Can I buy a laptop paying instalments?

first78

I really need a laptop so that I can Skype my family, apply for jobs and write a CV. Does anyone know where the best place to get a cheap one that I can pay for in instalments please?

System

Buy a cheap used one off Ebay or out of CEX if you're going to have to resort to finance on something you can buy from Currys for under £300. May I suggest Thinkpad T or X series as they're built like tanks and there's tons of them.

that

As above post said.

these are still excellent https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Latitude-E7240-Ultrabook-i5-4300U-4GB-128GB-SSD-Touchscreen-Laptop/232902237137?

their webcam is broken, but is not a big issue for many people, could be replaced i suppose. Personally would like a larger disk, but still about the best cheapest deal around, were around £900 new, now £150 + £3-ish for windows license from ebay. if they are not already licensed?

These are not the best screen resolution, and if you are pay stupid money make sure it is at least 1,920x1,080.

EveryWhere

that wrote: »

As above post said.

these are still excellent https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Latitude-E7240-Ultrabook-i5-4300U-4GB-128GB-SSD-Touchscreen-Laptop/232902237137?

their webcam is broken, but is not a big issue for many people, could be replaced i suppose. Personally would like a larger disk, but still about the best cheapest deal around, were around £900 new, now £150 + £3-ish for windows license from ebay. if they are not already licensed?

These are not the best screen resolution, and if you are pay stupid money make sure it is at least 1,920x1,080.

12" Full HD Touchscreen is 1920 x 1080 pixels.

A working webcam would be quite important for Skype.

Yes, you can just clean install Windows 10 for yourself.


Also agree that the OP should buy what they can afford, as opposed to going on the "never, never".

dan958

The interest rates will most likely be extremely high,

As other people have said, getting a used laptop from eBay will be your best bet. If money is a bit tight, I recommend using your local library as they may have computers.

Farway

Second for local library, or job centre use if CV & job applications

that

EveryWhere wrote: »

12" Full HD Touchscreen is 1920 x 1080 pixels.

A working webcam would be quite important for Skype.

Yes, you can just clean install Windows 10 for yourself.


Also agree that the OP should buy what they can afford, as opposed to going on the "never, never".

Most of the built in web cams, especially the older ones are crud, so even if it did work the chances are they would buy an external one.

The first batch of these were 1920 x 1080, but they are probably all gone before christmas.

End of the day you have to cut your coat according to your cloth. I'd rather buy one of these than a Chromebook for £300 as advertised in the London Metro this morning

EveryWhere

You can buy this cheapie for around £50(with the 10% discount they offer); https://www.encore-pc.co.uk/acer-travelmate-b115-m-celeron-n2930-1-83ghz-4gb-ram-500gb-hdd-grade-c and pair it with an SSD from £17 to £25 https://www.mymemory.co.uk/memory/data-storage/ssd-drives.html?dir=asc&order=price

It will happily complete the tasks above with an SSD fitted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEPh6CGD2GI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEPh6CGD2GI

Five to ten minutes to swap to the SSD(that video is for changing the battery. The hard drive can be seen above the battery)

first78

dan958 wrote: »

The interest rates will most likely be extremely high,

As other people have said, getting a used laptop from eBay will be your best bet. If money is a bit tight, I recommend using your local library as they may have computers.

I use the library at the moment but it's not always convenient as I often have my daughter with me who I see not patient enough to sit still for an hour while I complete applications. I also work at the moment so can't always get to the library.

EveryWhere

that wrote: »

Most of the built in web cams, especially the older ones are crud, so even if it did work the chances are they would buy an external one.

The first batch of these were 1920 x 1080, but they are probably all gone before christmas.

End of the day you have to cut your coat according to your cloth. I'd rather buy one of these than a Chromebook for £300 as advertised in the London Metro this morning

Whatever gave you that idea? You just made that up.

...as you did about the webcam; Webcam: 0.9 MP 720p video is quite good.
So the issue would be "what exactly is wrong with the webcam?".

They are all 1920 x 1080p, otherwise they would not state Full HD. The first batch were actually 'A' Grade. Then when those sold out, it went to 'B Grade'. So as the better ones have already been given out, you are left with some that have defects.

I too would wholeheartedly recommend if it weren't for the webcam and her requirement to chat via Skype.

EveryWhere

If the thought of swapping the drives is too much for you, then something like this should be ok out of the box; https://www.encore-pc.co.uk/lenovo-thinkpad-l530-i3-3120m-2-50ghz-4gb-ram-160gb-grade-c

Just make sure that you get the pop up with the 10% discount code before proceeding.