Sub-£350 powerful laptops discussion

DJOldskool

JDPower wrote: »

But RAM can be upgraded, CPU can't

You can upgrade the CPU if you are comfy with taking a laptop apart :j But then I used to be a laptop technician, best advice is outline different sides of your machine on paper then selotape the screws to it where they go. Needs to be the same socket type. Also make sure it can handle the system bus speed the CPU runs at or it will downgrade the CPU.

My current machine was 2nd hand and old when I got it, managed to change a celeron 1.4 for a core duo 1.6, upgraded the ram and been using it for over 3 years. :beer:

Admittedly, not many people are comfortable doing this.:cool:

attemptedangel

JDPower wrote: »

But RAM can be upgraded, CPU can't

Ah, but the reality is I will never upgrade anything, I'm the type to just take it out of the box and from then on only turn it on and off

For that reason, i just want the one that works best immediately out of the box.....

grumpycrab

Just to summarise, if you're looking for a fast budget laptop, here are 2 very similar i3-380M Toshiba's which are scrapping for best buy at the moment:-
1. @Saveonlaptops this is £330
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_C660-1E2_1044806.html

2. @Argos this is £350 but has a slightly larger disk and 2-year warranty
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5084760.htm?storeId=10001&referredURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.argos.co.uk%2Fstatic%2FProduct%2FpartNumber%2F5084760.htm&jspStoreDir=argos&_%24ja=tsid%3A11674%7Cprd%3A1546795&referrer=COJUN&com.ibm.commerce.context.experiment.ExperimentContext=com.ibm.commerce.context.experimentimpl.ExperimentContextImpl%405fba106d&cmpid=COJUN

Indigomoon_2

what do you think of this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-C660-155-Notebook-Processor/dp/B004K6MENQ/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt


i know it's not under 350, but i know that i, too, won't upgrade anything so am trying to find the best balance between what i can afford and what won't get totally old very soon.

grumpycrab

Indigomoon wrote: »

what do you think of this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-C660-155-Notebook-Processor/dp/B004K6MENQ/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt


i know it's not under 350, but i know that i, too, won't upgrade anything so am trying to find the best balance between what i can afford and what won't get totally old very soon.

There are a few i3-370/380 "budget" laptops around at the moment, making it difficult to chose which one to get. Although Toshibas are a little dull you can get reasonable price warranty extensions on them. That's why I like the £350 one at Argos (2 year warranty out of the box).

The question is, is 2GB memory enough for Windows7? Some people say yes. I'd say yes but does anybody else have a comment on this?

Also, the Toshibas don't have an HDMI port which makes it much more convenient to connect a laptop to monitor or TV (but that's still possible with the VGA port).

Options:-
1. The laptop you list is fine (processor, memory, hard disk) and a 1 year warranty extension is £27 @Toshiba -> http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/product/Satellite-C660-155/1101894/tab/2/#2

2. The Argos one (listed above) for £350 has a 2 year warranty. I know you don't want to, but 2GB of memory could be added for about £20 (1GB for £11)

3. This HP laptop is £360 using code HWARE10 (don't know when it expires) and also can get 4% Quidco discount
http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/hp-g62-451sa-15-6-laptop-black-08722513-pdt.html?srcid=369&xtor=AL-63

4. This Acer is £350 http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/dp/B0045UBCQ2

5. Finally, you can get the Toshiba you listed a bit cheaper here -> http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_C660-155_1044900.html

Indigomoon_2

thanks very much for the detailed answer. i'm a bit partial to Toshiba laptops as my current one is a Toshiba, bought it refurbished in 2005 and haven't had any hassle from it at all, but it's very slow now so i have to get a new one.

stilltheone

Indigomoon wrote: »

thanks very much for the detailed answer. i'm a bit partial to Toshiba laptops as my current one is a Toshiba, bought it refurbished in 2005 and haven't had any hassle from it at all, but it's very slow now so i have to get a new one.

Are you getting the best out of the old Toshiba? Which model?

Indigomoon_2

stilltheone wrote: »

Are you getting the best out of the old Toshiba? Which model?

It's the TE2000 and its characteristics sound so ridiculous compared to the mid-range stuff that's sold now, that i won't even quote them (well, i might if you want me to amuse you)

stilltheone

Indigomoon wrote: »

It's the TE2000 and its characteristics sound so ridiculous compared to the mid-range stuff that's sold now, that i won't even quote them (well, i might if you want me to amuse you)

They don't make them like this any more

How much RAM is installed?

A clean install and more RAM?

Drivers here. XP disc on request.

Indigomoon_2

rogerg wrote: »

That's a museum piece! Surprised it still works.

it does, never been down!