NZFF

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2008 5:25 pm**

While touring in Europe and the UK, I would like to have a laptop with me to store any photos/videos I take on, and connect to the internet whenever I can find a connection or wi-fi spot.. in the paper today, I saw there are some decent Dell Inspiron's for $900 brand new, and thought that was easily affordable.

So, is the 1525 a decent purchase to make? I'm not sure what the average laptop screen size is, is 15.4 inches a little small? Also, how much do those 5-in-1 card readers cost, would it be worth purchasing a model with one included so I can transfer data straight from my digital camera to my harddrive? And what's the deal with Windows Vista? I'm really happy with Windows XP, but don't see any laptops for sale that include this OS anymore- would it be possible to wipe Vista off my new laptop and reload XP instead? Or do most programs work fine with Vista (Eg Mozilla, Photoshop, FS...?). Finally, I remember that the mains AC power in England is at 240 volts- do I need to worry about that when purchasing a NZ made machine or is the power system universal? Would it be a simple as changing the plug on the end of the power cable to get it to run off British sockets?

I'm looking to spend $800 to $900 for a bottom of the range job, and preferably, I'd like to buy it brand new. Any recommendations or advice?

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2008 5:37 pm**

Here's my few cents worth for ya mate:

Q. I'm not sure what the average laptop screen size is, is 15.4 inches a little small?

A. I actually would go smaller rather than bigger for travel purposes. When looking at the screen it scales proportionally so even a 14" widescreen could be ok to mess about on during travels. My wife's laptop is smaller than mine and much easier to lug about.

Q. Also, how much do those 5-in-1 card readers cost, would it be worth purchasing a model with one included so I can transfer data straight from my digital camera to my harddrive?

A. Probably easier if it's built in but they cost bugger all and are light enough. Just keep it in the bag and you can use it for other PC's like Internet Cafe PCs etc.

Q. And what's the deal with Windows Vista? I'm really happy with Windows XP, but don't see any laptops for sale that include this OS anymore- would it be possible to wipe Vista off my new laptop and reload XP instead? Or do most programs work fine with Vista (Eg Mozilla, Photoshop, FS...?).

A. I think many compatibility problems are ironed out with Vista now, you can also run programs in XP compatibility mode. Most laptops are preloaded (ie there is a part of the hard drive that is partioned and protected with intall files on it) so you may have problems actually ridding all the hard disk of Vista remnants. I'd stay with Vista, personally.

Q. Finally, I remember that the mains AC power in England is at 240 volts- do I need to worry about that when purchasing a NZ made machine or is the power system universal? Would it be a simple as changing the plug on the end of the power cable to get it to run off British sockets?

A. We use 240v so no worries there. Laptop power supplies are generally rated to run 110v - 250v. Check the power supply specs, but I would go on a limb to say all you need is an adapter to convert the dual pin configuration. They are usually cream coloured plastic things readily available in electronic stores or airports.

Hope this is helpful.

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2008 7:53 pm**

I have a Toshiba M200 with a 15.4" screen and its a great size. Any bigger is too big to travel with and I found a smaller screen size was just too small for my liking. I have Vista loaded and like it. I have no issues with it for all our business needs.
I am also sure that you will only need a plug adaptor to run in the UK

Deane

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2008 8:20 pm**

You could alternativley go for this:

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefron...uct/View/XC4752

It comes with XP, 4GM Flash drive (with a free 4GB SD Card (commonly used in digital cameras) expanding your memory to 8GB) and a card reader along with 3 USB ports if it doesn't read the card you want it to.

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2008 9:38 pm**

Hard to get used to though Kelburn (Apparently) Not a bad idea, but I guess it wont be used a great deal when hes finnished traveling.

Dont buy a Dell laptop. they are very very bulky. My Mum has a Vostro, and its almost as thick as my desktop!!

HP make a 13" laptop. Its really nice, and is very light and compact. Myself I have a Toshiba A100, 15.4", and a Macbook 13.3". Idealy, I would recommend one of these to you, but its a little out of your budget!

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2008 11:26 pm**

I have just bought a new laptop for my wife (so I can have the desktop for all myself!) - $980 Acer, 1.73 ghz dual core, 2 gig ram, windows XP, 256mb graphics card, 120 gb hd, 15.4" screen & a built in web cam.

Posted: **Tue May 20, 2008 5:47 pm**

Cheers guys, I've done some review reading and decided that, after taking an initial shining to it, the Dell Inspiron 1525 is the one for me. In fact, I've just placed an order on the Dell NZ website, paying via credit card- and am expecting to have it within 10 calendar days

QUOTE

You could alternativley go for this:

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefron...uct/View/XC4752[/quote]
Hard to get used to though Kelburn (Apparently)[/quote]
That's what I was thinking, far too small for my liking!

QUOTE

Any bigger is too big to travel with and I found a smaller screen size was just too small for my liking.[/quote]
My mate has a laptop with a 15.4” screen, and its great for surfing the net/watching movies which is essentially what I will be doing. The main purpose of buying a laptop is to be able to use it many different locations (eg the places I move around and stay in Europe at), rather than actually on the move in planes, trains and buses etc.

QUOTE

Dont buy a Dell laptop. they are very very bulky. My Mum has a Vostro, and its almost as thick as my desktop!![/quote]
The old days of bulky, overweight Dell notebooks may be coming to a close in 2008. Today Dell announced their latest addition to the Inspiron family of notebooks, the 15.4-inch Inspiron 1525. We are happy to have a pre-production unit to review, and this sleek successor to the Inspiron 1520 might just surprise you. Dell listened closely to this criticism when they designed the new Inspiron 1525. The Inspiron 1525 is in fact 25% smaller, 30% slimmer and almost half a pound lighter than the Inspiron 1520. (Notebookreview.com)

I plan to use it when I get as my main PC until I can afford a decent gaming system in 2009- for the time being, I might try installing a lite* version of FS2004 and hooking it up to my current keyboard mouse and joystick and then linking it to either my CRT screen on TV.

* 'lite' meaning only my favourite addons, maybe a 10GB folder if performance is acceptable.

Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 6:19 pm

by Kelburn

I have to say, that when I go to Europe I'm gonna leave the laptop at home (can't be bothered with it plus no time for me!)

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 5:39 pm

by ardypilot

Hmmm- just found out that I won't be receiving the laptop until early June, apparently it has to be built and shipped from the US! <_<

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:56 pm

by ZK-Brock

Time for a cheap un off trademe I think Andrew

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:21 pm

by benwynn

Call them up and buy something else?? Thats rediculose. Anything I ever buy from Dell comes from Malaysia or Sydney- Not the bloody USA!

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:25 pm

by ardypilot

Nah I think I can wait, I won't be leaving the country for a good few weeks yet so I don't really mind..

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:57 am

by benwynn

Did you buy it with Vista or windows XP Andrew?

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 10:24 am

by HardCorePawn

TBH, I think you will regret not getting the eeeeeeeeeeeePC when you're backpacking around Europe...

when you travel... travel light... I hate lugging my 15" HP around when just going trans-tasman to Sydney for business... (and to and from work each day)...

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:07 am

by benwynn

I dont think he will regret not getting the EePC, but yes getting a smaller laptop. a 15.4" is pretty big, I would have gone for mabye a 12" Powerbook or 13" macbook etc- Or similar size in Windows PC.

When I only had my A100 (15.4"), it was a bugger to carry around (even in my rollaboard- thought it carrys Laptop, Camera plus all this other junk) and with you backpacking- Well thats a different story..

I guess you want to be able to use it as your main PC when you get back to New Zealand..

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:23 pm

by ardypilot

QUOTE

Did you buy it with Vista or windows XP Andrew?[/quote]
Vista Home Basic, time to get with the times... it should be a good learning experience for the future, I've got untill July to get to grips with the system before I go abroad and will be fully reliing on it.

QUOTE

when you travel... travel light... I hate lugging my 15" HP around when just going trans-tasman to Sydney for business... (and to and from work each day)...[/quote]
Yeah, although I plan to just set it up in the house I'm staying at in England, and perhaps use it on any airliner flights I am on- not sure if I will take it on my Contiki tour around Europe or not, considering I will be leaving most of my other possesions 'at base' while I spend a month on a coach travelling.

QUOTE

Anything I ever buy from Dell comes from Malaysia or Sydney- Not the bloody USA![/quote]
I'm sure that I read on the Dell website it was being shipped from the US, but after looking for some evidence to back that up, I can't find any! Plus, it's already on it's way, so hopefully it will arrive earlier than estimated!

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:54 pm

by benwynn

I would just try to forget about it. I always get exited when They say its been shipped, and it doesnt come for another fortnight

Hopefully, you wont have to use it onboard (If you get the IFE your expecting) I think you wont use it that much seeing as theres no power on Brunei

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:15 pm

by ardypilot

QUOTE

Hopefully, you wont have to use it onboard (If you get the IFE your expecting) I think you wont use it that much seeing as theres no power on Brunei[/quote]
Yeah I know that, but at the end of the year, I will hopefully be flying again to LA, ANZ Business Premier that has a power point in seat, plus the return flight will be on a much smaller aircraft with no seatback IFE at all, so and I'll need the entertainment

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:42 pm

by benwynn

I really really want to ask why your doing that (coming back on a smaller aircraft)

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:30 pm

by victor_alpha_charlie

benwynn wrote:
QUOTE (benwynn @ May 22 2008, 08:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I really really want to ask why your doing that (coming back on a smaller aircraft)

I know the answer

NZFF

Laptop for Travelling