Good entry level Toshiba laptop for £193.88

Guys_Dad

TakeThis wrote: »

Apologies to anyone genuinely interested in these machines for having to wade through pages of this rubbish to get to the useful info.

Please post your questions and concerns and I will endeavour to answer them for you.

To recap; a good everyday use machine with a good battery life.
Full twelve month warranty with a no quibble seven working day return policy with any fault found within 28 days also qualifying for a refund.

You will need the RAM upgrade indicated in the original first post.
It is easily fitted, I have posted the link to the manual on this thread a couple of times.

I won't allow a few idiots to disrupt the thread, as much as they try.

Well I haven't read through every post, but I thank you for posting a thread on a sub-£200 laptop from a reputable manufacturer made by a reputable company.

Yes, there are a few caveats, most covered here, but for anyone who wants a PC mainly for internet connection, a bit of word processing etc, and knows that it is a refurbished lap top, then it could be a good buy.

To them, the speed of the processor would be irrelevant, although the extra ram is a good idea.

So don't rise to the bait. You have done a good job with your heads up and let the snipers make a better discovery - if they can.

TakeThis

Thank you for the vote of confidence.

Though I would add that it is certainly more capable than you suggest.

There is nothing that I have run for which my computer is not capable and I suggest it is the same for the average user who is not interested in gaming and/or 3D modelling.

It has a separate number pad; useful for crunching those numbers, long battery life; using for work and play on those long journeys. Films, music, all covered.


It's not like a cheapie from yesteryear with a pitifully weak processor, a lack of RAM and battery life of 90 mins if you were lucky.

Things have changed.

The plastics aren't as sturdy as they used to be, but compromises are made in a low price machine.

But computing performance is not an area where this machine will suffer, when it comes to the undemanding user, once the RAM is upgraded. I would go along with gonzo127's idea of buying a 4GB RAM module, instead of the 2GB module if you like to have a lot open at the same time. Still under or around the £200 mark in total.

Undemanding: Films, Music, Office, Web...

I certainly would not recommend something that I would not purchase myself. Which is why I have staunchly defended my post.

quoia

TakeThis wrote: »

Back to the original topic....

Another poster has pointed out that you can purchase a 4GB RAM module for less than £15, making it up to a 5GB RAM machine whilst staying within the £200 threshold.

4 GB RAM generic £14.49

Crucial(Amazon) £16.77

First option £199.48

Second with Crucial RAM £201.76

I was going to make the same point yesterday.

Buying a 4GB module for just a few quid more than the 2GB one, not only gives you a better 5GB system over the 3GB option, it paves the way for any future step to 8GB without leaving you with a "recently and newly" purchased 2GB module that is now surplus to requirements.

Furthermore you could always decide that a 4GB system is perfectly OK and eBay the 1GB SODIMM that's already in it (maybe put this sale towards the 4GB to 8GB upgrade )

As for the 4GB itself .....

I'd go for this from 7dayshop rather than the Amazon Generic you've listed

I've very recently bought a pair of these for my Compaq

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_11&products_id=112655

It's 20p more :eek: at £14.69 BUT

it is Branded - SILICON POWER
it is (like the Crucial NOW £18.45 :eek: ) the FASTER 1333MHz (PC3-10600) SODIMM (not 1066MHz PC3-8500)

.... and if you really do want to save the pennies ....

... go through QUIDCO for 2% Cashback - that's 29p

... which actually makes it cheaper at £14.40

Either way STILL under the £200 mark

TakeThis

Now we are back to money saving.

sallysaver

Yes, I want to say thank you as well. I know absolutely nothing about the ins and outs of computers. What I know wouldn't fill a thimble. I can 'get by' but that's all you could say. Your advice throughout this whole posting has helped me enormously although I don't know whether a) I will take the plunge and buy or b) be able to fit more memory although it sounds pretty straight forward and I can be quite practical with some things. Never the less, I personally think you have offered great advice as this is supposed to be what this site is all about. Thank you - sally

TakeThis

sallysaver wrote: »

Yes, I want to say thank you as well. I know absolutely nothing about the ins and outs of computers. What I know wouldn't fill a thimble. I can 'get by' but that's all you could say. Your advice throughout this whole posting has helped me enormously although I don't know whether a) I will take the plunge and buy or b) be able to fit more memory although it sounds pretty straight forward and I can be quite practicle with some things. Never the less, I personally think you have offered great advice as this is supposed to be what this site is all about. Thank you - sally

You most certainly will be able to fit the RAM and will wonder why you doubted yourself when/if you do.

As to the laptop, buy if you want/need a laptop.

Don't forget that you have a cooling off period, so other than a little inconvenience, you lose nothing if you change your mind.
ARGOS tend to do the right thing in my opinion.

maxpayne17

Might give this a look excellent price and ideal for my 12 year old daughter at secondary school... cheers.:D

TakeThis

sallysaver wrote: »

Yes, I want to say thank you as well. I know absolutely nothing about the ins and outs of computers. What I know wouldn't fill a thimble. I can 'get by' but that's all you could say. Your advice throughout this whole posting has helped me enormously although I don't know whether a) I will take the plunge and buy or b) be able to fit more memory although it sounds pretty straight forward and I can be quite practicle with some things. Never the less, I personally think you have offered great advice as this is supposed to be what this site is all about. Thank you - sally

If you are happy to spend a bit more, they have this:

ACER Aspire AS5749-2334G75Mikk £249.99 from Argos Outlet.

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium
- Intel Core i3 (i3 - 2330M, 2.20 GHz, 3 MB) -
HD 3000 Graphics
39.6 cm (15.6") LED - 16:9 WXGA - Active Matrix TFT Colour LCD - CineCrystal -
4 GB DDR3 SDRAM -
750 GB Serial ATA -
DVD-Super Multi DL drive -
1.3MP webcam -
Maximum Battery Run Time 4.50 Hour -
1yr Warranty C&R -
HDMI Port,
multi-in-1 card reader (Secure Digital™ (SD) Card, MultiMediaCard™ (MMC)),
McAfee Internet Security Suite Trial,
Microsoft® Office Starter 2010

Like anything, I can't vouch for it's longevity or reliability. But the specs are good for the price.

Rich44_2

Saw that on HotUKDeals this morning. It's a nice spec for the price. Always a bit of a gamble with Acer as to the build quality but it's probably worth a punt for that spec at that price

tonysat

And again, a refurb. But you'll have the warranty.