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Laptop question

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 4:28 pm
by fatboy
My tablet simply is not up to the job, naff old stock that EE were kee-n to offload on suckers like me :smt012 .
My mate is adamant that I need min 4gb of RAM, I'm not so sure I do, I don't want to hack into any extra marital affairs sites or the like.
Will be mostly used for browsing, email and a few related folders, possibly looking at a few spread sheets sent as attachments.,,maybe a few photos stored
So you clever lot on here,what do I need?

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 4:58 pm
by flatlander
It can depend on a lot of things firstly the operaying system if its not 64 bit then MS systems only read the first 3-3.5 so the rest is redundant.
The drive will logically slow down at the slowest point anyway.

Rather than go into a long boring list in general terms it's not unreasonable on any 64 bit MS system from W 7 onwards to use 4gb basically it gives you a bigger swap file where temp data is stored for processing so makes it quicker. But if you don't run regular clean ups it will slow down elsewhere

So yes unless the cost is prohibitive I would recommend it as aost standard.
You can run all the systems on less bit no where near as well

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 5:43 pm
by mangocrazy
4GB of RAM is becoming almost standard these days, and there's very little extra price premium attached to it, so I'd go for it. On a personal note, I always try to buy kit with AMD processors as they seem to offer best bang for buck, especially on lower to mid range systems. I also feel I'm doing my little bit to keep competition in the market place alive. Without AMD nipping at their heels, Intel would have long ago jacked prices up; it's only AMD keeping them honest that keeps processor prices at their current level.

IMHO, of course.

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 8:21 pm
by flatlander
Because and use a floating point I believe or used to and intel don't which tended to make one better for the office one for home

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 10:24 pm
by Aladinsaneuk
I prefer to use Intel tbh

And def get 4gb minimum....

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 10:51 pm
by D-Rider
I've always been in the AMD camp - they were always a better bang for your buck .... however the past few PCs I bought I went for Intel as AMD seemed to have lost their way a bit.
Haven't built or bought a PC for a couple of years so am not so up to date with the latest generations from either - so not that sure who is in pole position now.

As for memory, 4GB Minimum - it's cheap these days and you'll notice skimping on it.

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:13 am
by squadron Nero
all I'd say is don't get a netbook. They're cheaper but you'll spend all your time wishing you'd bought a proper laptop. Or you can pick up a second hand iPad Air pretty cheap these days.

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 9:55 am
by Aladinsaneuk
And strange coming from the site Apple fan boy - I am impressed with the windows tablets running Windows 10 - lot of bang for the buck ..... But check what apps you actually need as the store is poor compared to apple

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 3:39 pm
by fatboy
Thanks all !
Bought an IBM Lenovo 410, re furbished with a one year warranty.
I'm told they are sturdy office work horses

Re: Laptop question

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 11:00 am
by Gio
fatboy wrote:My tablet simply is not up to the job, naff old stock that EE were kee-n to offload on suckers like me :smt012 .
My mate is adamant that I need min 4gb of RAM, I'm not so sure I do, I don't want to hack into any extra marital affairs sites or the like.
Will be mostly used for browsing, email and a few related folders, possibly looking at a few spread sheets sent as attachments.,,maybe a few photos stored
So you clever lot on here,what do I need?
Portable or desk top?
Mines a server so desktop and under lol.
Its got 64gb ram, cost £150
Most laptops now will run up to 32gb ram and its cheap.
Also if you have a laptop get an external hard drive for backups. Sony had a special on last month, most were half price.
PC world has this TOSHIBA Satellite L50-C-1GX 15.6" Laptop - White its £150 off, Toshiba's aren't bad either.

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 11:18 am
by flatlander
Amongst my collection of laptops I have a T410 so fi tou ever need the restore software I may have it. They're pretty ok for everyday stuff bit flimsy on some build parts but better than the equivalent dell. I would recommend getting some imaging software and once setup take an image that with regular backups will have you up and running in an hour or two barring hardware failures.

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 7:17 pm
by fatboy
Its a laptop.
Thanks for the advice, still waiting for the bloody thing to arrive

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:50 pm
by flatlander
One thing I would add is you don't need a lot of the Lenovo updated software add ons things like the Internet wizard eyc just let windows do it. If it has bundled av trials etc bun them there's just as good free options I haven't used one for years and as I only go in reputable dodgy sites I haven't had any real issues I just use the windows one as and when and something like Malearebytes for an occasional scan and then remove it. CCleansr is a perpetual favourite with lots and lots of people as a go to tool for general cleaning etc.

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 7:11 pm
by fatboy
I like CCleaner, it works.
the only question I have to ask is stick with windows 7 or upgrade to 10?
It is such a luxury to use a qwerty that works properly !

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 7:25 pm
by flatlander
To a large extent I would say personal preference really try it and if you don't like it .. You can always set up a virtual machine of either and try it that way but you would benefit from 4gb for that ;)