Ideas for a laptop for 15 year old girl

moneysavingscouser

I purchased an older Mac book, the white one with 13 inch screen. Its got 8 gb memory also. I've pointed a few people to the seller on Ebay as the units come with 12 months guarantee. Lots of people sell them with guarantees.

However, with a budget of £500 - £750, you might be better off getting a Windows laptop. For that price you would get a decent 17 inch screen, likely 8 gb memory and up to date processor.

Its up to your daughter really, artwork and music can be done just as well on Windows and you get more bang for your buck. I have a 8 year old laptop, Toshiba, 17 inch screen, works fine and runs faster after upgrading to SSD for hard drive.

SouthUKMan

duncan32 wrote: »

To be fair she did originally want a macbook, but I am really hesitant to go for one due to the relatively high cost. I will maybe have a look at the models you suggest.

Thanks.

Duncan

If you're not used to the MacBook world then I know it can feel like you're being asked to spend a lot more money for a 'laptop' that's either similar or lower spec compared to a Windows based counterpart - however most MacBook owners love using them, as opposed to a generic Windows laptop which is 'just a tool'. I guess the point I'm making is that your budget is quite decent and will stretch to a respectable MacBook model, albeit one that's pre-owned.

A quick Google search of re-sellers comes up with loads, including this one with a a few models:

https://mresell.macworld.co.uk/webshop/macbookpro-13/macbook-pro-13-inch-19/?
(probably the minimum spec to go for now in order to future-proof for a while yet)

https://mresell.macworld.co.uk/webshop/macbookpro-13/macbook-pro-13-inch-retina-43/
(a very respectable spec for a student and a machine that will cut it in the pro world for a while yet)

The only issue with buying from a re-seller is that they do tend to charge around a third more (give or take) over and above buying privately. But of course you get a warranty with a re-seller, so you're paying for peace of mind. Personally I would buy privately but that's because I've been using MacBooks for a while and think I know a little about what to look out for.

WAYT

duncan32 wrote: »

Hi WATY,

Exactly what I want to be reading :T.
I want this purchase to be future proofed through her A Levels and maybe even to the start of University, so prepared to go the extra mile to achieve an end result that will tick all the boxes. Do you have any specific suggestions, please? :T

I never buy new.
Last year, I picked up one of these for £360: https://www.amazon.co.uk/INSPIRON-INTEL-NVIDIA-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01MUZL7S1

Not from that company. But the same model. Not a scratch on it. Sometimes you have to wait for something to come up.
But the specification covers everything about which I wrote earlier, bar a solid state drive.

Decent CPU and graphics good for photo and video editing. Large detailed screen makes it easier to work. Backlit keyboard for when working in poorly lit conditions.
Touchscreen for when it is convenient,
Also good as an entertainment centre.

When I see a bulk standard machine for £400, I wince.

DCFC79

duncan32 wrote: »

To be fair she did originally want a macbook, but I am really hesitant to go for one due to the relatively high cost. I will maybe have a look at the models you suggest.

Thanks.

Duncan

You say originally want 1, does she still want 1, woild she prefer 1

duncan32

WAYT wrote: »

I never buy new.
Last year, I picked up one of these for £360: https://www.amazon.co.uk/INSPIRON-INTEL-NVIDIA-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01MUZL7S1

Not from that company. But the same model. Not a scratch on it. Sometimes you have to wait for something to come up.
But the specification covers everything about which I wrote earlier, bar a solid state drive.

Decent CPU and graphics good for photo and video editing. Large detailed screen makes it easier to work. Backlit keyboard for when working in poorly lit conditions.
Touchscreen for when it is convenient,
Also good as an entertainment centre.

When I see a bulk standard machine for £400, I wince.

Hi, thanks for that. Like the look of that one and the price for what you get is good I guess? I wonder how you got this one for half as much? Also, how much are these if bought new?

duncan32

DCFC79 wrote: »

You say originally want 1, does she still want 1, woild she prefer 1

No, she is totally ok and in agreement with the more bang for buck windows laptop plan (or she is a great liar!)

WAYT

duncan32 wrote: »

Hi, thanks for that. Like the look of that one and the price for what you get is good I guess? I wonder how you got this one for half as much? Also, how much are these if bought new?

Got mine from here; http://mcscom.co.uk/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-xps/

Nothing comparable there at the mo.

Dreamnine

Lucky girl, you can get a lot of good laptops in that price range.

System

duncan32 wrote: »

To be fair she did originally want a macbook, but I am really hesitant to go for one due to the relatively high cost.

They don't cost as much as you think due to their resale value. When I bought my 2015 retina Macbook Pro in 2015 it cost me £999. They're currently selling second hand on Ebay for £800+ so the total cost of ownership for me over 2 years is under £200.

duncan32

DavidP24 wrote: »

A friend of mine was looking at HP at £785

I looked at spec and recommended this Dell Inspiron 13 - 5378 2-in-1 which he got from Dell Outlet for around £480 so saved £300

They were very wary of 2 in 1 but they love it, particularly tent mode used when watching media in bed.



I thought they would want 15 inch but they actually preferred 13 inch, just easier for their lifestyle.

This spec cost £534.13 Incl. VAT before any code applied,

Tech Specs

Inspiron 13 - 5378 2-in-1
Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-7200U (Dual Core,3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz,15W)
Windows 10 Home (64bit)
8GB (1x8GB) 2400MHz SDRAM DDR4 Non-ECC
256GB 2.5 inch SATA Class 20 Solid State Drive
Intel HD Graphics
Software
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 802.11ac, 1x1, 2.4 & 5GHz + Bluetooth 4.2
LCD Back Cover for FHD Touch Screen - EraGray
Palmrest (EraGray)
Power Cord : 250V
Primary 3-cell 42W/HR Battery
13.3-inch FHD (1920x1080) IPS Truelife Anti Glare LED-Backlit Touch Display with Wide Viewing Angles-IR Camera
Internal Qwerty Backlit Keyboard

Usually Dell offer between 10% and 20% off but I suspect they adjust prices when they do that, currently they say they will give you 2% for calling them to discuss, I would haggle more or wait until code is around.

Curently only Coupon they offer is

15% off the Inspiron 15 - 55671 Inspired5567188

These are your standard 15 inch Inspiron, best one is I3 and I doubt she will notice a difference

Sub-total £357.08 with Inspired5567188 code

Tech Specs

Inspiron 15 - 5567
Processor: Intel® Core™ i3-7100U (2 Core,3M Cache,2.40 GHz,15W)
Windows 10 Home (64bit)
8GB (1x8GB) 2400MHz SDRAM DDR4 Non-ECC
1 TB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
8X DVD+/- RW Drive
Software
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 802.11ac, 1x1, 2.4 & 5GHz + Bluetooth 4.2
LCD Back Cover for Non-Touch Screen with HD Camera-Black
Power Cord : 250V
Primary 3-cell 42W/HR Battery
15.6 Inch HD (1366x768) Truelife Non Touch Display
Internal English Non Backlit Keyboard


START HERE

http://www.dell.com/learn/uk/en/ukdfh1/campaigns/splitter

Wow, really like this Thanks. I am going to spend a little time now looking on this link and making a final choice to purchase
:beer: