The Great 'Cheapest Decent Laptop' Hunt

rev_henry

notcosi wrote: »

rev_henry you can get the samsung at Argos :
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001801&langId=-1&searchTerms=samsung+r505&Submit=GO+%3E

Thanks for that, but the ones on Argos proper aren't the same as the one I was looking at although they're all the R505 they don't have the dedicated ATI HD3470 graphics, only the 3200.

butterbeanmash

rev_henry wrote: »

Hi, I'm after a cheapish laptop with a half decent graphics card for gaming.
I was all set on getting this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAMSUNG-R505-AMD-2-1GHZ-3GB-RAM-15-4IN-LAPTOP-REFURB_W0QQitemZ360191740989QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Laptops_EH?hash=item53dd19cc3d&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

But now they've sold out. I'm hoping they'll get more in (they did last time) but is there anything else around that price range that's similar?

I bought one of the two they listed this time. I'm absolutely sure they'll list it again-I just kept checking the 'newly listed items' in the argos shop and bought it as soon as it appeared, which was about five days after it sold out last time.
Couldn't find anything with those specs anywhere so that was the only one I was waiting for.
Good luck!

Mandark

heather8 wrote: »

Can anyone help me please.

I'm looking for a laptop for my 11 year old. He will use it for homework etc, play games, club penguin and a war game, he uses iplayer too and it will get heavy internet use from me!!

I currently use a dell inspiron 1100 which i have had for around 5 years and is very, very slow, as it is very very old. But it is still going strong.

I don't want to spend a fortune, as it will be his main Christmas present, and i will also need to spend the money on other stuff.

Might be best sticking with dell, but I'm unsure of which one to get. I would like it to last for around 5 years, at which time I will get him a new one for Uni, if he makes it there!!

All suggestions welcome, not sure what type of memory, game cards, etc to look for, you know all the techi stuff.

If you're happy with Dell then try the new Inspirons. PC World sells fixed spec ones. Although these work out more costly than buying one customised on Dell's site, it's easier for most people - which was why Dell decided to sell through PC World. But a lot go with Dell online.

I recommend the Inspiron 1545. Decent spec but its battery life is about 2 hours which is poor these days. Pay up to £500. Studio 15 which is known for its good spec and good 4 hours battery life. Pay up to £700. What Laptop magazine thinks this is just about the best value consumer laptop around!

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/editorial/dell-range

Mandark

notcosi wrote: »

Hi - Could anyone tell me if this is a good deal, or is there something better out there for the money ? Thanks
I know that this forum is not as busy as it used tobe but I was wondering if anyone out there could tell me if this was a good deal or not? Thanks
# STUDIO 15 (N0053503)

As I said in my previous post the Dell Studio 15 is rated as a top notch laptop. That's a good system but I'd up the processor to an Intel Core 2 Duo. They are a lot better and don't cost that much more.

Mandark

Scarlett wrote: »

Sorry to post again, but I really need some advice. Can someone please tell me if the HP 550 on ebuyer will be up to the spec I require: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164844

What will I need to buy with it?

Sorry I'm a bit clueless...

I see the HP550 has been discontinued but see my advice in posts above on Dells and checkout this Lenovo for £370. All these should meet your needs to long as you're not planning any 3D gaming. You'll have to customize on the Dell site if you want better graphics to fit under your max price point. The new base HP models are probably now out of your price range.
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Lenovo_G530_Laptop_NSH24UK/version.asp

Mandark

Smickan wrote: »

Hiya,
I was wondering if anyone knows a laptop that's sub £400 with a dvd writer decent processer and ram. Don't care about anything else - just not HP or compaq as I'm locked in a battle with them atm over their absolutely appauling customer service.

Needs to be able to withstand heavy use too - and I mean REALLY heavy use. I give my laptops the same use in a year as the average person would in twice that amount of time if not longer.

Thanks

See all my last few posts about Dells and Lenovo and consider Acer and Toshiba too. click on my name and check the posts.

RalphTBooker

psychopathbabble wrote: »

Hi guys,
Just looking for some advice....
My laptop fell off the bed last night and decided it couldn't take it any more... so now I have a screen that is half white.
I have been quoted £110 to fix it, but as its 3 years old (Advent 7109b) and the cd burner was broken anyway, I'm wondering whether to get this....
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5070561/c_1/1|category_root|Office%2C+PCs+and+phones|14418968/c_2/2|cat_14418968|Laptops+and+mini+laptops|14419039.htm
What do you think? Is it worth fixing the broken one?
Thanks.

Check out Dell's outlet machines (www.dell.co.uk/outlet)

I bought a 'Scratch and Dent' system recently and was impressed at what I actually received. I would say its as new. (If you look really carefully in the correct light,the lid has a scratch..!)

I opted for a Pentium model, but there are slightly cheaper celeron models.

An example of a spec:
•Inspiron 1545 Pentium Dual Core T4200 (2.0GHz,800MHz,1MB)
•Windows Vista® Home Premium;Windows Vista® Home Premium
System Price : £242.34
Operating System
Windows Vista® Home Premium
Windows Vista® Home Premium
Memory
3072MB (1x2048 + 1X1024) 800MHz DDR2
Hard Disk Drive
160GB (5,400 rpm)
NoteBook Screen
Display 15.6in Widescreen WXGA with TrueLife CCFL
System Color
LCD Back Cover Black Matte Finish
MISC
MS Vista Premium Logo Label NB (small)
Keyboard Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard
Battery Inspiron Primary 4-cell 28WHr Li-Ion
Dell Wireless 1397 (802.11 b g)
Base
Inspiron 1545 Pentium Dual Core T4200 (2.0GHz,800MHz,1MB)
Media Bay
Optical Drive 8X DVD + - RW Drive including software

(Obviously no way to know how good the refurbished machine will be, but they do come with 1 yr warranty. The price above does not include VAT and delivery)

butterbeanmash

rev_henry wrote: »

Hi, I'm after a cheapish laptop with a half decent graphics card for gaming.
I was all set on getting this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAMSUNG-R505-AMD-2-1GHZ-3GB-RAM-15-4IN-LAPTOP-REFURB_W0QQitemZ360191740989QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Laptops_EH?hash=item53dd19cc3d&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

But now they've sold out. I'm hoping they'll get more in (they did last time) but is there anything else around that price range that's similar?

A quick warning; I got mine today and it's going back tomorrow. These laptops aren't so much 'refurbished' as 'used'. The spacebar was not attached, there are dents in the screen and scratches all over the inside. This would be why they're selling a reasonable spec laptop so cheap.

heather8

Mandark wrote: »

If you're happy with Dell then try the new Inspirons. PC World sells fixed spec ones. Although these work out more costly than buying one customised on Dell's site, it's easier for most people - which was why Dell decided to sell through PC World. But a lot go with Dell online.

I recommend the Inspiron 1545. Decent spec but its battery life is about 2 hours which is poor these days. Pay up to £500. Studio 15 which is known for its good spec and good 4 hours battery life. Pay up to £700. What Laptop magazine thinks this is just about the best value consumer laptop around!

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/editorial/dell-range

Thank you, I will go via quidco and get one straight from dell.

rev_henry

butterbeanmash wrote: »

A quick warning; I got mine today and it's going back tomorrow. These laptops aren't so much 'refurbished' as 'used'. The spacebar was not attached, there are dents in the screen and scratches all over the inside. This would be why they're selling a reasonable spec laptop so cheap.

Hmm, interesting. Maybe its for the best they sold out then. I emailed them the other day to ask if they were anticipating getting any more in stock. Their response: Thank you for your enquiry. We are unable to give any indication of stock.
Not even an apology or explanation. Just cba.
Pfft. I'm trying to give you £300 for heaven's sake, you obviously don't want it, I'll take it elsewhere.