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Affordable laptop recommendations: budget £350-£450

Kuso said:
£250...

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/hp-pavilion-g6-1378ea-15-6-laptop-charcoal-11884722-pdt.html

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i3-2330M processor (2.2 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache)
Operating SystemGenuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM4 GB
Graphics cardIntel HD
Screen typeHD LED BrightViewScreen resolution1366 x 768
Screen size15.6
"Hard drive320 GB
Memory card readerMulti-Format Digital Media Card Reader
USB3 USB 2.0 ports
Size37.4 x 24.5 x 3.63cm (W x D x H)
Weight2.55 kg

might be heavy n look like shit (does it??) but at that price...
Click to expand...

At that price it works. :)
 
If your after something a bit lighter for the same moneies, but with a bit less grunt on the cpu.

Processor
  • Intel Pentium B960 2.2GHz
  • 2MB Cache
  • Intel HM70/76 Express Chipset
Memory
  • 4GB DDR3 1600MHz (max)
Hard Drive
  • 320GB SATA 5400rpm
Optical Drive
  • None
Software
  • Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
Display
  • 14" 16:9 HD LED Backlight
  • Resolution: 1366 x 768
Asus X401A
 
could do with a bigger screen for uni tbh. I can spend more than 250, but that offer seemed too good to true, would be perfect tbh as I just want a uni laptop.

I think I'm just gonna go fairly cheap n cheerful (ish), wouldn't wanna spend more than 350. its gonna stay in uni anyway and become my work laptop then if (when, hopefully) I get my post doc sorted I can splash out on a new personal one

Global Stoner said:
If your after something a bit lighter for the same moneies, but with a bit less grunt on the cpu.

  • on: 1366 x Processor
    • Intel Pentium B960 2.2GHz
    • 2MB Cache
    • Intel HM70/76 Express Chipset
    Memory
    • 4GB DDR3 1600MHz (max)
    Hard Drive
    • 320GB SATA 5400rpm
    Optical Drive
    • None
    Software
    • Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
    Display
    • 14" 16:9 HD LED Backlight
    • Resoluti
    768
Click to expand...
 
All about what you need it for isn't it? I'd almost say spend the least you can and treat it as almost disposable over the next year. Even a cheap modern CPU is so much faster then what we've managed with for years that it's going to do what you want.
 
yeah, I'm torn between getting a cheap as fuck one thats just for uni and putting up with this one until I finish up and (hopefully) get a job then getting a decent personal one for the house and spending a bit more if I can get something well sweet for 400-450 and look after it well...
 
Global Stoner said:
Multiple machines ;)

You can have it with power, cheap and portable. You just need to choose two.
Click to expand...

portability aint a big thing really...

what about this:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/new-in-box--asus-quad-core-gaming-laptop-laptops/1005981727

Asus AMD A6 Quad Core 15.6" HD/LED gaming laptops
(We use low cost courier MyHerms and we post anywhere in UK if your not in collection range.)

Processor
• AMD A6-3400M Quad Core 1.4GHz + 2.3Ghz in Turbo Mode
• AMD A70M Chipset
Memory
• 4GB DDR3 1333Mhz
• Configuration 2Gb x 2GB
Hard Drive
• 500GB SATA
Optical Drive
• DVD Super Multi Dual Layer
Display
• 15.6” 16:9 HD LED Backlight
• Resolution: 1366 x 768
Graphics
• AMD Radeon HD 6520G Graphics
• 320 Core DirectX 11 Ready
• Perfect for Gaming, HD Content, Video and photo Editing
• With access to upto 2GB of 1333Mhz 128-bit memory for an astounding 21.3GB per second graphics data bandwidth!
Audio
• Built-in speakers and microphone
• Altec Lansing® speakers
Networking
• 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN
• WLAN: 802.11 bg/n
Interfaces
• 1 x VGA
• 1 x HDMI
• 3 x USB 2.0
• 1 x USB 3.0
• 1 x Microphone-in jack
• 1 x Headphone-out jack
• 1 x RJ45 (LAN)
• 1 x DC-In (Power Port)
Expansion
• 4 -in-1 card reader ( SD/ MS/ MS Pro/ MMC)
Warranty / Miscellaneous
• 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty + Game&Tech on site warranty
• Webcam

CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PROFILE --Strabane GameandTech
could get a lift to collect in person n all, make sure its all legit
 
still undecided, too much choice0 1st world problems...

This here is looking good for the price (300):

122z33p.png

or so it appears to me. what y'all reckon?
 
I'd have thought the i3-3000 series (the current Ivy Bridge chips) have been out long enough that you should be able to get a good one for £350 or less. That would be preferable due to better graphics performance and better power management. They're not actually much faster in CPU oomph, but quite frankly that's not been a limitation for most people for quite a while.

There's nothing wrong with the i3-2000s, other than being 2011 models for the most part. Which is just a way of saying that they should all be cheap by now. The 3000s started shipping in May last year and no builder would've created new models on the 2000s in 2012 with the new chips showing up.

The first link you posted (out of stock now), is an even older CPU model. I'd avoid that unless they're very cheap.
 
Chz said:
I'd have thought the i3-3000 series (the current Ivy Bridge chips) have been out long enough that you should be able to get a good one for £350 or less. That would be preferable due to better graphics performance and better power management. They're not actually much faster in CPU oomph, but quite frankly that's not been a limitation for most people for quite a while.

There's nothing wrong with the i3-2000s, other than being 2011 models for the most part. Which is just a way of saying that they should all be cheap by now. The 3000s started shipping in May last year and no builder would've created new models on the 2000s in 2012 with the new chips showing up.

The first link you posted (out of stock now), is an even older CPU model. I'd avoid that unless they're very cheap.
Click to expand...

The first one was only £25o. I bought the one above there. Once I bought it the price went up to £334. I decided just to go for it- the last time I was getting a new laptop I spent months waiting for something slightly better for the same price and debating whether that extra 25-50 quid is worth it for whatever extra.

300 is a decent price for a laptop, it'll definitely do what I need (uni stuff) and leaves me money left over for a phone and some new caps, and *possibly* a pair of trainers :cool:
 
I need a new laptop at the £ 300 region , lots of suggestions here to follow up on but generally are prices cheaper on line ? I do most elec shopping nowadays on amazon but would like to have a touchy-feely session first , I know I can do that then buy on-line elsewhere but if for example I found a Laptop in PC World would I find it a lot cheaper elsewhere ?
only needed for basic home use , domestic stuff and probably no gaming needs , any obvious choices ?
 
hammerntongues said:
I need a new laptop at the £ 300 region , lots of suggestions here to follow up on but generally are prices cheaper on line ? I do most elec shopping nowadays on amazon but would like to have a touchy-feely session first , I know I can do that then buy on-line elsewhere but if for example I found a Laptop in PC World would I find it a lot cheaper elsewhere ?
only needed for basic home use , domestic stuff and probably no gaming needs , any obvious choices ?
Click to expand...
If those Asus that I linked to are still going for around 300 I'd recommend them. Was rather impressed when I opened it's nice n sleek, not quite ultra book slim but for 300... Good build quality (first impressions anyway), plenty of USB, and a USB 3, HDMI, card reader etc etc

The pc world near me only had windows 8 laptops in stock, definitely didn't want t that. You might be lucky and find x some where doing windows 7 clearance. Have a look online, and remember you've a fortnight (week?) Cooling off period buying stuff online if you buy it and don't like the look etc.

The last time I was buying a laptop I kept boring out for the next upgrade or whatever, but there's always going to be something new on the horizon, so if you need it now, buy it now. Well, shop around a bit like.

*just a note, I'm no computer expert, but knew that was gonna be plenty good for me.
 
yield said:
This looks good for the price. Third generation ivy bridge intel i5 processor and 8gb ram.

Acer Aspire E1-571 (3rd-gen) i5, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD - £379.97 @ saveonlaptops

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_E1-571_1334871.html

found via hotukdeals
Click to expand...

Also this acer timeline - http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/GRADE_B_-_Acer_Aspire_TimelineX_5830T_1344988.html

Bit less power, but a really good batterylife. I've got a previous generation (pre "i" processor) of this laptop and it served me very well indeed. £349

Oh, just realised it's second hand. I'd not bother.
 
editor said:
But for £290?! It's one hell of a bargain.
Click to expand...

I have seen some average reviews on that laptop. Some don't seem to be impressed with the specs of it. Also, the smaller screen size would be an issue for me. After reading back through the thread I suspect you've got a thing for the touch screen at the mo, which is fair enough. I like the idea myself, but don't want to get a laptop just for that reason.
 
Prince Bert said:
I have seen some average reviews on that laptop. Some don't seem to be impressed with the specs of it. Also, the smaller screen size would be an issue for me. After reading back through the thread I suspect you've got a thing for the touch screen at the mo, which is fair enough. I like the idea myself, but don't want to get a laptop just for that reason.
Click to expand...

I'd not object to having a touch screen on a laptop. It's just I'd rather see things like SSDs and higher res screens as standard first.
 
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Reactions: Chz
I have a Compaq Presario CQ56 which is about 2.5 years old. It's getting very hot from the fan area, sometimes the screen goes a bit funny, the keyboard letters get mixed up (so I type 'this' and it comes out 'xabn' for example) and sometimes the screen goes off and I need to restart it about 5 times before it'll behave again.

Is it dying and should I buy a new one before it totally carks it? I'm self-employed and use it for work. I am thinking of also getting a tablet for travelling around so I don't need anything particularly light but I do like to work in different rooms of the house (depending on the time of year as my office is fucking freezing)
 
Anyone? I forgot to mention the fact that the battery lasts a very small amount of time now too - less than an hour

Is it worth getting a tablet AND a laptop or is that just silly? That Acer that editor linked to upthread has a v small screen which I don't think would as my primary computer. Could I get a light netbook that is big enough/has enough memory to act as my primary computer and light enough to cart up to London/bung in carry on luggage?
 
trashpony said:
Anyone? I forgot to mention the fact that the battery lasts a very small amount of time now too - less than an hour

Is it worth getting a tablet AND a laptop or is that just silly? That Acer that editor linked to upthread has a v small screen which I don't think would as my primary computer. Could I get a light netbook that is big enough/has enough memory to act as my primary computer and light enough to cart up to London/bung in carry on luggage?
Click to expand...
I'm a big fan of the Asus Transformer prime that's a tablet and laptop in one with an immense battery life (14+ hours). I've barely touched my laptop since I bought it.
 
editor said:
I'm a big fan of the Asus Transformer prime that's a tablet and laptop in one with an immense battery life (14+ hours). I've barely touched my laptop since I bought it.
Click to expand...
Ooh interesting - that looks great.

Is the screen big enough to write/edit on? I find the ipad (which is my only experience of tablets) a bit weeny for doing serious work on but I've not used it with a keyboard which I suspect would be easier. How do you load programmes with something like that - would I need to buy a portable CD drive too? Is the memory big enough to store photos etc?
 
trashpony said:
Ooh interesting - that looks great.

Is the screen big enough to write/edit on? I find the ipad (which is my only experience of tablets) a bit weeny for doing serious work on but I've not used it with a keyboard which I suspect would be easier. How do you load programmes with something like that - would I need to buy a portable CD drive too? Is the memory big enough to store photos etc?
Click to expand...
With a keyboard it's just the same as a laptop reallt - but then you can pull out the display and it becomes a fully fledged Android tablet.

It comes with 32/64GB storage and two SD card slots so you can another 128GB (or more) - which is plenty for photos and anything else.

I use it quite a bit for writing on - the keyboard is a little bit smaller than a full size one but I get on with it OK - but because it's got a USB slot, you can always add an external keyboard (or hard drive).

There's zillions of good programs you can install on the machine.

Em liked mine so much she immediately went out and got one too!

More: http://eee.asus.com/en/transformer-prime/features
 
finally got an insurance voucher for PCWorld through today, cup of tea killed the old laptop, so i'm hunting for a sub £400 lappy. looking at this one...

LENOVO G580 15.6" Laptop - Blue

Processor Intel® Core™ i3-3110M processor (2.4 GHz, 3 MB cache)
Operating System Windows 8
RAM 6 GB DDR3 (8 GB maximum installable RAM)
Graphics card Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 4000
Screen type HD LED
Screen resolution 1366 x 768
Screen size 15.6"
Hard drive 1 TB hard drive, SATA (5400 rpm)

i'll dump Windows 8 for 7 naturally

there are higher spec laptops for the same money, but i've always liked Lenovo, my back up laptop is their ultra budget Edge 15, which i still prefer over more expensive models i've used.

so any reason why i shouldn't go for this one? apart from it being blue
 
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