My 7 months old Optimus IV laptop was stolen yesterday from my house in Dublin. Help?

[ubuysa]

Now i feel guilty again, i haven't withdrawn that money yet so if anyone does want it back i am happy to return it. I know you are only taking the pee, but i have to offer returning the donations. I am still uneasy about it.

Keep the donations my friend, they were sent by people who care.

As for the "tanner" those of us old enough to remember real money before all the decimalisation nonsense - 1971 wasn't it? Feb 14th I think? Anyway, back to the point, a "tanner" was the slang name for the old sixpenny piece (that's just under 2.5 modern pence). If that's all Captain Kirk expects by way of a donation I'm happy to help. Where should I send it?

 

[nathanjrb]

Haha, relax buddy. The only reason why I haven't sent you anything myself is because I only have about £20 left to last me until the end of the month

As for the tanner, "Every tanner helps!", as a hippy Tesco would say

 

[mitchell65]

Keep the donations my friend, they were sent by people who care.

As for the "tanner" those of us old enough to remember real money before all the decimalisation nonsense - 1971 wasn't it? Feb 14th I think? Anyway, back to the point, a "tanner" was the slang name for the old sixpenny piece (that's just under 2.5 modern pence). If that's all Captain Kirk expects by way of a donation I'm happy to help. Where should I send it?

I had completely forgotten the "Tanner". Brings back "Guineas" , "Half a crown" and more! My word I'm feeling old!

 

[nathanjrb]

Did someone say Guinness?

 

[ubuysa]

Did someone say Guinness?

Only if you're buying.

 

[edwkel]

Finally ready to replace my stolen laptop - Few Questions

Hi lads,

It took me a month and a half to save up to purchase a replacement laptop and to find out about contents insurance etc. The PC-Specialist insurance doesn't cover laptops outside of the UK.

I have a few questions about the below laptop, I have been trying to minimize the price as low as possible with the hope of upgrading RAM, the Hard Disk and the operating system in the future.

I went for the cheapest RAM, Hard Disk and operating system below.

Can that version of Windows 7 be upgraded to Windows 8? Can the hard disk and the RAM be upgraded?

Could the RAM below be refitted to another older laptop? That laptop has DDR2
Memory Type: DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 8GB
Slots: 2


Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-3630QM (2.40GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
2GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (1 x 2GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
250GB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® ADVANCED-N 6235 (300Mbps) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
Optimus Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Cable
1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence
DVD Recovery Media
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard Language
OPTIMUS SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Intel Anti-Theft Technology
FREE 90 Day Intel Anti-Theft Trial - Prevent Data Access upon Theft
Delivery
2 - 3 DAY DELIVERY TO REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

 

[keynes]

Can that version of Windows 7 be upgraded to Windows 8? Can the hard disk and the RAM be upgraded?

Yes but if you want to upgrade and save money then go with windows 8.

 

[edwkel]

Yes but if you want to upgrade and save money then go with windows 8.

How did i miss that they were the same price? I am a dope. Will that one be upgradeable to the next version of Windows?

 

[keynes]

Will that one be upgradeable to the next version of Windows?

Windows 9 ? probably

 

[edwkel]

Windows 9 ? probably

Could be a while waiting for that

What about putting the DDR3 ram into a laptop that is currently using DDR2? Seems like it cant be done and more hassle than its worth. Would i be better off just adding ram to my own PC Specialist laptop down the line? Is it a complicated job adding ram? Are there two ram slots on the Optimus IV?

 

[mitchell65]

D you really need an i7 processor? Whats the cost saving to go to an i5? What do you intend using the lappy for assuming nobody pinches it ?

 

[edwkel]

D you really need an i7 processor? Whats the cost saving to go to an i5? What do you intend using the lappy for assuming nobody pinches it ?

Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-3230M (2.60GHz) 3MB

If i change to that one it would save me €72

€816 delivered rather than €888 delivered with the i7 processor

I wouldnt be that heavy a user really. ArcGIS, iTunes, Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, VLC Player, Dropbox, Garmin Forerunner Uploader would be the programmes i use the most really.

 

[mitchell65]

Then I don't see how you are going to benefit from an i7. I would go for the i5 and up my RAM to get as near 8GB as possible. You might even be able to up the HD as well? With RAM you need to buy the modules in pairs so if you stay with your 2GB now when you come to upgrade which I think would be very soon, then you would need to buy a new pair say 2 x 4GB. Your original two modules would be no good to you then unless you could find another lappy that they would fit!

 

[edwkel]

Then I don't see how you are going to benefit from an i7. I would go for the i5 and up my RAM to get as near 8GB as possible. You might even be able to up the HD as well? With RAM you need to buy the modules in pairs so if you stay with your 2GB now when you come to upgrade which I think would be very soon, then you would need to buy a new pair say 2 x 4GB. Your original two modules would be no good to you then unless you could find another lappy that they would fit!

The below is €869 delivered...

But if I change the GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® ADVANCED-N 6235 (300Mbps) + BLUETOOTH to the (150Mbps) version the price would drop to €845. Would that be worth considering?


Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-3230M (2.60GHz) 3MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
250GB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® ADVANCED-N 6235 (300Mbps) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
Optimus Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Cable
1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
DVD Recovery Media
Windows 8 (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard Language
OPTIMUS SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Intel Anti-Theft Technology
FREE 90 Day Intel Anti-Theft Trial - Prevent Data Access upon Theft
Delivery
2 - 3 DAY DELIVERY TO REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

 

[Wozza63]

I wouldn't recommend changing the wireless, most of the 150mbps receivers are very poor at picking up a decent signal unless you are a couple of metres away at which point you would be much better off using an ethernet cable

 

[edwkel]

I wouldn't recommend changing the wireless, most of the 150mbps receivers are very poor at picking up a decent signal unless you are a couple of metres away at which point you would be much better off using an ethernet cable

Oh good stuff. Thanks for telling me that... I wouldnt be that aware of these things. Any other suggestions on the above spec?

I have a 2TB WD External Hard Drive and a 500 GB Samsung External Hard Drive... Would there be any real need for me to have a bigger hard disk in the laptop?

I could upgrade this down the line if required.

 

[Wozza63]

You wouldn't necessarily need a bigger drive, but I definitely recommend getting a 7,200RPM drive rather than 5,400 as they are much quicker
And each upgrade for HDDs are usually just a few quid extra each time. The difference between your current choice and the 7,200RPM 500GB drive is only £14 (not sure about euros) and its always handy to have the extra storage for such a little extra price. Other than that it is a solid spec and would recommend getting the silver warranty if its the same price in Europe as its only £5 in the UK

 

[edwkel]

You wouldn't necessarily need a bigger drive, but I definitely recommend getting a 7,200RPM drive rather than 5,400 as they are much quicker
And each upgrade for HDDs are usually just a few quid extra each time. The difference between your current choice and the 7,200RPM 500GB drive is only £14 (not sure about euros) and its always handy to have the extra storage for such a little extra price. Other than that it is a solid spec and would recommend getting the silver warranty if its the same price in Europe as its only £5 in the UK

€892 with the 500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm) & €6 for the silver warranty.

What is the difference between the silver warranty and the standard do you mind me asking? 1 year collect and return?
Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-3230M (2.60GHz) 3MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Network Facilities
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® ADVANCED-N 6235 (300Mbps) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
Optimus Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Cable
1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
DVD Recovery Media
Windows 8 (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard Language
OPTIMUS SERIES UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Intel Anti-Theft Technology
FREE 90 Day Intel Anti-Theft Trial - Prevent Data Access upon Theft
Delivery
2 - 3 DAY DELIVERY TO REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

 

[Wozza63]

Yeh, if the computer fails for whatever reason within the first year then delivery costs will also be covered for the repairs, but parts are still covered for a whole year without it. I imagine it could be very expensive to deliver to and from outside the UK, so I think its definitely worth getting

 

[Rakk]

Yeh, if the computer fails for whatever reason within the first year then delivery costs will also be covered for the repairs, but parts are still covered for a whole year without it. I imagine it could be very expensive to deliver to and from outside the UK, so I think its definitely worth getting

The return and collect bit of the warranty does not apply outside of the UK mainland as far as I'm aware, but you might want to phone/email PCS just to check