Advice with laptops & printers for Uni

Minxz

Please can anyone advise?I am saving for 2 laptops and 2 printers, as both my sons go to uni this year. I know it's early, but am thinking in advance as it's an expensive year!I have seen some printers on offer in Tescos, but I'd like to get them one that I can buy cheap ink for, and don't know which one would be best- does anyone have any advice for printers that are cheap to run?And laptops.. i see so many about- which one is best?!!I want it to have dvd drive, so they can watch dvds without needing a tv, and a good memory, and wireless internet facility.Again, Tescos have one for £325, then i saw a refurb IBM Thinkpad on Speedie.co.uk for £299.. is a refurb a good choice?I have a student card too, as i study with OU, so is there anywhere that offers decent student discount so i can knock a few pounds off?Any advice and recomendations will be gratefully recieved!!

Minxz

Anyone?????

boatman

See my post here for a laptop. Not sure if your sons would be playing games on their laptops, if they are then you need to look at a laptop with a dedicated graphics card not an integrated one which most laptops have. As far as printers go, you can get cheap cartridges for Epson and Brother printers.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=766637

cowbutt

Minxz wrote: »

Please can anyone advise?I am saving for 2 laptops and 2 printers, as both my sons go to uni this year. I know it's early, but am thinking in advance as it's an expensive year!I have seen some printers on offer in Tescos, but I'd like to get them one that I can buy cheap ink for, and don't know which one would be best- does anyone have any advice for printers that are cheap to run?

Ink jet printers are just about the most expensive type of printer to run. Laser printers are far cheaper, and aren't expensive, as long as monochrome printing suffices. Samsung is a safe buy, based on my experience.

And laptops.. i see so many about- which one is best?!!I want it to have dvd drive, so they can watch dvds without needing a tv, and a good memory, and wireless internet facility.

All those features should be standard on a modern laptop.

Again, Tescos have one for £325, then i saw a refurb IBM Thinkpad on Speedie.co.uk for £299.. is a refurb a good choice?

I usually recommend against refurbished/used laptops; they're fragile, expensive to repair, and both ex-corporate and personal users do tend to bang them around a bit. That said, if you're dead set on buying refurb, IBM Thinkpads are probably as good as you get.

Finally, consider whether they could manage with a desktop PC (you'll get more for your money, and they'll be more easily upgradeable/repairable), possibly in combination with a portable device (e.g. Asus eeePC, Elonex ONE, Nokia N770/N800/N810 tablet).

I have a student card too, as i study with OU, so is there anywhere that offers decent student discount so i can knock a few pounds off?Any advice and recomendations will be gratefully recieved!!

Get in touch with the institution(s) concerned and see if they have student discount plans in place. Also ask if any purchasing consortium discounts are available to students (e.g. Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium). Finally, Apple do an educational discount on Macs if you purchase directly.