New laptop recommendation please

closed

there's probably nothing wrong with it at all, there's enough ram to run fast, probably a software problem - an hours effort will probably put it back to like new.

2010 era? it's windows7 not 2007

backup all your data to an external drive AND a dvd or another drive (eg have 2 copies of anything important), make sure you can read the data you've backed up, as factory restore will wipe all data and programs


Select Toshiba recovery media creator from the start menu, create the discs (this is a precaution, hopefully you wont need them)

reboot, press F8 before windows starts, advanced boot options, repair your computer, factory restore it

install avast free from filehippo.com

put your data back

install macrium reflect free, see speedup sticky thread above, create macrium boot disc, and do regular disk image backups (NOT CLONE! as this will overwrite the contents of the external drive) to an external drive - if it goes slow again, you can put it back to a fully working machine with data quickly using these backups

if you are storing your only copy of important data on 1 external drive, it's a risky strategy, they fail sometimes, better to keep the master on the local disk, and use externals for backups.

prem0132

Okay great I think I get all that, thank you very much for all your help, I'll let you know if it works. The £400 I might save myself will take us away for a few days next week.

Thanks again.

NiftyDigits

Bear in mind that when you run the Factory Restore that you will reinstall the trial of McAfee® Internet Security (includes free Internet updates for 30 days).

So you'll need to uninstall it and reboot before installing Avast or similar.

prem0132

Thank you will do.

yangptangkipperbang

Do you actually NEED a laptop ??? So many people are persuaded that this is what they need when it isn't.

Laptops are expensive to buy, expensive to run (battery life) and expensive/complex to repair or upgrade.
Desktops are a much better option unless you require something that is really portable.

NiftyDigits

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Do you actually NEED a laptop ??? So many people are persuaded that this is what they need when it isn't.

Laptops are expensive to buy, expensive to run (battery life) and expensive/complex to repair or upgrade.
Desktops are a much better option unless you require something that is really portable.

OP already has a laptop. I disagree that they are necessarily an expensive purchase, expensive to run, expensive to repair and expensive to upgrade.

yangptangkipperbang

NiftyDigits wrote: »

OP already has a laptop.

That doesn't necessarily mean that he needs one.

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I disagree that they are necessarily an expensive purchase,

Compare a laptop and a desk top of similar spec - the laptop will be more expensive.

NiftyDigits wrote: »

expensive to run,

Laptop batteries are well known for their short life and high cost of replacement.

NiftyDigits wrote: »

expensive to repair and expensive to upgrade.

Purely because of their design - this is the case. The internal components are smaller and more congested, failure rate is higher; often due to overheating problems.
If a single component fails on a laptop the whole machine is down. If a laptop keyboard fails the average person will have to take it in for repairs - cost considerable.......
If a desktop keyboard fails - £5.99 from Argos and you are up and running again. Same applies to mouse & monitor.
It is impossible/very difficult to put an additional HDD/USB card/TV card into a laptop -15 minute job on a desktop.

A laptop is a Godsend if you need a PC on the move - I had several (luckily my company paid the costs ). If you need something for use at home and you are not strapped for space a desktop wins handsdown every time.

Weird_Nev

Of course people need laptops. They're ideal for MOST people and the small extra cost is more than made up for by the convenience of having a portable computer. Laptops are now powerful enough to do all common tasks. My wife has a very small laptop but with an i7 processor and 16gb Ram it's able to run the complex hydrological modelling software that she needs it to.

Our old Dell laptop (£350) lasted 4 years use, the current one, an XPS (£750) has lasted well and lets me play games, and is only now feeling the strain 3 years on.

The only people who should choose a desktop are gaming fanatics who need a powerful expandable solution.

Likewise HDD's are easy to upgrade - I've done it. Just ghost the old drive onto a new bigger one, slot the old one into a £5 caddy to use as backup/large portable storage and you're away.

The days of laptops being expensive luxuries are gone. Get over it.

Anyway, the OP has had their problem solved (or possible solutions mentioned) at zero cost bar a bit of time. Now that's MSE!

A big second vote for using Avast instead of any supplied bloatware once the toshiba is back up and running though. And clear the computer of all old files, backing up to an external HDD. Perhaps investigate a RAM upgrade as it's a cost effective upgrade, even for laptops.

Weird_Nev

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Purely because of their design - this is the case. The internal components are smaller and more congested, failure rate is higher; often due to overheating problems.
If a single component fails on a laptop the whole machine is down. If a laptop keyboard fails the average person will have to take it in for repairs - cost considerable.......
If a desktop keyboard fails - £5.99 from Argos and you are up and running again. Same applies to mouse & monitor.
It is impossible/very difficult to put an additional HDD/USB card/TV card into a laptop -15 minute job on a desktop.

Keyboard failed on my Dell after an unfortunate interface with a glass of Pinot: £17 off ebay and 5 minutes to replace. The process was well documented on this thing called "google" which I hear is all the rage.

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

It is impossible/very difficult to put an additional HDD/USB card/TV card into a laptop -15 minute job on a desktop.

There are these things called "Youtube" and "iplayer" and "torrents" that have made it rather more convenient to download or watch online a programme rather than plug in a digital tuner.
Should you need to add any of the accessories you mention, there are these amazing little plugs called "USB Sockets" that allow such devices to be added in a trice, and even moved between machines, rather than get under a dusty desk and unbolt the side panel to a huge, heavy dusty machine to add a card.....

Honestly, this site!

I like to sit on my sofa with my laptop. I sit at a desk with a computer at work, I'm damned if I'll be doing that at home too when I'm seeking entertainment. It's a privilege I'll happily pay another £50 over 3-4 years laptop lifespan for.

closed

over a few years use, a laptop pays for itself in reduced energy costs, and they are dirt cheap nowadays.