Where can I get a second hand laptop?

Amanda65

Hi all

DD1 has got a laptop at the top of her Christmas list :rolleyes: . The problem is that as she is the eldest of 3, Christmas is rather an expensive time of year so I wondered if anyone knew of companies that sold off laptops that were no longer needed.

I have looked on Ebay but TBH some aren't much cheaper than buying a brand new one (which we aren't in the market to do). As for DD1, she isn't a greedy girl and this really would help out with her A-levels but we really aren't in the market to spend loads on one child. Any advice anyone may have gratefully received. I have also posted this on the techie board, but thanks in advance

Horace

You could try a general auction - a friend bought one for £150 but it was slow.

Not wanting to be rude but perhaps DD1 could do without especially as Christmas is an expensive time of year. As you say it is a lot of money to spend on one child.

Browntoa

this lot

http://www.cashgenerator.co.uk/store...r.aspx?id=1851

buy in old laptops from companies and resell them, not sure of prices though

Emms

Not sure how much money your wanting to spend but I heard a guy on Radio 1 today talking about this one

http://stuff.tv/review/asus-eeepc-701/default.aspx

Its very good money for what it is and its got great reviews everywhere Ive looked. You would have the security of having warranty with it since its new which you wouldnt have with a second hand one.

http://www.gadgettastic.com/2007/06/09/asus-eee-specs/

http://eeepc.asus.com/uk/


Emma

Amanda65

Horace wrote: »

Not wanting to be rude but perhaps DD1 could do without especially as Christmas is an expensive time of year. As you say it is a lot of money to spend on one child.

And she will do without if I can't get one cheaply She is not expecting it but I would love to get one - even if only so that I get my turn on the computer a bit more :rotfl:

Nenen

Which internet provider are you with Amanda? The reason i ask is that following instructions from posts on this thread:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=590467

I found out how to get BT to send us a free laptop (Acer) that arrived today. We have been with BTinternet for some time and it was a sweetener to keep us with them for the next three years!

I believe AOL are also doing something similar, see here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=601865&highlight=free+laptop

So there's a chance (depending on your provider, contract and tie-in period) that you might be able to get your dd a free brand new laptop if you're lucky!

The other slight possibility is to keep an eye out on Freecycle as they occasionally appear on there. We got given one from a very generous Freecycler... unfortunately we couldn't get it to connect to the internet... but if you are anywhere near Cambridge and think it might be any use to you, you'd be welcome to it.
HTH and Happy Christmas

michelefauk

I just got one for my DD1's 16th birthday last week. From this site

http://www.student-laptops.co.uk/

i got her the pink IBM think pad and it was £150 ish. I had to buy a wireless card adaptor which was £25 in Argos. Ordered it on the Monday and it came on the Friday. Really chuffed with it!

C_J

I'd second trying Freecycle - my local one frequently has people asking for laptops, and they often seem to be successful in getting hold of one as there are plenty of "thank you" posts The only problem might be that you get one which is rather outdated, but it's probably worth asking. I'd suggest saying in your advert that your daughter woulod really benefit from having a laptop to help her with her schoolwork rather than saying she just wants one for Christmas, as in my experience people on freecycle seem to respon more positively when they think they're helping a good cause rather than someone just 'wanting' something.

There are occasionally police auctions, where stolen/recovered property is auctioned off cheaply but these are often sold as job lots and not always as individual items. Plus you might get something very cheap but then find it unusable because it is all password-protected by the original owner and you can't get into it!

Amanda65

Thanks to everyone (for some reason I cannot press the thank you button for the first few responses) but after spending hours and hours on Ebay I managed to get hold of one last night for £118:T OH has checked the spec and says that it is fine for her requirements so we will have one very happy DD on Christmas morning as she has no idea it is coming!