PART 1

My printer wouldn't feed properly, so I entered the symptoms into Google. Obviously, it was due to one of the kids pulling the paper back through the machine while it was printing - this caused a sensor to bend.

Bent sensor = repair and downtime = cheaper to buy a new printer.

BUT NO! Puttees thought he could open the printer, bend the sensor back and save a few quid.

It took a while to find all the screws that held it together (and on completion had 2 screws left, so had to open it all up again) but I couldn't find anything wrong - apart from a woodlouse carcass jammed between two bits of plastic. Removed woodlouse, put back together (eventually) and it seems to be working perfectly. YIPPEE! Up yours, geeks. You didn't think of that, did you?

PART 2

Now, being aware that ARRSE geeks are of a totally different calibre to internet geeks, I need help in making a decision.

I'm faced with buying my daughter a laptop for her university work. I don't know why her current laptop isn't up to the job, but hey - what do I know?

I've narrowed it down to two choices, both Toshiba.

One is the L500-1DT T3000 4GB 320GB 15.6", the other is the L300-29W T4200 3GB 250GB 15.4".

The former has a 50 minute longer battery life, bigger RAM and hard drive and a numeric keypad, but the other has (according to the internet geeks) a better processor and is 300g lighter. The first has Windows 7, the other has a free user-installed upgrade to Windows 7.

There's not a significant difference in price..

So, is the difference in processors that relevant? Will the additional RAM outweigh that difference?

Oodles of data from Tosh's own website below for the spotters.

The 300-29W is a discontinued line, so I have also added the 300-29V (only available from John Lewis which is quite similar).

On gut instinct I would go for the 300 29W, dependant on price, as it has the better processor, and memory and HDs can always be up graded. However it has a slightly smaller screen (1280 x 800 versus 1366 x 76, but the same resolution outputs to a monitor.


The full blurb follows but my choice would be to go for this one:

Satellite L500-19X
A faster Pentium processor than the 300-29W, but with the slightly larger screen of the other two. Book price 50 squibs more at £449 inc from the same outlets.

Lappy data:

Satellite L500-1DT

Price £ 399.00 (inc VAT)


Operating system
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit (pre-installed, Toshiba-HDD recovery) and
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 32-bit (Toshiba-Recovery DVD)

Processor
Intel® Celeron® Processor T3000 | clock speed : 1.80 GHz | Front Side Bus : 800 MHz | 2nd level cache : 1 MB

Design Colour
Aluminium Silver with black keyboard

System memory
4,096 (2,048 + 2,04 MB | maximum expandability : 4,096 MB | technology : DDR2 RAM (800 MHz)

Hard disk
320 GB

DVD Super Multi drive (Double Layer)

Display
15.6 " | Toshiba TruBrite® HD TFT High Brightness display with 16:9 aspect ratio

Graphics adaptor
Intel® | Mobile Intel® GMA 4500M

Battery
maximum life : up to 3h20min (Mobile Markâ„¢ 2007)

Physical dimensions
weight : starting at 2.72 kg | W x D x H : 383 x 259 x 35.5 (front) / 39.3 (rear) mm

Wireless communication
Wireless Technology : Wireless LAN

Warranty
1 year EMEA Carry-in. Toshiba also offers a large range of services to upgrade your standard warranty, please have a look at our website www.toshiba-europe.com/services to find the right service for your product.

Toshiba EasyMedia
Easy Entertainment | HDMI-out |
Easy Connectivity | Toshiba Face Recognition | Built-in Web Camera & Microphone | Diversity Antenna | Integrated Bridge Media Adapter | |
Easy Usability | Eco Utility | PC Health Monitor | Toshiba LifeSpace | Mcafee® Internet Security | Toshiba TEMPRO Performance Tuning Service | Touch Pad with Multi-Touch Control | Smart Display Support

Special features
SM BIOS compliant | HD Audio support | integrated microphone for Voice over IP | integrated VGA Web Camera for Video over IP | ENERGY STAR qualified computer

Satellite L300-29V

Price £ 399.00 (inc VAT)


Operating system
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 32-bit Edition (pre-installed, Toshiba-HDD recovery)

Processor
Intel® Celeron® Processor T3000 | clock speed : 1.80 GHz | Front Side Bus : 800 MHz | 2nd level cache : 1 MB

System memory
3,072 (2,048 + 1,024) MB | maximum expandability : 4,096 MB | technology : DDR2 RAM (800 MHz)

Hard disk
250 GB

DVD Super Multi drive (Double Layer)

Display
15.4 " | Toshiba TruBrite® WXGA TFT High Brightness display

Graphics adaptor
Intel® | Mobile Intel® GMA 4500M

Battery
maximum life : up to 2h30min (Mobile Markâ„¢ 2007)

Physical dimensions
weight : starting at 2.49 kg | W x D x H : 362 x 267 x 33.0 (front) / 37.7 (rear) mm

Wireless communication
Wireless Technology : Wireless LAN

Warranty
1-year international warranty. Upgrade your standard warranty with Toshiba warranty extension, uplift and all-risks insurance packs.

Toshiba EasyMedia
Toshiba ConfigFree™ | Google Software (Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Google Desktop, Picasa) | Mcafee® Internet Security Suite - Toshiba Edition | Toshiba Face Recognition | Smart Display Support | Internal HD 720p support | Toshiba TEMPRO Performance Tuning Service | Diversity Antenna | Built-in camera & microphone | Toshiba Flash Cards

Special features
SM BIOS compliant | Multimedia Bar with 6 touch Easy Keys (Mute, Rewind, Play, Stop, Forward, CD/DVD launcher) | integrated VGA Web Camera for Video over IP | integrated microphone for Voice over IP | HD Audio support

Satellite L300-29W

Discontinued

Part Number : PSLB8E-15R007EN
Key Features
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 32-bit Edition (pre-installed, Toshiba-HDD recovery)- Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T4200- DVD-RW SuperMulti drive (Double Layer)- 3072 MB (2048+ 1024) DDR RAM (800MHz)- 15.4" Widescreen TruBrite® XGA (1280 x 800) High Brightness display

Processor type : Intel® Pentium® dual-core processor T4200
clock speed : 2.00 GHz
Front Side Bus : 800 MHz
2nd level cache : 1 MB
Operating system
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 32-bit Edition (pre-installed, Toshiba-HDD recovery)

System memory standard : 3,072 (2,048 + 1,024) MB
maximum expandability : 4,096 MB
technology : DDR2 RAM (800 MHz)
Hard disk capacity : 250 GB
certification : S.M.A.R.T.
drive rotation : 5,400 rpm
DVD Super Multi drive (Double Layer) compatibility : CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-R(DL), DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R(DL), DVD+RW, DVD-RAM
maximum speed : Read: 24x CD-ROM, 8x DVD-ROM/ Write: 24x CD-R, 4x CD-RW, 10x HS CD-RW, 24x US CD-RW, 8x DVD-R, 6x DVD-R (Double Layer), 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R, 6x DVD+R (Double Layer), 8x DVD+RW, 5x DVD-RAM
type : DVD Super Multi (Double Layer) drive
Display size : 15.4 "
type : Toshiba TruBrite® WXGA TFT High Brightness display
internal resolution : 1,280 x 800
Graphics adaptor manufacturer : Intel®
type : Mobile Intel® GMA 4500M
memory : up to 1,340 MB total available graphics memory with 3 GB system memory
memory type : shared
Internal video modes The following internal video modes are supported:
resolution : 1,280 x 800
Max External Video Modes Max Resolution : 2,048 x 1,536
Max Refresh Rate : 85 Hz
Non-interlaced resolution with max refresh rate : 1,600 x 1,200
Interfaces 1 x DC-in
1 x external monitor
1 x RJ-11
1 x RJ-45
1 x external microphone
1 x headphone (stereo)
3 (Left 2, Right 1) x USB 2.0
1 x integrated VGA Web Camera with built-in microphone
Expansion 2 x memory slots (1 to configure)
1 x ExpressCard slot
Wireless communication Compliancy : Wi-Fi®
Network Support : 802.11b/g
Wireless Technology : Wireless LAN
Wired communication topology : Fast Ethernet LAN
speed : 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
topology : international V.90 modem (V.92 ready)
speed : 56 Kbps data and 14.4 Kbps fax
Sound system supported audio format : 24-bit stereo
speakers : built-in stereo speaker
manufacturer : Toshiba Bass Enhanced Sound System
Keyboard keys : 87
Windows keys : Yes
Pointing device type : Touch Pad
Battery technology : lithium-ion
maximum life : up to 2h30min (Mobile Markâ„¢ 2007)
AC adaptor input voltage : autosensing AC adapter (100/240 V) for worldwide usage
Physical dimensions W x D x H : 362 x 267 x 33.0 (front) / 37.7 (rear) mm
weight : starting at 2.49 kg
Warranty 1-year international warranty. Upgrade your standard warranty with Toshiba warranty extension, uplift and all-risks insurance packs.
Bundled hardware AC adaptor
Bundled software Toshiba Disc Creator
Toshiba User's Manual
Supervisor Password Utility
Toshiba Assist
Chicony Camera Assistant Software
Toshiba DVD Player
Ulead® DVD MovieFactory® for Toshiba
Toshiba Face Recognition
Mcafee® Internet Security Suite - Toshiba Edition (includes free Internet updates for 30 days)
Toshiba Recovery Disc Creator
Microsoft® Works, Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 (free 60-day trial)
Toshiba Value Added Package (Toshiba Power Saver, Toshiba Zooming Utility, Toshiba PC Diagnostic Tool, Toshiba Flash Cards, Toshiba Components Common Driver, Toshiba Accessibility, Toshiba Button Support)
Google Software (Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Google Desktop, Picasa)
Connectivity Doctor
ConfigFreeâ„¢
Toshiba utilities and drivers
Toshiba EasyMedia Google Software (Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Google Desktop, Picasa)
Toshiba TEMPRO Performance Tuning Service
Mcafee® Internet Security Suite - Toshiba Edition
Toshiba Face Recognition
Smart Display Support
Toshiba Flash Cards
Built-in camera & microphone
Diversity Antenna
Toshiba ConfigFreeâ„¢
Internal HD 720p support
Security features main battery pack (by sliding latch)
main memory (by screw)
HDD password on request
supervisor password
slot for Kensington Cable Lock
user password
main hard disk (by screw)
wireless LAN switch
Special features SM BIOS compliant
HD Audio support
Multimedia Bar with 6 touch Easy Keys (Mute, Rewind, Play, Stop, Forward, CD/DVD launcher)
integrated VGA Web Camera for Video over IP
integrated microphone for Voice over IP

Have fun



/ geek mode

Thanks, Gremlin.

The screen size is less of an issue as the laptop will spend much of its "home" time plugged into a monitor as a desk space saving measure. I'd forgotten that when I initially posted the question - the widescreen format of the L500-1DT was one of the turn-offs for me (maybe OK for games(?) and DVDs, but annoys the hell out of me when dealing with documents).

I'm probably heading for the L500-1DT for little more reason than the fact that it already has Windows 7 installed, so less hassle than over-writing the OS.

You wont be doing any games with intel graphics though, and dual screening may be an issue (speedwise).

These laptops are great for school/uni until they come home with a copy of Sims 3, then the tears start and we all get upset at spending £400+ for a posh wordprocessor/web browser.

I would spend a little more and get a DELL Inspiron 15" at £479.

Base
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T4300 (2.1GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)
LCD
15.6" Widescreen WXGA CCFL (1366 x 76 TFT Display with TrueLifeâ„¢
Video Card
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330
Memory4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
Hard Drive320GB (5,400rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
Specifications - Hard Drive
Optical DevicesDVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
Specifications - Optical Devices

You should have no worries from that build.

No problem on the games side.

She has started university, is living at home and commuting 20 miles each day. She has a part-time job which funds her car and takes up about 20 hours per week. She has a boyfriend who she takes to, and collects from, work. She spends an hour at the gym three times a week and aims for 10 hours sleep per night.

Ergo, no time for games other than that one where you build a farm by planting/harvesting crops and have to wait a day to see the results.

Now, if I were asking on behalf of my son....

This is a good site for laptops www.novatech.co.uk you can even build some of them to your spec. Also this week Aldi have a good laptop coming out and the best thing is they have a 3 year no quibble garauntee www.aldi.co.uk have a look at their specials on the home page. In fact here is the link http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2827_11712.htm

don't buy from Pc world!!

I've got this one for Highway Junior for Christmas. For the geeks amongst us, would this suffice for a very inquisitive, technology daft 12 year old. It looks good enough to me, but hey what do I know, I'm only the mug doing the overtime to buy it!! :D

Toshiba Satellite L350-214 17-Inch Notebook
17 inch widescreen - offers a crystal clear display for clearer brighter images
AMD Athlon x2 Dual Core Processor - delivers enhanced performance for everyday computing needs
Integrated Web Camera - allows you to talk to family and friends online
DVD Supermulti Drive - view all your movies on your laptop
Wi-Fi- wireless technology, modem and ethernet port provide a wide range of connection options
Technical Details

Processor type: AMD Athlon Processor QL-65
Clock speed: 2.10 GHz
Front Side Bus: 3600 MHz
2nd level cache: 1 MB
Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista 7 Home Premium
System memory: 2 Gb
Hard disk: 250 Gb
Optical Drive: DVD Super Multi drive (Double Layer) - CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-R(DL), DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R(DL), DVD+RW, DVD-RAM
Optical Drive Speed (Read): 24x CD-ROM, 8x DVD-ROM/
Optical Drive Speed (Write): 24x CD-R, 4x CD-RW, 10x HS CD-RW, 24x US CD-RW, 8x DVD-R, 6x DVD-R (Double Layer), 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R, 6x DVD+R (Double Layer), 8x DVD+RW, 5x DVD-RAM
Display: 17.0 inch Toshiba TruBrite WXGA+ TFT High Brightness display
Internal resolution: 1440 x 900
Graphics: ATI Radeon 3100 Graphics 1406 Mb
Memory type: shared
Interfaces: DC-in, VGA, RJ-11, RJ-45, external mic, headphone (stereo), 3x USB 2.0, integrated VGA Web Camera with built-in microphone
Expansion: 2x memory slots (1 to configure), 1x ExpressCard slot
Wireless Communication Compliancy: Wi-Fi
Network Support: 802.11b/g/Draft-N
Wireless Technology: Wireless LAN (802.11b/g)
Wired Communication Topology: Fast Ethernet LAN
Speed: 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Topology: international V.90 modem (V.92 ready)
Speed: 56 Kbps data and 14.4 Kbps fax
Sound: 24-bit stereo supported audio format, built-in stereo speaker
Special features: Standard numeric keypad
Pointing device: Touch Pad
Battery technology: lithium-ion
Maximum life: up to 2hrs 30 min (Mobile Mark 2007)
AC adaptor: autosensing AC adapter (100/240 V) for worldwide usage
Dimensions (WxDxH): 398 x 292 x 35.3 - 43.1 mm
Weight: 3.15 Kg

[quote="flynavy"]This is a good site for laptops www.novatech.co.uk you can even build some of them to your spec. Also this week Aldi have a good laptop coming out and the best thing is they have a 3 year no quibble garauntee www.aldi.co.uk have a look at their specials on the home page. In fact here is the link http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2827_11712.htm

don't buy from Pc world!![/quote]

+11111

PC World are fools.

Consider teh Bay of E.



Mobile Dual Core Pentium @ 1.77GHz
120GB HDD
Came with 1GB RAM, I added another 1GB

Radeon shared graphics, make a reasonable job of some older games
Built in wireless

Total cost - £110. £6 for a laptop bag from Tesco.


Maybe worth a look?

Here you go, a decent site to check what your onboard graphics can do.

Notebook check