Help choosing laptop

tonyh66

he doesn't need dedicated graphics card, If hubby says he does then make him pay for it.

J_B

elastic wrote: »

I'm paying!

In which case, keep away from Currys/PC World!

EveryWhere

elastic wrote: »

My son needs a laptop for college. He's doing electronic engineering. He has chosen a Dell 15-5000 in Curry's for £599. Its i5-8250U. 8gb. 2TB HDD with integrated graphics.
Son says he needs to use lots of 'large and intensive' software and doesn't want SSD as it would be too small and he doesn't want to cary an external drive. Hubby wants son to have one with dedicated graphics, but Son thinks this isn't necessary. As I don't know how to resolve this dilemma, I would really appreciate help!

The specification of this Dell 17-5770 will keep all in the family happy;



Time limited link £660

https://www.dell.com/learn/uk/en/ukdfh1/campaigns/first-time-customer-dell-outlet-uk £594

https://www.dell.com/learn/uk/en/ukdfh1/campaigns/dell-outlet-exclusive-offers-uk £561

So cheaper than the lesser specified model at Currys

BUT, I would question the wisdom of buying a consumer machine supplied with Windows 10 Home.
I would always prefer Pro, as might his study course.
Then you have this all plastic case. Plus it doesn't look like an IPS screen.
Also, if you are going to buy a laptop, buy online, not in-store as you have increased rights of return.
So overall, I wouldn't buy this machine, nor the one at Currys.

EveryWhere

Latitude 15 - 5590 at £650 after student discount is closer to what you need out of the box, but is a bit too expensive.



One can buy something cheaper and customise the storage themselves.

Consumer machines are often all spec and no substance.
The machine sold by Currys a case in point. £600, but no SSD, only a slow 2 TB HDD, that is just unnecessary. No IPS screen and the screen that is provided is poor. Poor viewing angles, brightness and colour reproduction. Check for at least or close to 100% of the sRGB colour gamut in the reviews.

So look beyond the gimmicks. The quality of the screen is important. Full HD IPS at a minimum. SSD boot drive at a minimum. SSD storage drive also a bonus, as it means you can pick up the laptop whilst working without the concern of damaging the mechanical drive.
Backlit keyboard useful if working in poorly let areas or not wanting to disturb others when working.
Windows 10 Pro and upwards might be required by the educational institution.
Don't bother asking a salesperson. They'll just try to sell you what they have, regardless of whether it fits your needs.

longwalks1

My OH's son said he needed a top spec mac for uni, at sometihng like £1500. Turned out he didnt, he just wanted the best laptop in the class.


He settled for a more middle range one and its lasted him 3 years so far

Owain_Moneysaver

I bought the best spec laptop I could find for £300 - lasted me 10 years so far (obviously the battery's long dead...)

I really woudln't want to spend more on anything that's droppable.