Help! Sub £550 laptop/ Chromebook advice

lexa34

Hi

I have to deliver my first ever Zoom training session to some volunteers and my laptop has died. I have a cheap Chromebook but the camera, screen and processor are not good AND Zoom doesn't play well with Chrome BUT that is another thread...

Stuck between every person and their dog buying these type of machines between Black Friday and Boxing Day sales? Well thanks Universe! 
I of course want decent build and processor, (Ryzen processor over Intel ??)and 15 inch ISH screen. I have been looking for hours. Any suggestions???

Thanks in advance🌟🌟🌟🌟

jjdc

Yes the 4000 series ryzens are really good but there's nothing wrong with the i5, latest 11th gen is pretty good, igpu is a huge leap. If its mainly zoom you need it for then no need to go OTT on specs.
This is pretty good for the money, and HP laptops are generally pretty decent
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-15s-eq1510sa-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-256-gb-ssd-silver-10207935-pdt.html?awc=1599_1608156563_f7fa4a96783e91523da806ddb6c4d46f&srcid=369&xtor=AL-1&cmpid=
Whats wrong with your existing one, died as in set on fire or died as in just won't boot in to windows?

lexa34

I turn it on, nothing happens. It was 7 years old. Changed battery and plug. Time for tech recycling heaven methinks.
I read that HP were not so good these days (maybe their flimsybuild or their camera angle on Zoom calls?) but at this point but seem a safer pair of hands than Honor/ Huwaui as their future is looking questionable over the play store business.
Dell seems a mix bag too. Asus seem to have gone up in the world a bit somehow.
The processors are amazing these days! I mean if you using it for browsing ,zoom and office type functions in Google workspace or 365 it should zip along with this one at Curry's shouldn't it. Honestly, I have looked at about 10 different sites, goodness knows how many laptops and tempted to just go with your suggestion! It is the worry of making the wrong choice which is interesting. Suppose because I know if I were buying in 2 weeks I would be getting more bang for my buck!

The curse of hanging out on here for years. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣🤣

TOP_CAT

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/huawei-matebook-d-15-2020-amd-ryzen-5-4500u-8gb-512gb-ps56699-was-ps699-free-ear-buds-mouse-at-huawei-3620149

Win26 compares the alloy build,ips screen,better quieter cooling etc  against the same HP I think .
Either way its better for a little more money .

J_B

lexa34 said:

I turn it on, nothing happens. It was 7 years old. Changed battery and plug. Time for tech recycling heaven methinks.

Leave the battery off and the power cable out.

Hold your finger on the power button for at least a minute

Try to see if it will work then.

If that fails, maybe someone niftier than me will be better placed to help, but please post your full make/model/ service tag.

lexa34 said:

The curse of hanging out on here for years. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣🤣

Remember it's called MSE - save money and fix it .... if you can!!

Uptown_Boy

J_B said:

If that fails, maybe someone niftier than me will be better placed to help, but please post your full make/model/ service tag.

When do you think that person will arrive?