Buying a new laptop

[Russell]

Hello fellow ASF members

I need some help choosing a new laptop. I have a line of credit with Flexirent up to $3250 that I can use. Now, I definitely do not want to spend that much, in fact I would like to spend less then a third of that.

All the laptop will be used for is: email & browsing, office software, video playback and any trading software I end up using (Amibroker, etc). I like to stream tv shows online through my TV so a VGA or HDMI connector would be essential (as well as looking at charts!).

Ideally I'd like the screen to be no smaller then 15.4".

Do you think a laptop that costs < $1000 would be able to do all of the above without the computer running slowly? I don't want the laptop to be 'thinking' all the time.

I've been looking predominantly at Dell if that helps at all.

Any help would be very much appreciated

 

[opulence]

Hello fellow ASF members

I need some help choosing a new laptop. I have a line of credit with Flexirent up to $3250 that I can use. Now, I definitely do not want to spend that much, in fact I would like to spend less then a third of that.

All the laptop will be used for is: email & browsing, office software, video playback and any trading software I end up using (Amibroker, etc). I like to stream tv shows online through my TV so a VGA or HDMI connector would be essential (as well as looking at charts!).

Ideally I'd like the screen to be no smaller then 15.4".

Do you think a laptop that costs < $1000 would be able to do all of the above without the computer running slowly? I don't want the laptop to be 'thinking' all the time.

I've been looking predominantly at Dell if that helps at all.

Any help would be very much appreciated

Depends what your trading style is. If you want to develop systems dont even think about it but if you just want to do discretionary type stuff should be ok-ish.

 

[Russell]

Depends what your trading style is. If you want to develop systems dont even think about it but if you just want to do discretionary type stuff should be ok-ish.

Apologies, I am still quite new to investing and trading. When you say develop systems, what does that mean? And why would it require a faster laptop? Number crunching?

Thanks for the reply though Opulence much appreciated

 

[opulence]

Apologies, I am still quite new to investing and trading. When you say develop systems, what does that mean? And why would it require a faster laptop? Number crunching?

Thanks for the reply though Opulence much appreciated

Yeah as in automated trading systems. Can require lots of processing if you have lots of iterations of testing to do.

If you haven't heard of that thought I'd suggest first learning the basics of discretionary trading which doesn't require too much processing power.

 

[Russell]

Yeah as in automated trading systems. Can require lots of processing if you have lots of iterations of testing to do.

If you haven't heard of that thought I'd suggest first learning the basics of discretionary trading which doesn't require too much processing power.

Oh I see! Well perhaps in the future I will do more of that kind of thing. Right now though I'm making sure I have a good understanding of fundamental and technical analysis. I don't plan on automating any of my trades as of yet.

Thanks for replying (again).

 

[jaystar86]

Hi Russel,

I bought a laptop recently for well in that price bracket that does all of those things and does it well.

My trading style doesn't involve any major computing power nor does my day to day business work.

I did however buy a HP, I3 with a graphic card at what I believe was a great price.

Best of luck!

J

 

[Russell]

Hi Russel,

I bought a laptop recently for well in that price bracket that does all of those things and does it well.

My trading style doesn't involve any major computing power nor does my day to day business work.

I did however buy a HP, I3 with a graphic card at what I believe was a great price.

Best of luck!

J

That's good to read jaystar! I was concerned it wouldn't have the power I need.

This is the one I am looking at: http://www.dell.com/au/p/inspiron-17r/pd

 

[jaystar86]

Without knowing exactly what you use daily, that laptop should do the trick.

A few things to keep in mind. Are all the programs you use regularly 64-bit compatible (I believe not many programs aren't but not certain)? Do you need microsoft office suite etc...? I'd also take note of a lot of the negative complains regarding the visual qualities of the screen and decide whether that is an issue for you.

Best of luck! I found the decision on what to buy rather stressful. Remember: Buyer beware and DYOR (do your own research)

J

 

[JTLP]

Hi guys,

Reviving and old thread!

Heading over to the States in September (thankfully bought up big in the currency stakes when it was still above $1!) and looking to pick up an ultrabook with touchscreen capabilities.

2 questions:
- Is it better to pick one up here or will there be a decent price differential?
- Are the touchscreens worth it?

I'll be budgeting about $800 USD so not a huge amount.

Cheers

 

[pixel]

Hi guys,

Reviving and old thread!

Heading over to the States in September (thankfully bought up big in the currency stakes when it was still above $1!) and looking to pick up an ultrabook with touchscreen capabilities.

2 questions:
- Is it better to pick one up here or will there be a decent price differential?
- Are the touchscreens worth it?

I'll be budgeting about $800 USD so not a huge amount.

Cheers

Warranty issues aside, I'd also consider the power supply/ charger. It may not be much, and if you have a transformer from our 240V to the US 110V standard, you may not need to change. But check it out.
(I recently got a camera from the US, complete with battery charger; found it cheaper to get a new charger rather than investing in a single-use adapter. But as I got the camera half-price, I'm still ahead.)

I'm not sure how adaptable the software is to Australian conditions. Given a chance, I'd check before buying whether the OS can be set to Australian regional conditions - date, time, spell checker, ... Nothing is more annoying than finding 7/06/2013 is interpreted as a future date: July 6th.

PS: There should be a reasonable price difference; the USA is a far bigger and more compact market, so the manufacturers apply a far more consumer-friendly pricing model. You may also find it easier to haggle some "optional extras" - carry bag, spare battery, ... at no extra cost.