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Sub-£350 powerful laptops discussion

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  • cepheus
    cepheus Posts: 20,053 Forumite
    cepheus wrote: »
    So how does this sound with additional 3% reduction from Topcashback?

    Toshiba Satellite C660-155 Core i3 380M 2.53GHz 4GB 320GB 15.6" Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit laptop £339.00

    http://www.dabs.com/products/toshiba-satellite-c660-155-core-i3-380m-2-53ghz-4gb-320gb-15-6--windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-laptop-7BH9.html?utm_source=kelkoo&utm_medium=price%20comparison&utm_content=KK00

    Well I bought this, and have been setting it up yesterday. I wished to be able to plug it into my original screen, mouse and keyboard so my original setup position doesn't change. Main problem is that my original PC keyboard is a round pin and the laptop only has USBs, so it doesn't fit in! Presumably there are adapters available?

    Unfortunately this laptop has only two USBs, and the mouse uses the other USB port leaving nothing else for a printer or memory stick. Managable but inconvenient.

    Hope to take it on holiday in a few weeks.
  • steve_Ferro
    steve_Ferro Posts: 14 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    PS2 to USB converters are not recommended. Probably better just to replace the keyboard with a USB one (they are cheap anyway).

    You could purchase a powered USB hub to provide more USB ports.
  • grumpycrab
    grumpycrab Posts: 5,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    cepheus wrote: »
    ...Main problem is that my original PC keyboard is a round pin and the laptop only has USBs, so it doesn't fit in! Presumably there are adapters available?...

    Sounds like you will need a USB hub. Dead cheap on Amazon.

    Re PS/2 keyboard; I suggest treating yourself to a new USB keyboard. Or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-USB-PS-2-Adapter/dp/B0006BA2SI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306481949&sr=8-3 (the simple adapters aren't very reliable)
    If you put your general location in your Profile, somebody here may be able to come and help you.
  • grumpycrab
    grumpycrab Posts: 5,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    steve_Ferro wrote: »
    My favourite £350 laptop is the Acer Aspire 5551A.

    (Argos order code 508/3345)...

    Reasonable specs, but the biggest single selling point over similar priced machines is


    Manufacturer's 3 year guarantee

    is included.
    Great if you want a laptop for basic (web, email, office) use and will run older games with cover for 3 years.

    For £20 more this one is even better value (offer runs out on Monday).
    http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_Edge_15_1079088.html
    If you put your general location in your Profile, somebody here may be able to come and help you.
  • cepheus
    cepheus Posts: 20,053 Forumite
    grumpycrab wrote: »
    Sounds like you will need a USB hub. Dead cheap on Amazon.

    Re PS/2 keyboard; I suggest treating yourself to a new USB keyboard. Or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-USB-PS-2-Adapter/dp/B0006BA2SI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306481949&sr=8-3 (the simple adapters aren't very reliable)

    What is the purpose of having two PS round plug inputs? can you plug the keyboard into one and the mouse the other so they operate off one USB socket?
  • grumpycrab
    grumpycrab Posts: 5,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    edited 27 May 2011 at 9:17AM
    cepheus wrote: »
    What is the purpose of having two PS round plug inputs? can you plug the keyboard into one and the mouse the other so they operate off one USB socket?
    Yes. This adapter alse looks more reliable than the simple plug types.
    If you put your general location in your Profile, somebody here may be able to come and help you.
  • dx052
    dx052 Posts: 384 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    I have £250.00 to spend on a new Laptop as my Macbook Pro died on me & my budget is now very tight. My useage is purley Web & Excel/Word basesd, DVD is a bonus. I was looking at a netbook but as I would be using it a lot the small keybaord may get on my nerves. I had my eye on a HP 620 (although I have just noticed they have gone up in price!) Need something relaiable & light that I could use as a work horse. If it last a couple of years I will be happy.
  • steve_Ferro
    steve_Ferro Posts: 14 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    dx052 wrote: »
    I have £250.00 to spend on a new Laptop as my Macbook Pro died on me & my budget is now very tight.

    Just a thought, but what have you done with the dead Macbook Pro? I ask because even dead Macbook Pro's fetch very decent money on eBay for spares/repair. Possibly enabling you to be able to buy a higher spec new machine.
  • stilltheone
    stilltheone Posts: 2,131 Forumite
    dx052 wrote: »
    I have £250.00 to spend on a new Laptop as my Macbook Pro died on me & my budget is now very tight. My useage is purley Web & Excel/Word basesd, DVD is a bonus. I was looking at a netbook but as I would be using it a lot the small keybaord may get on my nerves. I had my eye on a HP 620 (although I have just noticed they have gone up in price!) Need something relaiable & light that I could use as a work horse. If it last a couple of years I will be happy.

    This ACER Aspire 5742Z here is still £250 delivered.

    Purchase link here
  • grumpycrab
    grumpycrab Posts: 5,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    dx052 wrote: »
    I have £250.00 to spend on a new Laptop as my Macbook Pro died on me & my budget is now very tight...
    £220 http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?product=SOLV587&title=HP+Compaq+CQ-61-402+Intel+Celeron+2.0GHz+Laptop+-+Windows+7+&ref=summaryRecommend
    If you put your general location in your Profile, somebody here may be able to come and help you.
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