Buying a First laptop

WLM21

My wife thinks she needs a laptop, for a bit of browsing and to do some e-learning for her work.
We have a desktop but never owned a laptop.
Had a quick look at the John Lewis website (where we usually buy electric items from) and see there are three basic options .. Windows (which we have always used) Mac and Chrome.
Not really sure what Chrome laptops are all about, I guess they're the ones called Chromebooks. Do they do the same as a Windows laptop, or is there a reason why they seem cheaper than 'normal laptops'
Crikey! there are so many laptops out of stock .. I guess those are the better ones, the ones left, nobody else wants, or am I wrong. 18 'out of stocks' from a total of 33 (under her £400 budget)
Any suggestions for a decent one

thank you

Neil_Jones

Chromebooks are cheaper because a) they aren't as powerful and b) they're effectively walled.  So if something you want to do on it and there isn't an app for it in the Chrome store, you may not be able to do it.  Plus they do a lot of their stuff online so if there is no online connection it probably won't do very much.

Mac is the high-end "posh" segment of the market where it could be argued people with more money than sense buy Macs.  But if you're used to it, that's what you'll go for.  Coming to them from Windows it'll feel like a new experience, and again not all software is available on a Mac.  But on the other hand it looks nice, but you pay for the name.

Windows is the default option.  Widest compatibility with software and hardware, universally "popular" (figuratively speaking), will almost certainly run on anything (unless its insanely obscure or old.  Some people complain it breaks with every update but your mileage may vary.

debitcardmayhem

Neil and you missed out linux, but I won’t go there. You may have more luck if you consider refurbished too, you will get a better machine £ for £ with that. Of course you could also look at other retailers eg saveonlaptops, dell etc. rather than JL.

Neil_Jones

I missed out Linux deliberately because a) the OP didn't mention it and b) the next question was almost certainly going to be can I do this, that and the other on a Linux laptop.  The answer is almost certainly yes but I had the initial impression that since they already have a desktop Windows is going to be their natural want, and of course one of the strengths of Windows is its hardware support - you just plug it in and it works.  For the most part anyway (Bill Gates will never forget the time he was demonstrating Windows 98 at a conference somewhere, he plugged a device into the computer, instant Blue Screen).

Sandtree

debitcardmayhem said:

Neil and you missed out linux, but I won’t go there.

ChromeOS is based on Gentoo Linux and MacOS is also a close cousin being based on Unix (Linux being a clone of Unix at its start for those that dont know).

I’d echo the concern of Chromebooks being based on you using online office applications etc (obviously Google version) and so fine when on wifi etc but may be less usable if you are going to be taking it places.

I’ll admit that I am a fan of Apple so will have a different opinion of them than the other two posters but right now probably isnt the time to buy into Apple as they have just this month started their transition from Intel processors to one of their own design. On paper its looking great but its going to be a risk couple of years to be buying either into the now defunct Intel machines or buying a first generation machine.

You certainly need to shop around though; unless you arent price sensitive. John Lewis can be good for its warranties and occasionally prices more often than not they aren’t close to the cheapest prices.

WLM21

Sandtree said:

You certainly need to shop around though; unless you arent price sensitive. John Lewis can be good for its warranties and occasionally prices more often than not they aren’t close to the cheapest prices.

It's just that we usually buy electronic things from John Lewis, including a TV a few weeks ago.
So many of the electrical retailers have very poor customer service, compared to JL.
I actually got my PC made for me by a local company, who I had dealt with previously, but they don't make laptops.
Which online retailers would you trust most for a laptop / Chromebook please ?
Yes, a Macbook would be great but it's a little bit expensive, coming from a family with wife and three kids (old) who have only ever owned iPhones. Me, HTC, Sony and now Nokia 7+

Neil_Jones

Every laptop is bespoke, different design, different methods of connections, different chassis, different batteries, even different keyboard.  There is no standard for a laptop, they are all unique.  As opposed to a desktop machine where everything in them is standard, laptops aren't.

You could check ao.com who have Black Friday deals on at this time.

debitcardmayhem

box.co.uk (saveonlaptops as was) ebuyer, dell and dell outlet, laptopsdirect are four I can think of now, just about to have dinner.

grumpycrab

Blimey, shocking selection at John Lewis.  Only one that fits your requirements.  But actually it would do if you wanted it now.
Not sure why supply is poor. Working at home demand?  Pre-Black Friday/Christmas price hike? 
https://www.johnlewis.com/asus-vivobook-14-x413fa-ek096t-laptop-intel-core-i3-processor-4gb-ram-128gb-ssd-14-inch-full-hd-black/p5085487

debitcardmayhem

https://deals.dell.com/en-uk/productdetail/6eyb £378 INCLUDING 12% BLACK FRIDAY

Not a recommendation just one I found

grumpycrab

Looks like the Dell is a bit better (faster and bigger SSD).  Not a great time to buy a laptop when the last 2 only have i3 CPUs for about £400.