blonde poker forum

OK, I'm getting a new laptop.  It's going to be a desktop replacement and I would like (need) the following:

Price - around £500
Screen - 17" or bigger (would love 1680x1050 resolution if possible, but I think that's looking doubtful)
Graphics card - dedicated
Memory - at least 2GB
Hard drive - the bigger the better

I don't care how heavy or ugly it is, it's a machine I'll be using every day so performance is more important than portability. 

Here's one I've found as a benhcmark: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Aspire-7720G-Hard-drive-Capability/dp/B000VZZ70C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1227691526&sr=8-1

Anyone else got any suggestions?

dell inspiron 1720 w/ 250g HDD imo

I have a second monitor to use with it as well.  That is a given.

This fella? (http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_1720?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&~oid=uk~en~20211~nov_inspnnb_1720_n1172031~~)

...and for an extra £130 it comes with a 17.0" UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT Display.  Mmmmm

Thats the one mate, i got it from pc world about 4months ago and am loving it

Oooo, just ordered a new desktop with a lovely 24" Samsung monitor

Shiiiiiip

Why a lappy over a desktop Kin?

Is it quiet, and could you post a screenshot of your screen with a poker table open please?

Yea its really quiet, how many tables would you like?

Well since you're asking, one first please, at "Out of the box" factory set resolution if possible, and then two overlapping without re-sizing. 

Thanks in advance.

This is Triggs criteria when woman hunting.

You are on form today Colonel.

1 table as it just popped up

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jmoody13/1tbl.jpg)

2tbls

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jmoody13/2tbl.jpg)

and 6 tables

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jmoody13/6.jpg)

Any other shots?

Thanks.

Now, a table "just as it pops up" for me on my 15" screen measures 17/24cm. I assume that it would appear smaller on your screen?

for some reason my tables that just pop up without me resizing are just the same as the first picture. I think the tables will be the same size and not appear smaller.

I can do 2 tables as big as they can get without any overlap if you want, or anything else

No more pics please Linux

One more and ill be buying one of those! Looks sweeeeet!

I like the tables big, and I like the overlap.

This is what an "as it pops up" table looks like on my screen, ie, big and easy to see.


(http://i36.tinypic.com/2ylwcns.jpg)

I'm worried that if I get a Dell like yours I'll have a bigger screen, but smaller tables.

Im pretty sure that wont happen, double check with kinboshi about that tho (he knows more)

hope this is better

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jmoody13/1-1.jpg)

a direct link if that makes things easier

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jmoody13/1-1.jpg

Yes, thats fantastic, but some sites don't have resizable tables.

The tables will be the same size as they are on your current laptop on those sites

It's for work as well.  So for home, the office and for meetings.

How come? (He asks suspiciously) Open an ipoker table on yours and let's see....

I think with a 17inch your basically just getting more "room"

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/jmoody13/4.jpg)

I'm considering this one as well:
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/MSI_Megabook_GX700-227UK_Gaming_Laptop_GX700-227UK/version.asp

Although the processor is slower, the screen is beautiful - so that's the trade off.

Kin, could you stop hijacking my thread please?

Does look nice, can you not just pay that £130 extra and get both the faster processor and the screen

Yes, it look like you're right. Thanks a bunch, you've been a great help.

No probs

What gadgets do you have down the right Linux?  Bit better looking than my tatty default ones :D

There are two things to consider with screen size.  

One is the physical size.  A 17" screen is obviously bigger than a 14".  But what does that mean?

If you have a 1440 x 900 resolution that means the screen is 1440 pixels across and 900 pixels wide.  You can have this resolution on a 15" screen or a 17" screen.  So they can fit as much 'stuff' on the screen as each other, but on the smaller screen the pixels will be physically smaller.  So a poker table that's 800 pixels wide on the screens will be 800 pixels on both screens - but will be physically larger on the 17" screen.  If you had a 17" screen that has a 'better' resolution  - say for example 1680 x 1050, then you could fit two 800 pixel-wide poker tables on the screen without overlapping.  BUT, the physical size of the tables would be smaller than on the 17" 1440x900 screen as the pixels themselves are physically smaller (there are more pixels crammed into the same physical space).

So if you don't have great eye-sight, going for a 'better' resolution might not be the thing to do.  You might be able to get more poker tables on the screen, but they might be too small for you to use.  So you might be better off going for a larger screen 17" for example, but with the same resolution as the smaller screen you already have.

Does that make sense?

Weatherbug http://gallery.live.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=be391b66-3d65-461c-a86b-0b4e9b42deba
This clock with alarm clock, timer etc http://gallery.live.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=8e5cdd83-0985-4c32-a8d6-a7e2cfb6c405&bt=1&pl=1
uk radio player http://gallery.live.com/liveItemDetail.aspx?li=c638c8a5-3e7f-4445-9601-3565e10d2b2e&bt=1&pl=1

how about this kin

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0422330464.1227706187@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadefkhmijffcflgceggdhhmdfno.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=709231&category_oid=

sigh

[  ] read your OP

So if you don't have great eye-sight, going for a 'better' resolution might not be the thing to do.  You might be able to get more poker tables on the screen, but they might be too small for you to use.  So you might be better off going for a larger screen 17" for example, but with the same resolution as the smaller screen you already have.

Does that make sense?

Yes.

According to the sample pics that Linux so helpfully posted, his screen resolution must be the same as mine because the unresizable tables appear to be the same size.

I think....

Which processor do you have?  

The one that's 'standard' with the 1720 isn't as good as the MSI one - and it's another £120 to upgrade to a Duo rather than Dual Core.

;D

Yes, that was my starting point - but I think I want a greater resolution than 1440x900.

according to my control pannel when its starts up:

intel core 2 duo cpu @ 1.83ghz

What bout this http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0422330464.1227706187@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadefkhmijffcflgceggdhhmdfno.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=903240&category_oid=

Easy way to think about it is think of a laptop with a resolution of 1440x900 and a cinema screen with the same resolution.  Both would display the same amount of stuff on the screen as they have the same number of pixels.  But of course, on the cinema screen, the tables would be HUGE and easier to see (unless you're sitting on the front row and you'll get a sore neck - but I imagine you're more of a back-row man myself...)

Same issue with the resolution.

But looks good if I was happy with 1440x900.

You're confusing me now. The one Linux has would display a table with roughly the same dimensions as mine, screen size notwithstanding....Yes?

If you both have the same resolution then the table would take up as much of the screen-space on both monitors.  If one monitor is physically bigger (e.g 19" v 15") then it will be larger (in inches) but the same size in pixels.

So yes, I think...

Presumably, I could reduce the resolution if necessary?

The problem with reducing the resolution on an LCD screen is it tends to make everything blurry.

So it needs to be pre-reduced?

Not effectively on a flat-screen.  It will reduce the quality of the graphics, and not really help.

So if you're looking to buy a screen/laptop you need to consider the physical size AND the resolution.  Old-style CRT monitors can cope with different resolutions, but I believe that most (all?) flat screens have one optimum resolution.

eye test ftw?

Now I've found this one....

http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/A0460822

Going beyond my initial budget, but it looks the dog's licky bits.

18.4" in ballin outta control

It's got a big one, but I've noticed that the resolution is 1920 x 1050 - which is less than the 1920x1200 the Dell has.  The 1200 is key methinks - two 800x600 pixels can sit one above the other with no overlap...

Mr Linux. Is This  (http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_1720?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&~oid=uk~en~20211~nov_inspnnb_1720_n1172031~~)  the lappy you bought?

Did you buy it as advertised or did you have any upgrades?

Can you get it without the shiny "True Life" screen?

Thanks.

The poker tables will be the same size in pixels on his screen so when you view them on your screen they will appear the same size.

Yea thats the lappy i got, no upgrades and i dont think i have the true life screen.

I didnt get mine from the website though, just saw it in pc world

I think I'm going for the Dell Vostro now:

Order Information    Vostro Laptop 1710 Order - UK
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T8100 (2.1 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB)
Microsoft Operating System    Genuine Windows Vista® Business SP1 - English
Memory    4096MB (2x2048) 667MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
Video Card    256 MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GS (128 bit) Graphic Card
Hard Drive    250GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Colour Choice    Glossy Black with 1.3 MP Camera
LCD    17" UltraSharp™ Widescreen WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Display with TrueLife™

£692.08     including VAT.

Bit over your original budget, but your paying for something that will last and is the absolute nuts.

geeeeeeeet it now

Just telling my boss now that I NEED this computer...

get tikay to get you it imo

blonde will look much sweeter on it.  A valid point.

Do you have a 17" at the mo kin?

That's a bit personal.

No - I don't .  I have a rather feeble laptop at the moment.  My second screen is 1680x1050 - which isn't bad, but isn't great.

loooooooool

so you wont have a number pad will you? Numberpads are probs the sweetest part of having a big laptop lol

That comment applied to computers always makes me chuckle.

Mind you I did just spend £50 on a mouse  ;ashamed;

Bad idea, leknave has had about 4 £40 mice. They all busted and it wasnt from him throwing them either

gg him

Yes - my 17-incher will have a num pad.  Shweeeeeet.

It won't need upgrading for a year or two - that's long enough.


My mouse cost that.  But mine's a vertical hand-shake mouse thingy.

At least it'll support windows 7, tilts me so much how they are releasing it so shortly after vista

[  ] i'll be getting it

When's Window 7 supposed to be released?

Windows 7? FFS!!!

 ;tracet; ;snoopy'sguns; ;nemesis; ;frustrated; ;technophobe; ;smackedbottom; ;surrender;   ;grr;

It's not that soon and you're assuming it isn't really late (like vista!)

Step away from the computer...

Final Build

While officially Microsoft has stated that Windows 7 will be released three years after Vista was shipped, the company has indicated that it plans to release Windows 7 in mid-2009, in time for installation on PCs that will ship for the Christmas 2009 buying season

I'll ask my mate who works for MS what he low down is. It's really easy to to wind him up I just say things about Vista (and then retreat to the bar)

All indications are that the pc market will go heavily touch in 2009....as yet it is hard to see what format this will take or the price level.....tricky time to be buying. Early adopters as with all technology will be caned badly.....

Right. My old lappy has finally gone tits up, so now I have to get my finger out and buy one.

The Dell Insperon 1720 that Linux bought is no longer available, but this one looks very similar spec wise, i.e. No "True Life" shiny screen, nice low resolution etc.

Will someone, (Not Sofa King) please cast their eye over it for me before I order?


http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&kc=N4X17102&l=en&m_30=143330&oc=N0117105&rbc=N0117105&s=bsd

BTW- What do you think of this option ?

      
Genuine Windows Vista® Business (SP1) with XP Pro installed and Vista & XP Media-English [add £40.00 or £2/month-1]
   For those requiring Windows ® XP Professional now and the option to install Windows Vista in the future

Tom, try Novatech ... worth shopping around you know.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/rangecat.jsp?t=nb

I think this is their equivalent

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/range.html?t=nb&c=home&r=X60

Where the fcuk is that Kin feckin boshi when you need him?

Jesus, you have had computer advice from prob 2 of the most savvy, tech aware guys in the world in Sofa and myself, and you still arent satisfied .... TUT !

Probably best to get a third opinion.

That looks nice RED. It looks slightly slower than mine, but still fast enough for playing poker, watching movies, word procesing etc etc

Red if its not ULTRA urgen then i suggest take your time, the season rush is over there will be lots of overstock and cancelled orders.

Have a look at http://www.europc.co.uk/home.aspx they will get new stock in tomorrow and the rest of the week, keep an eye on them for a few pretty bargins.

Option one seems cheap at £10 extra, will it make a noticable difference to anything (except my pocket?)   

      
2048MB (1x2048) 667MHz DDR2 Single Channel [add £10.00 or £1/month-1]
   
      
2048MB (2x1024) 667MHz DDR2 Dual Channel [Included in Price]

Or this option even?

      
3072MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (1x1024 + 1x2048 MB) [add £40.00 or £2/month-1]

The first choice is simply asking whether you want your 2GB RAM in two 1GB sticks or on 2GB stick, which will have no discernable difference performance wise, but simply means that using one stick leaves an expansion slot free.

The second one you mention is 3GB of RAM (two sticks, one 1GB, one 2GB) so you're getting an extra Gig of RAM for £40, which is what I'd go for as I always max out on RAM when upgrading (as it's usually the most cost-effective upgrade you can do).

Thank you Andrew, that's very helpful.

Finally (I think) Which of these options would you go for?


      
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Onsite - No Upgrade Selected [Included in Price]
   
      
1Yr ProSupport for End Users and Next Business Day On-Site Service [add £73.00 or £3/month-1]
   
      
3Yr ProSupport for End Users and Next Business Day On-Site Service [add £147.00 or £5/month-1]
   Dell Recommended
   
      
3Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day [add £91.00 or £3/month-1]

Always always always basic warranty - if your laptop is a lemon it's going to go wrong well within a year - anything else is just conning people.

If the thing you're buying is only worth about £600, paying a ton or over for extra warranty is insane.

Getting extra warranty is placing a bet that your laptop will go wrong - you're backing a horse at 6/1 when its true odds are at least 20/1.

Strange that Dell recommend paying £147 for something you're highly unlikely to ever use...

Picked up this one yesterday seems fine for purpose to me.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0588733953.1231161325@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfhadegdljifemcflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=985907&category_oid=

As long as the screen can survive a swift jab following a two outer better than the previous version we should be laughing.. :D

Thanks. I think I'm going to take the "Don't fancy vista but leave my options open" option though.

Genuine Windows Vista® Business (SP1) with XP Pro installed and Vista & XP Media-English [add £40.00 or £2/month-1]
   For those requiring Windows ® XP Professional now and the option to install Windows Vista in the futur

Only just seen your post Tom.  Seems like you've been given good advice already.

Just one question though, why do you want to have XP rather than Vista? 

Because software doesn't work on vista.

I know that it does but you have to trawl through the net finding out why it doesn't work at first and you have to figure out how to make it work.

Tom wants to download his software or whack in a dvd and it just works.

He doesn't want a compatability warning followed by a shed load of stress trying to figure out how to make the damn thing work.

Maybe he should get a Mac?  ;hide; ;marks;

Correct. Plus, I've only just got used to the old stuff.

But he only wants to browse the web and play poker.  The internetz works on Vista.

Have to say that I've been running Vista for nearly a year now, and so far no compatibility issues at all - that I can remember.

How long has XP left with support, couple of years now isn't it? (I've heard and read so many conflicting /changed dates I can't remember the actual real one any more)

Same here, running smoothly since day 1

Me too, and I've had no proble

If that's the case he'd be ok with windows '98 or 2000. No need for vista until it's totally 100% computer amateur friendly which at the moment it just ain't.

Get a HP HDX imo.

Beast

you honestly believe that the odds of at least one component failing in a laptop in the first 3 years are 20/1 ?

I'd imagine the sale of goods act would cover you if it failed.

So I've got my new lappy and it seems fine. I've decided it's probably better if I don't turn it on and off all the time, so I'm going to set it to either sleep or hibernate when I close the lid. My question is, what's the difference and which is best?

Why have you decided it's better if you don't turn it on and off all the time?  Windows tends to slow down during a session - and a reboot helps to speed things up.  Also, having it sat there in sleep mode is going to use more electricity than switching it off (ldo).

Not in the first three years, but in the 2nd or 3rd year if it gets through the 1st year OK. As a laptop has so few moving parts, if a component is going to fail it's going to be because it's faulty rather than wear and tear, therefore it's not going to make it through the first year (where it's covered by basic warranty)

Sometimes I turn it off and it's off for several hours, but more often than not I want it on again within an hour or less and it seems much easier and is deffo quicker to just "resume" than re-boot.

I also suspect that putting it to sleep or hibernating is better for it than on off all the time, but I'm only guessing here.

It would be re-booted every few days whatever.

What did you go for in the end?

Haven't yet.  Thought I'd wait until the new year and see what bargains are about.


On a different note, but on the same theme...

For someone looking for a laptop for £375 - how does this one look: http://www.johnlewis.com/230516626/Product.aspx ?

(would be used for the normal stuff, the internetz, watching films, nothing too strenuous)

Deserves more love IMO.

Had mine for near enough 2 years,it started playing up so i restored it to factory settings and boom! A brand new lappie.

Any more views on the off/sleep/hibernate thing then?

http://www.janleow.com/life/windows-vista-sleep-hibernate-shutdown-suspend.html

Bridie is thinking of buying this lappy (with an extra gig of ram for £12). She will use it for streaming, downloading music, surfing, and a little poker.

Whaddaya think?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152236

I've had a HP laptop for the last 3 years without any issues whatsoever.
I've also just bought a Dell Studio 1737 laptop for my daughter for Christmas and it's allready broken, not even 30 days old.
Had a right game with Dell support they wanted to collect the laptop tomorrow (Tuesday) but would only say that collection would happen between 9.00 and 17.30, which is a totally useless if your a working family with no one about.
Had to threaten them with refund before finally agreeing to send an engineer out on the weekend to fix it.

As it turns out this lappy is out of stock. Anyone seen anything that might fit the bill?

It arrived today.  That spec, but I went for a faster hard drive.

My previous lappie was crap, so this one is a huge improvement.  The screen is just amazing, and it's very rapid (again comparing it to a two-year old lappie that wasn't much to write about to start with though).

Did I mention how good the screen is?

Can you post a pic of how good the screen is?

yes

It wouldn't be appropriate for a public forum.  Too sexy.

Did you buy direct from Dell?  I was thinking of buying something of similar spec from Dell Outlet.

  SYSTEM SPECIFICATION 

    INSPIRON STUDIO 1737   
    Studio 1737 Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz, 1066MHz, 3MB)
   Operating System:  English Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (32Bit OS) 
     Windows Vista SP1 Home Premium 
   Memory:  Memory 4096MB (2x2048) 800MHz DDR2 
   Hard Disk Drive:  Hard Drive 250GB Serial ATA (5400RPM) 
     Hard Drive 250GB Serial ATA (5400RPM) 
   Video:  Graphics 256 MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3650 
   NoteBook Screen:  LCD 17 WUXGA CCFL 
   CD Read-Write Drive:  Optical Drive Blu-ray (DVD+-RW + BD-ROM) 
   System Color:  LCD Back Cover Jet Black Colour Matte Finish 
   MISC:  Keyboard Internal UK English Qwerty 
     Remote Control 
     MS Vista Premium Logo Label NB (small 
     Vista OnLine Getting Started Guide (WW 
     Wireless Intel WiFi Link 5100 
     Battery Primary 9-cell 85W/HR LI-ION 
     Wireless Europe Dell Bluetooth 370 Card 
 
 
£816 with the VAT added.  Thoughts?

Looks pretty much spot on to me.  For an additional £30 I got a faster hard drive.  Not actually sure how much difference it makes - and a quick search on the web shows that there are some who think it makes little difference, whereas others think it's a big plus.

But otherwise it looks very similar to mine in terms of spec - yours has a faster processor.

What resolution is your screen?  The WUXGA screens are very nice indeed.

1920 by 1200.  The spec was set as it's from the Dell Outlet site.  A saving of £220 compared with the main site, so I can't grumble.

As long as your eyesight is good - you'll love it!  Such a good screen and you can fit so much on it - including 4 blonde tables!!

Any chance of a screenshot of this?  I'd like to know what to expect in terms of table dimensions?

Cheers.

I'll do one now.  There is a slight overlap of the title bars of the tables and the bottom row of chat/get more chips, etc., buttons.  But I don't use them, so it's not really an issue.

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/kinboshi/4-ipoker-tables-small.png) (http://www.yappari.co.uk/wp-content/images/4-ipoker-tables-actual.png)

Click on the image to see it actual size.

Thanks for the screenshot.  I wish Playtech/ipoker would update their software to offer options such as table resizing, simplified racetrack view and preferred seating options.  This is my simplified Stars table, where I always sit at 6/7 o'clock.

Need a new lappie, been looking around and found this one. Seems pretty good to me

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Sony_VAIO_NS20E_Laptop_VGNNS20E/version.asp

What do the tech wizards say?

 :hello:

:hello:

I'd get one with a bigger screen.  In fact, I did.

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/asp/versions.asp?rewrite=Acer_Aspire_6530G_Laptop_LX.AUS0X.142&pagetype=version&page= ?

Or if anyone can advise me on which one to buy? The one im currently using is dying on its arse it takes 20 mins just to get it up and running!