Sub-£350 powerful laptops discussion

Donnie

ceh209 wrote: »

Hi, i've been looking at this laptop (posting for someone else actually):

http://direct.asda.com/eMachines-15.6ins-Laptop%2C-Windows-7%2C-160gb-hard-drive/000599079,default,pd.html

but i've seen on this thread that you don't exactly rate emachines!

It is only going to be used for a bit of surfing (no tv or movies etc), email, word processing - for someone who won't consider a netbook as it's too small a screen for them.

And £275 is really the top of their budget unfortunately... whatdya reckon?


As an aside, has anyone had trouble with quidco paying up if you order through asda.com to collect instore?

Forgedaboutit The Toshiba Satellite L450D-11V for £274 mentioned by frogbottler is a much better laptop than that horrible Acer eMachines E525-901G16MI with it's single core Celeron and 1 GB of RAM.

InDebted2U_2

Donnie wrote: »

Was there a BIOS update available?

You really have to be on top of the website. The secret is out and people are snapping the bargains up as soon as there are introduced. Possibly put off before because of the refurb tag.

There we some good deals on this morning. But as you wrote, they sold out, quickly.

The BIOS that came with the laptop seemed to be an older version than the one people were having problems with when I looked online. Dunno whether this was deliberate rollback when it was 'refurbed'. I asked about updating it but they said I should send the machine back to them for 'repair' so I opted for a refund. The other problem seems to necessitate increasing the voltage in the processor, which means it running hotter, which means you need better cooling..... All in all, a refund was simpler and quicker. DS needs to take it to uni in two weeks so not got time for them to take it away for ten days and possibly send it back just as 'refurbished' as it was when they sent it out the first time.

The problem with Argos Clearance is that now DS has seen the kind of machine he can get for the money on there, he doesn't want to compromise and go for a basic model that def works. I was originally looking at a min 1Gb RAM and 160Gb HD whilst hoping for 2Gb/250Gb+ and dual core. Now he won't settle for less than 4Gb RAM, fast dual core processor and HD graphics. Damn you MSI for producing such a nice machine that makes everything else look second rate! :rotfl:

vtmil

Sorry, sort of off topic but I just wanted to thank DONNIE for the PM you sent me - I tried to pm you my thanks but your inbox is full!!

Thanks again,

Vtmil

InDebted2U_2

Well, after further searching and budget-stretching I have now ordered HP G72-110SA laptop refurbished from Currys (also available through Dixons and PC World, same group), which comes in at just under £369 after 5% discount and 3% cashback. With the new Core i3 processor and DDR3 RAM (plus 17" HD screen, HDMI, 320Gb 7200rpm hard drive, etc) I decided it was worth pushing the sub-£350 budget just that little bit. Should be here within 3 days and I'll report back on it. :j

Hopefully this will be of interest to others looking in/around this price range. Got to say that when I first started lappy shopping I wasn't expecting to get anywhere near this spec, so I really can't quibble with the price. :T

MoJo

I'm so out of touch

Been reading through this thread, trouble is everything changes so quickly.
Am I right in thinking that the MSI refurbs are generally thought to be a good buy? Just looking at the CR610 at the moment - or the Acer Aspire 3552 and can't decide.

I'm also noticing 'all' laptops are now coming with Windows 7 which I have no experience of - still clinging to XP Pro on my desktop. I'm noticing (on doing a search) that problems networking between W7 and XP Pro seem fairly common. But it can be done right?

Thanks for any advice

Donnie

MoJo wrote: »

I'm so out of touch

Been reading through this thread, trouble is everything changes so quickly.
Am I right in thinking that the MSI refurbs are generally thought to be a good buy? Just looking at the CR610 at the moment - or the Acer Aspire 3552 and can't decide.

I'm also noticing 'all' laptops are now coming with Windows 7 which I have no experience of - still clinging to XP Pro on my desktop. I'm noticing (on doing a search) that problems networking between W7 and XP Pro seem fairly common. But it can be done right?

Thanks for any advice

ACER? No. The MSI CR610 is good value. I suggest that if you go for one that you test it extensively within your 7 day trial period. Either way, if any fault develops later you will still be eligible for a Refund/Repair/Exchange.

the_stoat

For anyone thinking of using ebuyer.


I tried buying the Compaq laptop from ebuyer and its now £370.

I ordered the laptop 4 days ago and received an email today telling me my order had been cancelled, because they wanted more information for security reasons.

I spoke to them on the phone and they told me I would have to send them a copy of utility bill and a signed photocopy of my passport. It's like trying to take out a mortgage!

I've never had this from a retailer before. Has anyone else had this experience?

GRM

Strange, what payment method were you planning to use?

I bought mine via Paypal and had no issues at all.

MoJo

Donnie wrote: »

ACER? No. The MSI CR610 is good value. I suggest that if you go for one that you test it extensively within your 7 day trial period. Either way, if any fault develops later you will still be eligible for a Refund/Repair/Exchange.

Thanks - I wasn't aware of the refund & etc. - hadn't got as far at the T&C

the_stoat

GRM wrote: »

Strange, what payment method were you planning to use?

I bought mine via Paypal and had no issues at all.

Blood diamonds.


I was using a creditcard. They said it was because ebuyer had been defrauded in the past and it was a new check they were bringing in. I'm not sure buying a laptop should need a passport and utility bill, seems a bit fishy to me.