New Laptop Wanted - HELP

finbaar

400ixl said:

finbaar said:

Looking at the requirements the OP has they would be best getting one of the Snapdragon X Elite laptops. The Surface Laptop 7 13.8" would be my recommendation.

Waaaaaaay more than the OP needs.

First step, see if the existing laptop can be repaired. It may just be a good clean out, it may be that the processor has a heatsink and the paste has dried out making it inefficient. Local PC shop should be able to sort.

Failing that the spec the OP needs isn't that high really. Something in the Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 range processor wise, an SSD drive, maybe 512Gb and preferably 16GB Ram (although 8 would do).

Lokking in the £500 range, not the £1250 range for the Surface Laptop.

Yes that would be ok. But going Windows on ARM has the advantage of vastly superior battery life and they are happy to go to £1500 , so why go cheap? (yes yes, I know where I'm posting, but cheap doesn't mean long lasting). Still I would definitely agree with giving the current laptop a clean inside and a fresh install of windows as a start.

Emmia

finbaar said:

400ixl said:

finbaar said:

Looking at the requirements the OP has they would be best getting one of the Snapdragon X Elite laptops. The Surface Laptop 7 13.8" would be my recommendation.

Waaaaaaay more than the OP needs.

First step, see if the existing laptop can be repaired. It may just be a good clean out, it may be that the processor has a heatsink and the paste has dried out making it inefficient. Local PC shop should be able to sort.

Failing that the spec the OP needs isn't that high really. Something in the Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 range processor wise, an SSD drive, maybe 512Gb and preferably 16GB Ram (although 8 would do).

Lokking in the £500 range, not the £1250 range for the Surface Laptop.

Yes that would be ok. But going Windows on ARM has the advantage of vastly superior battery life and they are happy to go to £1500 , so why go cheap? (yes yes, I know where I'm posting, but cheap doesn't mean long lasting). Still I would definitely agree with giving the current laptop a clean inside and a fresh install of windows as a start.

My Lenovo laptop cost substantially less than £1500 and I use it for all the same things as the OP, I've had it for 3 years and it's still working well. It cost around £600 if I remember correctly.

My previous Lenovo laptop (which was only replaced as I wanted something smaller and lighter) is still working despite being approximately 10 years old. 

The OP does not need a surface laptop at £1k+

_Jem_

Why not transform the old laptop into Google OS Flex to see if you would get on with Chrome OS instead of a Windows laptop. 

flashg67

Would you consider a refurb? I've been more than happy with mine from this seller but plenty of others available...  EG this would be fine for your needs https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116151230346?  

SimplyBetter

_Jem_ said:

Why not transform the old laptop into Google OS Flex to see if you would get on with Chrome OS instead of a Windows laptop. 

?? Did the OP suggest that she had a problem with Windows? What is the point of this? 

_Jem_

SimplyBetter said:

_Jem_ said:

Why not transform the old laptop into Google OS Flex to see if you would get on with Chrome OS instead of a Windows laptop. 

?? Did the OP suggest that she had a problem with Windows? What is the point of this? 

If the OP is deciding on getting another laptop why not, It's a good suggestion why buy Windows if you don't need all of the stuff that comes with it. That way the OP can see what suits their needs.

Let's see what the OP has said wants:

A long battery life. that's a tick for Chrome OS extremely good battery life. 
Something that runs quietly. That's another Tick. 

And by the looks of it just really basic stuff needed. Another Tick for Chrome OS. 

This is a MoneySaving Forum so my comment is helpful. Why spend big money on a Windows Laptop if its just for basic stuff. 

The OP has already said: I'm useless at PC World, they tell me everything is good and just buy whatever which is of no use to me. 

So I'm trying to be helpful by the sound of it the OP might not know about Chrome OS and that's why the OP didn't mention it. The OP hasn't said anything about having Windows or not having Windows all that's been said is they want a new laptop. 

Neil_Jones

_Jem_ said:

SimplyBetter said:

_Jem_ said:

Why not transform the old laptop into Google OS Flex to see if you would get on with Chrome OS instead of a Windows laptop. 

?? Did the OP suggest that she had a problem with Windows? What is the point of this? 

If the OP is deciding on getting another laptop why not, It's a good suggestion why buy Windows if you don't need all of the stuff that comes with it. That way the OP can see what suits their needs.

The OP also said they have an issue with overheating.  That's nothing to do with the operating system of choice and as I've already alluded to is almost certainly caused by a blocked fan (I'm surprised that model uses that type of cooling you find in cheaper laptops, and its always been prone to dust bunny build-ups because it's over an external vent).

I still see no reason to spend another grand on something that probably can be fixed themselves for nothing if they knew what they're going, or for relative peanuts in a computer repair shop somewhere.

_Jem_

Neil_Jones said:

_Jem_ said:

SimplyBetter said:

_Jem_ said:

Why not transform the old laptop into Google OS Flex to see if you would get on with Chrome OS instead of a Windows laptop. 

?? Did the OP suggest that she had a problem with Windows? What is the point of this? 

If the OP is deciding on getting another laptop why not, It's a good suggestion why buy Windows if you don't need all of the stuff that comes with it. That way the OP can see what suits their needs.

The OP also said they have an issue with overheating.  That's nothing to do with the operating system of choice and as I've already alluded to is almost certainly caused by a blocked fan (I'm surprised that model uses that type of cooling you find in cheaper laptops, and its always been prone to dust bunny build-ups because it's over an external vent).

I still see no reason to spend another grand on something that probably can be fixed themselves for nothing if they knew what they're going, or for relative peanuts in a computer repair shop somewhere.

I totally agree the way it's being used could be causing it to overheat and a simple cleaning could work or new fan. As this has been suggested I saw no need to comment about that side, so suggested Chrome OS if the OP was going to be buying a new laptop. It sounds like Chrome OS would be better suited being cheaper than Windows. So many people think buying a Windows laptop is the only way to go when they only do minimum stuff. 

Emmia

_Jem_ said:

Neil_Jones said:

_Jem_ said:

SimplyBetter said:

_Jem_ said:

Why not transform the old laptop into Google OS Flex to see if you would get on with Chrome OS instead of a Windows laptop. 

?? Did the OP suggest that she had a problem with Windows? What is the point of this? 

If the OP is deciding on getting another laptop why not, It's a good suggestion why buy Windows if you don't need all of the stuff that comes with it. That way the OP can see what suits their needs.

The OP also said they have an issue with overheating.  That's nothing to do with the operating system of choice and as I've already alluded to is almost certainly caused by a blocked fan (I'm surprised that model uses that type of cooling you find in cheaper laptops, and its always been prone to dust bunny build-ups because it's over an external vent).

I still see no reason to spend another grand on something that probably can be fixed themselves for nothing if they knew what they're going, or for relative peanuts in a computer repair shop somewhere.

I totally agree the way it's being used could be causing it to overheat and a simple cleaning could work or new fan. As this has been suggested I saw no need to comment about that side, so suggested Chrome OS if the OP was going to be buying a new laptop. It sounds like Chrome OS would be better suited being cheaper than Windows. So many people think buying a Windows laptop is the only way to go when they only do minimum stuff. 

In the grand scheme of things, the cost of the OS shouldn't be the defining feature - if the OP is content with Windows then moving to Chrome OS is potentially something of zero interest.

I use my laptop for similar tasks to the OP, and I have no interest in moving to Chrome OS, switching to Apple or going down the Linux route. Happy with Windows and my Microsoft Office suite of programmes.

_Jem_

Emmia said:

_Jem_ said:

Neil_Jones said:

_Jem_ said:

SimplyBetter said:

_Jem_ said:

Why not transform the old laptop into Google OS Flex to see if you would get on with Chrome OS instead of a Windows laptop. 

?? Did the OP suggest that she had a problem with Windows? What is the point of this? 

If the OP is deciding on getting another laptop why not, It's a good suggestion why buy Windows if you don't need all of the stuff that comes with it. That way the OP can see what suits their needs.

The OP also said they have an issue with overheating.  That's nothing to do with the operating system of choice and as I've already alluded to is almost certainly caused by a blocked fan (I'm surprised that model uses that type of cooling you find in cheaper laptops, and its always been prone to dust bunny build-ups because it's over an external vent).

I still see no reason to spend another grand on something that probably can be fixed themselves for nothing if they knew what they're going, or for relative peanuts in a computer repair shop somewhere.

I totally agree the way it's being used could be causing it to overheat and a simple cleaning could work or new fan. As this has been suggested I saw no need to comment about that side, so suggested Chrome OS if the OP was going to be buying a new laptop. It sounds like Chrome OS would be better suited being cheaper than Windows. So many people think buying a Windows laptop is the only way to go when they only do minimum stuff. 

In the grand scheme of things, the cost of the OS shouldn't be the defining feature - if the OP is content with Windows then moving to Chrome OS is potentially something of zero interest.

Of course it is, if you don't really need all the junk that comes with Windows. You are paying for junk that you don't use. So for someone who wants a laptop just for online shopping and watching YouTube then buying a Windows laptop is pretty wasteful. We don't know what the OP views on this is do we as the OP has only said about getting a new laptop and doing basic stuff. 

In retail you ask the customer what their needs are and tell them the difference between Windows and a chromebook. Everyone's needs are different. Just because you wouldn't use a Chromebook doesn't mean everyone else should be the same.

Edit: I have installed Chrome Flex for a few people to see what they feel would be suitable, some have gone to Chrome OS and some has stayed with Windows. It's all personal preference. If you don't try then you won't know what's best.