Advice please

spud17

Let's be clear that we are writing about Argos Clearance, not just 'refurbished' laptops in general.

That's the important bit.

I can refurb a laptop, blow out the dust, check the HD is quiet, memtest the RAM, reinstall, give it a wipe over.

I DO NOT do refurbs by the way, but, is there a legal definition of refurb?

Argos Clearance, on the other hand, exactly as Donnie states.

I recently bought an Acer monitor from them, delivered, it worked out £30 cheaper than ebuyer, I carefully checked the packaging, and I am 99.9% sure it was brand new/unopened.

weegie.geek

Donnie wrote: »

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.

You seem to have a problem with me. I'm not sure what it is, but you clearly think your opinion is worth more than other people's. Good luck with that.

Ever had hardware die? Did it happen within a month of you buying it? I think even someone as blinkered as you can imagine that this isn't always the case. Even then, if it dies after 3 days you've got the problem of returning it, getting a replacement or a refund, etc. This can happen as much with a brand new item as with a refurb/second hand of course. I don't know the figures, but I'd be inclined to believe that something that's had a part fail already is more likely to have another part fail.

I wasn't aware that anyone was scaremongering, only discussing. Is it not better for the OP to hear both sides of a story? I'm not saying the OP should heed my advice more than yours, I'm just saying that the more information available, the more informed a choice the OP can make.

Donnie

weegie.geek wrote: »

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

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.



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




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.

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.

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.

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?

I didn't want to quote your usual long, rambling post, but...here goes....

On one hand you are say the i3 will 'run rings around the other CPU', but then ironically you write that the 2GB and shared memory should cover what the OP wants to do.

Aren't you embarrassed when you write such nonsense?

If you recognise that the OPs pattern of usage is not CPU intensive, you can also surmise that the specification of the MSI is more than enough for the OP.

Why on earth would the OP want to "upgrade the CPU"? What a stupid comment. Can you imagine the proportion of non technical laptop users who have ever attempted an upgrade of a CPU in a laptop?

If the Op was capable of that she would be on here thinking that she should listen to your heavily biased(to a processor) advice.

Why don't you explain, in REAL terms, how the i3 processor with it's integrated graphics solution and shared memory with 2GB RAM will outperform the AMD Turion 2 Ultra dual core M300 with it's ATI Radeon HD 4200 and 256 MB RAM of dedicated graphics memory?

Explain to the OP why the Toshiba will be better for her usage pattern.

As to you not using your laptop webcam, what has that to do with the OP??

I use mine and 1.3MP is much better quality than 0.3MP. Try upgrading that if you aren't happy with 0.3MP.

As to Bluetooth, yes you can buy a donle, but with the MSI, you don't have to do so.

Again more expense, along with the extra ram.

Let's not forget, the MSI is £100 cheaper.

In the end, the OP should go with whichever she feels the most comfortable, but your arguments are spurious and I advise her to ignore them.

Don't choose a laptop just because it has the newest i3 processor, which is basically the argument of that geek.

The_Grandmaster

Donnie wrote: »

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.

It's good to hear you have had good experience with Argos Clearances.

I'm just a sceptic with these kinds of things - if a plumber isn't able to replace a bath tub without leaks (for instance) I wouldn't trust the same plumbler to be able to replace a sink basin without leaks! I view manufacturers with the same eye! :rotfl:

Donnie

weegie.geek wrote: »

You seem to have a problem with me. I'm not sure what it is, but you clearly think your opinion is worth more than other people's.

First of all, mine is not an opinion. I just stated the facts according to the specifications. Yours is an opinion.

In addition, you are writing about faulty items. Again, the faulty assumption is all yours.

I have had three machines from them and all looked as new and are still alive and kicking after ten months.

So, you can continue rambling on about what can imagine could happen, but since they have a Feedback score of
407214 with 99.2% Positive feedback I won't worry to much about your imagination.

I have a problem with you because you write rubbish and disguise it as balanced opinion.

Donnie

The_Grandmaster wrote: »

It's good to hear you have had good experience with Argos Clearances.

I'm just a sceptic with these kinds of things - if a plumber isn't able to replace a bath tub without leaks (for instance) I wouldn't trust the same plumbler to be able to replace a sink basin without leaks! I view manufacturers with the same eye! :rotfl:

Didn't quite catch the analogy. If you purchase a laptop online and then decide that you don't want it within seven days, they can no longer sell it as new if you have opened the box.

So it is checked, reset, cleaned up and sold as 'refurbished'.

The faulty assumption is all yours.

weegie.geek

I've tried to be civil, but you are a moron.

Donnie wrote: »

I didn't want to quote your usual long, rambling post, but...here goes....

On one hand you are say the i3 will 'run rings around the other CPU', but then ironically you write that the 2GB and shared memory should cover what the OP wants to do.

Aren't you embarrassed when you write such nonsense?

If you recognise that the OPs pattern of usage is not CPU intensive, you can also surmise that the specification of the MSI is more than enough for the OP.

For what the OP wants to do, it is more than enough. Will it be more than enough in 4 years? You seem to have glossed over me repeatedly saying that the i3 would future proof the laptop more than the other processor.

Why on earth would the OP want to "upgrade the CPU"? What a stupid comment. Can you imagine the proportion of non technical laptop users who have ever attempted an upgrade of a CPU in a laptop?

See previous comment re: futureproofing.

If the Op was capable of that she would be on here thinking that she should listen to your heavily biased(to a processor) advice.

I'm not biased, I'm giving my opinion. I don't care what machine the OP buys or what CPU it has. I'm discussing the issue on a discussion forum. Hard concept for you to understand, I know.

For the little difference in cost, I'd go for a faster CPU in a laptop, since it's the hardest thing to upgrade, if it's even possible in that particular model. In CPU power terms, it'll be capable for longer than the other processor is.

Why don't you explain, in REAL terms, how the i3 processor with it's integrated graphics solution and shared memory with 2GB RAM will outperform the AMD Turion 2 Ultra dual core M300 with it's ATI Radeon HD 4200 and 256 MB RAM of dedicated graphics memory?

What use is dedicated graphics memory in a non-gaming laptop? A machine used for browsing and playing low-spec games?

The GMA HD is comparable to the HD4200 in terms of performance anyway, so the fact that the Radeon has dedicated memory is beside the point.

So the OP will have ~1.7GB of system ram rather than 2GB. Do you think they'll notice the difference? Again, if they do start to notice the difference in future, upgrading the ram is easier and cheaper than upgrading the CPU.

Explain to the OP why the Toshiba will be better for her usage pattern.

Right now she'll see no difference. In a few years the other CPU will be showing its age. More investment now saves her upgrading again for a good while.

As to you not using your laptop webcam, what has that to do with the OP??

You bleat about speculation and experience, then complain when I mention my experience. And hardly anyone I know uses a webcam. They're maybe handy if you've got kids or relatives abroad you want to chat face to face to, but how often do they actually get used?

I use mine and 1.3MP is much better quality than 0.3MP. Try upgrading that if you aren't happy with 0.3MP.

I'd just get a USB one if the 0.3mpixel one wasn't enough. Again, this is for the OP to decide, but like you say, buying something just because it's better is often a false economy. You have to factor in if you'll actually use it or not, otherwise it's just a game of top trumps, and who's interested in that apart from you?

In real world terms a faster CPU is more important than a webcam.

As to Bluetooth, yes you can buy a donle, but with the MSI, you don't have to do so.

Agreed, which is why, again, the OP needs to weigh these things up. I'm not saying you're wrong, but it's opinion. We're both entitled to opinions, you just seem to think yours is the only valid one for some reason.

Again more expense, along with the extra ram.

Potentially, if the OP requires it. Perhaps being able to broadcast herself via webcam in top quality is more important to her. Perhaps she can't stand the thought of a bluetooth dongle sticking out 1 centimetre from the side of her laptop.

I don't know, and neither do you. We're both offering opinions yet your opinion seems to be masquerading as fact.

Let's not forget, the MSI is £100 cheaper.

yep, and that's a significant amount of money, but in my opinion (do I really have to write that every time so you don't confuse what everyone else recognises as opinion with me saying it's absolute carved in stone fact?) it's better to get a faster CPU right now, so it'll last longer.

In the end, the OP should go with whichever she feels the most comfortable, but your arguments are spurious and I advise her to ignore them.

Which just goes to show your arrogance and closed-mindedness. How often DO people quote The Big Lebowski at you?

Don't choose a laptop just because it has the newest i3 processor, which is basically the argument of that geek.[/QUOTE]

No, I'm suggesting she should buy it because of the longer warranty, the fact it's not a refurb and the fact that it's faster.

The architecture is irrelevant in this argument. IMO (there, I did it again, spelled it out for you...) given what the OP does with her PC, both machines are more than enough for her right now, but the one from JL will be of adequate performance for longer than the MSI would.

I really don't think I can explain this any simpler so if you still don't understand what I'm saying, I'll admit defeat. You give some good advice, but you don't have to be so confrontational about things. People can have differing opinions you know. :beer:

The_Grandmaster

Donnie wrote: »

Didn't quite catch the analogy. If you purchase a laptop online and then decide that you don't want it within seven days, they can no longer sell it as new if you have opened the box.

So it is checked, reset, cleaned up and sold as 'refurbished'.

The faulty assumption is all yours.

True, but you're also assuming they didn't fix and replace a broken laptop and selling that off as a refurbished. Surely the chances are 50:50?

Donnie

The_Grandmaster wrote: »

True, but you're also assuming they didn't fix and replace a broken laptop and selling that off as a refurbished. Surely the chances are 50:50?

As I have written before.. what matters is the customer's experience, not your conjecture.

I've had three laptops with no problems. I'm sure others have similar experiences. Of course they will always be lemons. But I am happy to have a machine that is checked before being sent out than a new lemon that hasn't.

The crux of the matter is that it's a money saving website and there are bargains to be had. People can check online if any machine has a history of problems.
But this is just a silly debate as Argos is an honourable company and will deal with any reasonable concerns.

closed

Carmen wrote: »

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

how does it struggle, and what makes you think it's on it's last legs?