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Laptop brand/configuration for Excel power users..Advice please!

rkspeaks

rkspeaks

Member
Hello Hui and Chandoo,


Though my question is not directly related to Excel, the answer may be useful for many of the excel users like me. I am an Excel power user. I use lot many excel features, functions, formulae everyday. What is the best configuration for these needs. I have USD 750@ INR 55 budget. Mostly I use it for Excel works and presentations. Please don't ignore the question for some reason. I have Lenovo G580 or Z580 in my mind with 500GB, 15.6", Numeric keypad, Windows7, 64bit, 8GB RAM etc specs. Is it too high or low, please advise me. Thank you.
 
Good evening rkspeaks

As you say it is not a direct Excel question and one of the Ninjas may move it to the lounge.

I think the question of which unit to buy is very motive as each has their own idea of what is the "best" for their needs. You say you are a power user of Excel so I would assume that ram size and CPU/Motherboard speed would be high up the list with a good video card, with dedicated memory so that the ram was not depleted. I would not buy just now, wait a while, Windows 8 will soon be on the market along with Excel 13, buy now and in a month or two it will be out of date
 
I need two, three more answers just to be inclined to some configuration figures. I have researched on Google, but the answers were not for Excel users. Laptop is not something that you can update it as you wish like a desktop. You have to think twice before you buy it. So I insisted on posting it here. I am open for as many suggestions as you can give. Sorry if I violate the rules of the forum in some way. Thank you.
 
rkspeaks


"violate" and "insisted" are very strong words.

As I said every one has their own ideal of a system and I am sure that the answers you may receive will all be different in some way. All you can do is research and then make your choice, and no matter what you choose you will still think you should of chosen some thing different.

I personally would not update until the end of the year when windows 8 and office 2013 have past beta and have had most of the bugs ironed out.
 
Hi ,


I have some comments on two specs viz. 64-bit and 8 GB RAM.


You may want to go through at least one of the following links before you decide on these two specs.:


http://lifehacker.com/5431284/the-lifehacker-guide-to-64+bit-vs-32+bit-operating-systems


http://www.w7forums.com/windows-7-64-bit-vs-32-bit-t484.html


http://www.infopackets.com/news/hardware/2006/20060824_32_bit_vs_64_bit_systems_whats_the_difference.htm


http://www.mydigitallife.info/differences-and-advantages-between-32-bit-x86-vs-64-bit-x64-windows-vista/


My personal opinion is that if you are going to work mostly with Office applications , and will not be doing any CAD application , then 32-bit will do fine , and so will even 3 GB RAM ; for 32-bit systems and software , the maximum possible RAM is 4 GB.


A second factor is that you have a budget ; for the same money , you can get a more powerful Acer ( which is one of the cheapest manufacturers ) than a Lenovo.


Try putting in the following criteria on the links given below :


http://compareindia.in.com/products/laptops/30


http://www.flipkart.com/computers/laptops?ref=5230cd9e-7af4-47dd-a935-60b504bd0e27#page=landing;filter=screenSizeBand:15 inch - 15.9 inch>>system_memory:4 GB DDR3>>priceBand:Rs.35000 - Rs.45000;limit=84


Screen size : 15.6 inch


RAM size : 4 GB


Price Range : 35,000 to 45,000


Narayan
 
Interesting question. Here is the configuration I can recommend:


Intel I5

4-8 GB RAM

Plenty of HDD space 500 GB

Good keyboard & trackpad

Windows 7 (or 8 if you wait) with MS Office 2010 (and eventually 2013)

Choose 32 or 64bit install based on what you think is good idea.


Excel & Office apps are very low memory hungry (when compared to Firefox etc.) and tend to be very fast on almost all modern computers. So I would suggest picking up a laptop that has excellent battery life, good durable built and excellent value for money.


As mentioned by Narayan, pick up a laptop that is cheap and good enough. No point investing a lot in to a gadget that will age the moment you paid the storekeeper.


I use Dell Vostro 1450 which has intel i3, 4 GB ram & Windows 7 (64 bit) on it. Works very good, but almost 9 months old. So you are better off buying something with higher processor and more RAM.
 
Thank you Chandoo, That's what I am waiting for. I will ping all once I get the machine which matches all the criteria. But personally I am dragged towards Lenovo G570/G580/Z580. I am stopping my 2 months long research today with this post. Thank you again.
 
Hi, rkspeaks!


Sorry for arriving at dessert time, but better later than never.


I agree with bobhc's OS & Windows versions, disagree with NARAYANK991's 32 bit recommendation and agree with Chandoo's comments except that regarding an equivalence between 32 or 64 bits issue.


IMHO you should consider the following items:

- Intel over AMD processors

- not less than an i5

- RAM as much as you can afford: ALWAYS!

- HD space is not so relevant: it's the cheaper and easiest update

- OS: Windows 64 bits, yes or yes (processors are built to support it, so why not using full capacity?)

- Office: 32 bits, unless you enter in the considerations of next link

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/choose-the-32-bit-or-64-bit-version-of-office-HA010369476.aspx


I can't help you regarding Indian prices.


Hope it helps.


Regards!
 
Oh! It's my pleasure to accept as many advices as you can give from Excel brotherhood. Anyways, I narrowed my choice between Lenovo G580 and Z580. Just tell me your opinion on these two things. Good, Bad or Ugly ?!?!? I will take best configs with these models. i.e. i5, 15.6", 500GB, Numb keys, etc etc. But I doubt about the Battery backup time with these models. Pls touch this point when you advise.
 
Hi, rkspeaks!


I think they're not comparable products. Give a look to these links:

http://www.flipkart.com/lenovo-essential-g580-59-324064-laptop-3rd-gen-ci5-4gb-500gb-dos/p/itmdcjhugdtpfzrk

http://www.flipkart.com/lenovo-ideapad-z580-59-333345-laptop-3rd-gen-ci5-4gb-500gb-win7-hb/p/itmdajfgjumztw5h


One has no OS other Windows original, one has integrated graphics other 1Gb dedicated, one has USB 2.0 other 3.0, one has 1 year warranty other 3, ... but one costs less than 35K Rs and other more than 45K Rs.


So technically speaking there's no choice.


Regards!
 
Finally I got a Lenovo Thinkpad E430 with Core i3, 4GB, 500 GB, DOS Machine. That's an apt product for my usage. Thank you all for your advices.

RK
 
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