New laptop

NiftyDigits

paddypaws101 wrote: »

Ok, so I think I am clear that I want to stick with Windows 7.
I went into PC world to look at a few but they only had windows 8 systems in the shop. They told me to look for an Intel 3 processor....but after looking at their web site I can only see that on machines with windows 8!
Brand wise I like HP, maybe Toshiba or Samsung....are they all on a par?

Seems that you missed the boat. You would have been better off ordering the Toshiba Satellite C855-1GR and trying it for yourself. If it didn't suit you could organise the return within seven days of delivery for a no quibble refund.
You snooze, you lose. That's the whole point about bargains. They go quickly.

paddypaws101

Niftydigits....I really do appreciate you posting those 2 recommendations, but I just don't feel confident enough to 'grab a bargain' as quick as that without knowing what I am buying! I think it was windows 8 anyway which I do not want.

NiftyDigits

paddypaws101 wrote: »

Niftydigits....I really do appreciate you posting those 2 recommendations, but I just don't feel confident enough to 'grab a bargain' as quick as that without knowing what I am buying! I think it was windows 8 anyway which I do not want.

I know that you aren't confident. If you were, you wouldn't be posting here.
As to thinking it was Windows 8, did you even check?

I don't mind using my time, but I would like that you would at least take a good look at it. It's a bit insulting to write 'you think', when it would taken you a few seconds to check.
Consider yourself chastised.

Operating system and software:
Microsoft Windows 7*.

General features:
Up to 5.3 hours battery life.
Size H3.35, W38, D24.2cm.
Weight 2.3kg.

EAN/MPN/UPC/ISBN: 4026203992641.

Catalogue number 584/6276

*Due to the nature of the refurbishment process, this model may be installed with Windows 8

Trust me, you would have had the best of both worlds with that machine.

Cisco and Grumpycrab often post the best of what is available new at the price point. You can also consult HotUKDeals...or just take my advice. :money:

grumpycrab

Haven't looked at laptops for a while... but cheap laptops can be quite slow... and if you have a reasonable budget then it may be worth spending a little more...

e.g. sorry this is Windows8 (will keep looking for W7) but its not that bad (see my sig.). The offer is an HP with £100 cashback (offer extended to 30th July). This may put the Original Poster off straight away...details here
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hp-650-core-i3-laptop-with-windows-8-pro-347-97-laptopsdirect-100-cashback-1539702

HP are very reliable with cashbacks - you just need to check the terms and add a cashback date claim in your diary.
https://www.hppromotions.co.uk/Claim.aspx?Promo=HP600FEB13AR
(this model is C5C49EA)
The 3 year warranty (2 years on top of defaut 1 year) is £36.50.

NiftyDigits

grumpycrab wrote: »

Haven't looked at laptops for a while... but cheap laptops can be quite slow... and if you have a reasonable budget then it may be worth spending a little more...
<snip>

My cheap laptop isn't slow. But then I removed all the rubbish software that Toshiba imagined that I might accept starting up with Windows. That's just with 2GB RAM.
These days, 2GB RAM is the minimum supplied and £15 will upgrade that to 6GB.

paddypaws101

Niftydigits....I am most thoroughly chastised. I DID look at the spec on the machine and had seen that they said it might come with Windows 8 so my 'I think' comment was really because I was using my (dodgy) memory rather than quoting authoritatively from the ebay listing.

paddypaws101

grumpycrab....that looks like a very good deal! Does this
no dedicated numeric keypad.
literally mean there is not a numbers section on the keyboard though? odd?
I think I will pop to a local shop and see if they can give me a demo on windows 8, see if I can get on with it. Otherwise......I know a techie guy, would it be an easy/cheap/worthwhile task to get him to swop over to 7 if I decided or does that ruin the whole point of getting the pro software?
edit to add
I think (ha, that's just for you Nifty! ) it says you get the rights to downgrade to windows 7 pro with this model, thats a good thing, right?

grumpycrab

Re. no dedicated numerics. 3 options:- use the numberic keys 2nd row from the top; plug in external keyboard (USB); don't buy this.

In theory you can downgrade from Win8Pro to Win7Pro but you should ask your techie guy for details (time, cost, ...). This video shows how easy it is to make W8 behave like W7. But you never know, you may like the new W8 apps...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOCtjoyAznY

paddypaws101

grumpycrab wrote: »

Re. no dedicated numerics. 3 options:- use the numberic keys 2nd row from the top; plug in external keyboard (USB); don't buy this.

In theory you can downgrade from Win8Pro to Win7Pro but you should ask your techie guy for details (time, cost, ...). This video shows how easy it is to make W8 behave like W7. But you never know, you may like the new W8 apps...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOCtjoyAznY

err, so 'numberic keys' is not the same as 'dedicated numerics' ??

As you say, I might get to like the new 8 apps, after all I was quite happy with my old Nokia until I gave in and got an i-phone!
will watch that video now, thanks

grumpycrab

paddypaws101 wrote: »

err, so 'numberic keys' is not the same as 'dedicated numerics' ??

'dedicated numerics' = 'dedicated keypad' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numeric_keypad