Basic Laptop required

lazer

Hi all,


I am looking a very basic laptop for my mum - it will only be for e-mail, internet browsing, online shopping etc and office.
Possibly will get her using Skype


The simpler to use the better - and a decent screen size - minimum of 14"


She currently has an old Dell, but it is on windows xp, so would like to get her an updated one.


I have looked at the Lenevo G50-30 and the basic Dell one
http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-15-3531-laptop/pd?oc=cn53105&model_id=inspiron-15-3531-laptop


As cheap as possible really, and as basic as possible, but that will last a decent amount of time.


Any help much appreciated!

NiftyDigits

Not a big fan of the Celeron N, nor Windows 8.1 with BING.

You could splash out £245 on the Medion Akoya E6227 Third Generation i3 with HD4000 Graphics or £210 on the Medion Akoya E6237

You can get cheaper, but they'll have relatively poor processors.

You can also wait to see if anything cheaper comes along...

deanos

I have bought the Dell laptop mentioned for my daughter , was on offer at £152 the other week, its perfectly acceptable for the things you mention above and it does not seem slow either, if you join the VIP club they will send you a 10% voucher, its often on offer, it does not have a DVD drive but haven't used one of those for years anyway, and if one is needed ebay sell external ones for £10

It also plays full screen youtube 1080i videos without any stuttering, only games played are minecraft but again does this witout any problems whatsoever

captainhindsight_2

Check out the different chromebooks could be perfect for what you are looking for. Simple, cheap and fast.

macman

Chromebooks can't run Skype, which was one of the few possible functions the OP mentioned.
Otherwise I would agree that a Chromebook would be ideal.

NiftyDigits

deanos wrote: »

I have bought the Dell laptop mentioned for my daughter , was on offer at £152 the other week, its perfectly acceptable for the things you mention above and it does not seem slow either, if you join the VIP club they will send you a 10% voucher, its often on offer, it does not have a DVD drive but haven't used one of those for years anyway, and if one is needed ebay sell external ones for £10

It also plays full screen youtube 1080i videos without any stuttering, only games played are minecraft but again does this witout any problems whatsoever

At £150 it's ok. At £200 it is not.

lazer

deanos wrote: »

I have bought the Dell laptop mentioned for my daughter , was on offer at £152 the other week, its perfectly acceptable for the things you mention above and it does not seem slow either, if you join the VIP club they will send you a 10% voucher, its often on offer, it does not have a DVD drive but haven't used one of those for years anyway, and if one is needed ebay sell external ones for £10

It also plays full screen youtube 1080i videos without any stuttering, only games played are minecraft but again does this witout any problems whatsoever

Thanks - would love it to come on offer again - £150 ish would be a perfect price!!

NiftyDigits

deanos wrote: »

I have bought the Dell laptop mentioned for my daughter , was on offer at £152 the other week, its perfectly acceptable for the things you mention above and it does not seem slow either, if you join the VIP club they will send you a 10% voucher, its often on offer, it does not have a DVD drive but haven't used one of those for years anyway, and if one is needed ebay sell external ones for £10

It also plays full screen youtube 1080i videos without any stuttering, only games played are minecraft but again does this witout any problems whatsoever

Make sure that that you create a Recovery/Reinstallation USB, as you might have a problem in sourcing the non-standard installation media, in the event of a failure outside of warranty.

captainhindsight_2

macman wrote: »

Chromebooks can't run Skype, which was one of the few possible functions the OP mentioned.
Otherwise I would agree that a Chromebook would be ideal.

You are right there is no official Skype application for the chromebook atm but with a very simple work around you can install any android application including skype. there are plenty of guides you can find with a quick Google,

also I actually prefer Google hangouts to Skype or iChat which I believe is available on the chromebook

lazer

captainhindsight wrote: »

You are right there is no official Skype application for the chromebook atm but with a very simple work around you can install any android application including skype. there are plenty of guides you can find with a quick Google,

also I actually prefer Google hangouts to Skype or iChat which I believe is available on the chromebook

I assume the other person needs to have google hangouts too in that case?

deanos

lazer wrote: »

Thanks - would love it to come on offer again - £150 ish would be a perfect price!!

Its been on offer quite a few times, im sure it will be again soon