![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
'Puter Shopping
HEY INTERNET
I need a new laptop.* Everyone I've asked says 'Dell.' So far the one that best suits my requirements is the Vostro 3560, and while external reviews are generally positive, the ones on Dell's website are a little tepid. I know this may be because that's where people go to whine, but I am still a little cautious. So I come to you! Anyone have one of these? Any other suggestions?
The specs that matter to me:
- Dedicated graphics card
- 15"-17" screen
- 3+ USB ports
- Windows 7
- Good life expectancy
- Battery life >1hr (probably standard these days but worth stating)
- WiFi (also standard, but hey)
And before you ask, no, I am not getting a MacBook: Apple and I get along well enough to be colleagues but not roommates. I like having back doors and being able to fiddle with things myself; it's hard enough letting go of XP.
*Only if I want to use the Cintiq I own and run Region 2 DVDs at full speed – the latter is a luxury, but the former is kind of a professional necessity. I love my beloved old XP-running Toshiba and it runs mostly fine, but it doesn't like the Cintiq ...
I need a new laptop.* Everyone I've asked says 'Dell.' So far the one that best suits my requirements is the Vostro 3560, and while external reviews are generally positive, the ones on Dell's website are a little tepid. I know this may be because that's where people go to whine, but I am still a little cautious. So I come to you! Anyone have one of these? Any other suggestions?
The specs that matter to me:
- Dedicated graphics card
- 15"-17" screen
- 3+ USB ports
- Windows 7
- Good life expectancy
- Battery life >1hr (probably standard these days but worth stating)
- WiFi (also standard, but hey)
And before you ask, no, I am not getting a MacBook: Apple and I get along well enough to be colleagues but not roommates. I like having back doors and being able to fiddle with things myself; it's hard enough letting go of XP.
*Only if I want to use the Cintiq I own and run Region 2 DVDs at full speed – the latter is a luxury, but the former is kind of a professional necessity. I love my beloved old XP-running Toshiba and it runs mostly fine, but it doesn't like the Cintiq ...
no subject
I did always think Windows 7 ran pretty slow. It got a little better when I upgraded the RAM from 4 GB (which is what it came with) to 6 GB. You can buy a RAM upgrade from Crucial for much cheaper than on the Dell website.
My machine has 5 USB ports and 17" screen. It's a little heavy, but I like the roomy keyboard. Don't know anything about graphics cards.
I'm running Linux on half of the hard drive (the other half still runs Windows), which is really fun if you like messing around with things. Ubuntu Linux will split the hard drive with Windows if you ask it to during the installation. It's fun. Also runs much, much faster than Windows, and I can never find a satisfactory explanation for why.
no subject
I have used Linux at work, and yes, it is really fast, and stable, and excellent for mucking around with, but it doesn't run Photoshop, so that's right out. I do wish Windows would release a sleek, minimalist edition that would run in an up-to-date way without the memory-hogging bells and whistles they feel they need to add to compete with the look of an Apple. But until that day I will have to be content with turning off as many bells and whistles as I can.
Thanks for the tip on the RAM upgrade!