Hardware

Posted on 3 Sep 2008 at 10:37

Virtualisation

Virtualisation software is completely free, and you have several options. Plump for the industry standard VMware Server (www.vmware.com), the excellent VirtualBox (www.virtualbox.org) or Microsoft's Virtual PC (www.microsoft.com/virtualpc).

Not everyone can save money this way, but there are many circumstances where virtualisation can help. If you're still running two PCs in parallel because the old machine has a software setup you don't want to (or can't) replicate, use the (also free) VMware Converter to virtualise that PC into a software image. You can transfer its entire state to more modern hardware as a single file that you bring to life inside your virtual machine software. You'll save power (and money) against having both physical PCs running at once, and might make a bit of cash selling your old hardware. Alternatively, give yourself the warm glow of donating it to a charity.

Virtualising an existing PC and running it from within a virtual machine sounds complex but it's ridiculously easy.
Around £50 to £100 if selling freed-up hardware, plus energy savings.

Buy hardware a generation behind the curve

Don't always buy the latest models. Nikon's D40 cost £399 in April 2007 but, having been surpassed by the D60, it's now £272 on www.amazon.co.uk. The Zotac GeForce 8800GT is only £99 on www.play.com, but was double that a year ago. Or try Dell's outlet store (www.dell.co.uk/outlet), for refurbs. We found our A-Listed value laptop, the Inspiron 1525, for £257 - £200 cheaper than at the main store.
Up to £200 on older or refurbished models at outlet stores.

Buy new low-cost netbook devices

The world is abuzz with ultraportable laptops. Mini-models used to cost more than their regular-sized counterparts, but the Eee PC - and its competitors - cost less than £300. They're perfectly capable machines, with recent models running XP and using Intel's new, low-power Atom processors, which make them ideal for working and surfing on the road.

If you're not going to use every feature available in a £1,000+ ultraportable, scan around the low end of the market. Laptopsdirect.co.uk will sell you an Eee PC for less than £200 or an Acer Aspire One for £229. HP and MSI have also released their own netbooks, and the bandwagon isn't slowing down - so it may be worth jumping aboard.
Around £1,000 if you swap a MacBook Air, Lenovo X300 or VAIO TZ-Series for a netbook.

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