Please help me find a laptop under 250?

DavidP24

Jaguar19 wrote: »

Can I ask for thoughts on/recommendations from current stock in the official Dell outlet? Thanks

I think that the Dell Outlet is great IF you were going to buy a new Dell and want it way cheaper, but at your price point you would be looking at scratch and dent category, then have to check several times a day and wait for 15% discounts.

Having said that the scratch and dents are usually very minor if even noticeable at all.

grumpycrab

£200 for a new laptop using HP tradeup deal (the HP cashback is reliable provided you follow the T&Cs but needs patience, time and care...)
https://www.businessdirect.bt.com/products/hp-probook-450-g4-intel-core-i3-7100u-4gb-500gb-15-6--win-10-pro-y8a06et-abu-CH2Q.html

Tradeup gets you £200 back; deal runs to end of month details here
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hp-probook-440-g4-laptop-i3-431-99-misco-231-99-after-hp-trade-plus-quidco-2687298
(ignore the quidco bit although it may apply at BT Business)
Compare spec to the Argos ones mentioned above.

EDIT: also consider the MCS refurbs; donniedarko posted a couple; here's a full list of 1year warranty Dells; NB. add 20% VAT and P&P to get final price
http://mcscom.co.uk/shop/dell-laptops/?orderby=price&filter_warranty=1745

toshi

Hi, let me repeat again.

Get a decent second hand Business notebook, Dell Latitude, Lenovo Thinkpad, HP Elitebook. They are far better build than consumer models.

I am helping my friend's hp pavilion notebook for upgrading SSD now. But battery removal, keyboard, mousepad - I can tell my HP second hand Elitebook is far more solid and durable.

1) Get the best possible second hand business notebook (150 pound?)
2) Get a brand new 250GB SSD (70-90 pound)
3) Get a decent battery replacement (30-40 pound)

Brand new SSD means 3-5 years warranty directly from manufacturers!

DavidP24

Toshi is right about build quality, check for an access panel rather than having to open the whole machine.

Check reviews on YouTube and videos about upgrading hard disk.

Jaguar19

Thank you so much everyone! What an incredible range of responses :money:

AndyPix

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

Argos, for £249.99 you have the following:
668/4860 Acer 15"
669/1592 HP 14" (blue)
674/7075 HP 14" (same as above, purple)

I've not used any of them, but you are likely to have a store not too far away to pick one up today.

Stay away from that plasticky consumer grade crap.
Look for a dell latitude or similar ex business refurb and you will be happy

grumpycrab

Jaguar19 wrote: »

Thank you so much everyone! What an incredible range of responses :money:

That's very diplomatic

debitcardmayhem

AndyPix wrote: »

Stay away from that plasticky consumer grade crap.
Look for a dell latitude or similar ex business refurb and you will be happy

I reckon you could get an IBM 4331 at that price point, but you will need 400 sq ft and 3phase power and serious air-con, still it won't feel plastic :rotfl:

donniedarko

toshi wrote: »

Hi, let me repeat again.

Get a decent second hand Business notebook, Dell Latitude, Lenovo Thinkpad, HP Elitebook. They are far better build than consumer models.

I am helping my friend's hp pavilion notebook for upgrading SSD. Battery removal, keyboard, mousepad - I can tell my HP second hand Elitebook is far more solid and durable.

1) Get the best possible second hand business notebook (150 pound?)
2) Get a brand new 250GB SSD (70-90 pound)
3) Get a decent battery replacement (30-40 pound)

Brand new SSD means 3-5 years warranty directly from manufacturers!

Don't quite agree with the spending distribution.

I would spend more on the laptop and get a 120 GB SSD if necessary to cost down on costs.

Unless you have a machine in mind for £150 that isn't five years or more years old with a useful warranty(?) Perhaps provide some links that can be scrutinised.

Why buy a seven year old machine, so that you have to spend £30 to £40 more on a battery replacement?
It might be solid, but it's still seven years old.
Newer business machines will have better performance and support in years to come.

donniedarko

AndyPix wrote: »

Stay away from that plasticky consumer grade crap.
Look for a dell latitude or similar ex business refurb and you will be happy

It's not just 'plasticky'. It's low spec and made to a price point.