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

[Minnie_the_Minx]

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!

ah right, no b/f doesn't need one, he wouldn't know what to do with it.

He's said to get the best I can for the money. If I said I was getting a refurbished one, he'd probably say that it was second-hand and might break down

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

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?

Copy of earlier post:

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.

Also, it's occurred to me that I've never ever copied a film onto a disc or anything like that, so I may want to do that one day as well.

There are things I would like to do like learn how to edit short video clips and stuff, but I either don't have the time/patience to learn etc. but when I have more time in the future, might want to do things like that. Other than that, I'm not sure what other things I might like to do

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

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?

I bought it off Zen when I got internet connection. It's only guaranteed for 1 year. If I want another one, I'd have to buy it. It's surviving at the moment with the use of a battery-operated hand fan blowing on it.

Newbie lent me one, but I hit problems on installing it and had to give up.

Also, I know nothing about how wireless works, but I'm assuming if I went wireless as well, b/f would be able to look at one laptop, whilst I faffed around on another?

 

[DeepStoat]

I wouldn't recommend Dell for home use, especially for someone who's likely to keep it for donkey's years.

They don't have the greatest build quality, ok for work where machines will be only used for 3 years or there abouts.

 

[Fez909]

This looks quite nice for the price: Asus X5DIN Laptop

It has a Core 2 Duo 2.00Ghz processor (more than enough for what you need).

4GB Ram (this lets you run lots of programs simultaneously without the computer grinding to a halt)

250Gb of storage for pictures etc. is loads.

Built in Wireless if you decide to go with wireless router.

The downsides are it comes with Vista (no free upgrade to Windows7 - but maybe if you wait a few weeks there'll be better options regarding this? - and it doesn't come with Word/Office. Have you tried Open Office? Does it do what you need?

 

[boskysquelch]

Copy of earlier post:



Also, it's occurred to me that I've never ever copied a film onto a disc or anything like that, so I may want to do that one day as well.

There are things I would like to do like learn how to edit short video clips and stuff, but I either don't have the time/patience to learn etc. but when I have more time in the future, might want to do things like that. Other than that, I'm not sure what other things I might like to do

I KNEW IT!!!!!

did you get the bil that Zippo?

 

[Leafster]

Woo hoo!!! Minnie's getting a new laptop. Does that mean I can now put my old Dell Ispiron 4000 back in the cupboard and forget about it?

 

[Fez909]

I bought it off Zen when I got internet connection. It's only guaranteed for 1 year. If I want another one, I'd have to buy it. It's surviving at the moment with the use of a battery-operated hand fan blowing on it.

Newbie lent me one, but I hit problems on installing it and had to give up.

Also, I know nothing about how wireless works, but I'm assuming if I went wireless as well, b/f would be able to look at one laptop, whilst I faffed around on another?

Sounds like you're defo in need of a new modem! I can't recommend LinkSys enough when it comes to networking. I've tried various other brands and they've either died or been difficult to set up. I haven't used this model myself, but it's a LinkSys, has good reviews, and is a good price.

You'll be able to connect printers, other computers and whatever else all at the same time, yep!

 

[Fullyplumped]

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!

How do you do this? You didn't offer a link and searching for "Dell refurbished/scratch&dent email list" gives this thread as the first option.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I KNEW IT!!!!!

did you get the bil that Zippo?

You knew what? What's "did you get the bil that Zippo" mean in English?

Woo hoo!!! Minnie's getting a new laptop. Does that mean I can now put my old Dell Ispiron 4000 back in the cupboard and forget about it?

No, I haven't got it yet. You keep it right there where I can see it. It comforts me knowing someone else has one. Anyway, why do you want to forget about it? Is it that shit?

Sounds like you're defo in need of a new modem! I can't recommend LinkSys enough when it comes to networking. I've tried various other brands and they've either died or been difficult to set up. I haven't used this model myself, but it's a LinkSys, has good reviews, and is a good price.

You'll be able to connect printers, other computers and whatever else all at the same time, yep!

Yes, it's costing me a small fortune in batteries. Every time I have a bath, go to do some cooking, go to bed etc. I switch it off to let it could down, thus giving my hand-fans a break!

I think Linksys one might be the one that b-in-law sent me. I'll have to dig it out.

 

[boskysquelch]

You knew what? What's "did you get the bil that Zippo" mean in English?

I know what you require.

I asked if you bought a Zippo for your brother-in-law...as discussed another time.

Nevermind.Adieu.

 

[Leafster]

No, I haven't got it yet. You keep it right there where I can see it. It comforts me knowing someone else has one. Anyway, why do you want to forget about it? Is it that shit?

It was a very good laptop when I bought it but that was nearly nine years ago! It got pensioned off when I had to buy a new up-to-date laptop so that all my work software would run at a reasonable speed and I needed a machine with a higher capacity hard disk. I kept it in the cupboard to use in emergencies or when someone else needed to use a laptop when I was using the newer one. In more recent years I damaged the power supply cable and the CMOS battery stopped working so it takes a while to coax it into life but it still works properly when I've booted up to try to help you with a couple of your problems. It's just that it's painfully slow compared to any other PC I use so it would be good to pack it away and not have to use it again.

Oh, and DeepStoat, I've found Dell's PCs to be very reliable over the years. As you can see, my nine year old laptop still works (after a fashion - all it really needs is a new CMOS battery) and there's an even older Dell desktop knocking around here somewhere (running Windows 95!) and that still worked the last time I needed to switch it on.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I know what you require.

I asked if you bought a Zippo for your brother-in-law...as discussed another time.

Nevermind.Adieu.

nah, didn't get him one as he rarely smokes and he's got four kids in the house so would end up losing it

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

It was a very good laptop when I bought it but that was nearly nine years ago! It got pensioned off when I had to buy a new up-to-date laptop so that all my work software would run at a reasonable speed and I needed a machine with a higher capacity hard disk. I kept it in the cupboard to use in emergencies or when someone else needed to use a laptop when I was using the newer one. In more recent years I damaged the power supply cable and the CMOS battery stopped working so it takes a while to coax it into life but it still works properly when I've booted up to try to help you with a couple of your problems. It's just that it's painfully slow compared to any other PC I use so it would be good to pack it away and not have to use it again.

You see, barring work, I've not used anything else so wouldn't know if mine was slow or not

 

[Leafster]

You see, barring work, I've not used anything else so wouldn't know if mine was slow or not

I think you'll be amazed when you do get your new machine... just don't bugger about with like you have with your current one.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Sounds like you're defo in need of a new modem! I can't recommend LinkSys enough when it comes to networking. I've tried various other brands and they've either died or been difficult to set up. I haven't used this model myself, but it's a LinkSys, has good reviews, and is a good price.

You'll be able to connect printers, other computers and whatever else all at the same time, yep!

Ah, it was DLink thingy he sent me

http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/wireless-routers/dlink-wireless-g-adsl2-starter-kit-dkt710/review

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I think you'll be amazed when you do get your new machine... just don't bugger about with like you have with your current one.

I haven't buggered about with it

If I did, I never realised I was


You are my ally then. At least I can say I speak with someone who has the same machine but has upgraded and noticed a massive (is that exaggerating a bit too much?) difference.

He'd probably say you don't bugger about with it.

 

[ChrisFilter]

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

£800?! It's not 1999!

You can more than enough for that price. I just got an HP ProBook from work for £500 with a 17" screen, 250GB hdd, 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo, ATI gfx card that runs Crysis (albeit at 1024x768).

£800 will buy you a high end Windows machine or a low-end Mac.

Office: ask an Urbanite to provide.

 

[Leafster]

I haven't buggered about with it

If I did, I never realised I was

You are my ally then. At least I can say I speak with someone who has the same machine but has upgraded and noticed a massive (is that exaggerating a bit too much?) difference.

You WILL notice a BIG difference and it's probably time you upgraded to something newer. I suspect you'll find increasing compatability issues with the old one and that's only going to cause you yet more problems which will be difficult for you to resolve (even with the whole of Urban helping you).

He'd probably say you don't bugger about with it.

I think your b/f's brother would be right about that.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

You WILL notice a BIG difference and it's probably time you upgraded to something newer. I suspect you'll find increasing compatability issues with the old one and that's only going to cause you yet more problems which will be difficult for you to resolve (even with the whole of Urban helping you).

but what will you all do when you're bored and you've no problems to solve?

I think your b/f's brother would be right about that.

funnily enough, whilst looking for a document a minute ago, I clicked on Word and a notice came up saying:

This action is only valid for products that are currently installed

WTF's that all about?

The pub is beckoning I think

 

[Leafster]

but what will you all do when you're bored and you've no problems to solve?

funnily enough, whilst looking for a document a minute ago, I clicked on Word and a notice came up saying: "This action is only valid for products that are currently installed"

WTF's that all about?

The pub is beckoning I think

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I suspect we'll still have something to amuse us when you've got a new laptop.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I suspect we'll still have something to amuse us when you've got a new laptop.

Well yes, I'm sure there's better things you could be doing with your time, but I know you enjoy it really - it means you get to dig your Dell out and stroke it and tell it how you loved it - once

and bosky will be able to catch more fish

 

[Jambooboo]

Just seen this thread on HotUkDeals. As per the thread, change the processor to get that price.

 

[kained&able]

I know what you require.

yeah but your wrong. She is talking about chopping off the odd second at the beginning or in the middle of a video not running 'after effects' or anything! Ms Movie maker does not require £800 laptop to run.

I will be shocked if mini runs anything other then ms office, web browser, whatever programme she uses to to get photos off her camera a cd/dvd writer and a virus checker EVER let alone on a regular basis.


She doesn't need a beast of a laptop, any £500 laptop will handle all that(but she should go with acer inspires!) and more for years to come and with a bit of careful shopping so will most £350-400 laptops if they are easy enough to upgrade.


dave

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

yeah but your wrong. She is talking about chopping off the odd second at the beginning or in the middle of a video not running 'after effects' or anything! Ms Movie maker does not require £800 laptop to run.

I will be shocked if mini runs anything other then ms office, web browser, whatever programme she uses to to get photos off her camera a cd/dvd writer and a virus checker EVER let alone on a regular basis.


She doesn't need a beast of a laptop, any £500 laptop will handle all that(but she should go with acer inspires!) and more for years to come and with a bit of careful shopping so will most £350-400 laptops if they are easy enough to upgrade.


dave

All I use are Word, Excel occasionally, but I would like to learn a bit more about Excel/Powerpoint for work purposes

Video clips are as you say. Want to chop bits out where I've video-ed b/f and my voice is on it. I sound like a 5-year-old

Obviously want to put them onto disc that I can play in DVD player and may want to eventually stick some films on to disc. I have camera software (ie. Fuji) but barring red-eye, don't tend to do much with it. As it is, although I have Fuji, I use Picasa as Fuji seemed to slow machine down. Maybe it was because I had Fuji and Picasa installed?

I use VOIP regularly as well and occasionally get sound issues, but I'm not sure what's responsible for that.

Oh, and I suppose wireless would be good.

Would I want/need bluetooth in the future?

 

[fractionMan]

I'll second the acer recomendation. Mine's great and it's as tough as old boots.

Mind you, mine actually fits on my lap. 17 inch screen won't even fit in a bag ffs!

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Just seen this thread on HotUkDeals. As per the thread, change the processor to get that price.

Expired already

 

[ChrisFilter]

Mind you, mine actually fits on my lap. 17 inch screen won't even fit in a bag ffs!

My 17.3" laptop fits in my rucksack fine

(Mind you, I do have a £90 Crumpler laptop rucksack specifically designed for 17.3" laptops )

 

[subversplat]

Most Acers don't come with bluetooth, but if you need it then you can buy a bt dongle from ebay for about three pounds

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

My 17.3" laptop fits in my rucksack fine

(Mind you, I do have a £90 Crumpler laptop rucksack specifically designed for 17.3" laptops )

Far too big. I struggled with the weight and size of this one when I went to Ireland - not that I plan on taking new one to Ireland, but think I'd prefer to stick with similar size screen ie. 14/15 inches.