Laptop shopping

Thanks Don, always reassuring to hear good comments on models/brands. don't want to be getting anything that'll die on me in 6 months!

Very interesting.....

I noticeed that on these AR models Sony is shipping it's 'blue ray' DVD's......

I am not sure that I would like these at this early stage.....So I would make sure that the DVD would also work with 'normal' DVD's as well.....

regards

zambuck

Not even heard of the 'blue ray' before and to be perfectly honest, I don't even want a DVD drive. Its gonna be purely a trading machine so as long as I can get quick internet WIFI access and run my brokers and quotetracker thats all I want.

Ok mate, understand your position.. I would avoid any laptop that is hyped for it's gaming abilities, as they will be overpriced, imho (and I'm, like you not the most tech savvy) the power you require for trading should be covered comfortably by most mid range stuff. I have used a Thinkpad A22 for some time now, but it's nearing it's bus pass time. Not sure how the Thinkpad stacks up for quality now since they were taken over by Lenovo, I believe you can still customise a build on their site.
Toshiba are hard to beat for quality notebooks.
Another site that may be of help, has some good reviews.
http://www.notebookreview.com/
An article on the whole process of deciding what to get.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7602_7-1016082-1.html

Yes I know what you mean when you say the you want a computer to do a specific task

I have a machine that is purely for simulator gaming as both me and my son are keen simmers......

But then the box spec also has items that come pre installed so did not have any choice.....

Unlike Dell, where you can ask for specific bits, Sony will come installed with the latest gismoz.....But as I am keen music lover, I was very pleased with the audio software that comes preloaded with Sony laptop....

I have DVD RW so I use that to back up/archieve my files.....It holds approx 4.3 GB which is lot more than a CD....

regards

zambuck

Cheers guys.

I enjoy my music too but not a gamer and will keep my tecra for personal use for the meantime as I really like the machine. Good point regards the DVD Zambuck as I do use excel and would be handy to have the backup facility.

Thanks for the links RT but its hard, not being overly tech minded, sifting through as the guide goes down either the gaming route or the business route yet for trading spec its between the two really.

I like the facilities of the Dell site as it gives you the option to nearly custom build your notebook yet the Sony, thinkpad and toshiba makes all have their own virtues. If only you could take the best of each and really custom build!

I am leaning towards the Sony or Dell and keep the toshiba for personal use. As a matter of taste I didn't find the old thinkpad that comfortable to use.

A toss up!

The Sony looks great and all round machine for the needs yet would be great if could be a tad more customized, but, the Dell does have all the customizable features....

http://vaio.sony-europe.com/view/Sho...y=VN+AR+Series

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dells...rsinspn_9400_1

It is surprising there is nothing online for the advice on machines for trading, maybe Rossored should do one!

Also, any opinions on Apple?

Ahhhh........Apple....... the class act..........I would have got Apple only if it used XP Pro as many software that I use does require XP and will not work with Mac.....Unless I get Apple version of that software.....

http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObje...clm=MacBookPro

But I have heard that it is possible to run XP now....However I did not want to take risk and hence decided on Sony.....