appropriate laptop

Category: Geeks r Us

Post 1 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Sunday, 04-May-2008 9:00:56

Hi there

Well, it's that time again; the time where my old laptop is beginning to shiver to dust, and I need to buy a new one. But i'm having a bit of trouble picking a suitable one.

For the last 5 years, i've had sony VAIO laptops. But, my last one, the VGNSZ1HP, has lasted just over a year. It's construction leaves a lot to be desired; it's plasticy, the sound card's rubbish, the screen is loose, and it regularly over heats. Add to that the piddling battery life, and it's a no go.

So here's what I need from a new laptop, and, when you've read it, you'll probably understand the difficulties i'm having in finding one.

It need to be very light. I suffer with back problems, so anything really heavy just won't work. Add to that the guide dog bits and bobs, and all the uni things I have to lug around, and light is the order of the day. Ideally below 2 kgs.

Battery life. It's got to be long. Lectures can be four hours sometimes, so it needs to last this at the minimum.

keyboard. Must be full sized keys, otherwise touch typing is impossible. My current laptop is a 13.3 inchone, and the keys on this are fine.

Beefy system.Has to have a good bit of oomph. I run Jaws, but also have to run a load of other programmes whilst working in the health service, to access electronic patient records. So the beefier the system, the better.

So, there in lies my difficulty. I can't find a small, light laptop with good battery life, a cracking processor and ram, and a reasonable sized keyboard that isn't made from dodgy matterials that fall apart when you breathe on them. Can anybody recommend anything that I can buy in the UK which would suit? I'm getting desperate, as the old one's on its last legs.

Cheers

FM

Post 2 by Jesse (Hmm!) on Sunday, 04-May-2008 23:59:37

Check out the Apple Macbook line of computers. Buy that, and a copy of Windows XP or Vista to install on it, and you'll have a screaming laptop that's light, and has incredible battery life. If you're a Windows user, that's fine, no need to switch operating systems. The Macbook allows you to keep OS-10 small, and make Windows boot automatically even if you want.

Post 3 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Monday, 05-May-2008 7:00:59

Wow, I didn't know that. Is it difficult to install a Windows Boot command? And, does it slow the machine down much?

Post 4 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Monday, 05-May-2008 7:02:06

Another thought has just occurred to me. I'd still be able to run Windows Software, right?

Post 5 by rat (star trek rules!) on Monday, 05-May-2008 21:51:00

if you install windows on it it would run windows programs. at least i think it works that way

Post 6 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Wednesday, 07-May-2008 12:34:01

Thanks for that. So, is there anything in particular I need/have to do to get Windows installed on it? I don't mean to sound like a ninny, but I don't want to spend all that cash on a mac, just to discover i've left out something really small.

Post 7 by singingsensation (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 17-Jun-2008 23:16:42

I currently have a Sony Vaio laptop as well. So I know how you feel. I still have it, actually.

Post 8 by the illusive man (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Tuesday, 17-Jun-2008 23:59:38

try mac book air

Post 9 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Sunday, 22-Jun-2008 4:42:45

Thanks for everybody's responses.

Post 10 by singingsensation (I just keep on posting!) on Monday, 23-Jun-2008 23:34:19

your welcome

Post 11 by the illusive man (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Tuesday, 24-Jun-2008 11:14:24

your welcome