Sub-£350 powerful laptops discussion

NiftyDigits

JDPower wrote: »

Although the Acer has the marginally better processor it's not enough that you'd notice so on reliability I'd go for the Vaio, unless you really need the slightly bigger HD of the Acer.

Don't ignore the warranty. It makes a material difference to the overall package.

jem16

JDPower wrote: »

worth checking your local store to see if they've any stock there as it's a major bargain at that price (its cheap even at the £289 ebuyer are charging)

I'll have a look - thanks.

jem16

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Don't ignore the warranty. It makes a material difference to the overall package.

Is the Acer ok? I thought it was one of the cheaper brands but not so good as others. I realise the warranty makes a difference but don't really want something that continually has to be sent back for repair.

NiftyDigits

jem16 wrote: »

Is the Acer ok? I thought it was one of the cheaper brands but not so good as others. I realise the warranty makes a difference but don't really want something that continually has to be sent back for repair.

There really is no guarantee with any laptop. You can get a lemon or it can be fine.
I bought one of the ACER machines for a friend and set it up for her. Looked ok to me. I'm not a big Sony fan anyway.
In the end, the decision is yours.

Rescuecom reliabilty report

teajug

JDPower wrote: »

Although the Acer has the marginally better processor it's not enough that you'd notice so on reliability I'd go for the Vaio, unless you really need the slightly bigger HD of the Acer.

Got a Sony Vaio and it is no good after a couple of years it got lines down the front of screen and it is very expensive to get fixed, apparently they are notorious for over heating. My laptop is is about 3 years old and I need to replace it with something else but not with another sony vaio. Google Sony Vaio with blue lines down the screen and you will see for your self.

JDPower

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I'm not a big Sony fan anyway

Me either, really dislike them, but they do out perform Acer on reliability in just about any survey you look at, so only fair for me to be unbiased and point that out

NiftyDigits

JDPower wrote: »

Me either, really dislike them, but they do out perform Acer on reliability in just about any survey you look at, so only fair for me to be unbiased and point that out

Saying that, I have a four year old(bought Feb 2008) ACER laptop here that refuses to have the slightest problem.

JDPower

teajug wrote: »

apparently they are notorious for over heating.

I actually think ALL laptops are notorious for overheating because people don't follow the manufacturers instructions (don't use it on your lap or soft furnishings), or perhaps more accurately manufacturers don't build them to take into account how people ACTUALLY use them. Having had issues with a couple of laptops dying from overheating (and friends complaining of issues that when I checked them out was exactly the same thing), my last laptop I had sat permanently on a cooling pad (not even turned on a lot of the time, just so it was on a hard surface with extra airflow under it), that laptop is still going strong 6 years on even with using on my lap and bed (shock horror ).

SeanC_2

I'm currently in need of a good all round laptop, but unfortunately just have £250 to spend. Key compromise therefore is that I'm looking at refurbs.

HDMI output, 4gb RAM and 500gb HD are what I really want in terms of detailed specs and this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251106796504?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 appears to be on balance the best I can find. The processor may however be a little weak, but Samsung seem to have a good reputation for reliability.

Is anybody aware of anything better currently out there?


Thanks

NiftyDigits

SeanC wrote: »

I'm currently in need of a good all round laptop, but unfortunately just have £250 to spend. Key compromise therefore is that I'm looking at refurbs.

HDMI output, 4gb RAM and 500gb HD are what I really want in terms of detailed specs and this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251106796504?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 appears to be on balance the best I can find. The processor may however be a little weak, but Samsung seem to have a good reputation for reliability.

Is anybody aware of anything better currently out there?


Thanks

This Samsung is better. It claims to have an i3 processor. Grabbit!
If not as described, you'll get a full refund anyway.