[ubuntu-uk] WTB: Ubuntu Laptop

[Stephen O'Neill]

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Jai Harrison wrote:
> £83.40 does sound like
> a lot for 4 years warranty on a product that Dell is meant to believe
> won't break but I don't really have a choice when it comes down to it.


I think that it is actually quite reasonable, given that any of the
"opening up the case" repairs in my last email cost over £100.

It all depends on the replacement value of the machine - if it's a £1000
machine it's good value, if it's £300 then probably not.

Also I'm not sure whether they reset the machine to factory settings -
i.e. format the disk - like they used to.

> What I really want to know is what specs seem suitable for the next 3
> years of Uni. I'm expecting to have to pick some of the higher end
> hardware on the Inspiron 1525 and want some assistance in doing so. Is
> there a substantial difference between the Intel Core™ 2 Duo Processor
> T5550 (1.83 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 cache) and the Intel(R) Core™ 2
> Duo Processor T8100 (2.10 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache) to make it
> worth the extra £70?

Depends what you're using it for. If it's for university work then the
lower spec will be fine for word processing, browsing, email etc etc; if
it's for university play then you'll want the best you can afford... but
if you're really into games and the like you'd want to replace it in a
couple of years anyway.

I think that RAM is more important than processor for your purposes -
get a modest amount now and then upgrade it in a couple of years when
the RAM's cheaper and you'll feel like you got a new machine. (I didn't
notice what RAM the machine you're talking about came with).

- --
Stephen O'Neill
w: http://www.thefloatingfrog.co.uk/
e: squid at thefloatingfrog.co.uk
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