Any known issues with this N150 CPU?

DarthDaisy

I have been tasked with finding a cheap laptop for an elderly but computer aware pensioner.

They really want it mostly for browsing and email

They said they want to install Linux

I found a laptop based on an N150 which seems great value, a decent amount of memory and SSD.

It is a proper laptop not a tablet and seems OK for what they want to use it for.

Looking online this CPU seems to have been around since 2024

Any known issues with this N150 CPU?

Are there any laptops without those awful tile keyboards?

Any suggestions for sub £300 budget would be useful to compare with.

Sadly they do not want second hand but I might take up that suggestion myself.

Woodstok2000

It's a budget processor, but will be fine for browsing and email.

Have they considered a chromebook?

DarthDaisy

That was my first thought but they want a proper laptop with a big screen.

They will not be carrying it anywhere but they resisted a PC because of wires and more bulky.

MyRealNameToo

If they have made their own decision that they want to run Linux I'm very surprised they need help in selecting a device.

Given you are going for a budget device it'll probably be ok but there can still be compatibility issues with some components and different distros of linux

DarthDaisy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81892649#Comment_81892649

Yeh my nephew showed them linux and they liked it, they do not want windows.

I agree that Linux is more work finding drivers but I gather some are better than others.

The last computer they had crashed if you loaded more than 2 ebay pages or if you played YouTube videos despite reasonable ram and CPU (for the era).

The one we are looking at has this N150 plus 16gb of ram and 500gb SSD and an 18" screen.

Seems good value for around £255

MyRealNameToo

Does someone have an old/spare device they can lend them for a while? Being "shown" is very different to living with it.

Have they considered a Chromebook if it's simply a case of not wanting Windows?

DarthDaisy

I agree, my nephew showed him a 17" laptop with the fonts set quite big and he loved the look of it. They spend several hours doing the things he does.

As explained, they want a big screen, the bigger the better but not an external one, they want one all in one device aka a laptop.

They have had a stroke which they are recovering from but it has affected the scope of their vision. they also struggle with typing with both hands. Also they drop things a lot so a tablet would probably be broken and is too small anyway.

At currys a chromebook "plus" costs £299 for a 16in but spec is far lower and although they want to run Linux it is advisable to have a HD with Windows on it, even if we hide it. No way I would advise anyone to run any Google OS, they are an advertising company.

ACER 516 16" Chromebook Plus - Intel® Core™ i3, 128 GB UFS, Grey

ChromeOS

Intel® Core™ i3-1315U Processor

RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 128 GB UFS

Full HD screen

Battery life: Up to 12.5 hours

I have not bought a computer for years so I am not up to speed on the CPU's.

the N150 seems to have some grunt, it has 4 cores but I suspect it may be stunted in some way hence I asked about it. The N150 seems way faster than my own laptop, Linux used to be faster than windows but I see a lot posted about bloatware.

The company we are looking at charges more for selling on eBay than it does on it's own site.

Grumpy_chap

"

they want a big screen, the bigger the better but not an external one, they want one all in one device aka a laptop.

"

AND

"

they drop things a lot so a tablet would probably be broken

"

A laptop will also break if dropped.

Do they need to be able to move the computer around the house?

If not, a desktop all-in-one might be worth considering. It avoids the wires and cables, has a larger screen than a laptop.

LightFlare

Off topic - but I thought I recognised the question

Any particular the original thread was closed or just fat finger syndrome on the part of the mod ?

mksysb

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81894488#Comment_81894488

Bad advice re Google, they may be an "advertising company" but they make some of the best software, and it's free.

BFBW

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656247/any-known-issues-with-this-n150-cpu

Post a link to the exact device you plan to purchase. I would be concerned about ongoing support and warranty.