Need new basic laptop

cisko65

I need to replace my 9-year old laptop. (I posted a thread about replacing the charger hoping that might solve the problem but it didn't).

- Price up to £350 max £389.

- Windows (not Apple) for word processing, spread sheet, and of course internet (no games, and no particular high level graphic design/photos).

- 8GB

- Intel® Core™ i5 (I read that AMD Ryzen is better for games but I don't need that)

- Will mainly use it at home, often linked to an old PC monitor, so a middle sized screen would be ok.

- No silver keyboard as I find it very unpractical.

- I was told that Microsoft Office has to be bought separately. 

- Is Windows always included? (It says so for an Argos item).

- Would like to buy it from a seller where I can go in person in case of problems (PC World rather than Amazon).

Pls help me to choose what requirements are relevant and ideally where to find a matching laptop.

Thank you so much!

TimeLord1

Have you visited a Currys store to see the deals and check some of them out in person? Yes, people can advise you, and you can read reviews online, but by the sounds of it, you need to be more hands-on. And be able to choose the one you'd prefer. 

cisko65

TimeLord1 said:

Have you visited a Currys store to see the deals and check some of them out in person? Yes, people can advise you, and you can read reviews online, but by the sounds of it, you need to be more hands-on. And be able to choose the one you'd prefer. 

Thanks, I went to Currys (same as PSWorld?) but I couldn't follow what the assistance were saying. They were just showing me the description, without explaining much. They just kept asking which one I wanted to order.

Mark_d

I would never but anything from Currys/PC World.  Their sales people are incompetent and the best they can do is read the labels on the shelves.  If things go wrong, you'd likely have problems if you bought from Currys.

My advice would be to buy a good quality product from a reputable retailer:
https://www.ebuyer.com/2192274-lenovo-v15-g4-iru-15-6-inch-laptop-intel-core-i5-13420h-83a100amuk

TimeLord1

cisko65 said:

TimeLord1 said:

Have you visited a Currys store to see the deals and check some of them out in person? Yes, people can advise you, and you can read reviews online, but by the sounds of it, you need to be more hands-on. And be able to choose the one you'd prefer. 

Thanks, I went to Currys (same as PSWorld?) but I couldn't follow what the assistance were saying. They were just showing me the description, without explaining much. They just kept asking which one I wanted to order.

You should write down a list of requirements then go there but don't let them sell the additional extras or push an older system they need to get shot of. Is there anyone that can go along with you?

TimeLord1

Have you checked the Which Web page?

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/laptops/article/best-laptop-deals-a0gLg0i9nmhc

cisko65

Mark_d said:

I would never but anything from Currys/PC World.  Their sales people are incompetent and the best they can do is read the labels on the shelves.  If things go wrong, you'd likely have problems if you bought from Currys.

My advice would be to buy a good quality product from a reputable retailer:
https://www.ebuyer.com/2192274-lenovo-v15-g4-iru-15-6-inch-laptop-intel-core-i5-13420h-83a100amuk

Thanks, I checked it and it sounds good.
But what happens in case I have technical problems? I would have to post it I guess.
The other thing is that I googled where it can be bought and I find it hard to understand if the same model is indicated.

cisko65

TimeLord1 said:

cisko65 said:

TimeLord1 said:

Have you visited a Currys store to see the deals and check some of them out in person? Yes, people can advise you, and you can read reviews online, but by the sounds of it, you need to be more hands-on. And be able to choose the one you'd prefer. 

Thanks, I went to Currys (same as PSWorld?) but I couldn't follow what the assistance were saying. They were just showing me the description, without explaining much. They just kept asking which one I wanted to order.

You should write down a list of requirements then go there but don't let them sell the additional extras or push an older system they need to get shot of. Is there anyone that can go along with you?

That's what I did at the weekend but I couldn't understand how close the models they suggested met my requirements.

cisko65

TimeLord1 said:

Have you checked the Which Web page?

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/laptops/article/best-laptop-deals-a0gLg0i9nmhc

Yes but I'm only able to compare the basic stuff I listed. And as I don't think that all of them will be matched I am not able to do comparisons. Thanks

Vitor

8GB RAM is a bit skimpy for modern apps and browsers, I'd go for 16GB but your budget may need to stretch to £399. Have tried John Lewis, you might got more sensible advice and less hard sell than from Currys.

cisko65

Vitor said:

8GB RAM is a bit skimpy for modern apps and browsers, I'd go for 16GB but your budget may need to stretch to £399. Have tried John Lewis, you might got more sensible advice and less hard sell than from Currys.

Thanks, yes I think you are right. And a friend advised to go for i7 at least, to be on track for a few years. Another thing she suggested was to increase the budget for the same reason. John Lewis might only have the latest models. If I exclude Currys as well, I need to understand how to find reliable sellers online.