I need advice for buying a laptop

trevorplatt

Hi all,

I need some advice. I need to buy a new laptop but I don't have much money - max spend £300 including p&p etc.
I used my current laptop for watching online TV (BBCi etc) and writing, but now the fan is knackered and it keeps overheating and switching off. I've only recently replaced the hard drive for £100+ and don't want to burn out the new one, which I could use as a back-up for a new laptop. The people who replaced the hard drive didn't realise it was the fan that caused the problem in the first place (they were lazy and I don't want to go back to them). Now it will cost another £100+ to replace the fan. My current laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1500 and it's about 7 to 8 years old so I've decided to throw in the towel and invest in a new one.

Should I just stick with Dell and get their current version of the Inspiron 1500 (which is about £279 - spec below) or is it possible to get a better and, crucially, more reliable laptop elsewhere for similar money? I won't be watching as much TV on the new one, although I will still be watching maybe 4-5 hours per week on the new one, but I hope to be doing a lot more writing. I don't need loads of memory but do I need a better graphics card?

Please help!

Trev.

Dell spec:
Processor:
Intel® Celeron® 1007U processor (2M Cache, 1.50 GHz)
Operating System:
Windows 8 64bit, English
Display:
15.6in High Definition (1366X768)WLED
Memory*:
4GB2 DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
Hard Drive:
500GB 5400 RPM
Optical Drive:
8x DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
Video Card:
Intel® HD Graphics

*Significant system memory may be used to support graphics, depending on system memory size and other factors.

closed

replace (or clean out) the fan yourself, if it is really faulty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh_6YWPomeQ

Cisco001

Intel celeron 1007U is a bit slow

Check this out.
Trade in £100 + £50 cash back.
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/HP_ProBook_4545s_1300818.html

Or may be a toshiba?
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_Pro_C850_1357263.html

HP ProBook is better quality within HP range.
Toshiba in overall is a more reliable brand than dell.

If you have £345, I suggest you consider lenovo thinkpad e530. They usually have better quality overall.
http://www.dabs.com/products/lenovo-thinkpad-edge-e530-core-i3-2328m-4gb-500gb-win-8-pro-8C5G.html?refs=56890000&src=3

jenniewb

I think Which? were giving out a free Laptop buying/using guide if it's any help? Probably more info on their website.

boatman

Another one..
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hp-650-laptop-i3-2328m-dual-core-windows-8-saveonlaptops-was-347-47-now-247-48-after-1495230

Nile

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

gonzo127

if your willing to go refurb (with the same 12 months warrenty as a new laptop) then the ones below will all do normal internet browsing, office work and movies and catch up TV

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOSHIBA-C850-2GB-320GB-15-6-INCH-LAPTOP-/360618474989?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item53f6893ded#ht_1909wt_1165

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ASUS-X401A-4GB-320GB-15-6-INCH-LAPTOP-WHITE-/350738512598?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item51a9a4fad6#ht_1694wt_1165

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOSHIBA-SATELLITE-L755-LAPTOP-500GB-15-6-PENTIUM-B940-4GB-RAM-SILVER-REFURB-/350745773938?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item51aa13c772#ht_1461wt_1165