Laptop Deals

jazabelle

I'm looking for a laptop at a bargain price - hopefully in the current Christmas/January sales.

Last time I got an Asus as I was told the brand is generally reliable. My laptop is currently in repair for the third time in a row, plus it was in repair numerous times over the year it was under the normal warranty (now in extended warranty) and it's driving me mad. So much has gone wrong with it. I need something reliable as I strongly rely on it for a variety of vital things.

Anyway, I'm looking at a low price - around £250 would be ideal. It must have a large hard drive, HDMI slot, a CD-ROM and a camera card slot.

I've been looking all over but getting so overwhelmed. I do tend to open a lot of things at once including photo editing software so would like it to be as fast as possible.

Any suggestions much appreciated!

NiftyDigits

Powerful for £250? Don't know about that.
Pick up a cheapie: Toshiba Satellite C55-A-15W for £180 and stick another 4GB of RAM in for £30.

Otherwise, consider a Lenovo

jazabelle

I mean the post powerful I can get, not that I will get something amazing for that.

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't know how to put RAM in though, and would be worried to do it myself.

jazabelle

Okay, thanks.

One thing I forgot to mention - I really haven't got on with Windows 8. I was looking at some models that still have Windows 7 on them.

So if anyone has any suggestions with Windows 7 on them, that would be brilliant please?

jazabelle

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toshiba-C855-Laptop-750GB-15-6-Inch-Intel-Dual-Core-6GB-DDR3-RAM-Purple-/151471407023?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH

Is this processor any good please? That's the part I struggle with to tell how good it is, and graphics cards, etc.

jazabelle

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Pavilion-G6-1164SA-Laptop-750GB-15-6-Inch-4GB-RAM-Purple-Refurb-/151457345707?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH

I like this one better for other reasons, actually. Again, thoughts appreciated!

jazabelle

Looking at the sales but they're all Windows 8.

Is 8.1 any better than 8?

[Deleted User]

jazabelle wrote: »

I really haven't got on with Windows 8. I was looking at some models that still have Windows 7 on them.

You could install Classic Shell.

You will get the look and feel of Win 7 (or, if you prefer, Vista, XP, etc.), with the stability and fast boot of Win 8.

jazabelle

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

You could install Classic Shell.

You will get the look and feel of Win 7 (or, if you prefer, Vista, XP, etc.), with the stability and fast boot of Win 8.

That's a great idea, thanks!

jazabelle

I like this one, is the processor any good?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toshiba-C855-Laptop-750GB-15-6-Inch-Intel-Dual-Core-6GB-DDR3-RAM-Purple-/151471407023?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH

It's Windows 7 - but am looking for 8 as well. Just haven't seen anything yet.

fwor

I personally (having had too many bad experiences) try to avoid "refurbished" laptops and tablets.

You may be lucky and get one that someone didn't like the colour of, or you may get one with an underlying intermittent fault. You can be pretty sure that Argos' "refurbishment" involves taking it out of the box, turning it on, and if it powers up Ok, turning it off, wiping it over and putting it back in the box - duly "refurbished".

If you want something that's more likely to be reliable, buy new but go for "last year's model" by a known brand.