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Student Laptop

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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
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Comments

  • atypical
    atypical Posts: 1,342 Forumite
    edited 9 May 2010 at 8:54PM
    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
    Gracie10_2 Posts: 38 Forumite
    Thanks for your advice!

    What does refurb laptops mean? :huh:
  • Lokolo
    Lokolo Posts: 20,861 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Second hand basically. (could have been used for demonstrations, employees of dell etc)
  • Gracie10_2
    Gracie10_2 Posts: 38 Forumite
    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
    atypical Posts: 1,342 Forumite
    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.
  • 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
    kksweety Posts: 112 Forumite
    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
    Mankysteve Posts: 4,257 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 10 May 2010 at 1:11PM
    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
    Gracie10_2 Posts: 38 Forumite
    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
    Mankysteve Posts: 4,257 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I very anti Mac horrible expensive things.

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