AlphaPapa

Does it have to be Full HD?

I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole, it even looks like crap!! Buy one from a reputable brand!

Wait for it... I quite like Windows 8 *runs* Its not too bad if you give it a chance!

We support Apple on a best effort basis if an Academic insists on using one, but most will struggle. Even accessing our shared storage is a challenge because we gear everything towards our supported OS which is Windows 7 64bit. I would really recommend a keyboard and external mouse if he will be doing any real amount of work on it, DSE regulations and all that. An external monitor might be nice if the budget stretches. I wouldn't worry too much though, where I work we have well over 1000 lab computers for students to use, most are open 24 hours a day. The advantage is there are less distractions and generally they will have all of the software you need ready installed.

As someone who works for a University I would not recommend an Apple laptop! Yes they are nice machines and trendy, but the university will almost exclusively be a windows environment, with windows software! There is no benefit to owning a Mac in fact, i would see it as a bit of a hindrance. Avoid anything that mentions pentium, they are old cheap processors!

That doesn't sound good at all! I am sure overrun making a single loud high pitch bang like that can't be good, its normally more of a low popping rumble! I'd put the cat back on if I were you.

Wow that looks smart!

SQL isn't a database, its a method of accessing and manipulating data from a database. Just sayin...

Likewise, I won't be in a Skoda so should be good to count and record.

Never been a fan of wireless repeaters, by and large they are flakey and perform badly at best. Homeplug would be the easiest, but the one that makes the most sense, especially as your having an extension built is run a couple of cat5e cables to the study. It will give you the quickest and most reliable connection.

Editing your hosts file might be easier. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/27350/beginner-geek-how-to-edit-your-hosts-file/

Looks like a very small company, i would bet its a single developer! Best bet is probably email them and just ask how you back up the database.

Avoid an entire brand because of one bad review? I thought Lenovo were now the worlds biggest PC manufacturer.. must be doing something alright. That laptop in the OP looks like a bit of a slab though! TBH, i am really out of touch with consumer grade computers.. anything from the Dell Latitude or Optiplex range though and i'm your man :p

Ouch!

Now trying to find some cheap RAM for it, perhaps i am just being tight but DDR3 1333 seems very expensive at the moment!

Just for info; CCL now have stock you can preorder. I have ordered mine this morning, if you want one i would get in quickly.

No stock and bad reviews of insight on hotukdeals. What is interesting is they are one of our biggest suppliers at work and we get quite good pricing. When i login the price actually goes up :p

I rang CCL today to see if i could preorder, it was a no go. Though they did confirm more stock mid week and it will be staying at £187.95.

Have you started it? Let it idle and keep topping it up.

If i could actually find one for sale at a reasonable price i would have one.. ho hum i guess i have until the end of the month.

I'd say Photoshop rather than any mechanical upgrade. The wheels on that silver Octavia are quite a bit larger than the blue.

No its not! Its £9.99 for 30 days.

Does that CCL one have the cashback deal? If its that price after pay day i will be ordering one.

I just pasted that into Google translate.