, amazon have the better deal, there are some online shop who is slightly cheeper, but i'll personally go with amazon just because they are well known, and they are reliable. as far as if you wanting to go to a shop, might be wise to go around few differernt shops, compare the price and choose the best deal around.
as to post 15: why get it online? cause most time the online shop usually gets directly from the manifacture, and you no need to contribute to the wages of people that got employ in a stall itself. and, it safe money, and provide an alternative way for people to shop comfortablely at home, anytime of the day, wearing any clothe thats pleases them. also, in online, you get more information directly from the manifacture, instead of talking to sells people, that half of the time do not know the products they sell

## Post 17 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Wednesday, 02-Dec-2009 14:34:48

Thanks for answering my questions; i'll probably have more soon, but that's it for now. The Asus Netbook looks promising.

## Post 18 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Tuesday, 08-Dec-2009 17:18:23

Right, I said i'd have more questions soon in my previous post and here they are: How easy is it to upgrade from Windows 7 starter to home premium? What is the anytime upgrade thing like? Also, how easy would it be to downgrade the netbook to Windows XP?
Thanks.

## Post 19 by season (the invisible soul) on Tuesday, 08-Dec-2009 19:18:32

i believe the every time update is thru internet, which might be what you need considering you using a netbook, if you have a netbook.
as far as how easy from one OS upgrate to another, or downgrate, i believe it will be the process of installing the OS like you do. however, i'm not too sure if you upgrate from window 7 starter to window7 home premium will involve reformating the whole machine though.
as far as from window 7 downgrate to xp or vista concern, it can be done with a netbook, perhaps you require an external dvd reader or writer for the process.

## Post 20 by theJournalist (move over school!) on Wednesday, 09-Dec-2009 9:44:52

ok :) here are a few things to keep in mind.
The next generation of netbooks will be coming starting next january. They will sport the Intel atom n450 processor which will also be 1.66 GHz. The highest Intel Atom n460 CPU will be 1.80 GHz in speed.
These netbooks will have better graphics and will support 64-bit operating systems. You should see them on shelves starting next April or May, and they will replace the current models just like the n270 netbooks are now cheaper.
In my opinion, the about 100 MHz speed difference you will be getting with the next atom CPUs is not a big difference. Sure, JAWS might not be as unstable as it is on my netbook with 1.66 GHz, (read the review I did on Netbooks with Windows 7), but the speed difference won't be more than... 4% or less.
Regarding anytime upgrade, it's very useful and quick. You buy a product key from online (which you get electronically), run anytime upgrade, and in 10 minutes you will have the windows edition you upgraded to running fine. It's really fast and simple :)
hope that helps :)

## Post 21 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 09-Dec-2009 20:41:17

If I wasnot savvy about upgrading or down grading I'd buy a machine that has what I want factory installed, but as Tony pointed out it is easy, but then he's a geek like me. Lol

## Post 22 by SunshineAndRain (I'm happily married, a mom of two and a fulltime college student.) on Wednesday, 09-Dec-2009 22:44:37

I have a Netbook ASUS 1005 HA and I love it! It does everything I want it to do including running both System Access and JAWS, whichever I choose. I can play games, listen to music, email and browse online. It's very light and portable and the battery is relatively decent; about 5 hourswhen in heavy online use.

## Post 23 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Thursday, 10-Dec-2009 11:24:40

Thanks for all this info; i'm still trying to decide whether to enter the market now or wait for the new generation next year. But again, thanks for all the info and advice.

## Post 24 by Dirty Little Oar (I'd rather be rowing.) on Thursday, 10-Dec-2009 12:55:53

SunshineAndRain, what version of Windows are you running? Did you upgrade the memory? I'm thinking about getting that Asus model with Windows 7 but I'm a little concerned about performance of SA and JAWS with Windows 7. I've read conflicting reports about 7 and screen reader performance. Thanks for any info.

## Post 25 by nikos (English words from a Greek thinking brain) on Thursday, 10-Dec-2009 17:30:04

Hi all.
Perhaps i should create a new topick but since we are talking about laptops a would like some suggestions as well.
For me since i like working with audio production i would like the following if possible.
Line in ability.
The ability to be able to check the microphone to sound through your speakers so i can review games, software etc.
Good quality microphone. I don't mind if it hasn't got an internal one but when i plug one i want it to sound good.
I have got a toshipa satelite a200 i think and i am not happy with the sound of it.
I cannot enable the microphone under playback settings and when i record something i can hear a hissing noise. The internal microphone is rubbish.
It is a good computer for the overage user, very fast etc but for me it wasn't the best choice.
It comes with the realtec soundcard and it is not accessible to change the different options there either.
So i guess for my needs it should be a laptop not a netbook since i use sound editing software but i don't know which one.
Thanks

## Post 26 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 10-Dec-2009 20:09:23

As I posted before The Dell studio 15 has great sound. The XPS and studio models are coming with subwolfers even, so check that. Sony makes great machines for recording as well, but these are pricey compared to the comp, but.

## Post 27 by season (the invisible soul) on Saturday, 12-Dec-2009 5:45:15

to post 24:
from what i've read on reviews so far, NVDA seems work very well with window7, if you aren't gonna upgrate to jaws11, or window eyes7.11, NVDA might be something you want to go with.

## Post 28 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 14-Dec-2009 16:16:47

nikos most if not all laptop built in microphones are gonna suck if you still have your toshiba iwould say spend some money on an usb sound card or two to do what you would like. either that or look into getting a laptop from a company like pcaudiolabs.com

## Post 29 by nikos (English words from a Greek thinking brain) on Monday, 14-Dec-2009 19:21:57

Ok which soundcard would you suggest? I would like one with line in ability. And it will have to be accessible and easy to setup and configure.
And thanks for the suggestion about the studio laptops. When i get a new one i will have a look at them etc.

## Post 30 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 14-Dec-2009 19:24:37

the creative x fi may do what you need and will probably be one of your least expensive options

## Post 31 by nikos (English words from a Greek thinking brain) on Monday, 14-Dec-2009 19:32:02

Thanks for that.
I will have a look about it on google and see what i find about it.

## Post 32 by Dirty Little Oar (I'd rather be rowing.) on Tuesday, 15-Dec-2009 10:23:00

Season, I have no interest in NVDA. I tried it once and thought it sucked ass. I was asking about System Access and JAWS 11 with windows 7. Some people are saying speech gets choppy with Windows 7, others are saying it's ok.

## Post 33 by season (the invisible soul) on Wednesday, 16-Dec-2009 4:53:46

poster 32: when is the last time you try NVDA? you might want to try the latest, since it come with eliquence. i know the old NVDA sucks, but Mike and team have done a huge improvement on it.
as far as system access with window7 goes, i can't tell, personally, i've not try it myself yet. but i heard good praise on NVDA with window7, better than jaws10 anyway

## Post 34 by Dirty Little Oar (I'd rather be rowing.) on Wednesday, 16-Dec-2009 12:12:48

It's been a long time since I tried NVDA. I've heard about the improvements from others. Still, I already have 2 screen readers that I like and that I am proficient with and don't really want to take the time to learn another one. I know it works fine for people and if I ever get in a pinch, I'll check it out. For now, I just don't have the time or interest to mess with it.

## Post 35 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Friday, 25-Dec-2009 8:33:42

Sorry, i've been away from the zone for the past 2 weeks. Anyways, just to update this topic: I didn't get a laptop or a netbook for christmas. I may look in to getting one in the new year, but i'm not sure.
Oh, and one quick question: I heard that the price of Windows 7 is going up from the start of 2010. Roughly how much is it going up by? Will the price increase effect the anytime upgrade?
Thanks and merry christmas.

## Post 36 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 28-Dec-2009 21:45:09

i have used both Jaws 10 and 11 on windows 7 and works fine .. 11 is a little better but using 10 with out a problem. the choppy ness probably has to do with individuals hardware issues that are wrongly being blamed on the OS.

## Post 37 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Sunday, 03-Jan-2010 13:13:30

Hi.
With all my Christmas money, plus some other money I wasn't previously aware I had, I now have a bit more money available to spend than I previously thought. Apart from the MacBook and the Asus EEEPC 1005HA (which are still in consideration), can anyone give me any suggestions for other laptops that meet all or most of the requirements in post 1 so I can use them as backup ideas? I'd probably be looking more towards laptops with bigger hard drives and more RAM.
Any help is appreciated, though specific model numbers would be good as it makes it easier for me to do more research in to them.
Thanks

## Post 38 by season (the invisible soul) on Sunday, 03-Jan-2010 17:01:54

your requirement is very general, most laptop serve the purpose you want above. nowadays, laptop usually come with a harddrive of 500GB, and it have at least 4GB of rams and stuff. as far as bettery life go, your best bets option will be still either with macbook or netbook. if you want better and faster machine, try macbook pro, its slightly expendsive than macbook, but i think, it worth any panny,.
as far as other brand goes, you gotta ask yourself on how heavy your you want your laptop to be, and how big. most laptop nowadays come with 15.4 inch, weigh around 3KG, and, perhaps have a bettery life of 1.5 to 3 hours the most.
try looking at Dell xps range. it is one of the most expendsive dell laptop range, specially XpsM1310, or just Xps1310, one of the two... its 13inch and, look at the specs yourself cause they have few different configuration according to your need. as i said, its perhaps one of the most laptop around, but i think, it worth every scens of it. personally i prefer Dell, just because, i have good customer support from them, and they good in follow up too. i know, some user might not agree with me, but, i do think, Dell is still, one of the best out there. toshiba will bbe my next choice, they have a wide range of notbooks, you can always visit their official website to compare the price and specs, the same with dell.
the one that i won't reckomend is Compaq. i know they have improved along the years, however, as far as i know, they have lots of over heating problem with their machines.
hope this can help you a bit
cheers

## Post 39 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Monday, 04-Jan-2010 8:57:49

Thanks, i'll have a look at the Dell model you recommended. Regarding size/weight, I would only be moving it around the house; I have my braillenote for taking to school and elsewhere. So size/weight is not much of a problem.
Anyways, thanks for this.

## Post 40 by monkeypusher69 (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Wednesday, 06-Jan-2010 14:05:16

also as i mentioned in another post the microsoft store is a good place to look if you want a name brand computer minus the bloatware and here is a link i found in my twitter feed to some deals Great Laptop Deals at Microsoft Store http://bit.ly/78JtTe

## Post 41 by robbiec12345 (Good night and Farewell ) on Wednesday, 06-Jan-2010 15:17:26

Thanks, i'll check that out as well. I tried looking on Blind Bargains, the Dell official UK site and even Google for the Dell Xpsm1310 but I couldn't find anything particularly useful. I'll keep looking, though.

## Post 42 by season (the invisible soul) on Thursday, 07-Jan-2010 3:40:29

i've make a ramdom search on dell UK site. it seems a little bit complecated than what i first thought...
try this, go to dell.co.uk, choose home computing, or something similar to that name, then, select laptop and notbooks, then, studeo and xps's, choose your monitor size, harddrive size, and type of OS... you should be able to pick up from there.
good luck