[Xiomara]

Actually, I'd be grateful if you could basically change my entire technology-based existence...

Lower sixth student, word processes and edits photos a lot (not video though) so consequently needs ample storage space, I play a few online games but not particularly demanding ones so a decent graphics card? The one thing that I do need decent specs for is The Sims 2. I'm an addict, own all the expansion packs and if possible, would like to squeeze them all on my laptop, haha. It may be pretty unrealistic but my desktop computer is Windows 7 which isn't compatible with The Sims 2. Windows OS please, don't think I could work my way around a Mac!
Does not need to be particularly light or anything, it won't be travelling to college that often. I'd like a good battery life though (for power cuts and the rare occasions that I will be on the move with it.)

Budget: £700, though if it were possible to spend less than that that'd be great.

mp3 player:

Now I don't really know where to start with this. I last bought a Sony one in '07, and it's lasted me until today, haha. 4GB was plenty as I don't really watch video, but surfing the net for a replacement now is proving tedious - they're all really quite expensive and all the non Apple products look quite ugly :/ The one that caught my eye was the recently released Samsung Galaxy one but it's really quite pricey for what I'd like to spend on an mp3, bearing in mind I need it as soon as possible as I want to take it on my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition! So what do you guys suggest? Do I bite the bullet and just go for an iPod Touch? If that's the case, what is the best way to get it cheaper?

Budget: £However much the iTouch costs, lol. No more than that.

Tablet:

I'm really desiring a tablet computer to travel to college with, it seems to make note taking really speedy and it's light, not to mention entertaining...
Haven't got my heart set on an iPad. But if anyone is running a deal (say, where you buy an iPad and an iPod for a discount) I'd be up for that, otherwise perhaps the Samsung Galaxy tab? Or do I wait for the Microsoft Tablet to come out?

Budget: £500?

Anyway, I'd really appreciate any insight on these. Exams have kept me out of the tech loop for a long while, haha!

[Cake Faced Kid.]

MP3 wise - the Samsung Galaxy series are phones. They do have an adequate internal MP3, but it's a lot of money. If you can just go with the basics, no apps, no internet, but a sturdy design and amazing battery life, then a Cowon J3 or S9 are both suitable and sound quality is insane, if you're an apps junkie then an iPod touch is what you want, but you will sacrifice battery life, and the screen isn't strong.

Tablet - Its all down to personal preference. I would go for the Galaxy Note as opposed to the iPad, because I like to root, use custom mods etc, but if you want something straightforward but fairly non customisable, apple is your friend.

[Xiomara]

(Original post by Cake Faced Kid.)
MP3 wise - the Samsung Galaxy series are phones. They do have an adequate internal MP3, but it's a lot of money. If you can just go with the basics, no apps, no internet, but a sturdy design and amazing battery life, then a Cowon J3 or S9 are both suitable and sound quality is insane, if you're an apps junkie then an iPod touch is what you want, but you will sacrifice battery life, and the screen isn't strong.

Tablet - Its all down to personal preference. I would go for the Galaxy Note as opposed to the iPad, because I like to root, use custom mods etc, but if you want something straightforward but fairly non customisable, apple is your friend.

I know, I own one :L But there is a Galaxy mp3 out there, that's why I was asking.

I'm not too bothered about apps so I'll check out the mp3s you suggested, actually. EDIT: Jeez, the battery life on the Cowon is incredible! I'll have to give it a closer look...might get the 4GB, and then I have the option of expanding it as it has microSD slots, unlike my current.

I feel the Note is too small for a tablet (for my use, anyway) plus I've already got a phone so wouldn't be using it for that purpose. Cute as it it :P

[diggy]

I think your looking for this
http://www.google.co.uk/m/products/c...d=0CIkBEPMCMAE
This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[Cake Faced Kid.]

(Original post by Xiomara)
I know, I own one :L But there is a Galaxy mp3 out there, that's why I was asking.

I'm not too bothered about apps so I'll check out the mp3s you suggested, actually. EDIT: Jeez, the battery life on the Cowon is incredible! I'll have to give it a closer look...might get the 4GB, and then I have the option of expanding it as it has microSD slots, unlike my current.

I feel the Note is too small for a tablet (for my use, anyway) plus I've already got a phone so wouldn't be using it for that purpose. Cute as it it :P

I had no idea there was a Galaxy mp3, but thanks, I might consider it if/when my Cowon J3 dies, the battery life is not an exaggeration, I only have to charge mine once every few months, with daily usage, I would highly recommend.

[Participant]

The sansa clip + or clip zip are great players as long as you only want audio.

[seanfromtheblock]

wow that Cowon J3 looks amazing, looking up reviews for it and I'm really considering buying one now (when I have the money).


Damn you Cake Faced Kid, you've just spent my next fortnight's pay for me.

[± Dan ±]

This is what i would go for with your budget

Laptop - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...pf_rd_i=468294 im pretty sure this would be more than capable of running The Sims 2 decently and editing photos.

MP3 - Just get an iPod Touch, you can't really fault them and when your bored of just listening to music you will be able to play games on it and whatever else if your bored on the bus or something xD

Tablet - Archos G9 Turbo This puts the iPad to shame, it has much better specs at half the cost.

[Xiomara]

(Original post by Participant)
The sansa clip + or clip zip are great players as long as you only want audio.

I did actually see those on my search, but I like a big chunky thing and the option of playing video in the future I guess, lol.

(Original post by diggy)
I think your looking for this
http://www.google.co.uk/m/products/c...d=0CIkBEPMCMAE
This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

That is what I meant, thank you!

(Original post by Cake Faced Kid.)
I had no idea there was a Galaxy mp3, but thanks, I might consider it if/when my Cowon J3 dies, the battery life is not an exaggeration, I only have to charge mine once every few months, with daily usage, I would highly recommend.

I'm now torn between the Cowon J3, the Galaxy S and the Touch, lol :P Battery life is a huge factor because as I said, I want to take it with me to this expedition...sorry, does the J3 come with internet access?

[Xiomara]

(Original post by ± Dan ±)
This is what i would go for with your budget

Laptop - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...pf_rd_i=468294 im pretty sure this would be more than capable of running The Sims 2 decently and editing photos.

MP3 - Just get an iPod Touch, you can't really fault them and when your bored of just listening to music you will be able to play games on it and whatever else if your bored on the bus or something xD

Tablet - Archos G9 Turbo This puts the iPad to shame, it has much better specs at half the cost.

Taking a serious look at the laptop, not only is it good looking but I like the screen size and the specs. Thank you!

I'm in a total dilemma now with these mp3 recs, haha :P I need to find out what the battery life of the Touch is compared to the Cowon! Especially as I'm not in it for the apps really, I have an Android phone which is usually charged up so boredom isn't too much of a problem.

The tablet: Love the price, not so much the screen size/design...the chunky bits at the sides are a bit of a turn off!

But thank you for your hard work, I really appreciate it

[± Dan ±]

It's no problem

The iPod Touch has up to 40 hours of battery when using audio and 7 hours using video

Cowan J3 has up to 64 hours of battery when using audio and 11 using video :O

The tablet might not look the prettiest but it is definitely one of the best ones on the market at the moment, i guess the next best thing I would look at is the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

[detinus]

I have an iPod classic and I love it! 160gb and cheaper than the touch. Battery life is great and it works brilliantly!! If you're not bothered about apps and stuff, get one and you won't regret it!

I'd recommend a Sony Vaio laptop - more expensive than others of similar spec. but I got one and it looks great and has never failed me in 18 months and it still runs very quickly!

[Iqbal007]

(Original post by Xiomara)
Actually, I'd be grateful if you could basically change my entire technology-based existence...

Lower sixth student, word processes and edits photos a lot (not video though) so consequently needs ample storage space, I play a few online games but not particularly demanding ones so a decent graphics card? The one thing that I do need decent specs for is The Sims 2. I'm an addict, own all the expansion packs and if possible, would like to squeeze them all on my laptop, haha. It may be pretty unrealistic but my desktop computer is Windows 7 which isn't compatible with The Sims 2. Windows OS please, don't think I could work my way around a Mac!
Does not need to be particularly light or anything, it won't be travelling to college that often. I'd like a good battery life though (for power cuts and the rare occasions that I will be on the move with it.)

Budget: £700, though if it were possible to spend less than that that'd be great.

mp3 player:

Now I don't really know where to start with this. I last bought a Sony one in '07, and it's lasted me until today, haha. 4GB was plenty as I don't really watch video, but surfing the net for a replacement now is proving tedious - they're all really quite expensive and all the non Apple products look quite ugly :/ The one that caught my eye was the recently released Samsung Galaxy one but it's really quite pricey for what I'd like to spend on an mp3, bearing in mind I need it as soon as possible as I want to take it on my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition! So what do you guys suggest? Do I bite the bullet and just go for an iPod Touch? If that's the case, what is the best way to get it cheaper?

Budget: £However much the iTouch costs, lol. No more than that.

Tablet:

I'm really desiring a tablet computer to travel to college with, it seems to make note taking really speedy and it's light, not to mention entertaining...
Haven't got my heart set on an iPad. But if anyone is running a deal (say, where you buy an iPad and an iPod for a discount) I'd be up for that, otherwise perhaps the Samsung Galaxy tab? Or do I wait for the Microsoft Tablet to come out?

Budget: £500?

Anyway, I'd really appreciate any insight on these. Exams have kept me out of the tech loop for a long while, haha!

Laptop wise:
Acer Aspire Timeline X5830TG Laptop
- Intel Core i5 2430M 2.4GHz
- 750GB HDD + 6GB RAM
- 15.6" HD + DVD±RW
- Webcam + BT + NVIDIA GT540M
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64

http://www.ebuyer.com/279523-acer-as...p-lx-rhj02-175
£540

or for more power but without OS, got to pay more for it as an option, but still good deal

http://www.novatech.co.uk/laptop/ran...repro2640.html

Novatech nSpire Pro 2640m - 15.6" Intel i7 2640 Mobile Processor - 8GB DDR3 Memory - 500GB SATA Hard Drive - DVD Writer - Intel HM65 Chipset - NVIDIA GT540M Graphics
£600

[Cake Faced Kid.]

(Original post by Xiomara)


...sorry, does the J3 come with internet access?

No, all it does is play music and video. You can download a game package from somewhere, but it's a bit lacklustre and I didn't bother.

[Xiomara]

(Original post by Cake Faced Kid.)
No, all it does is play music and video. You can download a game package from somewhere, but it's a bit lacklustre and I didn't bother.

Fairs. The Cowan 16GB is on promotion right now (ironically, making it cheaper than the 8GB) but it's still £169.99...think the Samsung may be winning this simply because of the price difference (£99.99 for the Galaxy S) and the fact that it has wifi (though not 3G, I believe). Have been agonising over that 60 hour battery life though

(Original post by ± Dan ±)
It's no problem

The iPod Touch has up to 40 hours of battery when using audio and 7 hours using video

Cowan J3 has up to 64 hours of battery when using audio and 11 using video :O

The tablet might not look the prettiest but it is definitely one of the best ones on the market at the moment, i guess the next best thing I would look at is the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Thank you again!

So it seems the iPod Touch has the same/similar battery life to the Galaxy S, but the difference in price is then too much for me to pick the Touch over the Galaxy S. Of course, the Cowan owns them both :P

It's a really good price, but I too have seen the Galaxy Tab and would probably go for that over the other one as it just looks nicer (with decent specs, as well). Though currently I'm enamoured with an ASUS Transformer tablet, the one that comes with the docking station so you can have a physical keyboard? I'm strongly leaning towards it!

(Original post by detinus)
I have an iPod classic and I love it! 160gb and cheaper than the touch. Battery life is great and it works brilliantly!! If you're not bothered about apps and stuff, get one and you won't regret it!

I'd recommend a Sony Vaio laptop - more expensive than others of similar spec. but I got one and it looks great and has never failed me in 18 months and it still runs very quickly!

Has it lasted you a long time without problems?

The Vaio is shamefully good looking One of my friends has one and he edits photos all the time (he's an amateur photographer, unlike myself who just blogs) so I think it's good for that. I don't think the memory will be enough for me, though, considering I don't own an external hard drive (and have no plans to buy one yet!) Hmm. May have to keep looking!

(Original post by Iqbal007)
Laptop wise:
Acer Aspire Timeline X5830TG Laptop
- Intel Core i5 2430M 2.4GHz
- 750GB HDD + 6GB RAM
- 15.6" HD + DVD±RW
- Webcam + BT + NVIDIA GT540M
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64

http://www.ebuyer.com/279523-acer-as...p-lx-rhj02-175
£540

or for more power but without OS, got to pay more for it as an option, but still good deal

http://www.novatech.co.uk/laptop/ran...repro2640.html

Novatech nSpire Pro 2640m - 15.6" Intel i7 2640 Mobile Processor - 8GB DDR3 Memory - 500GB SATA Hard Drive - DVD Writer - Intel HM65 Chipset - NVIDIA GT540M Graphics
£600

The Acer is a brilliant price and the memory is really decent (750GB) though the processesor isn't i7, think I can overlook that!

The lack of OS on the Novatech isn't a problem (got a Windows 7 and an XP disk at home) but 500GB memory probably is going to be...shame, it had a good graphics card!

[Iqbal007]

(Original post by Xiomara)
Fairs. The Cowan 16GB is on promotion right now (ironically, making it cheaper than the 8GB) but it's still £169.99...think the Samsung may be winning this simply because of the price difference (£99.99 for the Galaxy S) and the fact that it has wifi (though not 3G, I believe). Have been agonising over that 60 hour battery life though



Thank you again!

So it seems the iPod Touch has the same/similar battery life to the Galaxy S, but the difference in price is then too much for me to pick the Touch over the Galaxy S. Of course, the Cowan owns them both :P

It's a really good price, but I too have seen the Galaxy Tab and would probably go for that over the other one as it just looks nicer (with decent specs, as well). Though currently I'm enamoured with an ASUS Transformer tablet, the one that comes with the docking station so you can have a physical keyboard? I'm strongly leaning towards it!



Has it lasted you a long time without problems?

The Vaio is shamefully good looking One of my friends has one and he edits photos all the time (he's an amateur photographer, unlike myself who just blogs) so I think it's good for that. I don't think the memory will be enough for me, though, considering I don't own an external hard drive (and have no plans to buy one yet!) Hmm. May have to keep looking!



The Acer is a brilliant price and the memory is really decent (750GB) though the processesor isn't i7, think I can overlook that!

The lack of OS on the Novatech isn't a problem (got a Windows 7 and an XP disk at home) but 500GB memory probably is going to be...shame, it had a good graphics card!

Well look on novatech, it'll be cheaper for you to get a laptop with an i7 if you have your windows cd. And graphics card are good from them.

[detinus]

(Original post by Xiomara)
Has it lasted you a long time without problems?

The Vaio is shamefully good looking One of my friends has one and he edits photos all the time (he's an amateur photographer, unlike myself who just blogs) so I think it's good for that. I don't think the memory will be enough for me, though, considering I don't own an external hard drive (and have no plans to buy one yet!) Hmm. May have to keep looking!

Had the classic two years and it hasn't failed me once and the battery life is still fantastic! I use it for at least a couple of hours a day, normally a fair bit more and I charge it once a week. That's with the screen brightness on the lowest setting.

My Vaio is 320gb - is that not enough?! It only cost about £400 too, in the sale on laptopsdirect.

[Xiomara]

I think so far, I've decided:

mp3: Samsung Galaxy S (8GB) unlikely to change, it's the most reasonably priced non ugly one that does useful things, haha.
http://www.google.co.uk/products/cat...d=0CMEBEPMCMAE

tablet: I'm very, very drawn to the ASUS Transformer Prime.
http://www.google.co.uk/products/cat...d=0CKIBEPMCMAQ

Price is alright considering it includes the docking station...

It's just the laptop I'm unsure about now, the HP Pavillion has a terabyte of memory which I love, and a really reasonable price, but the Acer Aspire has a longer battery life (9 hours compared to the Pavillion's 5) and has mostly similar specs (i5 processor, slightly less memory) for a lower price? I don't know!

[Xiomara]

(Original post by detinus)
Had the classic two years and it hasn't failed me once and the battery life is still fantastic! I use it for at least a couple of hours a day, normally a fair bit more and I charge it once a week. That's with the screen brightness on the lowest setting.

My Vaio is 320gb - is that not enough?! It only cost about £400 too, in the sale on laptopsdirect.

My current laptop's battery life deteriorated about half a year after I got it, lol (had to replace the battery) so that's actually quite good!

Hmm, not really for my purposes! I game and store/edit photos a lot, so to keep everything running quickly and smoothly I'd like a lot of free memory. The other two laptops I was considering have 1TB and 750GB respectively! Though both of them were more expensive than the Vaio (when on sale).

(Original post by Iqbal007)
Well look on novatech, it'll be cheaper for you to get a laptop with an i7 if you have your windows cd. And graphics card are good from them.

Yeah, I'd like a good graphics card so I think I will take a look actually! Hadn't heard of that website before, so thank you for the link

[Iqbal007]

(Original post by Xiomara)
My current laptop's battery life deteriorated about half a year after I got it, lol (had to replace the battery) so that's actually quite good!

Hmm, not really for my purposes! I game and store/edit photos a lot, so to keep everything running quickly and smoothly I'd like a lot of free memory. The other two laptops I was considering have 1TB and 750GB respectively! Though both of them were more expensive than the Vaio (when on sale).



Yeah, I'd like a good graphics card so I think I will take a look actually! Hadn't heard of that website before, so thank you for the link

Well in the computing it's known, but more for it's pre-built systems, etc