Any suggestions on a new laptop

strongmanmike (Michael) · #1 02-12-2009, 06:45 AM

My Laptop is dead

I need to get a new one asap so I was wondering if anyone could recommend a place to look for a good deal? I don't want to spend over $1000 though and preferably less

It will be almost exclusively used for controlling my two CCD cameras and telescope in the field. I am also wondering if I should use XP or VISTA? My dead lappie was running XP Pro

Cheers for any ideas

Mike

Barrykgerdes · #2 02-12-2009, 07:23 AM

Hi Mike

All the big dealers have many good deals on at the moment under $1000 for Lap tops many with cash back options. Mainly Acer, ASUS and HP.

I bought one of those cheap $500 Acer 4315's last year and after I adapted it to my liking it is very good. I have used it in the field with internet, two USB-RS232 adapters and a USB hub with 4 outlets Its only problem is battery life (about 2hrs)

At that price I would expect Apple is out besides compatability problems if you are PC user.

The biggest problem with the cheaper varieties I have found is battery life. They do not last as long as the later technology in the later more expensive types. Larger screen types are also more in line with what you want but they do use more power.

You will find most of them will come with Windows 7 (cheapest variety) but there are still many with Vista and XP. XP will give the greatest compatability with your existing equipment but the others are pretty good now although you will need to learn the new program names and locations of the usual Windows utilities.

As I said they are all reasonable bargains so I think the one that most simulates your old lap top will be the easiest to use.

Barry

mithrandir (Andrew) · #3 02-12-2009, 08:04 AM

Mike,

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

I am also wondering if I should use XP or VISTA? My dead lappie was running XP Pro

Whatever you get, if the installed o/s is not XP and you want/need to run XP, ensure the manufacturer has compatible drivers before you plonk down your money.

Unlike ordinary PCs, laptops/notebooks are full of custom hardware needing custom drivers. If they don't have drivers, they force you to run Vista or Windows 7.

Andrew

multiweb (Marc) · #4 02-12-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

My Laptop is dead

I need to get a new one asap so I was wondering if anyone could recommend a place to look for a good deal? I don't want to spend over $1000 though and preferably less

It will be almost exclusively used for controlling my two CCD cameras and telescope in the field. I am also wondering if I should use XP or VISTA? My dead lappie was running XP Pro

Cheers for any ideas

Mike

Ouch! Sounds like it was a serious crash then.

I preferably would go with XP pro. No brainer for drivers and program compatibility and you already know the OS. I've heard netbooks are really good too and lighter on power consumption. You might want to talk to Chris [omaroo] or Humayun [octane]. They both use them on the field already and I think it's a very good idea.

supernova1965 (Warren) · #5 02-12-2009, 08:34 AM

Hi Mike whatever you do please for your own sanity stay away from VISTA

troypiggo (Troy) · #6 02-12-2009, 08:42 AM

If it's only for in the field and not image processing/stacking, and you don't need a CD-ROM drive built-in, thoroughly recommend one of the netbooks running XP. I have the Acer Aspire One with hard disk (there's also a version with a solid-state flash drive or something). Wonderfully compact yet powerful enough for everything in the field.

Warning, though - check the minimum resolution requirements of the software you intend to use. My netbook has max resolution of 1024x600. Some software requires min of 1024x768 I've found. You can get free software that fools your netbook into a higher resolution by allowing the desktop to scroll up and down. But that gets a bit cumbersome.

Barrykgerdes · #7 02-12-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supernova1965

Hi Mike whatever you do please for your own sanity stay away from VISTA

Oh! I don't know. I thought Vista was terrible when I first got it on my laptop. So much so that I removed it and put XP on instead. I re-installed Vista as a second system later and learned how to use it after much fiddling and now I find it quite easy and it will do some things that XP won't. Vista does have some short comings but I believe Windows 7 has overcome these.

Barry

Louwai (Bryan) · #8 02-12-2009, 08:56 AM

Greysonline are having a PC & laptop sale at the moment. Some lappies as low as $499. Others on auction starting at $9.

http://www.graysonline.com/

B

White Rabbit · #9 02-12-2009, 09:05 AM

I have an Eee Pc, and it rocks. You can pick up one for about $700. I have 2 gig of ram and run all my astro stuff, DSLR, DSI 2, HEQPro 5 as well as running PS3 on it, with no problems.

I'd highly recomend one. for an extra $100 you can get an external DVD burner.

kustard (Simon) · #10 02-12-2009, 09:22 AM

Check out http://www.shoppingsquare.com.au

(http://www.shoppingsquare.com.au/c_3...p__Notebook_PC)

They often have good deals so you may find something there in your price range.

Octane (Humayun) · #11 02-12-2009, 12:40 PM

Mike,

Before David comes in and bags the netbooks (sorry, David, I'm pre-empting you), I'll put a vote in for a netbook.

You saw me running mine at IISAC. You can get them for around $700 now (if not cheaper through online retailers). Mine has a 9.5 hour battery life. You just can't go past that. It has all the grunt you'll need for imaging/guiding and planetarium software. Don't expect it to be crash hot at processing images, however. I have no doubt, however, that you have a calibrated monitor and system at home for processing, as do many of us.

ASUS eeePC 1000HA (from memory).

Regards,
Humayun

telemarker (Keith) · #12 02-12-2009, 01:11 PM

I'm another netbook advocate. I can power mine from a 12 volt battery with no need for inverters etc... very long battery life

asimov (John) · #13 02-12-2009, 01:36 PM

http://www.recompute.com.au/

Ian Robinson · #14 02-12-2009, 02:28 PM

Check out Dell's site
.... I've had my Dell Inspiron 5100 for several years and it's been a great workhorse ....

Recently put a 80gig internal HDD into it , came originally with a 40gig HDD , I've already maxed the RAM , can't add more , and with the WD portable HDD I've stacks of storage . I like the 1400x1050 15" screen , I can cram a lot onto the screen and have great resolution in images.
Only faults I can pick with it are it doesn't burn DVDs , it's only got 2 USB2 ports , and I'd like to install more RAM.

I'd stick with XP Pro .... but I think all Dell's lappys are now Win7 , you could always repartition the HDD and install your (OEM) copy of XP Pro and then load up your backup to the new machine .

If I buy another lappy, it'll be another Dell , a 17" model next time .

leinad (Dan) · #15 02-12-2009, 03:02 PM

www.msy.com.au

Good cheap prices, quite competitive.

I'm switching to netbook for the field. Small compact, can run off 19A battery for hours.

Only downfall though it's nice to have a large screen.

acropolite (Phil) · #16 02-12-2009, 03:43 PM

If you're after a netbook, Shoppingsquare have the MSI U100+ for $447 the U100+ has led backlighting. They are listing no stock at the moment but that usually changes from day to day. If you do a shopbot search you'll find heaps of dealers with that model for just over $400.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #17 02-12-2009, 07:10 PM

Thanks so much everyone, I have read all your replies and they have been very helpful

I assume the way to get programs onto your netbooks is via an internet connection only then..?

What do people think of the ADM Athlon X2 Dual Core processor?

Office Works has a great deal (I think?) here:

http://tinyurl.com/yjbrvob

What do you guys think?

Mike

supernova1965 (Warren) · #18 02-12-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Thanks so much everyone, I have read all your replies and they have been very helpful

I assume the way to get programs onto your netbooks is via an internet connection only then..?

What do people think of the ADM Athlon X2 Dual Core processor?

Office Works has a great deal (I think?) here:

http://tinyurl.com/yjbrvob

What do you guys think?

Mike

No you can get a USB external DVD or CD to install software

norm · #19 02-12-2009, 08:48 PM

Hey Mike,

Check out:

https://store.9289.com.au/index.php?...oducts_id=4814

Just bought one for the father-inlaw $569 after cashback.
Free delivery
Vista to W7 upgrade
throwing in Office 2007 student edition.

I spoke to them on the phone before purchasing and they seemed fine.
Also checked out some forums and so far no negative reviews on the model. (Gateway NV54)

Cheers, Norm

Kal (Andrew) · #20 03-12-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

What do people think of the ADM Athlon X2 Dual Core processor?

It is as powerful as my desktop machine atm, I think it has plenty of grunt for what you would want to use it for. Spec wise the CPU draws 25W of power which is decent for a lappy.