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Suggestions for spec for 70th Birthday present laptop
Careful_with_that_Axe
Posts: 5,487 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
Hi
I wonder if I could enlist your help? I am looking to get a laptop as a 70th Birthday pressie for my Dad's wife. A few of us are chipping in and I would expect to spend a minimum of £250.
She only trusts brand names she knows, so I am thinking about Dell, HP and Sony Vaio. She needs BB acess and she uses the pc mainly for email and surfing, viewing and uploading photos. She has an All in One Printer. Also she uses the pc for Skype calls to USA and Thailand where her sons are and she is fascinated with looking at Google Earth!
Is someone able to suggest a suitable model or a minimum spec that I could take to Dell Outlet?
I would be very grateful for any suggestions please? I have about 6 weeks before her Birthday so have plenty of time to shop around and find the right thing at the best price.
TIA
I wonder if I could enlist your help? I am looking to get a laptop as a 70th Birthday pressie for my Dad's wife. A few of us are chipping in and I would expect to spend a minimum of £250.
She only trusts brand names she knows, so I am thinking about Dell, HP and Sony Vaio. She needs BB acess and she uses the pc mainly for email and surfing, viewing and uploading photos. She has an All in One Printer. Also she uses the pc for Skype calls to USA and Thailand where her sons are and she is fascinated with looking at Google Earth!
Is someone able to suggest a suitable model or a minimum spec that I could take to Dell Outlet?
I would be very grateful for any suggestions please? I have about 6 weeks before her Birthday so have plenty of time to shop around and find the right thing at the best price.
TIA
I must go, I have lives to ruin and hearts to break 
My attitude depends on my Latitude 49° 55' 0" N 6° 19' 60 W
0
Comments
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Thank you.
The minimum spend would be £250. Am prepared to go up to just over £500 if it's necessary, although as her needs are quite restricted, I don't know if it will necessary or not.I must go, I have lives to ruin and hearts to breakMy attitude depends on my Latitude 49° 55' 0" N 6° 19' 60 W0 -
My mother suddenly expressed an interest in a laptop. Thought that one would be a good first laptop.
Don't think she'll need all the bells and whistles for now.
As for your mum...maybe the addition of a built-in webcam. Unless she is going to make use of built in bluetooth and a superior processor for instance, I see no need to spend the extra.
Since money is not an issue, maybe purchasing from a retailer with the best aftercare should be considered.0 -
I'd recommend something with a built in web cam also.Don't lie, thieve, cheat or steal. The Government do not like the competition.
The Lord Giveth and the Government Taketh Away.
I'm sorry, I don't apologise. That's just the way I am. Homer (Simpson)0 -
Thank you. She knows how to do what she does with her existing laptop iyswim and she did have a webcam that she never used, but a built in one would have more incentive for use.
Any suggestions as to models/specs?I must go, I have lives to ruin and hearts to breakMy attitude depends on my Latitude 49° 55' 0" N 6° 19' 60 W0 -
Given her age and the natural deterioration of eyesight as one gets older, it might be a good idea to give precedence to a 17" display rather than to a computer specification that might exceed her needs.
Don't laugh at banana republics. :rotfl:
As a result of how you voted in the last three General Elections,
you'd now be better off living in one.
0 -
I thought about that too. Will send the HP550 back to Ebuyer and look at a machine with a 17in screen. Fujitsu have a machine with an 18.6in screen, but unfortunately no 56k modem, which is needed as an alternative method for Internet connection.
I would happily pass the HP 550 on for the £219 I paid. £269 at Ebuyer now. It's unopened. Otherwise I'll send it back under the Distance Selling regulations within the next day or two.0 -
Surely, one of these, or something equivalent, would solve that, though?
(I know it's outrageously priced but you are, after all, recommending Apple. )
Since money is not an issue, maybe purchasing from a retailer with the best aftercare should be considered.
Don't laugh at banana republics. :rotfl:
As a result of how you voted in the last three General Elections,
you'd now be better off living in one.
0 -
usually ask for more details on requirements but just going on the 17" and modem and around 500 squids.... would this one be something along the lines you were looking for?
Tesco Direct - Toshiba L350-235 Laptop @449 GBP incl free p&p
quick specs:-
Processor: Intel Pentium T4200 2GHz
Memory: 3GB
HD Capacity: 250GB
Display: 17"
Graphics Card: Intel GMA 4500M
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Wired communication: 10/100 ethernet, intl V.90 modem (V.92 ready)
Wireless: 802.11b/g
Full details @Toshiba Europe
Wasn't sure if you mean't BB as in mobile broadband aswell but usb dongles are quite cheap these days if you did need one.... 0 -
Thanks..have already found one for £300. Lesser CPU, 2 GB Ram and 160 GB. Everything else the same.0
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