Laptops netbooks tablets - a discussion

[PeckhamRose]

The problem is being able to read my older documents, scripts etc, on that Word software.

Which reminds me, someone asked to read an old script of mine. I searched on this and my old laptop then realised it was still on 3.5 inch disc!

[Undisputedtruth]

Not really, for example if you bought Windows 7 OEM then you cannot transfer it to another machine though it is possible if you state your case to MS. If you bought a non OEM version of Windows 7 then you can transfer it to another machine. In the case of PR I suspect she has an OEM Office version and also could be issues with 16 32bits machines.

[mockney piers]

16 bit? I don't think the licence for Office 3.0 would still be valid would it? Although if you could get a minecraft version of office to work that would be really cool*.

*obviously cool defined by someone who thinks minecraft is cool, thereby probably making them as far from anything remotely approaching cool as it's possible to be!

[acm]

.

[mockney piers]

I actually quite like outlook 2010, which is a relative thing as I've always hated outlook, plus why would you use it at home, most isp emails don't do exchange, so any old pop/smpt compatible interface will do, I use the also free mozilla thunderbird

But agreed, office 2010 is best given a wide berth. MS spend over a decade getting people used to an entire paradigm, then change it all drastically for the worse so it's impossible to find any of the functions. Idiots. I'm sure there's a saying about when something isn't broken... (and however bloated the last few office products have been, they certainly weren't broken)

[acm]

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[Loz]

mockney piers Wrote:

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> MS spend over a decade getting people used

> to an entire paradigm, then change it all

> drastically for the worse so it's impossible to

> find any of the functions. Idiots.

After two years of using Excel 2007 I STILL CAN'T FIND ANY BLOODY THING WHEN I NEED IT!!!

And breathe...

[acm]

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[Moos]

Loz, I love Excel 2007! Extra space! New functions! Love it to pieces.

[Annette Curtain]

maxxi Wrote:

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> do NOT pm donkeyone - it's a bot (thought it had

> been eliminated in last purge but there are always

> one or two that get missed)

Say IF you did ( swear I haven't ) PM ol' donkeywonky

What might happen ?

(just curious)

Nette(tu)

[Loz]

There are some nice new features, I grant you moos, but everything has moved to non-intuitive places. When you deal with something new, you expect a learning curve, but two years later I am STILL looking up the help section just to find out where they've hidden some function.

And don't get me started on how complicated they've made macro writing.

[Undisputedtruth]

@acm,

Talking about muddying the water. OEM software are aimed towards systems builders. So whoever built PR's laptop can be defined as a system builder and is allowed to install OEM MS on their machines. On the distribution side of things, for the purpose of this discussion, is a red Herring.

In the next few months I'll be building my own system and so I would be classed as a system builder and be allowed to install OEM MS software.

OEM MS software can be bought freely on the Amazon website without entering into top level distribution partnership with MS.

Are you really a consultant, acm? You don't seem to have an understanding of OEM or the new AMD Llano APUs.

[acm]

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[PeckhamRose]

And I am mighty grateful acm.

To be fair, I use Word, Excel, Outlook Express and that's it.

And if I bought something else how would I get everything on THIS to the New one?

And E&M did everything legal. probably why they went out of business.....

I need face to face not interface) meeting with a specialist but will kill more puppies rather than go to PC World.

[Undisputedtruth]

@acm,

It seems you Googling your case throughout this discussion.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/is-it-ok-to-use-oem-windows-on-your-own-pc-dont-ask-microsoft/1561

The above link gives background history to the licensing arrangement for windows OEM software.

Even computing magazines today suggest using OEM windows software to hobbyist and I think MS needs to get their own house in order before prosecuting anyone for breaking their terms and conditions. Most hobbyist takes the view that it's a grey area and even MS own staff recommends using OEM software.

Again, the Product Key Card is another red Herring not worthy of discussion, and another marketing nonsense by MS.

Rose's original supplier wss a shop that sells office equipment. They don't manufacture computers I'm afraid. She had a Toshiba and so it's likely they would have arrived installed with the OEM software.

Pricing for the AMD Llanos were released in May. The Llanos offers better multitasking, energy saving features and multi-media performances than the Intel i3 chips. Although i3 chips offers better performance in certain areas, most people wouldn't notice it while the Llanos give performance boost to where it matters the most. Rose had a budget for ?500 and a Llano system was definitely doable. Back in March AM demonstrated a Llano system beating the i5 one.

I'm not profiting from this either acm. However, I was unware there was a windows hobbyist version but then again it's not widely available anywhere as most hobbyist usually buys the OEM versions.

But since Rose has bought her laptop, it is all water under the bridge or perhaps dead Puppies under a bridge!

[PeckhamRose]

Um, no.

"Rose's original supplier wss a shop that sells office equipment. They don't manufacture computers I'm afraid. She had a Toshiba and so it's likely they would have arrived installed with the OEM software. "

I originally said on page one, "My current laptop is a Toshiba but was put together by E&M as above; ie 6 month old versions of various bits all put together in one laptop at about half the price (maybe that's why they went out of business!) I think they call it 'reconditioned'?"

[Undisputedtruth]

@peckhamrose,

I'm not sure what point you were making but nonetheless enjoy your computer.

[tog_in_sox]

Everything started so sweet then seemed to sour.... ahh bless. UDT and ACM on the Rye at dawn with pistols and sabres. Underwater Demolition Teams vs Air Combat Maneuvering... perhaps they're console jocks? Just kidding boys.

Back OT.

PR, unless a new day brought you a new computer I take it you are still after opinion, recommendations and suggestions?

Firstly the hardware:

?500 buys you quite a lot of shiny nowadays even new ipads so you should be able to treat yourself to something quite capable without breaking a sweat as you prise the purse open.

"Notebooks" and "laptop" have become pretty much synonymous in hardware terms if not terminologically(!?) speaking, especially since netbooks arrived on the scene to confuse us punters further.

You've not mentioned how large the screen is on your present pc but I'll guess at 15" and I get the impression that you'd like something similar for the sake of legibility and size of display area.

If you're not a tinkerer and wanting a decent after sales support then I'd strongly suggest a known brand purchase (manufacturer or retailer) with additional years warranty added. ACMs suggestion of the Tosh can be bought with 3yrs next day on site service but that will push the price to ?500 inc VAT. No idea on how good their service is but worth considering. A similar spec Dell with 3 yrs nbd service is about the same on offer from their website.

Have a look for voucher sites that get you additional discount or moneysavingexpert.com

Just had a look at the JLP website and they have a current generation HP laptop with 2 yr guarantee going for ?499 (i.e. faster chip, better graphics, bigger disk, better battery) and again you may be able to get an offer on that in store. Bootup times for current gen laptops with Windows 7 should be comfortably no more than a minute. (I just timed my older one : 80secs to switch on and start browsing internet)

If you fancy something smaller, faster, different then ask away and will be happy to give some steerage.

Happy hunting

Re: Tablets. If you're really tempted by their portability then I'd wait till Xmas (or after for sales) as there are better processors and screens due to be announced that should mean that performance, capability and features could justify the ?500 sticker price.

Re: Office document compatibility. It doesn't sound like your library of work was created on anything more recent than Office 2003 so you should be able to get something like Open Office for your PC which will happily work with them provided you haven't used particularly esoteric Microsoft features or macro coding. If they're predominantly formatted text with say tables and embedded pictures you should be fine. Will need to know just how fancy your compositions are to advise further. That means you don't have to buy M$ at all.

If you really want to be up to date then you could copy your documents up into the "Cloud" on services like Google docs and again avoid paying for Office.

[PeckhamRose]

Thank you muchly for everything. Hugely appreciated. Thinking things through.

[acm]

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[Annette Curtain]

tog_in_sox Wrote:

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> Everything started so sweet then seemed to

> sour.... ahh bless.

> If you're not a tinkerer No idea on how good their

> service is but worth considering. A similar spec

> Dell with 3 yrs nbd service is about the same on

> offer from their website.

> Have a look to get an offer on that in store. Bootup

> times for current gen laptops internet)

>

> If you fancy something smaller, faster, different

> then ask away and will be happy to give some

> steerage.

>

> Happy hunting

> Re: Tablets. or macro coding. If they're

> predominantly formatted text with say tables and

> embedded pictures you should be fine. Will need

> to know just how fancy avoid paying

> for Office.

Hmmmmm..

When exactly is your next dinner party ?

* tears up diary *

Me and maxxi & Frankito want to come

Do you have matchsticks at the ready ?

NETTE:)

[PeckhamRose]

He was very helpful, nette, which is why I started the thread, for people to be helpful and useful for all of us who know not much about such matters.

So I popped along to John lewis yesterday and got lots of prices and info. Then I wandered to the iPad section. I was rather amused and delighted and wondered if I could justify it. iPad3 will be in shops in December. Meanwhile, I have registered for a free lesson in their useage at Apple in Regent Street. Dear Santa...

Once again thanks so much for your words of advice people. I know from PMs I have got that other people have got help too. As I said, this was meant to be an info and help thread for all of us! Please feel free to ask questions people, others may be able to help and advise like they have done for me!

[Laddy Muck]

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