Laptop recommendations please

MarkG_M5Comp · 07-09-2015, 05:30 PM

My coding woes have returned due, I believe, to the way my Dell manages the Ethernet port power. The only working windows laptop I have otherwise is a very old Dell with motherboard issues. It codes fine but is old and getting flakey.

So, those of you who have a decent working laptop, one that is still available to buy either on eBay or new at a reasonable price, can you please share your make/model.

Keep in mind it will be used only for coding as we're a Mac family, so I'm not wanting to spend a fortune but want something that works and is a reasonable speed.

Thanks guys.

Ice Man · 07-09-2015, 05:51 PM

Sorry for the Hijack but can you not code using a Mac? if not then Bugger!!!

MarkG_M5Comp · 07-09-2015, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice Man

Sorry for the Hijack but can you not code using a Mac? if not then Bugger!!!

Yes, with parallels or boot camp.... you still need an Ethernet port of some sort.

I don't really want to load windows back on any of my macs though, I have no need for it at all.

Lewis Mc · 07-09-2015, 05:59 PM

Whats your max price? As reasonable to me could be too expensive for your needs, am guessing any cheap laptop with 2gb ram and a dual core or i3 will suffice for most basic needs

Ice Man · 07-09-2015, 06:00 PM

Thanks. I run Parallels so panic over

MarkG_M5Comp · 07-09-2015, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewis Mc

Whats your max price? As reasonable to me could be too expensive for your needs, am guessing any cheap laptop with 2gb ram and a dual core or i3 will suffice for most basic needs

That's the point, not just any cheap laptop works; I've tried a new i7 Dell (work computer), an old Toshiba and D820 Dell Latitude. The D820 works ok but is old and slow.

All the money I value goes on good stuff so hence the need for recommendations for a 'known good' laptop. Ideally £200-400 range.

Lewis Mc · 07-09-2015, 06:12 PM

Hmm... I have a generic one which is basically this..

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/comput...11524-pdt.html

I know that worked for coding on my 435i, its refurbished but if that doesn't bother you its a pretty good laptop for day to day things, am more knowledgeable in the other end of expensive gaming rigs so the best i can come up with is an i5 with decent ram but they range more 400 to 600 which is slightly more than you want to spend

MarkG_M5Comp · 07-09-2015, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewis Mc

Hmm... I have a generic one which is basically this..

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/comput...11524-pdt.html

I know that worked for coding on my 435i, its refurbished but if that doesn't bother you its a pretty good laptop for day to day things, am more knowledgeable in the other end of expensive gaming rigs so the best i can come up with is an i5 with decent ram but they range more 400 to 600 which is slightly more than you want to spend

Thanks for this - I'll have a look tomorrow as the site is down for maintenance now!!

gembrain · 07-09-2015, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

My coding woes have returned due, I believe, to the way my Dell manages the Ethernet port power.

May be teaching grandma to suck eggs but the only power problem I can envisage is OS power saving which you can disable.

Quite a few settings in device manager regarding flow control that may be worth investigating before buying a new laptop.

MarkG_M5Comp · 07-10-2015, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gembrain

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

My coding woes have returned due, I believe, to the way my Dell manages the Ethernet port power.

May be teaching grandma to suck eggs but the only power problem I can envisage is OS power saving which you can disable.

Quite a few settings in device manager regarding flow control that may be worth investigating before buying a new laptop.

I 'think' I've tried them all! My suspicion is that since the adapter works on a fallback address (169....) the hardware/bios assumes its disconnected and there is nothing in he bios settings to help me.

It's a work laptop anyway and I keep having to switch out the HDD which isn't ideal - should juts have a dedicated machine really.

Sussex_G20 · 07-10-2015, 01:13 AM

Still don't know why you don't use your Mac with parallels. I use parallels when I have to run specific windows software for my work, don't notice it is there during normal use.
My BitTen audio processor support software is windows only and use parallels to set that up in the car.
Another benefit is that there are still some useful utilities that only run under windows. Getting fewer but unfortunately there are some.

MarkG_M5Comp · 07-10-2015, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sussex_F32

Still don't know why you don't use your Mac with parallels. I use parallels when I have to run specific windows software for my work, don't notice it is there during normal use.
My BitTen audio processor support software is windows only and use parallels to set that up in the car.
Another benefit is that there are still some useful utilities that only run under windows. Getting fewer but unfortunately there are some.

Disk space, that's all.

Bibbles · 07-10-2015, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Disk space, that's all.

If disk space is your issue get a fast USB stick and stick Windows To Go on it. I just boot my mac or any pc/laptop from the USB and I've got my version of windows and all my software on it.

MarkG_M5Comp · 07-10-2015, 02:57 AM

So, does anyone have any recommendations of laptops currently in use, which is the answer I was looking for?

No more Mac advice please, I am not using my Mac.

SkyJawa · 07-10-2015, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

So, does anyone have any recommendations of laptops currently in use, which is the answer I was looking for?

No more Mac advice please, I am not using my Mac.

Toshiba Satellite Pro. Its old and very slow by modern standards but does the job.

Nick the Greek · 07-10-2015, 03:29 AM

Anything provided its not a fruit.

Sussex_G20 · 07-10-2015, 03:53 AM

Didn't use to be but I bet English apples are probably more valuable than Greek olives right now

Sussex_G20 · 07-10-2015, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibbles

If disk space is your issue get a fast USB stick and stick Windows To Go on it. I just boot my mac or any pc/laptop from the USB and I've got my version of windows and all my software on it.

Disk space I have one of these excellent if not exactly cheap cheap

Transcend JetDrive Lite 330 128 GB Storage Expansion Card
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg

The Mac options are much cheaper and will last longer than a cheap windows laptop. I have a work windows laptop, gets turned on once a month to back it up and shadow my work files back on from my NAS. Wouldn't buy another for just one task my study is cluttered enough as it is......perhaps I should tidy it up..... hmmmm...tis Friday I suppose

RichardM · 07-10-2015, 04:01 AM

I'm using an old Dell Latitude E6220 i5 which has always worked fine. I always just run it on battery when coding. It's 3 years old now so I'm waiting on a new E7250 i7 from work which I'll try as soon as I get it but not sure when that will be.

KevinLevin · 07-10-2015, 04:30 AM

I'm in the same position, I have a MacBook for my general usage and a HP Elitebook 2560p just for coding. I'd certainly recommend that laptop as its not too bulky; so perfect to use in the car.

Should get one of those from eBay for about £150-£200 max

F30AM · 07-10-2015, 04:32 AM

Pop over to your nearest John Lewis, find one and buy it.

Or buy online from JL.

jusdorange · 07-10-2015, 05:03 AM

Have you thought of a Mac? Thunderbolt Ethernet adaptor ?

Lol

07-09-2015, 05:30 PM	#1
MarkG_M5Comp Supreme Being 1804 Rep 5,425 Posts Drives: M5 Comp Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Laptop recommendations please My coding woes have returned due, I believe, to the way my Dell manages the Ethernet port power. The only working windows laptop I have otherwise is a very old Dell with motherboard issues. It codes fine but is old and getting flakey. So, those of you who have a decent working laptop, one that is still available to buy either on eBay or new at a reasonable price, can you please share your make/model. Keep in mind it will be used only for coding as we're a Mac family, so I'm not wanting to spend a fortune but want something that works and is a reasonable speed. Thanks guys. __________________ Current: F90 M5 Competition Gone: F80 M3 Competition Pack / M135i / F15 X5 M50d / Saab 9-5 Aero HOT / F30 335d xDrive M Sport / E92 LCI 320d M Sport / E46 320d M Sport Touring / E46 318i Touring
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07-09-2015, 05:51 PM	#2
Ice Man Captain 325 Rep 737 Posts Drives: F36 435i M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: BSE iTrader: (0)	Sorry for the Hijack but can you not code using a Mac? if not then Bugger!!!
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07-09-2015, 05:59 PM	#4
Lewis Mc Manners cost nothing 179 Rep 605 Posts Drives: 1993 Toyota Supra Turbo Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Liverpool iTrader: (1)	Whats your max price? As reasonable to me could be too expensive for your needs, am guessing any cheap laptop with 2gb ram and a dual core or i3 will suffice for most basic needs
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07-09-2015, 06:00 PM	#5
Ice Man Captain 325 Rep 737 Posts Drives: F36 435i M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: BSE iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I run Parallels so panic over
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07-09-2015, 06:12 PM	#7
Lewis Mc Manners cost nothing 179 Rep 605 Posts Drives: 1993 Toyota Supra Turbo Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Liverpool iTrader: (1)	Hmm... I have a generic one which is basically this.. http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/comput...11524-pdt.html I know that worked for coding on my 435i, its refurbished but if that doesn't bother you its a pretty good laptop for day to day things, am more knowledgeable in the other end of expensive gaming rigs so the best i can come up with is an i5 with decent ram but they range more 400 to 600 which is slightly more than you want to spend
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07-10-2015, 01:13 AM	#11
Sussex_G20 First Lieutenant 145 Rep 379 Posts Drives: G20 330i M Sport Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: South Coast - Eastbourne iTrader: (0)	Still don't know why you don't use your Mac with parallels. I use parallels when I have to run specific windows software for my work, don't notice it is there during normal use. My BitTen audio processor support software is windows only and use parallels to set that up in the car. Another benefit is that there are still some useful utilities that only run under windows. Getting fewer but unfortunately there are some.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-10-2015, 02:57 AM	#14
MarkG_M5Comp Supreme Being 1804 Rep 5,425 Posts Drives: M5 Comp Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (0)	So, does anyone have any recommendations of laptops currently in use, which is the answer I was looking for? No more Mac advice please, I am not using my Mac. __________________ Current: F90 M5 Competition Gone: F80 M3 Competition Pack / M135i / F15 X5 M50d / Saab 9-5 Aero HOT / F30 335d xDrive M Sport / E92 LCI 320d M Sport / E46 320d M Sport Touring / E46 318i Touring
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07-10-2015, 03:29 AM	#16
Nick the Greek Banned 2010 Rep 6,065 Posts Drives: M135i. I don't do diesel. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Anything provided its not a fruit.
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07-10-2015, 03:53 AM	#17
Sussex_G20 First Lieutenant 145 Rep 379 Posts Drives: G20 330i M Sport Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: South Coast - Eastbourne iTrader: (0)	Didn't use to be but I bet English apples are probably more valuable than Greek olives right now
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07-10-2015, 04:01 AM	#19
RichardM Colonel 133 Rep 2,046 Posts Drives: G21 M340i LCI Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Essex UK iTrader: (2)	I'm using an old Dell Latitude E6220 i5 which has always worked fine. I always just run it on battery when coding. It's 3 years old now so I'm waiting on a new E7250 i7 from work which I'll try as soon as I get it but not sure when that will be. __________________ 2023 G21 M340i LCI Previous - 2020 G21 330d M-Sport, F31 335d M-Sport, F31 330d M-Sport
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07-10-2015, 04:30 AM	#20
KevinLevin General Motors 237 Rep 513 Posts Drives: 430d M Sport + EBII Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: No more than 10 feet from my car.... iTrader: (0)	I'm in the same position, I have a MacBook for my general usage and a HP Elitebook 2560p just for coding. I'd certainly recommend that laptop as its not too bulky; so perfect to use in the car. Should get one of those from eBay for about £150-£200 max __________________ 430d M Sport Plus, 19" M double spoke bi-colour wheels, stop start cruise, pro navigation, sport auto, dynamic suspension, folding/dimming mirrors, rear camera, power seats. Previous - S5 Cabriolet - 442hp
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07-10-2015, 04:32 AM	#21
F30AM Major General 706 Rep 5,021 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport sDrive Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Pop over to your nearest John Lewis, find one and buy it. Or buy online from JL. __________________ Previous: Superman 330d sDrive M Sport + Toys Present: Red Tornado Golf 7R 5 Dr, DSG + Toys
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07-10-2015, 05:03 AM	#22
jusdorange YOLO 440 Rep 2,854 Posts Drives: #mw Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Monaco iTrader: (0)	Have you thought of a Mac? Thunderbolt Ethernet adaptor ? Lol
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