What laptop?

first78

I wanted to ask if anyone can recommend a laptop for me as my computer has finally given up the ghost and died and I really can't afford to keep getting it repaired.

I have decided that a laptop may be a better option for me rather than a desktop but I have a very limited understanding of computers in general and am looking for advice on the best one to get.

I mainly use computers for skype, social networking and essay writing for uni. I've had a quick look in Tesco and seen a couple of laptops for around the £300 mark and just wondered whether thiese would suit my needs or even whether I could get anything new for less money?

Would be great to get some advice who knows more about these machines than I do. Thanks in advance.

grumpycrab

Not much around at the moment. You should be able to get something nearer £250. Shame the 17" Dell laptop deal has ended (£254).

Could try Dell Outlet
http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=7&c=uk&cs=ukdfh1&l=en&s=dfh
Order on price and look for " Intel® Core™ i3"
Price around the £250-£265 mark (shipping is free) but not cheap for refurbs (although probably new BUT only 1 year warranty).

System

good thread on here already for sub £350 laptops https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1147017

macman

Your required functions can be carried out by absolutely any modern laptop. Just avoid Tesco or PCW badge jobs.

first78

macman wrote: »

Your required functions can be carried out by absolutely any modern laptop. Just avoid Tesco or PCW badge jobs.

May I ask why it's best to avoid Tesco and PCW? Do laptops generally come with all the anti virus stuff etc I'd need?

Nicole-M_2

the main things i look for when choosing a laptop is:

- anything that isn't a celeron processor
- minimum 4GB ram (the more the better)
- and i prefer not to have a shared graphics card

there just my 3 personal things that i make sure.. alot of them are shared graphics card though so i guess if you really thing your never gona use anything graphics heavy, games etc then i suppose this wouldn't matter too much

as far as the anti virus is concerned, most times you may get a trial or they will ask you to add on anti virus for extra cost.. in my honest opinion i wouldn't bother.. i've had norton before and i hate it, i find it a pain.
i just stick with the free ones, specifically AVG free, which i find great. and free

macman

first78 wrote: »

May I ask why it's best to avoid Tesco and PCW? Do laptops generally come with all the anti virus stuff etc I'd need?

Because PCW are the worst retailer in the UK (allegedly)? If you buy there don't expect any meaningful after sales support. And because Tesco know plenty about baked beans, but nothing about laptops. Avoid badge job house brands such as Advent like the plague.
Most come with a trial AV version,but there are plenty of free and decent AV's available anyway. Avast, Avira or MSE to name just three.

cleg100

I did a bit of research recently for my mum who wanted a laptop for general, all round use. It sounds like you want something similar. She went for for a Acer Aspire E1 from Amazon and has been very happy with it.

The computer is pretty fast (4gh RAM), has a good battery life, a nice built in HD webcam (for Skype etc) and a good keyboard for typing (Essay Writing). See some impartial reviews at REEVOO.

The computer comes with Windows 8, which is not the greatest and takes a while to get your head round, but the majority of new machines will come with this. There is also a Windows 8 update in the pipeline which will be free and will bring back the start button, which is the main annoyance with Windows 8.

Hope this helps.

NiftyDigits

cleg100 wrote: »

I did a bit of research recently for my mum who wanted a laptop for general, all round use. It sounds like you want something similar. She went for for a Acer Aspire E1 from Amazon and has been very happy with it.

The computer is pretty fast (4gh RAM), has a good battery life, a nice built in HD webcam (for Skype etc) and a good keyboard for typing (Essay Writing). See some impartial reviews at REEVOO.

The computer comes with Windows 8, which is not the greatest and takes a while to get your head round, but the majority of new machines will come with this. There is also a Windows 8 update in the pipeline which will be free and will bring back the start button, which is the main annoyance with Windows 8.

Hope this helps.

Not particularly good value at that price(£330). General price is £280.
I would be looking for something better.

50Twuncle

Why get a laptop rather than a desktop ?
If you want reliability - a new desktop will be far more reliable than a laptop....(because everything is smaller)
Plus you will get more bangs for your bucks - ie) Only need to buy the PC itself (assume that your monitor is fine ?)
Laptops are more expensive than desktops for the same processor/memory/hard disk size.....
£300 will buy you a decent desktop but only a basic laptop.

closed

what's wrong with the machine?