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Which (CHEAP) Laptop To Choose?
Jakg
Posts: 2,267 Forumite
Pre-face - I know a lot about PC's etc, I'm just not up on the "laptop/netbook scene"
My current laptops screen is now totally screwed, and a new screen is at least £175 - I need a new laptop for School, but I only have about £300 handy and when I go to Uni I plan on buying a very very very nice laptop with my student overdraft - So all I need is a cheapy to tide me over.
All I need is XP (Vista would be better but meh), although I do have a spare key of XP so I could just install it myself, and the ability to run Chrome and Office (preferably 2007).
So far the cheapest solution i've found is to buy something like a second-hand eee for about £115 and then just add some more RAM and install XP. Is there anything else you think I should look for? I don't understand the eee model range at ALL!
7" is a little small, but i've always wanted a netbook and well it'll have to do 'cuz i'm poor!
To elaborate a bit:
Screen-size - Must be under 15.4", but bigger than like 5" obviously (although any size isn't really an issue),
Battery - Must last longer than 50 minutes,
CPU - Doesn't matter. Must be able to run XP without being too slow,
RAM - Doesn't matter if I can chuck some more SODIMM's in,
HDD - Doesn't really matter if I can drop SD cards etc in there. Would like enough space for XP, Office, few apps and about 500mb space for work.,
GFX Card - Doesn't matter,
Bluetooth - Would be nice but no deal breaker,
WiFi - Must have some king (even if it's just B standard),
Webcam - Doesn't matter,
Microphone - Would be nice but will pay nothing over £5 extra for it so meh.
I have no problem buying something with or without an OS (would probably wipe it and nLite XP anyway).
ATM i'm looking at second hand eee's, but don't really "get" netbooks. Not sure about the different models etc. Looking to spend under £200 hopefully less. Like I said - I will not be using this for that long. Have no problem with the Acer One and the Advent 42whatever, but it has to be cheap!
My old laptop was great, and as the screen was on it's last legs I had planned to keep it 'till I went to Uni and then buying a cheap-o LCD TV (i.e. a 15-19" one) and then just removing the screen from the laptop and using the TV as a screen, but alas I can't do that either now! Will certainly miss trying to use 1680*1050 on a 15.4" screen though - that was immense!
My current laptops screen is now totally screwed, and a new screen is at least £175 - I need a new laptop for School, but I only have about £300 handy and when I go to Uni I plan on buying a very very very nice laptop with my student overdraft - So all I need is a cheapy to tide me over.
All I need is XP (Vista would be better but meh), although I do have a spare key of XP so I could just install it myself, and the ability to run Chrome and Office (preferably 2007).
So far the cheapest solution i've found is to buy something like a second-hand eee for about £115 and then just add some more RAM and install XP. Is there anything else you think I should look for? I don't understand the eee model range at ALL!
7" is a little small, but i've always wanted a netbook and well it'll have to do 'cuz i'm poor!
To elaborate a bit:
Screen-size - Must be under 15.4", but bigger than like 5" obviously (although any size isn't really an issue),
Battery - Must last longer than 50 minutes,
CPU - Doesn't matter. Must be able to run XP without being too slow,
RAM - Doesn't matter if I can chuck some more SODIMM's in,
HDD - Doesn't really matter if I can drop SD cards etc in there. Would like enough space for XP, Office, few apps and about 500mb space for work.,
GFX Card - Doesn't matter,
Bluetooth - Would be nice but no deal breaker,
WiFi - Must have some king (even if it's just B standard),
Webcam - Doesn't matter,
Microphone - Would be nice but will pay nothing over £5 extra for it so meh.
I have no problem buying something with or without an OS (would probably wipe it and nLite XP anyway).
ATM i'm looking at second hand eee's, but don't really "get" netbooks. Not sure about the different models etc. Looking to spend under £200 hopefully less. Like I said - I will not be using this for that long. Have no problem with the Acer One and the Advent 42whatever, but it has to be cheap!
My old laptop was great, and as the screen was on it's last legs I had planned to keep it 'till I went to Uni and then buying a cheap-o LCD TV (i.e. a 15-19" one) and then just removing the screen from the laptop and using the TV as a screen, but alas I can't do that either now! Will certainly miss trying to use 1680*1050 on a 15.4" screen though - that was immense!
Nothing I say represents any past, present or future employer.
0
Comments
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http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/272651/asus-eee-pc-701sd-blk024l-netbook-l/
This is £149.97 which I'm tempted by, but I need something that has a CD/DVD drive which most netbooks don't.
I don't want a second hand laptop but I too am looking for as close to £200 as I can, similar spec to yours.
I need it to:
Do general word processing/print docs/write letters, etc.
Watch the 'watch again' Hollyoaks on channel 4 online
Download/burn the occasional tune
Email/Surf
Upload my pics from my N95
I save anything to my USB pen incase I manage to wipe my laptop with a trojan horse
(on more than one occaision did I forget to check my anti-virus was in date)!
Help apprechiated.0 -
I had a Dell catalogue the other day, had some OK looking cheapy laptops in... threw the catalogue away now tho! - but you'll find them online, in fact i'm sure they are online only?In the probably unlikely event that I actually post something of use to someone, an ickle vote of thanks would be much appreciated, in fact I might frame it and put it up on the wall next to my cycling proficiency certificate
0 -
My laptop has just died, I also want a cheap and cheerful one. has anyone spotted any offers?
Many thanks,
ChellNevermind the dog, beware of the kids!0
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