Laptop Advice needed.

O

oldgit

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Due to someone trying to clean to clean the screen of his laptop.A new one is now required.
We use them mainly to programme software into two-way radio equipment,which is a fairly simple task and therefore the beast does not need to be super fast or clever.
It also just happens to run my navigation software(Transas),so got to get another one bit sharpish.Have thought about buying secondhand but as have seen new machines available from 699.00 inc vat(or was it 799.00) and can claim back Vat it hardly seems worth it.
Suggestions please.Anyone seen anything cheaper new?.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.
 
Best current 'main dealer' deals I've seen recently are:-

Dell Inspiron 1100 at £650 inc. vat / delivery.

Acer (not sure model) from Staples, inc free '£250' pda, all for £699 inc. vat.




<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mboat.org>http://www.mboat.org</A></font color=blue>
 
I would also be interested in answers to this post, as I also need a new computer, 15" screen laptop, preferably with serial port. as good as poss, but cheap

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Have a look here :- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0979220779.1073551484@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccchadckghdgmdhcflgceggdhhmdfif.0&chain=PC_World&channel=WEB&browserName=ie&browserVersion=6&platform=pc&firstrun=yes&page=Home&timestamp=08:44:44&page=Home&chain=PC_World&channel=WEB&timestamp=08:44:44&browserName=ie&browserVersion=6&platform=pc>http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0979220779.1073551484@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccchadckghdgmdhcflgceggdhhmdfif.0&chain=PC_World&channel=WEB&browserName=ie&browserVersion=6&platform=pc&firstrun=yes&page=Home&timestamp=08:44:44&page=Home&chain=PC_World&channel=WEB&timestamp=08:44:44&browserName=ie&browserVersion=6&platform=pc</A>

COMPAQ INTEL CELERON 2.6GHz LAPTOP PC

Intel Celeron 2.6GHz, 256Mb DDR RAM, 40Gb HD, DVD / CDRW, 64Mb ATi Radeon Graphics, Microsoft Word & Works, 15" TFT, Windows XP, 1 Year FREE Warranty. SAVE £200, WAS £999.00, AS SEEN ON TV !!
£799.00
PC World Price inc VAT

Now if you buy this from PC World you get buy now pay nothing, then pay the lot off in 12 months time. BUT make sure you DO as the interest will be charged from day 1 if you do not!!!

They have offers on at the moment, I know I bought the mother and father in law a computer with bits for £980 for Xmas, I saved £570 on the half price and free extra's I got. e.g. Printers half price, scanner, have price, digital camera £200 off, £260 worth of software incl Money 2004, Word 2002, Autoroute 2004, Encyclopedia 2004 for £59 (but you can get that free if you barter and take their 5yr at home maintenance contract, OK £199 for 5yrs may seem high, but take of the £59 you have just saved and it makes it look better, don't take it if you don't want it, but was peace of mind for the outlaws who know bugger all about computers/forums/images/icons/wink.gif) all cheap if bought with the computer. Look through the web site at the specials below each of the computer ofers, some have different ones, but all valid if you buy a PC. Good luck /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
I`m using PC Worlds Tosheba Satellite lap top at the moment. £600 excellent piece of kit. Nothing to pay till Dec 04 then interest free for 3 years - I asked how much if I pay in full up front. "Its the same price mate" - I must be getting old

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Its getting ever more difficult now to find laptops with serial ports...I know Ive been looking to replace my Sony Vaio 233. circa 1998 eons old in computer terms.

To use NMEA you really need serial ports, otherwise the mouse pointer does really hideous things if you use a serial to USB converter.
One way round this is to use a Serial -USB converter but leave the serial lead into the converter Unconnected until you have both the GPS and chartplotter software up and running with satellites accquired then connect the 9 pin in to the USB converter. Its something to do with the initial handshaking that sends the laptop crazy. Anyway this works well for me so far on both of my laptops..Rock and Sony.

Ideally, if you are running an autopilot via NMEA responding to the computer plotter it's better to have that running via a second serial port on it's own.
There is a device made by a Dutch firm called ShipModul and available (I think in the UK from MES) for about £200 ish which is a four port NMEA to USB converter and should solve any interconnect problems.

As for make...well any proprietory make is usually OK ie Sony, Toshiba, Compaq,
you pays yer money and takes yer choice.
Always ask how much relacement batteries are, because undoubtedly you WILL have to replace it long before the laptop itself it time expired..I know from bitter experience of having to pay nearly £180 for one.

Other Considerations to take into account:

Do I want to run lots of graphics..ie games..get one with a decent graphics capability..

Do I want to run broadband over a network..needs an RJ45 connector

Do I want to run mobile internet via a mobile phone (I wouldnt be without this)..needs an infra red port, or alternatively a PCMCIA card (Vodafone).

PC world is a good starting point..also get a copy of "Micro Mart" from your newsagent for a much wider picture of the marketplace.

Hope this helps

Best of Luck

Steve.

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It happened this way.screen was bit sticky from jam donut splashes and bits of gunky stuff,so sprayed with RS Ambercleans and gave screen bit of a wipe.
Oo er lots of black lines.Um if i undo all them little screws praaps IO can fix it.
seems stuck now if i pull a bit harder.Oops now where is my soldering iron.
O cripes even more lost display.
So if you want anything fixed,you know who to call........

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.
 
Pete,

If you've got a really long url, use the {url=www.verylongwebsiteurl.com}click here{/url}
then it will be nice and short and not bust forum!

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as "fun for the whole family."
 
Hmm.Must have serial port to plug my Transas dongle into.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.
 
Thanks, I realised I had buggered something up so kept a low profile for a few hours /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
I'm at least partially responsible, it's my software thats creating the url. /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as "fun for the whole family."
 
Try the Dell Outlet - www.dell.co.uk - then select 'Dell Outlet'

They are the same products and Laptop are normally £250 to £500 cheaper
than new, but still with all the warr. in tact

I have been buying Laptop & desktops from them for over 10 years
this way with no problems.

With the offers on new machines changing alot you do have to be careful
and ensure you are getting the saving they say, there is not a great saving on desktop but with laptops they are always alot cheaper

Just check the main site first to ensure the current price

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Agree about Dell PC's being good but their website frustrates me cos when you go through the configure and buy process even if you dont change anything the end price seems to be more than the headline price on the prev. page!

Another source for cheap computers seems to be <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.europc.co.uk>http://www.europc.co.uk</A> although I must stress I havent actually bought anything from them to verify their service!

AJ

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