laptops

[Dave]

which one of these 2 laptops would you buy?

Either

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/199993

or

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/223792

Just for general use and a bit of video editing for my in car.

P.s Im a numpty with computers ask Tigger  

Dave

[Blatman]

Neither! The specs aren't that special and the screen size is massive for what is supposed to be a "portable" device. If it's not going to be dragged around places then you could spec a *superb* desktop for that sort of money with a screen that'll blow both of those away.

If you want a laptop for portability then you could have a much better spec with a 15.4" screen.

Video editing needs lots of RAM and as big a hard drive as you can get. BUT, you can always add one of these for the extra space, and the HDD doesn't need a power supply.

All that said, of the two listed, I'd choose the Samsung over the Sony. My last two or three Sony products have been disappointing, failing to meet expectations. I have 3 Samsung products and they have all been excellent, either meeting or exceeding my expectations.

[Dave]

Cheers Blatter's

I was just thinking the sony was a better spec for not much more money that said my last sony was pants.

I used to have a 17 inch screen and went to 15 and regretted it

So to recap is the samsung up to video editing?

Dave

[Blatman]

I would think the Samsung is up to it, but what are your expectations?

Video editing is resource hungry. With a 2.1Gb processor, 4Gb RAM and 2 Terabytes of HDD space on my desktop, rendering an hours video footage gathered from a webcam in WMV format and burning it direct to SVCD (I think) took well over an hour from clicking "OK" to job done. In other words, my 5 year old 250 quid desk top is going to match either of those laptops no problem, and my 22" Samsung Syncmaster screen is a peach

If you're after a new computer anyway and you fancy a laptop then of course you should buy what you wish. But IMHO there are better VFM machines to consider (both laptop or desktop) if performace is the question. For the occasional bit of editing either of those laptops would be fine but if you start to do more than the odd bit here and there, I think there are better spec machines out there, and probably for less money. If money is no object though, then go nuts!

[Mike H]

All the laptops I've had have been 13" or so screens but I connect them to a 23" Samsung monitor when necessary.  Smaller laptop screen = longer battery life.

Mike

[Mid life crisis]

Ahem!

 www.greenitexchange.com

Everything to do with me!

[jim_l]

I would have sworn by HP, since they provide thousands of machines for the company I work for and they last the three year life cycle well... then I bought one at Comet this year, after 4 months the battery is knackered and I am told the battery guarantee is only six months! So how long before I am spending silly prices replacing batteries? So...

a) As Blatters says, if you can live with a desktop get one.

b) Whatever laptop you buy ask about the detail of the warranty and how long it covers the battery.

c) Check out John Lewis, not the cheapest but quite competitive and laptops come with two year warranty, again check out the detail.

I have a desktop and a netbook, quite a versatile combination.

[Blatman]

I got a cheap HP suitable battery from an on-line supplier (which I'll search out in a minute...) for my NW8240, which I just love. It was originally tasked as an HD DVD editing machine when it was new and was loaded with the three favourite pro editing programmes used by the TV industry. It's got a pin sharp screen, fast processor and enough RAM for most editing tasks and you can get them S/H on Ebay for around 200 quid.  I'm buying another one next month as a spare...

[Blatman]

I got a cheap HP suitable battery from an on-line supplier (which I'll search out in a minute...)

It was Amazon...

[Rep-robate]

For laptop I'd go Dell. Sony are pants and the only samsung one i've ever had wasn't particularly clever either.

I would also say go Desktop for best performance but If your issistant on laptop then at least with Dell you can more or less build exactly to your own spec at not too much more money. They usually have some good offers on their website too!

[tankerman24]

I have that model Samsung and find it superb, it a replacement for my old samsung, which also has done me proud. My mrs has the Sony. its ok but i prefer the Samsung.

 I love the large screen. its only used around the house so doesnt need to be that portable

not very technical i  know