Worried about being robbed of my hard saved cash buying a laptop. Please Help

Legendaryjim

Fair point Donnie. So are you saying that that Lenovo laptop I mentioned is actually pretty decent?

Knarf44

Donnie wrote: »

Just to put into perspective all of this latest technology nonsense...

Here is the CPU benchmark figure of the processor in my four year old PC. I've spent the princely amount of £45 to £50 in upgrades since then; to the Graphics card and RAM.

My laptop has considerably higher specifications, but I don't use it; as the PC does all that I need it to do, including watching HD Video.

So whilst having an i3 processor may sound nice, in a laptop you are still limited by the other components; which, in the main, you won't be able to upgrade.

Best to look for the laptop that actually suits your likely usage pattern.

Why buy a Ferrari when you need an estate car?

But if you buy an i3 (or i5) laptop then the other components in the laptop will be matched to it, won't they? The manufacturers wouldn't put unmatched components into their models as that would be simply asking for component failure and a high rate of returns and damage to their reputation.

Using your car analogy, you wouldn't buy an estate car knowing that it only had a 1.0 litre engine and would struggle to go uphill with a full load. The seller might tell you that on flat roads and around town it chugs along quite nicely if you don't load it up too much, but is that what you want?

As much as anything, I personally think core i3/i5 is the way to go because I want the laptop to have a decent lifespan. Surely, as software continues to evolve those with older processors are going to have to upgrade at some point anyway to a better more efficient solution?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Hiya Knarf44,

But what's the point in paying the extra for an estate car if you don't carry wardrobes or a Bugatti Veyron if you only travel to the local post office once a week ?

Donnie

Legendaryjim wrote: »

Fair point Donnie. So are you saying that that Lenovo laptop I mentioned is actually pretty decent?

No I'm saying that you have to find a laptop that suits your usage pattern. Just don't obsess over the latest processor. There are quite a few decent laptops available in your price range, so you should focus on reliability and aftersales service.

John Lewis has two year warranties. Toshiba have a 3 year warranty for less than £50. ASUS have two year warranties as standard...

By a computer from the PC World group and you might find that your warranty is with them. I won't say any more about that.

So what I am saying is that you should focus on a good all round package, not just the best processor.

Legendaryjim

Knarf44 wrote: »

But if you buy an i3 (or i5) laptop then the other components in the laptop will be matched to it, won't they? The manufacturers wouldn't put unmatched components into their models as that would be simply asking for component failure and a high rate of returns and damage to their reputation.

Using your car analogy, you wouldn't buy an estate car knowing that it only had a 1.0 litre engine and would struggle to go uphill with a full load. The seller might tell you that on flat roads and around town it chugs along quite nicely if you don't load it up too much, but is that what you want?

As much as anything, I personally think core i3/i5 is the way to go because I want the laptop to have a decent lifespan. Surely, as software continues to evolve those with older processors are going to have to upgrade at some point anyway to a better more efficient solution?

Yeah thats a fair point too. I want some good life out of my new lappy. Bit gutted that Toshiba is out of stock. Am thinking of driving to london to get the last but one from argos. That MSI with blu ray is looking second favourite. I cant seem to find anything with an i3, 3 or 4 GB RAM, 320+ GB HDD, Hi Def Screen and dedicated graphics for under 500 notes. I did read an old post on Hotukdeals about a guy who paid for a special international shipping service through Aramex which allowed him to buy a laptop from american websites, get a better deal and this company would ship it over to the uk. Maybe thats a way to go to squeeze the most out of this money.
Or maybe I should just keep saving until something comes along that is just right. I am worried about the futureproof thing I must admit. Thanks to all for your help and ideas.
:T

Knarf44

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Hiya Knarf44,

But what's the point in paying the extra for an estate car if you don't carry wardrobes or a Bugatti Veyron if you only travel to the local post office once a week ?

Because you'd do it with more style :cool:

Donnie

Legendaryjim wrote: »

Yeah thats a fair point too. I want some good life out of my new lappy. Bit gutted that Toshiba is out of stock. Am thinking of driving to london to get the last but one from argos. That MSI with blu ray is looking second favourite. I cant seem to find anything with an i3, 3 or 4 GB RAM, 320+ GB HDD, Hi Def Screen and dedicated graphics for under 500 notes. I did read an old post on Hotukdeals about a guy who paid for a special international shipping service through Aramex which allowed him to buy a laptop from american websites, get a better deal and this company would ship it over to the uk. Maybe thats a way to go to squeeze the most out of this money.
Or maybe I should just keep saving until something comes along that is just right. I am worried about the futureproof thing I must admit. Thanks to all for your help and ideas.
:T

What happens to your warranty?

Donnie

Knarf44 wrote: »

But if you buy an i3 (or i5) laptop then the other components in the laptop will be matched to it, won't they? The manufacturers wouldn't put unmatched components into their models as that would be simply asking for component failure and a high rate of returns and damage to their reputation.

Using your car analogy, you wouldn't buy an estate car knowing that it only had a 1.0 litre engine and would struggle to go uphill with a full load. The seller might tell you that on flat roads and around town it chugs along quite nicely if you don't load it up too much, but is that what you want?

As much as anything, I personally think core i3/i5 is the way to go because I want the laptop to have a decent lifespan. Surely, as software continues to evolve those with older processors are going to have to upgrade at some point anyway to a better more efficient solution?

Only you have written about 'unmatched components'....

Case in point? How many laptops with the newest i3 processors have GM4500MHD integrated graphics? Unmatched? No. But no good for gaming at all. What are you going to do to change it?
But a lower spec processor together with a dedicated graphics card? More suitable.

So buy what you are actually likely to use, not just something to try to impress the neighbours.

Knarf44

I don't game alot and personally I wouldn't buy anything with integrated graphics, but that's me. I also wouldn't advise someone to buy something that will be a technological dinosaur in the not too distant future, unless they were restricted by funds. In any case, most of today's laptops will look very dated in another year or so.

Donnie

Knarf44 wrote: »

I don't game alot and personally I wouldn't buy anything with integrated graphics, but that's me. I also wouldn't advise someone to buy something that will be a technological dinosaur in the not too distant future, unless they were restricted by funds. In any case, most of today's laptops will look very dated in another year or so.

Which is precisely why I don't pay a premium for 'the latest craze'. Wait a while and then pick it up for a song.