Laptop: Quick advice needed from those in the know

[Brown]

Hi all,

 

Literally just looking for a few comments from those with laptop/pc knowledge really.

 

I'm about to pick up a laptop, and having looked around at specifications, I had an idea in my head of what I wanted. I will be using the laptop for internet/browsing, managing music, watching films when I travel, and also for video editing having recently upgraded to a HD video camera.

 

I have basicaly been looking for a laptop with a good processor, a lot of memory, a big hard drive, and preferably a HD screen. "You may be getting too much for what you will use it for". Yes, I totally agree. However, I want something that in the future will still be relatively up to date. (I use that term loosely, given how quickly computer technology advances).

 

So I have narrowed it to the HP Pavilion DV6 in this sexy red colour Link

 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81a56ZUKWGL._AA1500_.jpg

 

It would be great to hear opinions on this, and as I say, I envisage that this may go beyond what I actually need..

[sidrick]

Looks like it would do everything you need it to, however, the spec set off alarm bells for me regarding battery life (and the fact I couldn't see battery life mentioned in the amazon ad), so I did a quick google: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-compaq/...ttery-life.html

 

Personally, I'd always plump for an Intel CPU if I was spending £500+ and wouldn't be bothered about HD size, as most people I know - in this day and age - will be moving their music and films from PC, to laptop, to xbox, to girlfriend's TV, etc. So generally will keep the bulk of their media on an external HD rather than on a laptop. This may not apply to you, though.

[caled]

Looks like it would do everything you need it to, however, the spec set off alarm bells for me regarding battery life

 

My thoughts exactly. I googled it and the manufacturers spec reckon 4.5 hours, which is tosh from a 6 cell battery under that kind of load.

If you do want this laptop and intend to use it for watching videos on journeys then i highly recommend getting a spare battery, preferably a 9 cell one if you can.

 

I was going to suggest a netbook right up until the point you mentioned you wanted to do some HD video editing.

[markbsi]

Get a Mac? Video editing is something they are better at

[stoo2000]

Get a Mac? Video editing is something they are better at

 

They're not.

[Brown]

Thanks for the responses, fellas. Very helpful. Sid, spot on about the HD space.. i do have a 'back up', external HD @ 350gb, so its not a necessity that I have 500gb built in

 

As for getting a Mac.. I see the cheapest most basic model starts at £867, which is too much for what I'm after

[Brown]

EDIT: re Battery Life

 

After reading a few papers today, I've seen an add for Tesco in each one.. they're having a laptop sale. So I was narrowing it down and saw that they also had the Pavilion.

 

According to the details on the Tesco site, the battery life is 6 hours.. which is 2 to 2.5 hours more than the alternatives I'd looked at. (Its also the exact same price as Amazon)

 

http://direct.tesco.com/product/default.aspx?r=210-8511

 

In any event, I'll leave it til the end of the week

 

[sidrick]

I'll comment futher when you comment on the 'who would you miss' topic on the main message board. I think there's a lot to be said there.

[Brown]

^thanks for pointing that out, I hadn't even seen it

[ScORTED]

http://hplies.com

 

I've written off more than 30 HP laptops this year due to design flaws causing motherboard failure, I'd have a read on that website and consider other manufacturers or some kind of extended guarantee if you must buy HP!

 

edit, that site must have gone offline recently ?