Sub-£500 laptop. You're going to love this question

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Anyway, b/f has decided we can have a new laptop for Christmas.

So, I've told him that getting a decent one under £500 is doable and he's happy with that, although most pissed off as he wanted to get me one for Christmas as a surprise, and now it's not a surprise.

Now, where do I start?

I have absolutely no idea obviously.

All I do know is that I want a screen similar to the size I already have (a Dell Inspiron 4000) which measured diagonally from where the picture starts and ends is around 14 inches.

Would prefer something not as heavy although that's not a priority as I don't plan on taking it out of the house, although on the odd occasion I may need to, would prefer something lighter than this.

Obviously as my modem is almost dead, I need a new modem, so am budgeting something like £50 for that (wireless set-up would be handy, although I'm not sure how much that would reduce all the cables/leads floating around my feet that annoy me). This would knock price down to £450, but would be happier if it was maybe £50 less.

I've been told Vista is shit and I should have XP or 7 on it.

I'm assuming as I'm getting something a bit more up-to-date I won't have compatibility/memory/space/whatever issues with other things like my DVD RW that I've not been able to use, maybe my Samsung phone that I've also not been able to Hotsync etc.

I don't know how buying computers work, so don't know whether they have all the necessary software like Word etc. installed, but would prefer that it did.

Other than that, I have no idea.

I expect bosky and others to enter this thread with big smiles tomorrow or else














although they may be looks of absolute dread

 

[ivebeenhigh]

£500 is more than enough for what you want, vista isnt shit, this comes with 7, no one buys office software

this is £350 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169936

ill take £150 for consultancy

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

£500 is more than enough for what you want, vista isnt shit, this comes with 7, no one buys office software

this is £350 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169936

ill take £150 for consultancy

I only posted it 9 minutes before you replied and you want £150?

 

[ivebeenhigh]

I only posted it 9 minutes before you replied and you want £150?

you are not paying for the time it took for me to answer, more the time i spent learning so that I could answer so quickly.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

you are not paying for the time it took for me to answer, more the time i spent learning so that I could answer so quickly.

I know lawyers that don't charge that much

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

Now, where do I start?

I have absolutely no idea obviously.

 

[boskysquelch]

blaaaah

 

[tarannau]

Heh. This is one of those questions when you have no idea where to start.


TBH Minnie, £500 should be more than enough for you. We can waffle all day about tech specs and individual components, but frankly you won't care, nor really need anything that powerful. It may not be fashionable to say it, but it's worth you going down to a shop and having a play around with a few machines to see how you like them - you aren't going to be interested in raw processing power, but a keyboard and screen that you like in an attractive, clumsy-resisting design means it'll be more of a pleasure to use for a good few years.

Then when you've done that and scribbled a model number or two down, go home and find it for cheaper on the internet. Or set rabid Urbanites off in search of a good deal for you.

In future proofing terms, as long as you get a Core 2 Duo processor (not older dual pentium or celeron models) and enough memory, I reckon you'll be sound with your choice for some time

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Heh. This is one of those questions when you have no idea where to start.


Like I said:

I expect bosky and others to enter this thread with big smiles tomorrow or else

TBH Minnie, £500 should be more than enough for you. We can waffle all day about tech specs and individual components, but frankly you won't care, nor really need anything that powerful. It may not be fashionable to say it, but it's worth you going down to a shop and having a play around with a few machines to see how you like them - you aren't going to be interested in raw processing power, but a keyboard and screen that you like in an attractive, clumsy-resisting design means it'll be more of a pleasure to use for a good few years.

Then when you've done that and scribbled a model number or two down, go home and find it for cheaper on the internet. Or set rabid Urbanites off in search of a good deal for you.

In future proofing terms, as long as you get a Core 2 Duo processor (not older dual pentium or celeron models) and enough memory, I reckon you'll be sound with your choice for some time

Yes, I want something that's going to do me good for a good few years.

When I got this, I just told person it was needed for VOIP, sticking my photos on, shopping, bulletin boards and email.

Since then, I've discovered I need to put pictures/videos on to DVD which I can't do with this as it's CD-RW drive. I also discovered that it only has 1 USB port (which wasn't a problem at the time as I didn't really know what one did) but now I have printer, USB hub, scanner, DVD RW, PDA, card reader etc. that all have USB connections, and then there's my mouse which is one of those round plug thingies. Obviously I never took any of those into account when I got this, so I want to make sure that in the future, I'm not going to hit similar problems.

b/f has said pay £100 more if it makes a significant difference to getting something good, but I'd still prefer to keep it to £450 and under bearing in mind I need to get new modem.

Obviously, I won't need my Lightscribe DVD-RW if I've got a built-in drive, but is there anything else I need to take into account. Also, will I have to buy a new mouse as my mouse is one of those round connections? I'll have to factor that into cost as well as I hate mousepads and there's no way b/f will be able to use the pad.

Any other costs I need to factor in or other things that in a year's time, I'm going to suddenly say "oh I wish my computer could that"?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

We can waffle all day about tech specs and individual components, but frankly you won't care, as long as you get a Core 2 Duo processor (not older dual pentium or celeron models) and enough memory, I reckon you'll be sound with your choice for some time

It's not that I don't care, it's just that you might as well be speaking Russian for all I can understand of it

Enough memory? As in how much, (bearing in mind I just had to wipe 30GB of photos, emails, docs off my computer)?

A Core 2 Due processor? Right

Any particular brand? Compaq, Dell, Acer, Toshiba, Samsung etc?

 

[boskysquelch]

did you know that on the Dole you can go to free classes where you could learn what the fuck you are talking about? ....and stuff!

Go to Dell... and play with the System Build application/wizard.

For you expectations and requirement I'd be surprised if you can get the lot for under £800(you may just... lappy/modem/mouse//Office/most basic no frills eg no extra progs, not Insurance, no Services but the basics etc for ABOUT £700)... but you'll never know unless you try.

Then take that across the board to other manufacturers... comparing hardware specs etc.

But if you want actual recommendations on actual lappys from actual shops then obviously it would be better(in this instance) to just post in General... or use the Search and ignore anything over six months gone.


But saying all that... you just missed the Skool Sales... there be changes nxt week(as you've mentioned already elsewhere) and then more changes after Xmas still...and thereafter things will change for many with the greater expansion of 64-bit boxes etc etc etc



ps memory in computer terms is not your pickees/emails/Favourites... but the ability to the machine to think... as in the RAM(Random Access Memory)...you will need 4gigs to do what you wish to do....when you take things off your hardrive(eg copy/remove/wipe) you aren't disposing of memories(even if you call pickees,emails,etc your memory you are doing it wrongly!)...but data.

HTH

that is all.


http://configure.euro.dell.com/dell...en&m_30=136643&oc=N0054510&rbc=N0054510&s=dhs

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

In future proofing terms, as long as you get a Core 2 Duo processor (not older dual pentium or celeron models) and enough memory, I reckon you'll be sound with your choice for some time

So something that says:

Intel Pentium 4200
Intel Celeron 900
Intel Celeron Processor 3000

are all bad?

But Intel Core 2 Duo is good? and Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo is good or bad as it has Pentium in the description, or not?

So Intel Pentium Dual Core Duo is bad as well as I'm guessing that's the same thing as Intel Pentium 4200?

 

[kained&able]

Acer Aspire 7735Z-424G32Mn

I reckon its the best about £500 laptop at the minute.My mate bought one and is loving it. Slightly old chip, but everything else is amazingly spec'd for the price.

If your lucky you should be able to find it for £425-450.
For what you need though i'd be looking at around the £350 mark.

Youll need a new mouse though or a cheap convertor from the round hole jobblers to a usb port.


dave

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

did you know that on the Dole you can go to free classes where you could learn what the fuck you are talking about? ....and stuff!

No need to get all sniffy with me My brain's not really up to learning new stuff.

Go to Dell... and play with the System Build application/wizard.

For you expectations and requirement I'd be surprised if you can get the lot for under £800(you may just... lappy/modem/mouse//Office/most basic no frills eg no extra progs, not Insurance, no Services but the basics etc for ABOUT £700)... but you'll never know unless you try.

Then take that across the board to other manufacturers... comparing hardware specs etc.

But if you want actual recommendations on actual lappys from actual shops then obviously it would be better(in this instance) to just post in General... or use the Search and ignore anything over six months gone.


But saying all that... you just missed the Skool Sales... there be changes nxt week(as you've mentioned already elsewhere) and then more changes after Xmas still...and thereafter things will change for many with the greater expansion of 64-bit boxes etc etc etc



ps memory in computer terms is not your pickees/emails/Favourites... but the ability to the machine to think... as in the RAM(Random Access Memory)...you will need 4gigs to do what you wish to do....when you take things off your hardrive(eg copy/remove/wipe) you aren't disposing of memories(even if you call pickees,emails,etc your memory you are doing it wrongly!)...but data.

HTH

that is all.


http://configure.euro.dell.com/dell...en&m_30=136643&oc=N0054510&rbc=N0054510&s=dhs

Why does Tarannau think I will have no problem then?

Obviously I don't understand memory either.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

PS: I already went to that Dell thing but I don't understand all of it

 

[boskysquelch]

Why does Tarannau think I will have no problem then?

&

Any other costs I need to factor in or other things that in a year's time, I'm going to suddenly say "oh I wish my computer could that" ?

I factored in your modem; a better screen & graphics cards than standard; a better battery than standard; a 320 gb instead of 160gb;a mouse; Office 2007; a better extra couple of other of things, and from a source that would probably successfully support you in an eventuality of problems, in a vague attempt to satisfy your request.

 

[subversplat]

Another vote here for the Acer Aspires, although I'd suggest getting a 6930 (6935 if you can find one for the money, it's got the new generation Core2Duo chip in).

I bought one in June and it's fantastic, I love it to bits It's got the same graphics card as a £1000 Macbook Pro!

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I factored in your modem; a better screen & graphics cards than standard; a better battery than standard; a 320 gb instead of 160gb;a mouse; Office 2007; a better extra couple of other of things, and from a source that would probably successfully support you in an eventuality of problems, in a vague attempt to satisfy your request.

Wouldn't it have one of those round plugs for my current mouse then or is that an antique feature?

What's wrong with 160gb?

Can I nick dicks off other people and install Office 2007 or doesn't it work like that?

What's wrong with my screen?

I know my battery life is crap.

 

[editor]

Thread title changed.

Ebuyer.com do great cheap laptop deals, and some Dells laptops are great value.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Thanks for changing title Editor, I just didn't want to scare people off

b/f's brother asked me why I needed a new computer. He said everything that's wrong with this is my fault because I do stupid things like install Kapersky when I already have Nod32/Malwarebytes etc.

I asked him about the lack of DVD drive, he told me he made one up for me. Told him it didn't work and I couldn't open door. He told me to get a paperclip and poke it in the little hole. That worked. However, it's just another thing that's taking up space on the desk.

Asked him why I couldn't hotsync telephone, and his response was I was probably doing something wrong or what makes me think I'd be able to do it on new computer.

I think I couldn't install Lightscribe DVD-RW due to lack of RAM or something, but I never got round to that point as he changed subject.

I can't remember all the other various problems I've had, but no doubt he'd put them down to me doing something wrong or letting viruses on to my system.

Then there's the question of all those Found.001 etc. files which makes him think my hard drive's buggered. Now obviously people have said I might be able to fix that by reinstalling Word 2000, but then most people seem to think having Word 2000 is a waste of time, or problematic or because they don't use it, can't remember how to fix it. Then there's the lack of a "restore" feature which people automatically seem to think I should have until I tell them I have W2k.

 

[boskysquelch]

Wouldn't it have one of those round plugs for my current mouse then or is that an antique feature?

some laptops have'em...most I've seee resently do not... it would be a USB mouse you need...or an adaptor...which may or maynot fuckup/be something else to lose etc etc

What's wrong with 160gb?

we are discussing a new laptop...160gig is considered a medium size harddrive nowadays...

Can I nick dicks off other people and install Office 2007 or doesn't it work like that?

yes you could...and therefore start up a series of problems for yourslef/work/returning under warrentee ie the Gary Glitter factor...

What's wrong with my screen?

we are discussing a new laptop... some screens are adequate...some are better.

I know my battery life is crap.

we are discussing a new laptop... this would be needed to run better graphics/screen/highfunctions of the lappy on the battery.

Obviously you muuuuuuuuuuust know that if you wish to maintain a good battery in terms of function & expected life,... well..... you will need to "use" it.

 

[invisibleplanet]

Join the Dell refurbished/scratch&dent email list - plenty of laptops from around £220 upwards (varying specs). You could probably get 2 for £500 and have one each!

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Thread title changed.

Ebuyer.com do great cheap laptop deals, and some Dells laptops are great value.

Well I "built" a very basic laptop with the Dell link bosky supplied and I think it came to near £700.

I'm thinking if, as bosky reckons, I need £700-£800 worth of laptop, would the prices drop to under £500 in the sales?

 

[kained&able]

You dont need to spend anything like £700. You'll be doing nothing taxing with it at all.




dave

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

some laptops have'em...most I've seee resently do not... it would be a USB mouse you need...or an adaptor...which may or maynot fuckup/be something else to lose etc etc

ah well, I'm guessing they'll be under £20 online somewhere, that's something I can pay for myself so that's another £20 towards laptop

we are discussing a new laptop...160gig is considered a medium size harddrive nowadays...

and in a few years' will probably be considered small?

Obviously you muuuuuuuuuuust know that if you wish to maintain a good battery in terms of function & expected life,... well..... you will need to "use" it.

Well I use this one every day don't I? Or do you mean something else?

 

[editor]

Here's PC Pro's best rated budget laptops:

Acer Aspire 5536

Verdict
A cheap and cheerful desktop replacement that cuts acceptable corners to hit the low price
Review Date: 2 Oct 2009
Price when reviewed: £365
Full review

Overall Rating

Samsung R720

Samsung's latest desktop replacement has a huge, high-resolution 17.3in display - and a tiny, tiny price tag
Full review



Sony VAIO VGN-NS30E/S

A dependable budget laptop, but a bit of a porker - and it isn't the most stylish either

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/alist/value-laptop

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Here's PC Pro's best rated budget laptops:

Porker = ugly
Porker = greedy

Both?

Shall have a look at those.

Oh, another thing that would be nice and I don't know whether it's possible, is USB ports on the side. I'm sick of having to lean over lid of laptop and keep plugging/unplugging things.

 

[invisibleplanet]

Minnie - did you read my post above? ^^

 

[subversplat]

The Acer gemstones have two ports on each side, there's basically nothing on the back except air vents. As I said it's a ver good laptop

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/6930g

 

[Fez909]

What do you actually use it for? You've not really said in the OP. From what you have said, though, I'd guess that £500 is more than enough to get something decent.

Let us know what kind of tasks you'll be doing, and then the answers can be more specific. Also, when you said you need a new modem, don't you get one from your ISP? I get a free one from Virgin, for instance. If it died, I could just request another and I'm sure they'd give me it. Could you not do the same?