Another Laptop Wanted

[SGD]

OK, we need another laptop and as the missus is going back to Thailand in a month or so, she might as well pick one up and get the Thai keyboard rather than suffer a UK one.

Off the top of my head, probably an i3, circa 14" (though bigger may be ok), half decent integrated webcam, mic and speakers, OS not important as I have Win 7 Pro or Ultimate available. Ability to put a SIM card in for 3g could be interesting but that won't sway the decision.

Currently have Lenovo B series and it is ok but happy to look at others.

It will be coming back to the UK so though not a show stopper, an international warranty would be ideal. Price and quality more important though.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

You can buy in the UK and purchase some stickers for the keyboard in Thailand.. Do either of you do anything that warrants an i3 Processor? It's like buying a Ferrari to pop down to the supermarket.

You can buy a shop returned laptop for as little as £200 in the UK. Barely touched. In two years time, the same £200 will buy a much better laptop....probably with Windows 8 installed.

Example of an 'as new' laptop for £208(10000 baht) Hardly a slouch.

[PattayaParent]

I'm in the same position but a mate in the business recommends nothing less than an i5 due to the demands of the Windows 7 OS.

Do you reckon an i3 handle W7 Jui Jitsu?

Or something less?

I agree that the OP would be better buying the machine in England where it's much cheaper, his missus can pick up a Thai keybord easily enough.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

I'm in the same position but a mate in the business recommends nothing less than an i5 due to the demands of the Windows 7 OS.

Do you reckon an i3 handle W7 Jui Jitsu?

Or something less?

I agree that the OP would be better buying the machine in England where it's much cheaper, his missus can pick up a Thai keybord easily enough.

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate on a single core Celeron with a CPU benchmark of 350. 1.5GB RAM and HD4350 Graphics(512MB). Mate in the business?? He is speaking nonsense.

Even Netbooks can run Windows 7.

You just need to tailor the specs to your likely usage pattern. An i3 is fine for High Definition video editing, HD Graphics for HD Playback, Graphics card with dedicated RAM for Games and 3D work. More RAM for having more applications running at the same time.

So don't just look at the CPU.

My spec is fine for my general usage. It's already four years old and was certainly not high spec when I bought it.

[MJo]

Back to the OP, did spend quite a bit time on this myself last month. Wife wanted thai keyboard and something that will have the processor and spec enough to last for few years.

Looked at Lenovo and all the others. Macbook Air is nice but expensive, Always liked Lenovo but the ideapad series did not feel right for me. Looks nice until you open it and the keyboard looks like el cheapo plastic job.

Eventually went with 13" Sony Vaio and it runs like a dream. Doubled up the RAM for fifteen hundred baht or so. i3 processor and the RAM upgrade and it will run whatever comes around in next 3 to 4 years. Price was also attractive, for Thailand, when considering it came with genuine W7.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Back to the OP, did spend quite a bit time on this myself last month. Wife wanted thai keyboard and something that will have the processor and spec enough to last for few years.

Looked at Lenovo and all the others. Macbook Air is nice but expensive, Always liked Lenovo but the ideapad series did not feel right for me. Looks nice until you open it and the keyboard looks like el cheapo plastic job.

Eventually went with 13" Sony Vaio and it runs like a dream. Doubled up the RAM for fifteen hundred baht or so. i3 processor and the RAM upgrade and it will run whatever comes around in next 3 to 4 years. Price was also attractive, for Thailand, when considering it came with genuine W7.

Have to say that this is a bit of a ramble, as it doesn't contain models numbers and prices.

I'm not one for overpriced Mac and Sony machines. The machines are made by Chinese/Taiwanese OEMs anyway.

Believe me, a double core Celeron will run what ever is around in 3 to 4 years, when it comes to general usage. I'm still using my four year old+ single core Celeron to watch HD 1080p films.

What people fail to realise is that the companies need to encourage people to buy new product all of the time. So you are increasingly sold on the newest this and the newest that.

The people who aren't blinded by the marketing can obtain some incredible bargains, whilst maintaining more than adequate computing power. Don't believe the hype...

I spend on average around £250 on my machines. Years later, I still don't have a reason to renew, as they are still 'covering my bases'.

Each to their own I suppose.

[PattayaParent]

I'm in the same position but a mate in the business recommends nothing less than an i5 due to the demands of the Windows 7 OS.

Do you reckon an i3 handle W7 Jui Jitsu?

Or something less?

I agree that the OP would be better buying the machine in England where it's much cheaper, his missus can pick up a Thai keybord easily enough.

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate on a single core Celeron with a CPU benchmark of 350. 1.5GB RAM and HD4350 Graphics(512MB). Mate in the business?? He is speaking nonsense.

Even Netbooks can run Windows 7.

You just need to tailor the specs to your likely usage pattern. An i3 is fine for High Definition video editing, HD Graphics for HD Playback, Graphics card with dedicated RAM for Games and 3D work. More RAM for having more applications running at the same time.

So don't just look at the CPU.

My spec is fine for my general usage. It's already four years old and was certainly not high spec when I bought it.

Well I guess as he works on control systems for O&G he's used to machines responding immediately and gets impatient when it takes 10 seconds to open an excel file.

I don't even need a machine to do what yuo desribe for an i3, although my works laptop that I would be replacing is an i5.