Advice on new laptop

Discussion in 'Which Laptop should I buy?' started by Johnnature, Jul 17, 2016.

  1. Johnnature

    Johnnature

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    Hi


    I'm looking for advice for finding a suitable new laptop for using for a small not for profit business.


    The laptop will be mainly used for keeping accounts and presentations, using Microsoft Office and Quickbooks accounting software (2.4 GHz processor minimum 4 GB RAM minimum, 8GB RAM Recommended, 4x CD-ROM drive required) and skype.


    We've got a budget of £600 but could spend a bit more to get a good spec.


    We may wish to use the laptop for film, photo & audio editing for promotion material although this is a secondary requirement.


    We not sure if it is better to go for a laptop designed for business such as a


    Lenovo ThinkPad L540 £617.97

    15.6" - 1366 x 768 Screen

    Intel Core i5 4210M - 2.6 GHz 3.2 GHz Processor

    4 GB RAM

    500 GB Hard Drive

    Windows 7 Pro Operating System

    DVD-RW Optical Drive

    Intel HD Graphics




    Or buy a laptop made more for the home user as they seem to have slightly higher spec, the two laptop we've being looking at are:


    Acer Aspire V3-574T - £599.97

    Processor Intel Core i5-5257U Dual Core (2.7GHz, Intel Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz)

    Screen 15.6" (Touch Screen, 1920x1080 Full HD Resolution)

    Operating System Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64-bit

    RAM 16GB (DDR3 1600MHz)

    Hard Drive 8GB SSD + 1000GB (Hybrid)

    Optical Drive DVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi)

    Graphics Integrated (Intel Iris Graphics)

    Wireless LAN Wireless (802.11ac Wireless)

    Network Card 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet

    Integrated Webcam Integrated HD Webcam with Microphone

    Card Reader SD Card Reader

    USB Ports 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x USB 3.0 Port

    HDMI Port 1 x HDMI Port



    ASUS X555UA 15.6" £598.97

    Operating system Windows 10 (64-bit)

    SPECIFICATION Processor - Intel® Core™ i7-6500U Processor

    - Dual-core

    - 2.5 GHz / 3.1 GHz with Turbo Boost

    - 4 MB cache

    Memory (RAM) 12 GB

    Storage 2 TB HDD, 5400 rpm

    SCREEN Screen size 15.6”

    CONNECTIVTY Wireless 802.11 ac

    Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)

    USB - USB 3.0 x 2 - USB 2.0 x 1

    Video interface - HDMI x 1 - VGA x 1


    We would be grateful for any advice, so we can try and get the best laptop we can for our budget
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2016
    Johnnature, Jul 17, 2016
    #1
  2. Johnnature

    Corzhens

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    From what I know, laptops being used for video editing needs more RAM, maybe an 8GB is not enough and may be slow. There's also the needed video and audio card so the processing will not be dependent on the computer's memory. Pardon me if I cannot give an estimated cost because I live in a different country. Most outfit who cover events like weddings and other occasions use a laptop for their video editing right on the spot. That's where I got the info about the need of a video and audio card.
     
    Corzhens, Jul 19, 2016
    #2
  3. Johnnature

    vinaya

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    I think your requirements are simple. You do not have to use a laptop especially designed for business, any laptop with a good storage can work. You can install required software and customize your computer. Having said that you also have a budget that can get you the best device in the market, 600 pouns is a lot of money.
     
    vinaya, Jul 19, 2016
    #3
  4. Johnnature

    Johnnature

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    Thank you both for your advice

    We have also found this Cosmos IV laptop made by a specialist laptop builder site, which looks to have very look specs.

    Although person told us that we may be better off looking at a better built laptop for our £600 instead of one with faster components. And we should consider the second or third tier business ranges from the likes of Lenovo (Thinkpad T/L), HP (Elitebook) and Dell (latitude 5000/7000).


    Cosmos IV £599

    Processor (CPU)
    Intel® Core™ i5 Quad Core Processor 6300HQ (2.3GHz, 3.2GHz Turbo)
    Memory (RAM)
    8GB Kingston SODIMM DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 8GB)
    Graphics Card
    NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 940M - 2.0GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 12
    Memory - Hard Disk
    1TB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
    M.2 SSD Drive
    128GB M.2 2280, SATA 6Gb/s (534MB/R, 150MB/W)
    DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
    8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
    Memory Card Reader
    Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
    Sound Card
    Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
    Bluetooth & Wireless
    GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-8260 M.2 (867Mbps, 802.11AC) + BLUETOOTH
    USB Options
    3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
    Battery
    Cosmos Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (48.84WH)
    Power Lead & Adaptor
    1 x UK Power Lead & 90W AC Adaptor
    Keyboard Language
    COSMOS SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
    Operating System
    Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
    Webcam
    INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
     
    Johnnature, Jul 19, 2016
    #4
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