Looking for either a new laptop or netbook...

cuthbertlilly

I am looking for a replacement for a Dell Inspiron N5010 core i-3, 4GB, 320GB, 15” screen laptop.

I’m not sure whether to get a laptop or netbook, would ideally like something smaller than 15” and more portable but still capable of running several screens at once.

I mostly do e-mails, Youtube, net surfing, watching DVDs, MB, surveys, Word & Excel documents.


Any suggestions on a suitable solution?

Hammyman

Pretty much everything you can buy on the market that is not a netbook is capable of what you want. If money isn't an issue and you want something that'll last for years with a battery that'll last an equal amount of time instead of just 12 to 18 months, look at the Macbook Pro. For the build quality you get, it is a cheap laptop. You'll get several hours out of a charge and the battery is guaranteed to still give 80% capacity after 1000 cycles. To put that into context, my MBP is 2 years old and on about 250 cycles. You can also leave it running on the mains most of the time without any detrimental effect as it uses Lythium Polymer, not Lithium Ion, and the MBP has a more intelligent charge circuit than most of the stuff in PC World.

You don't have to stick with OS X either. It'll happily run Windows XP, Vista or 7 and the drivers are on a CD included with the laptop.

cuthbertlilly

Hi Hammyman,

My Inspiron 15R has gone kaput.
I didn’t like the short battery life, also found it quite bulky.

Would like <£300 (money is an issue unfortunately), decent battery life, fairly portable (not bulky to carry about), capable of several apps at once …

I’ve seen a Lenovo Ideapad for c£350 on saveonlaptops.co.uk – any other suggestions?

NeverAgain_2

What is the screen size of the Lenovo?

I know you want something smaller, but you may find a 10" screen too small.

There are a few 11" and 12" notebooks, although it may mean pushing the budget a little.

cuthbertlilly

The Lenovo is 13.3” with core i-3.

Any more recommendations for 10”-13” for <£400?

ridethelightning

Just to throw something different into the mix...

Have you looked at the Asus EEE Pad transformer? Maybe a bit over budget but it should do everything you mentioned and much more. Worth a look anyway... Im waiting for them to make a 3G version, my dieing / aging laptop will need replacing by then anyway ;-)

cuthbertlilly

The Asus EePad Transformer is a bit over budget.

I'm torn between getting a low value laptop (i.e. Dell Inspiron - Celeron for c£279) or a netbook (i.e. emachines e350 for £179.99)...

Any further advice or suggestions??

zipady_do

ridethelightning wrote: »

Just to throw something different into the mix...

Have you looked at the Asus EEE Pad transformer? Maybe a bit over budget but it should do everything you mentioned and much more. Worth a look anyway... Im waiting for them to make a 3G version, my dieing / aging laptop will need replacing by then anyway ;-)

16/32 GB harddrive on that EEE pad? Not really a laptop replacement.

If moneys an issue I'd have a look on pcworld and things where they sell the returned laptops or display ones for sometimes 50% the price, can get some decent system specs for a nice price.

cuthbertlilly

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-15-intel-n5050/fs

Is the £379 one a good deal (plus 6.06% Cashback from Topcashback)?

Please suggest alternatives...?

zzzLazyDaisy

If you decide to have a DEll, do take the three year warranty.

In the first three years of my Dell laptop's life it had

new mother board
new hard-drive
new lid (hinges worked loose)
new keyboard
and three new mains leads (though they did say they were aware of the problem).

On the plus side, the engineer came to my house next day every time. He was pleasant and efficient. I don't work, but I can imagine for anyone that has to take time off work it would be a real pain.

Maybe I was unlucky, but I was SOoooooooo pleased I'd taken the guarantee. I think it costs around £150 = £50 insurance a year (the chargers alone cost more than that)

cuthbertlilly

So getting a Dell Inspiron isn't the way forward?

Any other suggestions to rival the £379 Inspiron??