New Laptop help please

Scw83

I am looking for a laptop for my daughter whose in college.  It will  be mainly google classroom/typing documents and emails.  Can anyone recommend one that is less than £400.  Went to Currys and bought one they recommended (Lenovo ideapad 3I ) which was absolutely pants and took 15 minutes to start up so managed to get a refund for that.  I just have no idea what I am looking for.  Any pointers would be gratefully received! Oh and anywhere to avoid… apart from Currys! Am happy to buy online

la531983

I just bought this from Currys a fortnight ago:

1 x ASUS Vivobook 15 X1500EA 15.6" Laptop - Intel® Core™ i3, 256 GB SSD, Black. Product code 532961.

Absolutely no complaints so far, very fast to boot up. Was £279 then but might be a little more now.

Scw83

Thanks that’s helpful as I was told via google to go for at least an i5. 

la531983

Scw83 said:

Thanks that’s helpful as I was told via google to go for at least an i5. 

Depends what you want to do on it. Like I said Ive had no issues with the light browsing and spreadsheets I want to use it for. Boots up quickly from off and also from the lock screen. Can handle multiple things open easily.

Scw83

Genuinely most of the stuff she does is online but she does need to have a few seperate tabs/apps open at same time 

BlueonBlue

I believe it boils down to what you want to/can afford to spend vs actual type of use .
For example a old laptop will work fine for browsing I have a old i7 and a old i5 that are fine but by oct 2025 wins 10 wont get updates so as of today they say older than 2017 8th generation intel processors wont be any good .

If buying a refurb from itzoo when the sales are on thats a very good option where newandusedlaptop refurbs has some not so happy customers .
If you want cheap new then often the cheap laptops are not as durable so you just have to take more care vs a tough business type of refurbed laptop .

Its a good time to buy now I think but rarely a good time to buy off Currys as any of the rare better deals dont last long 

Scw83

Thanks. Don’t mind a refurb one. Have had a look at itzoo as never heard of it but everything seems out of stock and it wasn’t easy to navigate! 

Anywhere else you can recommend or not recommend? 

BlueonBlue

If you keep a eye on HOTUKDEALS laptop section people post deals that get a heat or popularity rating .
https://www.hotukdeals.com/tag/laptop
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hp-laptop-intel-core-15-i3-8gb256gb-4254359
(Alot of young gamers are part of those who vote so keep a open mind as they rave on about alot of nothing that matters for your more normal use.)

Often people post the good itzoo or newandusedlaptop sales when a discount is running on hotukdeals
The latter seller has been known to ban people that return laptops and also sell older processors running win11 which I dont understand so wouldnt buy .
These refurb places work on volume so a good return process is important in my view and itzoo seems good

Just be aware with a refurb laptop that you only want a intel 8000 series or later processor that will support win11.
Google will explain more on that.
The 14inch size is very popular in the refurb market where 15.6inch is always more cost 

Another option is CEX online or locally instore where you may also get instore sales help plus get to look hold the laptop.
Again ask CEX to suggest laptops that will support win 11 unless you are ok binning the laptop come oct 2025

debitcardmayhem

Have a look here https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=computers&bbn=3581866031&rh=n%3A3581866031%2Cn%3A340831031%2Cn%3A429886031%2Cp_36%3A9708207031&dc&pf_rd_i=3581866031&pf_rd_m=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&pf_rd_p=50a92caa-1d89-4312-b8ca-8ae6627d9c53&pf_rd_r=FS0Q5TAKZ23NC1YJE96V&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_t=101&qid=1701811903&rnid=9708204031&ref=sr_nr_p_36_3&ds=v1%3As1XTfKlMtq7f8f71goDt1IabDdUBzCKvXp9NU0QmYfM