Student needs a cheap but reliable laptop for dissertation, please help!

Younggrandmother

All your posts have been really helpful, I'm going to do as you suggest and actually try a few out before I buy. I wish money was no object and I could splash out on an all singing, all dancing model, but the truth is £300 is the max as I am supporting myself and two girls on a student loan and tax credits with no savings in the kitty. That's why your advice to a complete novice is so gratefully received. As my degree is in English Literature there is no requirement for diagrams, I just going to hammer the key board!

Once again, a huge thank you to all of you who have taken the time to respond, I feel more confident about buying something that is right for me instead of walking into it blind! I have to go as I am putting off doing yet another essay.

johncolescarr

David333 wrote: »

Just to add another option. I have one of those tiny netbooks: an Asus EEE. I really would recommend them: they're so light to carry to and from uni every day, will connect to your uni network for the Internet, and are no problem to write on for a dissertation - back up to a USB drive and all will be well!

Be very careful buying one of these. (Please don't take offense David) Brilliant machines but they are netbooks, not laptops. The eee has a 8-10inch screen and a super small keyboard - if your going to write 15000 words you might want something a bit bigger. Asus also do laptops however

1jim

a silly question I know, but with these netbooks, how do you add programes?
am tempted to get the samsung one but will add microsoft office (using nhs deal) which I understand comes on a disc...do I have to copy to usb dongle/memory stick thingy or will I have to buy an external cd drive (if these even exist)?
thanks
Jim

evilsheep

1jim wrote: »

a silly question I know, but with these netbooks, how do you add programes?
am tempted to get the samsung one but will add microsoft office (using nhs deal) which I understand comes on a disc...do I have to copy to usb dongle/memory stick thingy or will I have to buy an external cd drive (if these even exist)?
thanks
Jim

I've recently bought a Samsung NC10 (see my bleatings above), and have installed the full MS Office package via a networked drive. All the home PCs/laptops are wirelessly connected, so it was simply a case of popping the CD into another computer's drive, and then accessing the contents via the network. Or, as you said, you could use another computer to copy the info onto a (large enough) USB stick or memory card.

Assuming you don't have access to another computer, I would recommend buying an external drive - they are quite commonly available and not too pricey.

I love my NC10. 'Tis great ... Make sure you get it for less than £300 though,

1jim

hadnt thought about networking but we have a dell laptop that is connect to wireless router/modem (battery dead so will be used as main desktop type of thing with the netbook being used as the laptop so to speak....both my wife and I will use both of these for courses we wil be doing for work)
Is it difficult to set up a network with the above computers and a wireless printer (dont know much about computers so the simple the better ;-) )

evilsheep

It's very straightforward to set up a network. At least, I don't remember much slamming of doors and loud exclamations of profanity! With the wireless printer, it's just a matter of downloading the correct driver (usually available to download online), and then you're good to go. XP has a 'Network Setup Wizard' which will talk you through the necessary steps to connect your computers. I've got an external hard drive connected to the router too, which is very useful for storing programs, drivers, backups etc.

If you do have any problems/questions (which I'm sure you won't), they would soon be sorted by a quick post on these boards anyway.

The more I use my netbook, the more I like it. My 'normal' computer is a 17" widescreen laptop, so obviously I do notice the difference in screen-size if I switch from one to the other. However, I've certainly not found anything awkward or difficult about it. In fact, I think I prefer the keyboard size on the netbook!

In response to johncolescarr's earlier post: the Samsung has a 10" widescreen display, and something like a 92% of full-size keyboard, unlike the Acer/Asus models. Very easy to type, and more than adequate to write 15000 words on.

1jim

thanks for the advice, am going to look out for a good price on this now, although had heard that samsung are bringing out a slightly larger version in Feb so dont know if I should wait and see....?????

evilsheep

Lots of useful info here about everything Samsung related. I've read (somewhere, can't remember where!), that the NC20 will potentially be a stepdown from the NC10 due to a slower processor. Or something.

HelpfulConsumer

Just a thought to share regarding your worries Younggrandmother... Computers will always fail at some point, with regard to warranty, I think you may find older (say two years) machines more reliable and affordable than the models out now, the money you save on buying an older machine you could always put by to spend on various technical support. I myself find most computer issues are fixed by a quick back-up of everything, a format of the system, re-install of windows and away you go again.. the process is easier to learn than you may think.

Good luck in your search!