Sub-£350 powerful laptops discussion

joshm_2

Given my recent experience of a Dell refurb, I wouldn't advise it. But then I'm sure many others have more +ve tales to tell.

emc

Pikeyp wrote: »

I wonder how the Dell Inspiron 1545 stacks up in the current scheme of things?

There seem to be a few available here .. http://www.uklaptops.co.uk/shop/Dell_Inspiron_15__1545_.html

All around , or just over the £300 mark .. depends on the configuration.

Also does anyone have any experience of uklaptops.co.uk .. they only sell refurbed Dell stuff it seems.

I have not bought from uklaptops, but have bought a refurb laptop directly from the Dell Outlet site earlier this year, and it has been fine.

A few months ago I wanted another laptop, but there was zero or very little stock at Dell and the prices weren't worth considering, so I bought from Currys, and that refurb has also been fine.

The Dell Outlet site is now showing some stock, and at slightly more competitive prices but still more expensive than when I bought my laptop from them.

Dustykitten

Is there a better brand of laptop than another. DS2 has a dell (basic one) and is happy with it. The one I'm replacing for DS1 is an Acer - he doesn't want another Acer as he finds his slow/hangs - I've tried sorting it out on here with only limited joy - trying a defrag at the moment. DS1 fancies Compaq or is it all just down to the spec and a little luck?

Sorry another thing. DS1 likes the idea of a webcam, is it fine to just get a standalone one of those later?

blackswan2

they don;t seem bad, £330 gets you:
[SIZE=-2]CPU Type:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]Intel Celeron Dual Core, 2.0 Ghz T3300[/SIZE][SIZE=-2] Hard Drive Capacity:[/SIZE]250GB[SIZE=-2]RAM:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]3.0GB[/SIZE][SIZE=-2] Optical Drive:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]DVD+/-RW[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]Video Type:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]Intel GM45[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]Video Memory:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]32MB[/SIZE]
£300 is my ideal limit but given time pressure, could go for something like this

blackswan2

looks like none of these Dells have a webcam though

acc

Dustykitten wrote: »

Is there a better brand of laptop than another. DS2 has a dell (basic one) and is happy with it. The one I'm replacing for DS1 is an Acer. DS1 fancies Compaq or is it all just down to the spec and a little luck?

DS1 likes the idea of a webcam, is it fine to just get a standalone one of those later?

We have a mix of laptops, including an Acer Aspire, Dell Vostro 1700, Dell 15 and an HPG72 110SA, and all have been fine.

Both of the laptops you mentioned at ebuyer have webcams.

Donnie

joshm wrote: »

The Toshiba seemed (on the surface, at least) to be a cracker - brand new C650-110 dual core Intel with 4GB RAM & 250GB HDD for 299.
That's the sort of machine I'm waiting for now that my MSI is going back. It's a pity about the MSI since apart from the screen it looks like a quite a good machine.
I also had a Dell Inspiron 1764 core i5 with 4GB from Dell Outlet (only GBP 410 delivered - seemed like a bargain at the time) which went back due to a screen fault which Dell repeatedly tried (and failed) to fix. So Dell's not on my xmas card list either - awful customer service too (in my opinion and experience), and that's even with next-day on-site business support!

Did you try the BIOS update? They claim that solves the problem with the screen.

Pikeyp

blackswan2 wrote: »

looks like none of these Dells have a webcam though

Yes .. I think I read somewhere that there were two 'waves' of the 1545 released.

The first had the web-cam option , the second wave didn't.

Can anyone confirm that .. ?

rbnrbn

rbnrbn wrote: »

i think the Acer Ferrari One for £349 is reasonable, however id like to get morebang for my money. can anyone better this?



AMD Athlon XL L310 1.2GHz with ATI Radeon HD3200 Graphics

2GB RAM

250GB HDD

11.6" WXGA

Webcam

Windows 7 Home Premium

can anyone beat this?

Donnie

blackswan2 wrote: »

I didn't see any Toshiba deals - might have suited me well!
One of my daughter's has that CR610, battery didn't work but otherwise she says it is good. My other daughter's birthday is just over a week away and I aim to get her a laptop too for up to £300.
I was going to play safe and not get another MSI (no negative experience, but eggs and baskets etc.) - not so sure now, will pounce on another CR610 if it comes back to £300.

Was here...