Help with buying a laptop(single parent)

Blacksheep1979

I managed for over a year without one fine but I didn't have the financial strains that the op does and decided to buy one mainly as I'm a geek and wanted a new toy to play with - this is the first laptop I've ever owned. Tbh I still used the university facilities far more than my own laptop for uni work.

You know what they say about making an asumption - you make an a$$ out of u and...

No I don't have two young frequently ill children and to the op I've not decided what is best for you I'm just trying to get accross that you don't need a laptop and students have got on fine without them for decades - how hard is it to write stuff on paper? I'm just trying to get across all the options as you seem to have ignored the blaringly obvious one.

Gemma7_2

thanks elsi and best pud. I am not ignoring the obvious i am fully aware of the cost implications however with the extra childcare bills a may as well have bought a laptop. Thanks again for your opinion but i have decided that if i can get hold of one second hand or refurbished then i will save my self thousands in childcare over the period of uni. My childcare costs are £1000 a month at the minute and i am only in college 3 and a half days a week.

bestpud

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

I managed for over a year without one fine but I didn't have the financial strains that the op does and decided to buy one mainly as I'm a geek and wanted a new toy to play with - this is the first laptop I've ever owned. Tbh I still used the university facilities far more than my own laptop for uni work.

You know what they say about making an asumption - you make an a$$ out of u and...

No I don't have two young frequently ill children and to the op I've not decided what is best for you I'm just trying to get accross that you don't need a laptop and students have got on fine without them for decades - how hard is it to write stuff on paper? I'm just trying to get across all the options as you seem to have ignored the blaringly obvious one.

My assumption was that your situation was not at all like Gemmas and it seems I was correct. You did not have childcare responsibilities and did not go without a laptop anyway!

It has been made clear from the start that it will cost Gemma MORE over the duration of the course if she has to use the uni computers. Therefore, it is sensible to take that on board and try to find the cheapest way to obtain a laptop, given the initial outlay is going to be quite high but it will have long term gains.

Re using paper: that is an option but it still requires time spent typing up.

Plus many unis rely heavily on electronic research databases now - the only way to do that on paper is print them off at uni (@ 5p a sheet - very cost effective!).

Then there is emails - Gemma would need to go into uni, or an internet cafe, every day to check emails as most tutors communicate this way now.

Not to mention how she gets lecture notes etc if she can't get into uni at all one week. Plus, at my uni, many lecturers update WebCT over the course of the week - more time wasted taking notes from the screen, or money wasted printing things off.

Overall, the cost of childcare, printing, transport and paper would outweigh the alternative cost of the laptop and home internet access.

Then we can add the stress of taking young children to the library...

Integra_2

sorry if its been said, but Carphone Warehouse were giving free laptops away with thier phone contracts/broadband. If you switch them over you can have a free HP Laptop, best there is,. get in quick https://www.carphonewarehouse.co.uk

Gemma7_2

thanks!
I'll take a look at that integra

Gem