Refurb vs New, AMD vs Intel, I'm so confused, help!

Guapa1

Good afternoon,

I've decided that it is time for a new laptop and have started researching and have got myself thoroughly confused!

I don't have a TV so I do pretty much everything online. Web browsing, blogging, listening to music. watching DVDs and films online, reading ebooks, using skype etc. I'm also planning to get into podcasting casting in the near future.

I only have about £350 (4 at a push) to spend.
So far, I've been looking at Dells as I've only ever had computers from them. The reviews I've read seem to say that the Inspiron 1520 is better than the 1525 and is the same as the vostro1500.

I've seen a refurb 1520 here, and am interested as it has a 3 year warranty. I would bump the memory up to 2gb as I've read on here that you'll need about that for Vista to work well.

However I'm not sure if refurbs are worth buying?

The Vostro 1500, and Inspiron 1520 aren't on sale for new from Dell anymore.

The ones I can afford from new are:

Vostro A860 which only has 2 usb ports and is £309.36 with 1 years warranty or £343.85 with 3 years warranty.

Vostro 1710 for £343.85

Inspiron 1545 which is £349 with a years warranty. (Can be £329 if you take off the Dual Core)

I also read the article on here that the HP 6735s is a good machine, but then I've read that AMD isn't as good as Intel...

HP 6735s for £294.99

I'm getting more and more confused!

Please help!

Guapa1

I forgot to add with tax and shipping the 1520 is £297.79

Strider590

Refurb's are a good deal, but i'd use an independent company if you want good price.
I've refurbished my own (have 2 laptops) and some for customers.
I prefer IBM/Lenovo laptops, they are widely regarded as being the best you can buy and my 2 IBM T41's set me back around £150 each, these retailed at around £1400 each 4 years ago.

The usual questions apply though and you have to ask yourself what you want to use it for. Obviously the big problem is if you want to new play games or do any sort of CAD work.

Guapa1

Thank you Strider (great sig!), seen as I don't even know what CAD stands for, I guess I won't need it.
I know I'll be downloading loads, and I'll definitely be moving into podcasting soon, so something that is relatively quick. I'll have a look at the IBM spec, and browse through the Lenovo range too.

Are there any online independent companies you can recommend? I have mobility issues and so buying online will be better for me.

Taffybiker

For me, a refurb is as good as a new one, especially if the refurb was carried out by the manufacturer since they will have used genuine parts.

John_Gray

Perhaps have a look at (largely refurbished) Toshiba laptops from Morgan Computers (see LH column)?

Strider590

Have a bit of a bash on ebay, there are proper refurb companies selling on there. I do em myself, but I strictly supply locally.

For what you need, you'll be perfectly fine with something of similar spec to say a T42 (£120-£200) or T43 (£160-£240)
Hell, my personal T41 is on 24/7, it constantly runs utorrent, a p2p client, msn messenger and apache http/ftp web server. When I don't feel like turning on the beast (PC), I use it for watching movies, browsing youtube, browsing the internet, burning CD's, using office 2000 and editing photo's in Corel draw/paint 8.
It does all of the above without batting an eyelid.
Only downside is a 14inch screen and max resolution of 1024x768.

Hope this gives some sort of guide.

Guapa1

Thanks all, I think I'm a bit more confused now, too many options! I'm trying to revive my lappy as it's slipped into a coma (error code 0x000000) so I'll check the link and ebay out when I can, but for the moment out of those shown which is the best buy in general?

AdamMerry

I work for a company who deal with refurbs and i would say that 90% that we sell the customers don't have any problems with. We do get a small amount sent back to us as faulty but usually the fault is something very simple to fix, and believe me some of the refurbs just look like brand new. I would recommend you to try and get a guarantee with it, we give a 12 month guarantee so you carn't go wrong with the price there selling at.

Guapa1

Thanks for that, so ibm/lenovo are a good brand. Would you say it's better to get a refurb of one of those that a new one of say an acer? Asda have one for £275 at the moment, can't link it as on my phone. I just want something that will last.

Strider590

My friend, it's entirely upto you
The cheap store brought laptop's contain inferior quality parts. It's like comparing a German car to one made in Korea, the specs are the same, but will it last as long?
You'll be looking at buying a new one in 2 years time, but at the price you paid, that's not huge problem. My biggest issue is the fact I hate the process of moving files onto a new PC and getting it all setup the way I had it before.

Business grade laptop's on the other hand, designed to be used heavily, thrown into the boot of a Ford Mondeo every other day, dropped occasionally and still be alive and well when the IT dept swaps them out, with a little care will last 5-10 years.

Having now sold a few new PC's I know that what consumers really want (despite what they initially say) is the cheapest computer with the highest spec possible, or at least what they perceive to be the best spec.
Arguing that Intel systems are more expensive than AMD because the processor is supierior, is a pointless exercise when all they see is dualcore versus tri-core. Like pointing out that 4GB of ram isnt going to be recognised by XP or Vista Home Basic (3.2GB maximum), they just don't accept it.

I know what i'd do and have done laptop wise, but the choice is yours and im 100% sure you'll be completely happy whatever you purchase.