PC vs Laptop

Comments noted. Thanks.

 

Dell

Poor is to good a word for their service dept.Outsourcing sucks,speaking English properly is a start,understanding your request would help as well.
Wouldn't buy another Dell owned 2 so far.If you plan on using as music server thru outboard D/A try a APPLe
rollo

 

With regards to using a laptop for photo duties.

I'm planning on going for a laptop (prob not till the summer), but my main reason for wanting to upgrade is that although this desktop runs fine for day to day browsing and such, it sucks for raw software or such.

I'll plan to use an external screen when needed, but I'd like something half decent built in too. No chance?

 

I think it maybe worth checking out some shops (curry etc)_ as a guide - an old colleague of mine bought a sony laptop and the screen on that was amazing...but I guess you do pay a preium for that...

the screen on mines not amazing - but then I did only pay 250 quid for it second hand...

 

I have noticed that you can option an 'upgraded' LCD screen on some laptops. I don't mean a higher pixel count, it relate more to the brightness/contrast levels. Look out for this when ordering and do your research.

 

I bought a dell I've had several and they have all been very reliable. My Viao on the other hand was a nightmare.

Anyway my spec is


Inspiron 6400
Centrino duo
1gb mem
dvd writer
256meg ATI graphics card
15.5 inch Ultrabrite screen (it's a good one)
80gb hard drive

Plays 3d games very nicely, everything else is a breeze.

£600 but you have to ask for a deal eh!


No service agreement just return and repair and I'm not worried. These run cooler than the old ones and my dell 610 lasted 4 years on the road and is still giving fine service as my TV PC. I reinstalled windows once about 6 months ago because I removed things I shouldn't have dell charged me 30 quid to help.

 

The main issue with laptop screens and photo work is that laptop screens are often only 6 bit per channel rather than 8 bit. This leads to posterisation effects.

It is worth noting that quite a lot of even quite expensive desktop LCD screens are starting to be 6 bit also. If you're using a screen for photo work, make sure that it is 8 bit, and if you're REALLY keen and plan on calibrating (with a colorimeter, not just a gamma calibration) then you should look for one with 10-bit internal look-up tables (LUTs).

A good, 8-bit, reasonably priced large screen is the Samsung 215TW. A good high-end screen is the NEC Spectraview 2090.

Also, if you do plan to use an external screen for photo work, make sure your selected laptop has a DVI output instead of or in addition to a VGA connector.

 

This i looking pricey I'd planned on spending about £200 on a screen. I then seen a Dell for about £270 which I liked the look of.
And now you're suggesting £400(ish) one as reasonably priced.

 

MO, its like all things in life, you can buy the cheap crap or you can do it right first time.

I did this with white kitchen goods, two times I have been through fridge, freezer, washing machine and microwave in just a couple of years. Not this time.

The best screens out there are running at around 400 quid for a 20 inch, like it or lump it.

 

I agree. I've made the mistake of spending on things before only to wish I'd invested MOre initially for a longer lasting/better quality solution. Other times (computers perhaps?) it's not always best to go for the best, as they'll be out of date pretty quick anyway, and reasonably cheaply replaced.

I've barely looked at MOnitors. I just assumed for £200 or so I'd get something up to the job. Having spoke to someone with MOre knowledge than me, I'm informed much with a good camera lens outlasting a body, a screen should outlast the computer, not taking upgrades into account obviously.

Oh, and the Dell I'd been considering was the 2007WFP. Seems very well reviewed.... but I'm taking the thread off topic sorry.

 

The last monitor I paid for was £650 (21" sony CRT). It lasted 6 years of heavy use and is now basically worn out. It's outlasted many graphics cards, CPUs, etc. A good monitor will last a lot longer than anything else. Along with the keyboard and mouse, it's one of the three main user I/O devices with a direct impact on how happy you are with using your machine.

A quick search on the Dell 2007WFP on google throws up many mentions of colour banding problems. So much so that Dell have agreed to exchange this model. They are an 8-bit screen.

 

Hmm, well i think my HP Pavillion DV6152 laptop has a good screen. Resolution is not amazing (1280x800) but the actual quality is very good to my eyes. The only thing lacking is the resolution so it might be an idea to go for a higher resolution, but i do some *basic* photography and its good enough for me.

 

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/588234?camp_id=email_w38_acer_laptop

What you reckon?

 

yeah, that looks good to me - tho I haven't had any experiences of PC world myself...but then my laptop is an Advent one (pc world own brand? - bought second hand) and I've had no complaints with that...

 

my advent is still going strong after 3 years of serious abuse as my desktop replacement. the keyboard has a few sticky keys but thats it.

 

Um, what exactly have you been looking up on the internet...

 

it's sun tan cream and climbing chalk, though not at the same time.

 

This is in the latest ebuyer email.

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119876/?ebid=1302&ebid=1302

Not as much meMOry or drive space, but cheaper. Maybe use the saving toward upgrading the meMOry (it says max 4GB).

 

but is the screen as good as the acer one tho.?

 

I have no idea.