Advice please

The_Grandmaster

If you insist - but personally I would assume the worst if investing a large sum...

closed

There's probably a few years of life left in the one you have, did you upgrade the ram?

Donnie

weegie.geek wrote: »

It's also refurbished, which isn't ideal.

Also, saying it's better spec is a bit off, the i3 will trounce this thing in speed terms. It's got more drivespace and a bluray drive, but you have to ask yourself just how useful a bluray drive is on a laptop, especially on a screen that only does 1366x768.

Refurb with an imo useless bluray drive and more drive space (which is its only advantage as far as i'm concerned) or a brand new, faster laptop. I know which one I'd choose.

Now I know why you call yourself a geek...you just want to get the the latest whilst glossing over the little details.

There is no BluRay drive on the MSI. The HDD sizes are the same.
The MSI has twice as much RAM, which in fact is more likely to be of use to the OP than a faster processor.
The MSI has dedicated graphics memory. The Toshiba does not. So the graphics memory is taken from the relatively low 2GB available.
The MSI has a 1.3 MegaPixel camera, the Toshiba 0.3MegaPixels.
The MSI has Bluetooth. The Toshiba does not.

On the other side I have a Toshiba laptop and I like it and JL are a good company and offer a two year warranty as compared with 1 year with Argos Clearance/MSI.


I know you get excited by the new Intel processors, but you should have given the OP a more balanced and honest overview.

Donnie

The_Grandmaster wrote: »

If you insist - but personally I would assume the worst if investing a large sum...

Why? You have exactly the same rights as if you bought new with regard to faulty equipment or a no fault return.
Even if they, say, replaced a HDD or a scratched case, what would be the difference from a 'new' machine?
Psychological?

I'm happy to save up to £150. I'm not bothered that a 'consumer' may have touched the casing before I did.

weegie.geek

Donnie wrote: »

Now I know why you call yourself a geek...you just want to get the the latest whilst glossing over the little details.

It's not about what I want, it's about helping the OP. Feel free to make bizarre remarks all you like though.

There is no BluRay drive on the MSI. The HDD sizes are the same.

The specs hadn't loaded on ebay (damn includes server was taking its time) so I googled and found a review of the MSI CR610-013, and didn't notice the -013 bit.

So, same size drive and no bluray. It's worse than I'd initially believed. Thanks for pointing that out.

The MSI has twice as much RAM, which in fact is more likely to be of use to the OP than a faster processor.

Ram's cheap-ish if the OP decides they need more. Good luck upgrading the CPU if they decide they need faster.

The MSI has dedicated graphics memory. The Toshiba does not. So the graphics memory is taken from the relatively low 2GB available.

In all honesty, for what the OP will do, 2GB (or damn near it, video memory won't be much) will be plenty. And like I said, it's easy to upgrade.

The GMA HD is actually quite a capable chipset. I doubt it'd perform any worse than the Radeon in the other laptop.

The MSI has a 1.3 MegaPixel camera, the Toshiba 0.3MegaPixels.

Can't say I've ever used the webcam on my last 3 laptops. Not an expensive thing to buy if they decide they want a better one.

The MSI has Bluetooth. The Toshiba does not.

Again, I've used bluetooth once I think. Maybe it's a dealbreaker, maybe not, but a dongle can be had for a few pounds. I wouldn't discount a laptop for not having bluetooth.

On the other side I have a Toshiba laptop and I like it and JL are a good company and offer a two year warranty as compared with 1 year with Argos Clearance/MSI.

I know you get excited by the new Intel processors, but you should have given the OP a more balanced and honest overview.

I get excited? Er, ok mate. I gave a balanced overview. We disagree on some points. Now, refrain from making silly personal comments please, and stick to the topic at hand.

The fact is that the i3 would run circles round the other CPU, therefore the laptop would be able to keep up with what the OP needs for longer. What they need the machine for wouldn't tax either laptop, but why not future proof themselves a little by getting the faster machine?

The_Grandmaster

I just think if one part of an electrical appliance is faulty, the chances of another part breaking down is higher. Therefore I prefer a non-refurbished product.

I guess we have different views!

weegie.geek

I've bought second hand and refurb, and I've bought new. I can see where you're coming from though. If it's, say, had a hard drive die, then replaced, what's to say it's not the ropey PSU that killed it?

It's not just about warranty, it's about the likelihood of being without it for a while when they're repairing it, and the inconvenience of that.

Donnie

The_Grandmaster wrote: »

I just think if one part of an electrical appliance is faulty, the chances of another part breaking down is higher. Therefore I prefer a non-refurbished product.

I guess we have different views!

It's ok if you want to pay the full price. I've had three laptops from them. All ook new and ten months later they all seem fine.
If there was a problem, just like any new laptop, I would have the same rights.
Let's be clear that we are writing about Argos Clearance, not just 'refurbished' laptops in general.

Donnie

weegie.geek wrote: »

I've bought second hand and refurb, and I've bought new. I can see where you're coming from though. If it's, say, had a hard drive die, then replaced, what's to say it's not the ropey PSU that killed it?

It's not just about warranty, it's about the likelihood of being without it for a while when they're repairing it, and the inconvenience of that.

You seem to like to write before you actually check any facts.

You have seven days for a no fault return. Full refund if a fault is found within twenty eight days. I think that is well enough time for a 'ropey PSU' to rear it's ugly head.

All this silly scaremongering when exactly the same could befall a 'new' machine.

So there is speculation and there is actual experience. I know on which I would prefer to depend.

Carmen

Closed, we have added extra ram, and I also have a external hard drive.
Carmen x