Laptop minium spec? - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

additionsbookkeeping · Veteran Member

Laptop minium spec?

Nikki P · Member

I'm no expert either, but most laptops should be fine for what you need. Just stay away from netbooks as they are designed for internet usage - even though you can run software on them the memory, etc will not be good.

And get yourself a nice widescreen laptop with numerical keypad at the side - much easier to use!

AngelaWBS · Senior Member

Hi

I bought a Toshiba Satellite Pro, can't remember all the spec now, but I'm really pleased with it. The only thing is, when I originally bought it I didn't now laptops could have a number pad on the side (doh), so i got a seperate usb plug-in one!!

Neil · Senior Member

You'd be hard pressed to find a new laptop that wouldn't be up to the task. Sage etc aren't very demanding by today's standards.

If you're buying a new laptop, do check that you can run your client's version of Sage under Windows 7.

An entry level laptop has plenty of disk space. Go for at least 2Gb RAM as this makes it easier to run several tasks at once.

There is a variety of battery life, weight and screen size all of which you should consider in light of the use you intend to make of the laptop. If weight isn't a factor a larger laptop can be cheaper than a little one.

Cheers
Neil

additionsbookkeeping · Veteran Member

Thanks everyone, good shout on the numerical keyboard. I too did not know you could buy them like that!!

Marky65 · Guru

and I didn't know that you could get them as a usb plug in one.

Where did you get that from Angela

Regards

Mark

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hi,

This is a good spec for an everyday machine that will last more than a week. Expect to pay around £450 - £550.

if you looking for a good sized workable screen something around 15 inches is great (beyond that it becomes a luggable and eats power faster when on the move).

Dual core processor... Preferably AMD but they're quite difficult to find in laptops so an intel Dual core or core 2 due processor should serve you well.

at least 1gb of Ram, preferably 2gb

At least 160gb hard drive (pref 250gb... Basically the bigger the better).

If you use Excel a lot go for something with non shared graphics. The graphics card is always part of the motherboard with a laptop but you want it to have separate memory so look for something with at least 256mb (pref 512mb) on an Nvidia Geforce or ATI Mobility radeon.

DVD rewriter

don't go for anything with the virus Windows Vista on it! Either XP or Windows 7 should be good.

Probably the most important. Look for a good brand that isn't going to let you down. Personal recommendations would be Toshiba, Dell or Mesh.

Do not even think about an Advent or Gateway machine!!!!! (And I also don't much like the screens on HPs).

Hope that this helps,

Shaun.

AngelaWBS · Senior Member

Hi Mark,

I bought it 3 years ago, I think it was from a company called Misco.

RobH · Expert

I have a Sony Vaio....correction my daughter has my Sony Vaio which I'm seldom able to get from her clutches!

Wella · Expert

Mark

I was looking this up the other day

Here's just on of the pages I came up with

http://www.idealo.co.uk/cat/13992/keypads.html

Google Number Keypads and a few other pop up too

Bill

Marky65 · Guru

Thanks Bill

Will have a good look later

Regards

Mark

Amanda · Expert

I have a Toshiba Satellite 17" screen with the numbers on the side, thats an absolute must. Its great, really like it and hopefully will last along time. I have vista on mine I have got use to it now and its fine, but I do have a decent memory on it.

First one was an Advent which is PC worlds own brand, total load of rubbish!!! Would never buy an Advent again.

Cheers
A

Lisa Jo · Senior Member

I prefer th usb plug in as I can put it in my bag when using customer's laptops etc, I fing the laptops too blkey & wide & much easier to just plug it in..