Buying my son's laptop - what's it worth?

GunJack

daska wrote: »

We already have USB hubs, are USB 3 or 4 or whatever it's up to now something we need? What for? Ditto HDMI?

USB3 for faster data transfer between devices, hdmi for connecting lappy to big-screen hd tv.....

more to the point, knowing the limitations of a lappy is not the same as knowing when/if it'll break, hence the suggestion of a better-specced machine for £200 with a 1-year warranty should it break

debitcardmayhem

GunJack wrote: »

USB3 for faster data transfer between devices, hdmi for connecting lappy to big-screen hd tv.....

more to the point, knowing the limitations of a lappy is not the same as knowing when/if it'll break, hence the suggestion of a better-specced machine for £200 with a 1-year warranty should it break

I sold one of similar spec for £125 to a neighbour's daughter, with 6 months guarantee(backed by my expertise) , mind you she is cute and he's big... Joking aside check out eBay etc, it may be worth £150+ for parts/software

debitcardmayhem

Thought a bit more offer him say £100 and another £50 after six/twelve months .... fit your own figures in place of mine

daska

so the spec issues are simply down to bigger, better, faster, more = good?

in that case spec not an issue, we don't have and will not be getting a big tv, or hd until forced on us, simply don't watch enough to make it an issue. Can't see any need for faster data transfers than USB2 already affords either.

My machine isn't the fastest I've ever used by any means but DS1's stepdad inherited his from his daughter who got it free under that short lived govt aided scheme so would be a substantial upgrade for him LOL

But I take on board the reliability/warranty issue, that's certainly something to give serious consideration to and we'll be having chats...

NiftyDigits

daska wrote: »

so the spec issues are simply down to bigger, better, faster, more = good?

in that case spec not an issue, we don't have and will not be getting a big tv, or hd until forced on us, simply don't watch enough to make it an issue. Can't see any need for faster data transfers than USB2 already affords either.

My machine isn't the fastest I've ever used by any means but DS1's stepdad inherited his from his daughter who got it free under that short lived govt aided scheme so would be a substantial upgrade for him LOL

But I take on board the reliability/warranty issue, that's certainly something to give serious consideration to and we'll be having chats...

Point isn't to get a better machine, but not to pay the price of a better machine for an inferior machine.

Less USB ports, poorer battery life, lesser quality webcam...

daska

I'm not ignoring what you're saying but you must appreciate that it's not as cut and dried as a simple commercial transaction. I'll be helping out my son(!) by relieving him of some equipment he is no longer using which means he won't be tapping me for quite so much and he'll be able to take his girlfriend out occasionally (his dad doesn't give him any pocketmoney). So I can afford to be generous.

With the exception of the warranty none of the points you raise are substantial issues. If a spare battery is needed he can use mine as I'm always at home and when he's out it's seldom at a location without a power supply and when it is he'll be knee deep in mud or scrub and not using it. The webcam really isn't an issue, we never use them. Essentially it's got to be able to access the internet, run office and allow him to play mousehunt (cos can't do that on my ipad LOL). FWIW I find my usb hub is actually simpler as I only have to plug one thing in (leaving a port free).

paddyrg

Actually, I'd avoid the transaction altogether. People overvalue second-hand laptops all the time when you consider how fast the technology has marched on for a brand new equivalent model with warranty. Secondhand midrange will use fairly baseline components, so who knows when they'll fail. It may be harder to get replacements as they get older too.

So, although it's helping out a family member, you'd be offering over market value for a lappy without a warranty plus the heartache of what happens if it fails a week or two down the line? Your son will feel obligated to try to fix it, you will still want a working machine, etc. Better to let him sell it on ebay or similar (where they're still routinely overvalued), you buy a new machine with a warranty, and the whole family obligations bit can butt out. If you want to help him out, sling him £50 for his birthday ;-)

NiftyDigits

daska wrote: »

I'm not ignoring what you're saying but you must appreciate that it's not as cut and dried as a simple commercial transaction. I'll be helping out my son(!) by relieving him of some equipment he is no longer using which means he won't be tapping me for quite so much and he'll be able to take his girlfriend out occasionally (his dad doesn't give him any pocketmoney). So I can afford to be generous.

With the exception of the warranty none of the points you raise are substantial issues. If a spare battery is needed he can use mine as I'm always at home and when he's out it's seldom at a location without a power supply and when it is he'll be knee deep in mud or scrub and not using it. The webcam really isn't an issue, we never use them. Essentially it's got to be able to access the internet, run office and allow him to play mousehunt (cos can't do that on my ipad LOL). FWIW I find my usb hub is actually simpler as I only have to plug one thing in (leaving a port free).

I understood. Just that you asked for a valuation and I gave one based on the value of what is generally available.
Of course you can pay whatever you see fit.

daska

Sorry, yes, I was adjusting to that lower valuation but didn't actually acknowledge it and it is useful to know that I was overvaluing it initially. Thank you.

I haven't discussed a price with DS1, just left him to have a think about it, it may be that he decides that he'd rather keep it as back up.

morganedge

I'd say £150 or so would be quite fair for both parties