Free Computer & Internet Access for Children aged 7-14 of Low Income Families

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

They must have dealt with mine the same day as katie and raven - still waiting for the card as well.

I have been told on various techie platforms that the Samsung might be slightly quicker 'thinking' but the Toshiba may be slightly better build quality and that an AMD processor is no worse than the Intel. I've also been told to toss a coin as they have essentially the same components inside, though...

bestpud

johebr wrote: »

From what i have read on here, nearly everyone has said it's taken 2 to 3weeks to either have a laptop or to get a reply, it's been 4 weeks today since i phone for the application form, that came quick, received that after 4 days, CB took 2 1/2 weeks and it has been exactley a week today since i psted the form and i have heard nothing what so ever.

I'm now in 2 minds weather i should give them a ring to see if they have recieved my application.

I'm not bothered about how long it takes really, i just hate not knowing whats going on, especially when you read that others seem to have got it sorted alot quicker.

Give it until Monday.

The longest gap for me was between sending back the form and receiving my CB letter back from them. After that it was only a few days before I had the laptop in my hands.

If you've heard nothing by Monday then give them a call just to check, but I don't think you need worry just yet.

The system is bound to slow a little as more people receive their CHB letters and send off the application form.

looby75

I haven't seen the toshiba one but I picked the Samsung one for my son and it's great. He's really happy with it and it seems pretty good to me too. It will probably need more memory at some point but for now it's perfect.

DS did his homework through the school network last night and was over the moon that meant he would get all his break times today He also did the extra extended optional work, which he hasn't done for ages because it took too much of his break-times up lol

bestpud

Same here, haven't seen the Toshiba, but the Samsung is great.

portlandboy

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

They must have dealt with mine the same day as katie and raven - still waiting for the card as well.

I have been told on various techie platforms that the Samsung might be slightly quicker 'thinking' but the Toshiba may be slightly better build quality and that an AMD processor is no worse than the Intel. I've also been told to toss a coin as they have essentially the same components inside, though...

We just received the Toshiba L450D and I think it is spot on for build quality. We added £30 to get the 2gb version and it is performing well too. I priced up the extra memory and it would have been about £40 + P&P to buy separately so the additional £30 seemed a fair price.

UN17ED

portlandboy wrote: »

We just received the Toshiba L450D and I think it is spot on for build quality. We added £30 to get the 2gb version and it is performing well too. I priced up the extra memory and it would have been about £40 + P&P to buy separately so the additional £30 seemed a fair price.

Where did you get this for the extra memory for £30 as I can only see it for £50

UN17ED

Anyone got the Acer laptop? or is this a no go and the samsung or toshiba the ones to go for?

PandorasJar

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but there is currently a trial in Swindon to allow everyone to have access to the internet for (I believe) 2 hours a day, for school work/bills etc.

It's being put in at the moment and scheduled to be finished by April and up and running everywhere.... but we'll believe it when we see it!

I think it's a fab idea, America are there already, and internet access is becoming vital nowadays for many reasons, so it's great that people who can't afford it, can still get online

P

UN17ED

I am really struggling to decide which is the best deal to get, and would be really really grateful for some help in what to choose please.

The extra years internet that positive it provide sounds great but then again the extra 1gb memory sounds great but then which laptop to choose?

As it is such an important decision I want to make sure I get it right to provide my daughter with the best deal so it helps her with her schoolwork.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

UN17ED wrote: »

I am really struggling to decide which is the best deal to get, and would be really really grateful for some help in what to choose please.

The extra years internet that positive it provide sounds great but then again the extra 1gb memory sounds great but then which laptop to choose?

As it is such an important decision I want to make sure I get it right to provide my daughter with the best deal so it helps her with her schoolwork.

I have heard nothing but bad things about Acer recently and when checking the build quality on their cheaper laptops in Curry's, I thought they were shockingly poorly made - nasty, fragile, rattly keys, bits falling off, etc, etc.

A little wander into an electrical shop on a quiet day should give you some idea - look at the cheapest ones of the range and you'll have an idea of the construction.

The extra 1Gb is useful for memory hungry applications, running more than one programme at a time, for example, but you will manage without it for a while if you can't stretch to it - and it's easy and fairly cheap to upgrade later if you need to.


Oh, and the extra software appears to be aimed at younger children. It's certainly not suitable for my 10 year old - I'd think maybe 6 or 7 years old?