Student Laptop

Gracie10_2

I'm starting uni in Sept and I'm looking to buy a reliable laptop to last me 4 yrs! Any advice on good deals at a good price???

Thanks! :A

atypical

The Dell Outlet store is competitively priced:

http://outlet.euro.dell.com/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=uk&cs=ukdfh1&l=en&lob=INSP&s=dfh

This and this jumped out at me, are ~£335 all in. If you give them a call you can haggle with them (at least you used to be able to). Getting the £25 delivery charge waived is a good start.

Gracie10_2

Thanks for your advice!

What does refurb laptops mean? :huh:

Lokolo

Second hand basically. (could have been used for demonstrations, employees of dell etc)

Gracie10_2

Thanks for that! Hmmm, second-hand....good or bad for long term investment?? Are they more prone to viruses and would they generally have a shorter life-span?!

atypical

It shouldn't make any difference to the longevity as they're tested before they're sent out again. Plus you have a new 1 year warranty. They're no more prone to viruses than any other laptop.

There's an explanation of the different types of refurb here.

Kaleidoscope27

My sister waited until the end of August last year before buying her laptop and picked up one for £300 in the sales (it was £400 full price.) Might pay you to wait a bit

kksweety

I wouldnt buy a laptop as a primary computer. They're not sturdy enough and you cant upgrade. I made this mistake in my first year and it only lasted little over a year.
I've built my own computer which is fairly simple if you can follow instructions and work a screw driver, for less than £200 and you can get 22" LCD screens for just over £100 which is awesome as it has a HDMI input for the ps3 :-D Comps good spec as well.

I'd get or build a pc and get a cheapy netbook for going to the lib/uni to work.

Mankysteve

Unless the Op is planning on playing games or using powerfully software stuff. They won't really need to upgrade down the line then a laptop is better bet than PC. I would buy the best one you can afford. I never use my pc now I've got a laptop.

The problem with second-hand ones is the battery wont last very long unless it been replaced.

Give us a budget and we can go from there. Don't get a 17" one made that mistake with my old laptop.

I currently have a ASUS X5DIN It was crimbo pressie but it cost around £400 I don't think its available any more though which is pitty as it brilliant much better than my old Acer one.

I wouldn't buy a dell myself. Don't worry too much about getting one with a Microsoft packages you can get it cheap as student anyway or just use open-office for free as I do.

Gracie10_2

Thanks so much for everyone's help! :T

...I know a desktop pc is most probably better but because I'll move out of halls after the 1st year, I'd like something lightweight and portable.

...I currently have a dell pc & it's ok-ish so would prefer to buy another brand of laptop...

I really would like a mac but i think they are around £800??:eek:

Having said that, my budget is flexible-ish because I want to have a laptop that will last...say £350-£400?

Mankysteve

I very anti Mac horrible expensive things.

Just don't shop at any of the high-street shops would be my key recommendation.