Laptop Purchase Advice Please

Exodi

Bonhomie said:

Exodi said:

james00744 said:

Cisco001 said:

james00744 said:

Cisco001 said:

Lenovo E14 Gen 2/i5-1135G7/8GB Ram/256GB SSD/14"/W11/B CEX £200

£200? There must be a catch 

It is CEX. If you don't like it, take back to high street store within 14 days and get full refund.

Do you think it would be a lot quicker than my current PC specs?

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz (6 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
4GB RAM

Ahh, we get to the root of it - you have a RAM problem.

Upgrade the RAM. You can pick up an 8GB stick for £20 and could install yourself in 20 mins with youtube on open on your phone (though you may need to order an iddy biddy screwdriver if you don't have one).

More likely running an HDD, than specifically a RAM problem.
But advisable to do both at the same time.
https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=smem8g2666 x2 £18 plus postage for 16GB
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Factor-Intelligent-Magician-Software/dp/B08PC3PGZM/ £35
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PC43D78/ £55

It would be easier if they said what computer they have - but yes if using a HDD (and 4gb ram probably indicates that) then swapping for SSD also recommended as you say.

Bonhomie

Exodi said:

Bonhomie said:

Exodi said:

james00744 said:

Cisco001 said:

james00744 said:

Cisco001 said:

Lenovo E14 Gen 2/i5-1135G7/8GB Ram/256GB SSD/14"/W11/B CEX £200

£200? There must be a catch 

It is CEX. If you don't like it, take back to high street store within 14 days and get full refund.

Do you think it would be a lot quicker than my current PC specs?

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz (6 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
4GB RAM

Ahh, we get to the root of it - you have a RAM problem.

Upgrade the RAM. You can pick up an 8GB stick for £20 and could install yourself in 20 mins with youtube on open on your phone (though you may need to order an iddy biddy screwdriver if you don't have one).

More likely running an HDD, than specifically a RAM problem.
But advisable to do both at the same time.
https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=smem8g2666 x2 £18 plus postage for 16GB
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Factor-Intelligent-Magician-Software/dp/B08PC3PGZM/ £35
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PC43D78/ £55

It would be easier if they said what computer they have - but yes if using a HDD (and 4gb ram probably indicates that) then swapping for SSD also recommended as you say.

If it's 4GB, then almost certainly HDD. If on a tight budget, I would do SSD first and RAM afterwards, as fitting SSD makes a far bigger difference than adding RAM, you might be surprised to learn. But both, in this case, would be optimal.

BlueonBlue

I wouldnt get that refurb at that price they are overpriced and 15.6 are even more .
Some have painted keyboards ie. from Newandused laptops  which can be found cheaper with a code 
Check these options out below one ends tonight though .

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/asus-vivobook-15-amd-ryzen-7-8gb-ram-512gb-ssd-4375106

Ends tonight
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/asus-vivobook-go-15-oled-laptop-156in-fhd-intel-core-i3-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-mcafee-total-protection-included-silver-wcode-free

ASUS 16inch vivobooks show up on occasion .
I got a 2023 Win11 ryzen 5 ,256ssd ,8 ram + it is upgradable, 300nit screen for £274 delivered .
Its showing here today for £450   https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-Vivobook-M1605YA-R5-5625U-Processor/dp/B0CCYVHHWB
So deals do come along if your bovvered 

I would upgrade your current laptop and wait out for a real deal to come along ....possibly looking out for a 16in Asus Vivobook

james00744

Bonhomie said:

More likely running an HDD, than specifically a RAM problem.
But advisable to do both at the same time.
https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=smem8g2666 x2 £18 plus postage for 16GB
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Factor-Intelligent-Magician-Software/dp/B08PC3PGZM/ £35
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PC43D78/ £55

Thank you for this!

I went ahead and bought one of the RAM sticks. It arrived this morning and I switched it with the stick that was in (I assume a 4 won't work with an 8 to run with 12?)

It works and is much quicker! After loading all the software I use, at the same time, and looking at Task Manager, I was basically trying to use 6GB RAM with only 4GB RAM installed.

My PC already has the SSD.

And I checked my motherboard and it can take up to 32GB, but if the most I'll be using is 6GB, I guess there's no need?

"The Aspire TC-885 motherboard can support up to 32GB of RAM [1]. It  uses DDR4 PC4-19200 2400MHz 288-pin DIMM or DDR4 PC4-21300 2666MHz 288-pin DIMM memory [2]."

Bonhomie

james00744 said:

Bonhomie said:

More likely running an HDD, than specifically a RAM problem.
But advisable to do both at the same time.
https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=smem8g2666 x2 £18 plus postage for 16GB
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Factor-Intelligent-Magician-Software/dp/B08PC3PGZM/ £35
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PC43D78/ £55

Thank you for this!

I went ahead and bought one of the RAM sticks. It arrived this morning and I switched it with the stick that was in (I assume a 4 won't work with an 8 to run with 12?)

It works and is much quicker! After loading all the software I use, at the same time, and looking at Task Manager, I was basically trying to use 6GB RAM with only 4GB RAM installed.

My PC already has the SSD.

And I checked my motherboard and it can take up to 32GB, but if the most I'll be using is 6GB, I guess there's no need?

"The Aspire TC-885 motherboard can support up to 32GB of RAM [1]. It  uses DDR4 PC4-19200 2400MHz 288-pin DIMM or DDR4 PC4-21300 2666MHz 288-pin DIMM memory [2]."

The 4GB + 8GB can work together.
But when did you fit the SSD to that device? - ACER TC-885.014 Intel® Core™ i5+ Desktop PC - 1 TB HDD, Black - Currys Business

It's supplied with a 1TB HDD, rather than an SSD. It does have Intel Optane 16GB

Specifications

Basic Specifications

EAN

4713883807005

Form Factor

Desktop PC

Processor Generation

Intel Core 8th Gen

Overview

Type

Desktop PC

Operating system

Windows 10 (64-bit)

Connectivity

WiFi

- Intel® dual-band AC WiFi
- 1x1
- Up to 433 Mbps

Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet port

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.0

USB

- USB Type-C x 1
- USB 3.1 x 3
- USB 2.0 x 4

Video connections

- HDMI x 2
- VGA x 1

Audio connections

3.5 mm jack x 5

Power

PSU

300 W

Sound

Audio software

Integrated high definition sound

Performance

Processor

- Intel® Core™ i5+ 8400 Processor
- Hexa-core
- 2.8 GHz / 4 GHz
- 6 MB cache

RAM

- 4 GB DDR4 (2666 MHz)
- 32 GB maximum installable RAM)

Storage

1 TB HDD (7200 rpm)

Intel Optane

16 GB

General

Colour

Black

Box contents

- Acer TC-885.014 Intel® Core™ i5+ Desktop PC
- Antenna
- Mouse
- Keyboard

Dimensions

350 x 163 x 340 mm (H x W x D)

Manufacturer’s guarantee

1 year

Software

* Full version of Microsoft Office not included * Full version of anti-virus / internet security not included
- Office 365 (30 day trial)

Media

Disc drive

DVD

Memory card reader

SD

Expansion card slot

- PCIe 2.0 (x1) x 1
- PCIe 3.0 (x16) x 1
- M.2 (for SSD) x 1
- M.2 (for WLAN) x 1

Features

Mouse / trackpad

Wireless mouse

Keyboard

james00744

Bonhomie said:

james00744 said:

Bonhomie said:

More likely running an HDD, than specifically a RAM problem.
But advisable to do both at the same time.
https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=smem8g2666 x2 £18 plus postage for 16GB
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Factor-Intelligent-Magician-Software/dp/B08PC3PGZM/ £35
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PC43D78/ £55

Thank you for this!

I went ahead and bought one of the RAM sticks. It arrived this morning and I switched it with the stick that was in (I assume a 4 won't work with an 8 to run with 12?)

It works and is much quicker! After loading all the software I use, at the same time, and looking at Task Manager, I was basically trying to use 6GB RAM with only 4GB RAM installed.

My PC already has the SSD.

And I checked my motherboard and it can take up to 32GB, but if the most I'll be using is 6GB, I guess there's no need?

"The Aspire TC-885 motherboard can support up to 32GB of RAM [1]. It  uses DDR4 PC4-19200 2400MHz 288-pin DIMM or DDR4 PC4-21300 2666MHz 288-pin DIMM memory [2]."

The 4GB + 8GB can work together.
But when did you fit the SSD to that device? - ACER TC-885.014 Intel® Core™ i5+ Desktop PC - 1 TB HDD, Black - Currys Business

Yeah might be HDD.
I looked somewhere on the PC and it was showing as SSD.
It's quick enough now though for what I use it for.

As for the RAM - I added the 4 and the PC wouldn't start up at all. No power.

Bonhomie

james00744 said:

Bonhomie said:

james00744 said:

Bonhomie said:

More likely running an HDD, than specifically a RAM problem.
But advisable to do both at the same time.
https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=smem8g2666 x2 £18 plus postage for 16GB
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Factor-Intelligent-Magician-Software/dp/B08PC3PGZM/ £35
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PC43D78/ £55

Thank you for this!

I went ahead and bought one of the RAM sticks. It arrived this morning and I switched it with the stick that was in (I assume a 4 won't work with an 8 to run with 12?)

It works and is much quicker! After loading all the software I use, at the same time, and looking at Task Manager, I was basically trying to use 6GB RAM with only 4GB RAM installed.

My PC already has the SSD.

And I checked my motherboard and it can take up to 32GB, but if the most I'll be using is 6GB, I guess there's no need?

"The Aspire TC-885 motherboard can support up to 32GB of RAM [1]. It  uses DDR4 PC4-19200 2400MHz 288-pin DIMM or DDR4 PC4-21300 2666MHz 288-pin DIMM memory [2]."

The 4GB + 8GB can work together.
But when did you fit the SSD to that device? - ACER TC-885.014 Intel® Core™ i5+ Desktop PC - 1 TB HDD, Black - Currys Business

Yeah might be HDD.
I looked somewhere on the PC and it was showing as SSD.
It's quick enough now though for what I use it for.

As for the RAM - I added the 4 and the PC wouldn't start up at all. No power.

james00744 said:

Bonhomie said:

james00744 said:

Bonhomie said:

More likely running an HDD, than specifically a RAM problem.
But advisable to do both at the same time.
https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=smem8g2666 x2 £18 plus postage for 16GB
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Factor-Intelligent-Magician-Software/dp/B08PC3PGZM/ £35
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PC43D78/ £55

Thank you for this!

I went ahead and bought one of the RAM sticks. It arrived this morning and I switched it with the stick that was in (I assume a 4 won't work with an 8 to run with 12?)

It works and is much quicker! After loading all the software I use, at the same time, and looking at Task Manager, I was basically trying to use 6GB RAM with only 4GB RAM installed.

My PC already has the SSD.

And I checked my motherboard and it can take up to 32GB, but if the most I'll be using is 6GB, I guess there's no need?

"The Aspire TC-885 motherboard can support up to 32GB of RAM [1]. It  uses DDR4 PC4-19200 2400MHz 288-pin DIMM or DDR4 PC4-21300 2666MHz 288-pin DIMM memory [2]."

The 4GB + 8GB can work together.
But when did you fit the SSD to that device? - ACER TC-885.014 Intel® Core™ i5+ Desktop PC - 1 TB HDD, Black - Currys Business

Yeah might be HDD.
I looked somewhere on the PC and it was showing as SSD.
It's quick enough now though for what I use it for.

As for the RAM - I added the 4 and the PC wouldn't start up at all. No power.

Usually I would get you to inspect both modules in order to check the specification. But since you are happy with the way things are, we'll just leave it as it is

james00744

Bonhomie said:

Usually I would get you to inspect both modules in order to check the specification. But since you are happy with the way things are, we'll just leave it as it is

Strange as it says SSD in Task Manager and also in Defrag.

See links:
https://prnt.sc/B2sHHGCu4Qju

https://prnt.sc/8B4D54OhGXXU

Bonhomie

james00744 said:

Bonhomie said:

Usually I would get you to inspect both modules in order to check the specification. But since you are happy with the way things are, we'll just leave it as it is

Strange as it says SSD in Task Manager and also in Defrag.

See links:
https://prnt.sc/B2sHHGCu4Qju

https://prnt.sc/8B4D54OhGXXU

Open Windows Explorer, navigate to your C: drive, right click on it and choose Properties and then Hardware. Take a screenshot of that.