Advice on buying a laptop

Shrimply

Hi, I'm looking for a bit of advice. I've been wanting a new laptop for a while but don't have a lot of money to spend. It's not to be used all the time as I have a main computer, but it will be used when I'm home from uni every few weekends and occasionally when I don't want to be tied to my desk. It doesn't need to be all that fantastic, I don't play games or anything, hard drive size is not important, and I'd rather have performance prioritised over battery life.

I'd been hoping to spend under £400 so had been following the pinned thread with interest. I'd sort of decided on the base model Dell 1564, which with a 3% student discount would of been £390, however much to my horror when I went to order the price had increased by £30. Now while not all that much it puts it over the budget and I'm not convinced that it's that great a deal at the new price.

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&kc=305&l=en&oc=N0056401&s=dhs&sbc=inspiron-1564

I was attracted to it by the looks and the newer i3 processor, and quite honestly I'm really struggling to find anything else I like now, having previously been so sure I was getting the Dell.

So I guess my question really is if its worth paying the extra, I'm slightly weary of Dell and am getting mixed messages over whether or not I'll see any benefits of the i3 processor over a dual core for my needs.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be great, thanks

Oscar_The_Grouch

Try the Dell Outlet:

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dfo&dgc=BA&cid=43377&lid=1141768

This is where Dell sell off the machines that were ordered then cancelled, returned because of minor cosmetic damage or returned within the cooling off period. They are all "as new" but cheaper than the made to order ones you've been looking at.

To be honest, you'll get more for your money from the outlet, but remember that the prices shown don't include VAT.

jaydeeuk1

What do you intend to do with the laptop? If its just browsing t'internet, general word proc etc, then you won't notice much difference between that and say a pentium dual core T4400.

Have a look at this. Bang on budget £399, pentium dual core T4400 and a decent (for the price) radeon 430 gfx card. Plus it seems its possible to upgrade to a 9 cell battery for free! Superb price imo

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/646583/dell-inspiron-15-laptop-dualcore-2-

'Only' 2gb ram, but for general use, its plenty.

muirbabe

Hi, This is my first post.

I wondered if buying it through Quidco would help. They promise a 7% cash back if you buy Dell through them. I have never used them but plan to when i buy my next computer, unless Dell are offering a compararble discount on there website.

Just a thought.

There is a discussion on this website about cash back sites such as Quidco but I am not sure if I am permitted to post a link.

Alternatively, have you tried explaining to Dell whats happened and asking them will they honour the original price? Again, just a thought.

Good Luck.

Muirbabe

Shrimply

Thanks, I have been looking at the Dell outlet. Just not really found anything yet, and think that I probably would prefer something new, will keep looking though.

The laptop will be used for we access, word processing, watching catch-up tv and movies and listening to music. So nothing taxing really, just needs to feel generally fast. Also although it hasn't really been a consideration up to now, I've just found out a friend will be studying abroad for the next year, so a webcam would be really beneficial.

I have looked at cash back sites, but I have to decide between a guaranteed 3% off at the time of purchase, or a possible 6-7% off sometime in the next 3 months.

I also did enquire with Dell using the chat facility on the site about getting at the previous price, but it was basically a flat out no, in less than perfect english so kinda gave up with that line of thought.

Shrimply

My real problem seems to be I'm to indecisive, anyone else would of just paid the extra £30 and been happy.

I just can't decide, the Inspiron 1564, looks far better than the older Inspirons. Which shouldn't be a factor but it is.

Problem is I ideally need to make a decision fast as I could really do with a laptop in 3 weeks if possible so if ordering from Dell I don't have much time.

Shrimply

Well to confuse things more I've just been given the extra money as an early birthday present to get the Dell.

I'm still questioning if its worth it though, my heart says yes but my head ain't all that sure,lol.

Basically I guess for around £400 I'll probably end up with the Intel T4400 processor, but with 4GB of ram, for instance

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/189888

I just can't make my mind up.

jaydeeuk1

Shrimply wrote: »

Well to confuse things more I've just been given the extra money as an early birthday present to get the Dell.

I'm still questioning if its worth it though, my heart says yes but my head ain't all that sure,lol.

Basically I guess for around £400 I'll probably end up with the Intel T4400 processor, but with 4GB of ram, for instance

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/189888

I just can't make my mind up.

Looks perfectly fine for your requirements.
Alternatively, theres an almost as quick laptop from Argos for £399 (plus you get £10 voucher), and its a samsung with 3 year warranty. 'Only' has 3gb ram, but to be honest, the way you'll use it, 2gb of the 4gb will be just gathering dust.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5082432.htm?storeId=10001&referredURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.argos.co.uk%2Fstatic%2FProduct%2FpartNumber%2F5082432.htm&jspStoreDir=argos&_%24ja=tsid%3A11674%7Cprd%3A1546795&referrer=COJUN&cmpid=COJUN

Good if you don't want to wait for delivery, but both laptops are very well built and will do exactly what you want.

PayUpMrBookie

Just to add my 2p...

Ive had a laptop delivered from the dell refurb outlet mentioned above, Cracking deal, Laptop looked and felt brand new, Cracking price as well. Well recommended for stretching your money further!

Shrimply

Thanks, funnily enough I have looked at the Samsung and it seems like a good deal, all be it a slightly ugly laptop, but it seems getting hold of one is almost impossible.

The 3 year warranty is something that'd would really be beneficial though, I just can't afford to pay dell the extra ridicules amount of money they want for a 2 or 3 year warranty, at those prices its almost like they don't expect the laptop to last more than a year.

Longevity is something I've been trying to factor in but it seems a pretty pointless exercise. Dell, Compaq, HP all seem to have lovers and haters. Samsung laptops seem generally to get a bit of stick and Toshiba would appear to be well built. But the actual model seems to be more important than the manufacturer anyway. Can't find much on ASUS though, perhaps that's a bad thing rather than a good thing.

Also doing some research despite what Ebuyer say ASUS seem to offer a standard 2 year warranty, can anyone confirm this?

My last laptop was an Advent, and it had major repairs after 6 months and was totally dead within 2 years, so I'd rather not repeat that experiance. Although it did have heavy use whereas this one won't.

Have to say I am really tempted by the ASUS, my one complaint is it doesn't have a HDMI out, which seems slightly crazy. But I'd make do without one pretty easily.

I know that I don't need much in a laptop it's more about getting the best value for money and a laptop i will be able to use and be happy with for a number of years.

Shrimply

Pretty sure its going to be the ASUS, they seem to be pretty highly thought of, but a 2 year warranty would be a deal maker, I posted on the Ebuyer discussion board about the warranty but so far no response.

Still only £18 more to get the Dell i3 though,lol.