Help! - laptop for Uni Student

Aspiring

Jaynee123 wrote: »

My son started Uni in Sept, he's been borrowing his girlfriends laptop for his assignments but really needs one of his own. He's not a gamer and is doing a History degree and needs one just for that and surfing the net. Anyone able too offer advice on what would be suitable bearing in mind my pennies are in short supply? I have no idea about spec or prices? He's quite happy too have a 2nd hand or refurbished but we don't want to be fleeced!!!!

Jaynee123:eek:

An even cheaper option to buying one would be to investigate the uni Library, some offer laptop loans (no idea what it costs though) and surely cheaper than buying one or as an interim measure until you have had time to save up?

TDQO

Yar my uni has nearly 50 laptops which you can borrow for a week at a time for free...

lorri_2

Aldi have a "special buy" from 5 March - 10" mini notebook, Medion Akoya E1210 (160Gb hard drive, 1Gb Ram, 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, Windows XP) £279.99 Don't know enough about these things to say whether it is a "good buy" or a "good-bye" though. (it also has a 3 year warranty)

ultimatedingbat

The PC world refurbs are decently priced. You can get a good model for under £300.

I bought my Acer 4315 from my local PC show, refurb for £200. It's great. Try your locals and they normally are nioce. I got 12 months warrantee on this was well

Peartree

The university I work for has its own shop for IT products for students. It offers both new and refurbished laptops at good prices based on its buying power and the 'educational discounts' available. We also have 'open' computer rooms in the library and other buildings with hundreds of computers that students can access freely - for coursework, general surfing, etc. The library is open pretty much 24/7 and also offers laptops on loan.

Your son might want to investigate all of this first if its just for his assignments and a bit of surfing. I think it is pretty much the norm in universities.

lauh88

Assuming your son gets student loan/grants/bursary why can't he buy his own if your 'pennies are in short supply'?
As a 3rd year student I wouldn't dream of asking my Mum to buy me anything so expensive, especially if she was skint. I think it's lovely you want to provide for him but perhaps it's time for him to assume responsibility for his own finances and put his student loan to good use?

shadyone

robin_banks wrote: »

loot, freecycle etc.

I got mine from ebay for about £130. You can search on distance from your house and if you email them first (before you win) you could ask to collect to save on delivery costs?

HTH

Bluebird24

lauh88 wrote: »

Assuming your son gets student loan/grants/bursary why can't he buy his own if your 'pennies are in short supply'?
As a 3rd year student I wouldn't dream of asking my Mum to buy me anything so expensive, especially if she was skint. I think it's lovely you want to provide for him but perhaps it's time for him to assume responsibility for his own finances and put his student loan to good use?

Don't know about you but my student loan didn't cover my rent and utility bills. Food was a luxury.

lauh88

Bluebird24 wrote: »

Don't know about you but my student loan didn't cover my rent and utility bills. Food was a luxury.

If you do a search on the OP you can see shes paying towards her sons accommodation, so surely he must have some student loan left for a laptop!

s_baker_2

lauh88 wrote: »

If you do a search on the OP you can see shes paying towards her sons accommodation, so surely he must have some student loan left for a laptop!

I don't wish to butt in - but I think that is a little bit "rude" snooping around like that. The issue here was, what is the best recommendation for a laptop - who pays is really and truly none of our business. And even if he was able to afford a £3,000 laptop - it wouldn't be the money saving thing to do if he could get one that does exactly what he wants for £300.

As for the best one, try a price comparison site where you (or he) can put in the spec he requires and find the best price. Although you do really need to know what you are doing (IMHO) so if you don't, and you know someone who knows (even a bit) more than you - possibly ask them to go with you to look instore, then search for that model on the web for a better deal.

But I suppose really and truly asking on here is as good as asking someone to go with you...