New member with a quick question.

[Tiger Feet]

Hi,

New member here and great to be joining you all.

I rang up today and got the exact specs for a laptop computer that will work with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Pro and stop the lag (Latency issues) that you get with pre-i processor laptops when using this software.

Being disabled and not having the use of my hands, I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Pro as a matter of course. This version of DNS is apparently a complete rewrite. The original versions were resource hogs and this new one is even more the case.

The laptop chosen therefore, for ease of use with this software is shown below with the satisfactory specs needed.

I have just 4 questions:

1. Could I request and would it be taken off the price that the Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit - DVD & License (£79) that is included could be excluded as I already have Windows 7 Ultimate Operating System ready to put on.

2. Could I also request that the Free Microsoft Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel) and the BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL, not be put on the computer although they are free. I already own a Microsoft Office suite and I would prefer to choose my own anti-virus software and malware products.

3. I'm not in any way an expert on the specifications of a laptop. In the specifications list below, it mentions 8 MB cache. Is this equivalent to 'L3' cache? Sorry for being a bit thick but I just want to get this straight. L3 cache I have been informed is needed for use with DNS 11 Pro. Does 8 MB cache and L3 cache mean the same thing?

4. As mentioned earlier, I am disabled and wondered whether a discount on the quote I have already been given would be possible?

Cheers

Tiger Feet

Product Category Product Description
Chassis & Display Optimus II: 17.3" Glossy Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-2820QM (2. 30 GHz) 8MB Cache
Memory (RAM) 8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)
Graphics Card nVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M - 1GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 500GB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Sound Card Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Network Facilities GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N CARD INC. BLUETOOTH 3.0
USB Options 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Battery Optimus Series 6 Cell Lithium-ION Battery - 48.85WH
Power Lead & Adaptor 1 x UK Power Lead & 90W Adaptor (GT 540M) / 120W Adaptor (GT 555M)
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Mouse INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty 3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year
Labour)
Insurance 1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days

 

[PCS]

Welcome to our forums

1. If you have a full licensed retail version of Windows & Ultimate we can install this for you. When configuring a laptop please select "No Operating System Required".

2. Simply de-select these on the configurator before placing your order.

3. Intel no longer state the L2/L3 cache, the cache is smart cache. You can view the full specification of the processor here: http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=52227

4. We aim to provide a high level of service to all customers regardless of their personal circumstances but unfortunately we cannot offer any discount on this specification.

 

[Tiger Feet]

1. If you have a full licensed retail version of Windows & Ultimate we can install this for you.

What would you require from me for you to put Ultimate on for me, the actual licence key I have or for me to send you the CD itself?

When configuring a laptop please select "No Operating System Required".

I tried to get a quote from the website by doing it the way you mention above but it would not work for me and give me the quote that way. Don't ask me why, but I chose the exact spec I wanted then selected "No Operating System required", No Word Starter Pack Required and No Anti-Virus required. When clicking the final button at the bottom that should have shown my quote, this did not work for some reason. I did this several times but still to no avail.

Because of this, I decided to ring PCS and speak to them personally on the telephone. I gave the salesperson the spec I needed and not include the items I mention above. He also did not know whether 8 MB cache or smart cache was the equivalent to the old L3 cache. I asked him if he could find out from one of his colleagues if this was the case and tell me in the e-mail if indeed it was equivalent to the old L3 cache. When I received the e-mail, the operating system, Word starter pack and anti-virus were still included and he did not give me the information I asked for regarding the L3 cache enquiry.

So I ask again, 8 MB cache, Smart cache, call it what you will. Is it the equivalent of L3 cache which is what I have been informed I need to run Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Pro smoothly and eliminate the latency issues that pre i processors possess when using this software with them.

Another question I would like to pose. Many other people have also pointed this out but I would like an answer from the horse’s mouth as to speak.

If I chose the i7-2630QM (2.00GHz) with 6 MB cache and 8 GB of RAM instead of the i7-2820QM (2.30GHz) 8 MB cache, and 8 GB of RAM,
would I notice any difference and would I still get the equivalent L3 cache?

I have been told I would not really notice the difference and the i7-2630QM with 6 MB cache and 8 GB of RAM is some £300.00 cheaper. Is this the case?

Cheers

Tiger Feet

 

[PCS]

What would you require from me for you to put Ultimate on for me, the actual licence key I have or for me to send you the CD itself?

We do not have stock of retail Windows 7 discs so you would need to send us the disc and license key. The software must be genuine and the retail version - we cannot install the OEM version because this breaches Microsoft's license terms.

I can confirm that the i7-2630QM has 6MB of L3 cache and the i7-2820QM has 8MB of L3 cache. If it is imperative to have a larger cache for your program Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Pro then I would recommend the i7-2820QM. For general use, such as surfing the web, emails, etc., you will not notice a huge difference between the two processors. Once the laptop is being pushed harder, such as with video editing you will get a better performance form the i7-2820QM.

I cannot see why you were unable to remove the operating system from your quote. Could you let me know the first three letters of your email address and the last two digits of your order number and I will edit it for you and send you an email with the revised quotation.

 

[Tiger Feet]

We do not have stock of retail Windows 7 discs so you would need to send us the disc and license key. The software must be genuine and the retail version - we cannot install the OEM Version because this breaches Microsoft's license terms.

What does 'OEM' stand for?

Perhaps I should explain the history of my situation with the Windows 7 CD then you can tell me if it is valid or not. I had to fund raise the money for my computer because I am disabled. It worked out that the computer would be bought from Dell in the July, August time last year or it may have been the year before, I can't recall.

At that time, the latest operating system was still Vista but Windows 7 was due to come out in November the same year. I said to Dell, I would rather wait until Windows 7 came out but they assured me they would send me a CD of Windows 7 Ultimate once Windows 7 was established on the market. I then took stock of the computer with Vista on it at that time. True to their word, as soon as Windows 7 came out, they sent me a CD of Windows 7 Ultimate complete with license key that I have in my possession now.

I have since put Windows 7 Ultimate on my computer. The CD they sent me is a normal CD (silver one), so they must have copied a Windows 7 Ultimate disc to this one. I have had no trouble with Windows 7 on my computer. Are you saying that this CD Is not good enough for you? If this is the case, could you not just send me the computer without any Operating System on it at all so I could do it myself?

I can confirm that the I7-2630QM Has 6MB Of L3 cache and the I7-2820QM Has 8MB Of L3 cache. If it is imperative to have a larger cache For Your Program Dragon Naturallyspeaking 11 Pro then i would recommend the I7-2820QM. For gen use, such as surfing the web, e-mails, etc, you will not notice a huge difference between the 2 processors. Once the laptop is being pushed harder, such as with video editing you will get a better performance form the I7-2820QM.

Thank you. That is exactly the information I wanted.

I cannot see why you were unable to remove the operating system from your quote.

I managed to fill everything in to choose the spec I wanted for each quote. The problem came when I reached the 'Proceed' button. No matter how many times I clicked on it, nothing happened and it would not show me my quote. It is as though the 'Proceed' button was inactive. I'm not sure if anyone else has experienced this.

Could you let me know the first 3 letters of your e-mail address and the last 2 digits of your order number and I will edit it for you and send you an e-mail with the revised quotation.

Yes certainly. They are: and/03 respectively.

I was trying to get various quotes to compare the prices for the different CPUs, I7-2820Q, i7 -2720QM and the I7-2630QM. The 17.3" Optimus, with 8 GB SAMSUNG RAM and everything else in the quote remains the same except of course I do not require the Operating System, Word starter pack or antivirus software on the finished product.

Perhaps you can work everything out from this information now for me please.

Cheers

 

[PCS]

I have edited the quote for you and emailed it through. I have removed the operating system, office software and anti-virus as requested.

OEM means "original equipment manufacturer" - basically the system integrator that assembles the computer installs a none-retail operating system often tweaked to their requirements.

Regarding the operating system - unfortunately we will not be able to install this for you because the operating system is a Dell version. Officially, Microsoft's terms state that an operating system provided by an OEM lives and dies with the computer it is installed on, and cannot be transferred over to a new computer. You are welcome to install this yourself once you receive the laptop and contact Microsoft regarding the activation/license.

Hope I have answered all your questions, but please feel free to post back if you have anymore.

 

[Tiger Feet]

Hope I have answered all your questions, but please feel free to post back if you have anymore.

Thank you for answering all my questions and sending the quote through.

Could you send me another quote through with slight changes?

Could you change the processor in my original quote to the processor i7-2630QM (2.00GHz) 6MB L3 cache and change the Hard Disk in my original quote to:

Hard Disk 500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD 5000BPKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE 7200 rpm

Cheers

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

I believe (but don't quote me on it) that any actual changes you would need to phone through as this delightful forum isn't an official means of support/order tinkering

 

[PCS]

I have edited the quote for you and sent you an email with the revised quotation attached. To place the order you can either call us on 0844 499 4000 or alternatively you can order online. The quote is saved in your online account which you can access by logging in here: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

 

[Tiger Feet]

Thank you very much ;-)