Upgrade Options

donny-gal

Hi folks, not been here for a while
Just trying to weigh up my options.  Both my Desktop and Laptop are a bit long in the tooth, but they have been upgraded by me, but here is the current spec on the Desktop, retired female, so not a games player, and no youngsters in the house.  Speed not critical as I do have all day, but patience isn't one of my virtues.  Until now I haven't had any real problems, though it has been slow at times, and multi-tasking it is not a fan of,  but doing some conversions on Home Videos from when son was small, I loaded Wondershare Filmora9, and it tells me my system isn't really up to it.  Says I need 8gb RAM, but only have 4gb, easy fix if the motherboard can handle it. and I need NVIDIA GeForce GTX700 or later, and maybe the processor not great either.  It does work OK with the Laptop which is an ASUS N55 i7 with I've upgraded RAM & 500gb SDD.  No fear of taking PC to bits and rebuilding, done it many times.
Spec of Desktop:

Medion MD 8828 Entertainment Centre

Intel ® Core ™2 Duo CPU E6750@2.66GHz 4gb ram running Windows 10 Home 64-bit os, x64 based processor

Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GS

OS running from 128gb SSD, and data in original 500gb HDD
Can I do anything, or is it time I let it retire gratefully, make my heavy laptop into the desk machine, and treat myself to a new lightweight laptop/chromebook, whatever.  Still use office quite a bit, Access/Excel/Word occasional Powerpoint, but otherwise email and web work in the main.
Cheers

TheRightOne

Processor is a bit long in the tooth now and only one candidate above it, which would make next to no difference. Refurbished PCs with considerably better processors can be obtained fairly cheaply, so perhaps time to move on.

donny-gal

Many thanks for confirming what I thought.  I will keep to my original plan, as if I don't spend our pennies, our son certainly will later, and make the N55 operate as a desktop, as it is certainly luggable rather than carryable now, then again it is far lighter that previous ones, Being tempted by https://uk.store.asus.com/laptops/2-in-1s/asus-zenbook-flip-ux463fa-ai026t-14-full-hd-360-degree-touchscreen-laptop-intel-core-i5-10210u-processor-8gb-ram-256gb-pci-e-ssd.html,  which will probably see my useable days on a pc out.  I have considered Chromebooks, but not convinced.  Cheers DG

TheRightOne

Full HD for £800. Just say no.
Similarly unexciting, but with an i7: https://mcscom.co.uk/product/dell-inspiron-14-5491-2-in-1-i7-10510u-1-80ghz-8gb-512gb-nvme-ssd-14-fhd-touchscreen-win-10-1yr-rtb-wty-in030/

i5 version with backlit keyboard: https://mcscom.co.uk/product/dell-inspiron-14-5491-2-in-1-i5-10210u-2-10ghz-8gb-256gb-nvme-ssd-14-fhd-touchscreen-win-10-1yr-rtb-wty-in023/ £575

donny-gal

Interesting prefer the 512gb for sure.  I went Asus as had good reliability from it, but had Dell via work prior to,this, and had no problems there.  0.2kg heavier, but overall that's a good deal.  Don't need exciting, more about reliability.  How good are Intel UHD Graphics?  Similar connections.  Prefer SD to Micro SD slot.

donny-gal

For roughly that budget, what do you consider "exciting"?

TheRightOne

donny-gal said:

For roughly that budget, what do you consider "exciting"?

I'm a cheapskate for when it comes to electronics. The most I have ever spent on a laptop is around £250. Though of course the value is always considerably higher. Lenovo Ryzen 5 laptop bought for £200 is currently selling for up to £500.

So I rarely look at laptops at the £800 mark. If I did, I would be looking at specific usage. e.g. something with 100% DCI-P3 coverage. UHD screen etc Though you are more likely to get 100% sRGB and perhaps 90% DCI-P3 coverage.
Just FHD Touchscreen seems bulk standard to me. Can't even view your photos in high quality with that. Really nothing special.
I would want special or just to pay a lot less.

The main difference with the ASUS I noted was the USB 3.1 Gen 2 port.
With the DELL, the 512 GB doesn't have a back-lit keyboard, the 256 GB does.

https://mcscom.co.uk/shop/dell-laptops/xps-dell-laptops/ None of their 2 in 1s are current showing with a UHD Touchscreen.

donny-gal

So. Thinking out loud, forget the 2 in 1, as have an iPad, and look more for a lightweight, laptop, with UHD screen and processor, and at least 512gb SSD.  I also used to be a cheapskate, but decided as they don't put pockets in shrouds, and if this one lasts me roughly 10 years again, then I'll be not far from 80, and won't need much if a laptop.  It has to be lightweight, And not too large, being the primary for flying.  Didn't like the no HDMI on the Dells, and would worry the connector could be a failure point.  Back-lit keyboard not too critical if it uses battery, as a touch typist.  What other specs should I look for?  £1k. Maybe top budget.   DG

TheRightOne

I wouldn't bank on any laptop lasting you ten years. Most of mine have, but I have modest requirements.
For me the extra money is for specialist usage as stated before.For instance if you are into photography, you might want a high res wide colour gamut screen. If you don't have those kinds of requirements, then I don't see the need to spend £1k. Better 2 x £500.

But if anyone else has a different opinion, they should post it. It's only because I buy what I need, as opposed to being extravagant.
I'm sure Cisco001 would love to spend up to your budget. They will likely pop along soon.