Seriously need help buying a laptop

[slw987]

Hi,

The truth is I don't know what I need but if I tell you what I need it for can someone tell me a spec I need to be looking for. I have put in the spec I am looking at but I am not sure if I am way off.

I need a laptop but I am not bothered about weight or sleekness as it rarely leaves my home office. I can be on it for hours at a time, so any recommendations on screen type for the eyes would be appreciated.

It will be heavily encrypted with Symantec as I hold client data.

I won't use it for games, downloads, social media etc. Just a workhorse. I use my iPad for most online stuff.

However, I need speed and responsiveness. I run an online Citrix app with various pop up screens whilst simultaneously needing to flick to Adobe, Outlook, Word, Excel and running provider websites for client applications. I also have an intranet system running. I work and type super fast and get so frustrated with lag and not responding crap.

If I told you what I am using now you would laugh and it is not coping. A compaq presario 2gb notebook. I am using 1.4gb just on what am running. I often have 80 processors running according to task manager. It just never responds, freezes and lags. The only reason it has not been literally catapulted through the window is because I would breach my deadlines for client processing.

I also use PowerPoint but not whilst running other apps. I want to buy something that will last for a good few years so would prefer to spend more for a better spec. I am paperless so hold client info on word records. However, they are also kept on works servers, so can be deleted from my laptop every client visit as I only need quick access to latest visit info. I run office 365 on it.

Also my whole office is wireless and not on the same floor as the router so a good wireless speed if possible or would I need to buy a wireless signal booster?

I am looking at the Dell Inspiron 17 5758 Series refurb with 1 yrs Dell warranty. Two specs are:

3.00ghz CPU i7 5th Gen
16GIG DDR
512GB SSD
Windows 8.1
Built in Wireless "N"
NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) 920M 4GB DDR3 Graphic Card
17 inch LED Backlit with HD resolution (1920x1080)
Integrated Camera
Integrated Bluetooth

£599

Or

3.00ghz CPU i7 5th Gen
8 GIG DDR
512GB SSD
Windows 8.1
NVIDIA GeForce 840M 2GB DDR3
17.3" Truelife Screen
Built in Wireless "N"
DVDRW
UK Spec
VAT Included
Integrated Camera
Integrated Bluetooth

£719

I would prefer to spend less but am desperate for something fast and smooth. Something that actually types what I am typing in real time lol. I don't want to spend valuable minutes staring at a spinning clock between every task. Or constantly rebooting between tasks.

Your expertise would be so appreciated as my head is done in researching all the info. Most laptop specifications are geared for gamers. I don't want to spend money on a spec in that respect as the last game I played was PacMan on an ATARI

 

[Gamer Cat]

The second laptop has a better graphics card, but the first laptop has more RAM.

8GB RAM is more than enough however.

Either will work, but I would go with the second laptop since it has a better graphics card.

 

[jaguarskx]

The 1st laptop for £599 will be fine for your needs. The 16GB of RAM means you can several programs / windows open which allows you to multitask very well. If the programs you have are not memory hogs then it is possible for Windows to stored all the data RAM rather than having to cache between RAM and the SSD.

Since you do not play games nor do anything that is graphics intensive there is no need for the nVidia 840m. The nVidia 920m would be more than enough for your needs, even the integrated Intel HD 4400 graphics core is more than capable for the tasks that you do.

Buy a signal if necessary. The only way to find out if the wireless card in the Dell is good or not is to use it.