Laptop - college student

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Hi all, 

Hoping someone can advise. I need to purchase a laptop for my daughter to use at college (first year) 

I am completely useless 

I've had a quick look on the boards here and my minds blown with what GB she needs and I have no idea what SSD is?! 

Could someone please have a look at this laptop and let me know if it's suitable? 

Deal of the day for Prime Members: Lenovo IdeaPad 1 | 15 inch Full HD Laptop | Intel Pentium Silver N5030 | 8GB RAM | 128GB SSD | Windows 11 Home in S mode | Cloud Grey https://amzn.eu/d/00HNLl1y

I don't have much spare cash at the moment so trying to limit cost (which I know is not really a do-able thing for tech ) ☹️ 

Many thanks 
M x

DullGreyGuy

What subject(s) is she studying? Does the college/university provide any guidelines?

What's required for a 3d Graphics or videographer is very different to a philosophy major. 

cardriver98

never get sucked in by these deals ...  go for a good reconditioned one..  there are plenty around. 

DarrenLee02

You might look at Dell refurbished, they're cracking laptops. In the price bracket of the one you linked to is a really nice one for £402, but you can't go wrong with any of them.

https://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=3&c=uk&cs=ukdfb1&l=en&s=dfb

HillStreetBlues

A basic question, have you asked your daughter what she needs/ wants?

Frozen_up_north

DarrenLee02 said:

You might look at Dell refurbished, they're cracking laptops.

Dell laptops are flimsy with a worthless warranty. I have a six month old Vostro which had one of the key tops “pop off” while I was typing (I’m not writing War and Peace, and hot heavy handed).

The thin plastic scissor hinge between the keyboard and key top had worn, or was poorly manufactured. It is a common problem with thin laptops. Thinking Dell would repair it under warranty as it was a manufacturing defect… no, any keyboard problem and they want £156 to replace the whole keyboard.

I found a source of spare parts in France and fixed it myself for a fraction of the Dell price.

By comparison I have a 5 year old Asus Vivobook with another fault, but it has really heavy duty scissor hinges under the key tops, far better made than Dell.

Vitor

College courses should give a minimum spec. on what is required. Something like -

• Intel Core i5 7nnn (7th generation) or higher.
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB SSD storage
• Windows 11 Pro
• 802.11 n/ac Wireless
  
• At least one USC-C port
• Webcam and speakers for online tutorials
• A Kensington lock to secure device in Library etc
• NB Microsoft Office 365 should be provided via the College so you won't need to buy that
  

>I don't have much spare cash at the moment<

The College may have grants or support to student from low-income families

>Could someone please have a look at this laptop and let me know if it's suitable? <

No, too big and heavy to carry, too slow CPU, too little RAM, cut down Windows S is lame

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

HillStreetBlues said:

A basic question, have you asked your daughter what she needs/ wants?

I have asked, she's unrealistic in her expectations - she isn't techie either and literally wants 'the newest apple' product, whether it's relevant or not 😒

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Vitor said:

College courses should give a minimum spec. on what is required. Something like -

• Intel Core i5 7nnn (7th generation) or higher.
• 16GB RAM
• 256GB SSD storage
• Windows 11 Pro
• 802.11 n/ac Wireless
  
• At least one USC-C port
• Webcam and speakers for online tutorials
• A Kensington lock to secure device in Library etc
• NB Microsoft Office 365 should be provided via the College so you won't need to buy that
  

>I don't have much spare cash at the moment<

The College may have grants or support to student from low-income families

>Could someone please have a look at this laptop and let me know if it's suitable? <

No, too big and heavy to carry, too slow CPU, too little RAM, cut down Windows S is lame

I have emailed the college to ask for the specs. 

We don't qualify for the grant unfortunately (I earn over the threshold, but I am desperately trying to clear debts so have little 'spare' cash) realistically, I could probably afford £400 - I just want to make sure I get the right laptop for her 

Thanks for the feedback on the laptop, I've removed it from the basket 

M x

flashg67

Refurb might be the way to go - like you, funds are a bit tight and I've picked up a refurb from ebay with great specs that really does look like new for £280. There are plenty to choose from but this is what I bought and been very pleased. Unless she's doing something like a graphics course it will likely be plenty good enough.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116188601713?var=416390794139 
edit to add - this one looks out of stock but the seller has plenty similar.

Cisco001

Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop £300

Order Code cn33508sc

Processor AMD Ryzen™ 5 7520U, 8 GB LPDDR5Storage 512 GB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSDDisplay15.6-in. display Full HD (1920X1080)