Which Broadband ? Computers.

[cite]Posted By: miserableold-ish git[/cite]

[cite]Posted By: bingaddick[/cite]I've just got a second hand Dell Latitude D410 for £155 squids incl delivery. Bloody brilliant it is with XP not that sh*te Vista. Goes like sh*t off a shovel. No DVD drive but no problems as I have a USB one already. Very lightweight and just what I want for everyday use.

Right !!!
Sorry, didn't understand a word of that !
;-)

Sorry, I recently purchased a small (14") Screen Laptop made by Dell called the Latitude D410 for £155. The operating system (Windows) is the previous popular version known as WIndows XP rather than the oft criticised, largely ignored and soon to be replaced, Windows Vista.

Because the Laptop is very thin and light, thus small, there is no room for a built in DVD drive which can be used to install software and play games and DVD films. This is not a problem for me for a number of reasons,

1. I don't want it loaded up with too much software because I mainly need it for surfing the net and sending and receiving E mails
2. I don't want to play games on it
3. I have an external DVD drive which attaches to the Laptop by a USB cable, so I can watch films or install software if I need to.

Does this help?

By the way, beware the "free broadband" internet deals. If you want a decent package I really recommend you look at the Utility Warehouse link. In addition to the "best buy" bundles, if you take four of their services you get free calls to UK landlines 24/7, you can take out their Cashback "prepaid debit card" which for a quid or so a month, can save you 5% on all purchases made at Sainsburys, Boots, Argos, Comet, Debenhams, and about 20 or so other high street stores. I am saving somewhere between £20 and £30 per month on average. That could pay for your broadband!

Paul - in terms of the Broadband, the speed you can get is largely determined by how far you live from your telephone exchange. Unless you are paying over the top for "super-fast" broadband (that you probably don't need), they will all be much of a muchness in terms of performance (laws of physics). The price you pay and how easy they are to deal with is probably most important. "Free" isn't usually free - they make their money up elsewhere. Depending on how much you spend per month on your BT landline, it might be cheaper for you to get them to change it out for Broadband and take a fixed price for calls. The other thing to bear in mind is that changing services is a nightmare. They all drag their feet and mess you around and the Customer Service from all of them is poor. You will need to take deep breaths and be ready to persevere. The other thing to consider is getting a broadband connection via a USB dongle (like a memory stick). If you get the right package it will give you internet access outside of the home as well - just depends on how useful that might be. I wouldn't normally recommend talking to the egits at PC World, but if you can resist the hard-sell, you would get some reasonable advice on this. If you still have a choice on the laptop, it's worth considering a "netbook." They are the smaller, thinner versions and, as Bing says, usually come without built-in disc drives etc. They are a bit cheaper and are that bit more comfortable to use on your lap. I much prefer mine to my laptop.

One thing to bear in mind with netbooks is the size of the keyboard and monitor. I've got quite small hands, so I don't find typing much of a problem on my Eee ('s a type of netbook, for the technologically confused) but my dad has what are affectionately known as "pork sausage fingers", so he finds it a nightmare. With the smaller screens you sometimes find that web and software designers have made unwarranted assumptions about screen sizes, so you occasionally get dialogue boxes that have the bit you need to click about an inch below the bottom of your screen. It's worth going to PC World or similar to get a feel for whether they suit your needs, even if you end up actually getting a better price online.

i'm on my second Sony, apart from the case is it really any better than a Dell or an Acer?
The next one I get I will have to pay for myself. It wont be anything as dear as a Sony.

if it's just wweb browsing you wont need anymore than 2mb but aim for as high as possible. for as cheap as possible

Just brought one of these

Big pockets was/is doing a lexmart(?) for £9.99.
Prob crap but its only a tenner.

Shouldn't do - Sky usually send out a Netgear Wireless router, so your laptop comes with integrated wireless - Hey presto!

if you get any probs when it all arrives give me a shout.

[cite]Posted By: miserableold-ish git[/cite]

[cite]Posted By: carly burn[/cite]

[cite]Posted By: miserableold-ish git[/cite]Again,Sorry.

Just had abit of a panic,
Ordered Broadband from Sky; Didn't say I've got a laptop.
Does this matter- are there 2 different "modems" ?

Finally got around to setting up my new sky internet pack and laptop last night moggy.

Piece of pish mate.got the base pack and it's working fine for me mate.

Ahhh, you don't know me and electronics !!!
;-)

P...don't forget you'll need to get a dongle............................................. I think!
LOL!!!

Errrrm BDL...knowing P as I do that won't be too difficult....I know a tad more about pooters than him but between the two of us we could put our entire knowledge on a postage stamp.....I know how he feels!

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