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What to look for in a Laptop PC?
Mrs_Bones
Posts: 15,524 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
What should I be looking for when buying a laptop PC? Brand, processor type and memory etc. Never had a laptop before, my current desktop is about 7 years old and runs on XP system. I've only got a limited budget, so up to around £400. What do I really need and what if anything should I avoid?
Thanks.
Thanks.
[FONT="]“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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If you won't be carrying it out and about, then think about a Desktop replacement. They have screens of 17" or more.
You choose a laptop on your requirements. So state them first of all.
Otherwise, something like this Toshiba Satellite C855-1GR for £229.99 is a good place to begin.
Would you like to spend more?0 -
For £400, you will be looking at min 4GB RAM with intel i5-3XXX or AMD A8 4500M0
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NiftyDigits wrote: »If you won't be carrying it out and about, then think about a Desktop replacement. They have screens of 17" or more.
You choose a laptop on your requirements. So state them first of all.
Otherwise, something like this Toshiba Satellite C855-1GR for £229.99 is a good place to begin.
Would you like to spend more?
Thanks for the replies.
I won't be carrying it out of the house but I would like the option to take it from room to room or even into the garden which is why I was thinking of a laptop. I only want to do basic stuff on it. I'll use it mainly for writing so word processing, photo editing and internet are the things I need. £400 is my top limit but I'm looking for cheap as possible if that will still give me a machine that is stable and will last a few years.[FONT="]“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]0 -
Thanks for the replies.
I won't be carrying it out of the house but I would like the option to take it from room to room or even into the garden which is why I was thinking of a laptop. I only want to do basic stuff on it. I'll use it mainly for writing so word processing, photo editing and internet are the things I need. £400 is my top limit but I'm looking for cheap as possible if that will still give me a machine that is stable and will last a few years.
In that case, the machine in my post is fine if you take care of it and you don't mind red.
Though bear in mind that a non reflective screen is better if you intend to use it outside.0 -
Absolutely any modern laptop will do the tasks that you outline with ease. 4GB RAM, min 500GB drive and an i5 processor will be quite adequate.
If you're lucky you might still find one with W7.No free lunch, and no free laptop
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Not 'needs to,' but a bit of future proofing would be advisable if the laptop is to last the same time as the current PC.
The OP has budgetted £400, it's up to them if they spend up to that or go for the much cheaper refurb option suggested by you.No free lunch, and no free laptop0 -
Not 'needs to,' but a bit of future proofing would be advisable if the laptop is to last the same time as the current PC.
The OP has budgetted £400, it's up to them if they spend up to that or go for the much cheaper refurb option suggested by you.
She has budgeted £400, but would prefer to spend less.
Do you think purchasing a laptop with an i5 processor will make the laptop last longer?
This phrase "future-proofing" is often bandied about on this forum as if it means something.
I'm still using a single core Celeron(CPU benchmark of 346) on my PC, now running Windows 8.
Somehow I'm still able to watch Full HD material.
My laptop is four years old and has a dual core Celeron(CPU benchmark of 987). Again, covers all the tasks suggested by the OP. This laptop has probably much the same chance as lasting for seven years as does a new model with an i5 processor.
The laptop recommended has far better specifications than mine.
Don't waste your money buying a Ferrari, when you only need a Mini.
Especially because in three to four years, you can buy a new laptop with the remainder of the cash, that will make the Ferrari look like a mini...plus you'll have a new warranty.
As to the Toshiba being a refurb...I'm quite confident that it will be shiny and 'as new'.0 -
This thread looks like it might be of interest.There's love in this world for everyone. Every rascal and son of a gun.
It's for the many and not the few. Be sure it's out there looking for you.
In every town, in every state. In every house and every gate.
Wth every precious smile you make. And every act of kindness.
Micheal Marra, 1952 - 20120 -
Question for original poster. Do you really need a laptop? ignore this post if you do...but one problem using a laptop in the garden is you won't be able to see the screen (unless using in dark shade). Pound for pound laptops aren't as reliable as desktops either...so how about another desktop?
This Dell is still available for £262 (includes 2 year next business day warranty).
http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&l=en&oc=sbds322&s=bsd&dgc=LS&cid=41145&lid=1069634&acd=239752163137310
(search for SBDS322 if the Dell website stalls; ignore that this is Dell "Small/Medium Business" - when it asks for use just say "home").
You then have some cash for a decent monitor, keyboard, mouse etc (the dell keyboard and mouse are v.poor).
It has Windows8 but see my sig.0
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