Laptops

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,910
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Sorry I know how totally dumb I must sound asking this but I am not very technically minded. Myself and technology do not get on at all well and the thing is cos I am on benefits I attempt to budget (badly) and I can be reluctant to spend out loads and so over time I have brought a series of cheap, refurbished laptops from various independent computer stores in order to budget but they are often very slow, always get ****ed up and needing repair which then costs me more and then pack up very quickly. What I think is I will perhaps be better off getting much better quality,brand new laptop at a higher price that will last a whole lot longer, be faster, not be full of problems. I think I may well save more in the long run this way.I question how much I really save by opting for these 'cheaper' refurbished options that end up meaning more problems and having to replace them sooner. Can anyone suggest a good laptop to get or a good laptop shop to go to. I was told pc world and currys are always very dear:confused::(
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  • RegTheHedgeRegTheHedge Posts: 2,794
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    pjw1985 wrote: »
    Sorry I know how totally dumb I must sound asking this but I am not very technically minded. Myself and technology do not get on at all well and the thing is cos I am on benefits I attempt to budget (badly) and I can be reluctant to spend out loads and so over time I have brought a series of cheap, refurbished laptops from various independent computer stores in order to budget but they are often very slow, always get ****ed up and needing repair which then costs me more and then pack up very quickly. What I think is I will perhaps be better off getting much better quality,brand new laptop at a higher price that will last a whole lot longer, be faster, not be full of problems. I think I may well save more in the long run this way.I question how much I really save by opting for these 'cheaper' refurbished options that end up meaning more problems and having to replace them sooner. Can anyone suggest a good laptop to get or a good laptop shop to go to. I was told pc world and currys are always very dear:confused::(

    amazon / ebay ...have plenty of choice

    Which one?.....do some online research ,there's plenty of review sites
  • SambdaSambda Posts: 6,185
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    pjw1985 wrote: »
    Sorry I know how totally dumb I must sound asking this but I am not very technically minded. Myself and technology do not get on at all well and the thing is cos I am on benefits I attempt to budget (badly) and I can be reluctant to spend out loads and so over time I have brought a series of cheap, refurbished laptops from various independent computer stores in order to budget but they are often very slow, always get ****ed up and needing repair which then costs me more and then pack up very quickly. What I think is I will perhaps be better off getting much better quality,brand new laptop at a higher price that will last a whole lot longer, be faster, not be full of problems. I think I may well save more in the long run this way.I question how much I really save by opting for these 'cheaper' refurbished options that end up meaning more problems and having to replace them sooner. Can anyone suggest a good laptop to get or a good laptop shop to go to. I was told pc world and currys are always very dear:confused::(

    You get pretty much what you pay for with laptops. Buy cheap and you get crap, TBH.
  • Si_CreweSi_Crewe Posts: 40,202
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    Blimey, OP was a long way of asking a short question.

    Start by either telling us what budget you have available or what you intend to use the PC for or what specifications you require.
  • Chris FrostChris Frost Posts: 11,015
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    What sort of problems have you had with the refurb' laptops?
  • Gordie1Gordie1 Posts: 6,993
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    Sambda wrote: »
    You get pretty much what you pay for with laptops. Buy cheap and you get crap, TBH.
    At the same time, buying expensive doesn't get you quality.

    You can get a reasonable laptop for £500, mine cost under £450 and has quad core, 8gb, dual 1gb graphic, 750gb hdd, and that over a year old now.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,910
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    Si_Crewe wrote: »
    Blimey, OP was a long way of asking a short question.

    Start by either telling us what budget you have available or what you intend to use the PC for or what specifications you require.

    Yes, I do waffle on a bit after a few cans of beer:o

    I could stretch to a couple of hundred. My main use is to use it to surf the net
  • tellywatcher73tellywatcher73 Posts: 4,181
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    Paying out more money doesn't always guarantee less problems. I paid a fair whack for a laptop and have had nothing but hassle with it. A much cheaper one purchased a few years ago is still going strong. Do your research, there are bargains to be had and if you decide on a model check for common problems as, to my cost, I didn't.
  • Si_CreweSi_Crewe Posts: 40,202
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    pjw1985 wrote: »
    I could stretch to a couple of hundred. My main use is to use it to surf the net

    Fairy nuff. :)

    I'd suggest you do what you've already been doing but, perhaps, be a little more selective.

    There's plenty of companies on eBay who're selling corporate refurb' laptops for under £200 and they won't be horrifically ancient.

    I'd suggest going for a well-regarded brand-name rather than outright spec's.
    An ex-corporate Dell, Toshiba or IBM laptop is likely to be more reliable than a similarly-priced Packard Bell or Acer machine, even if the spec's won't be as good.
    And, of course, only buy from a seller with plenty of positive feedback.

    A quick nosey around eBay quickly revealed THIS, which is probably the sort of thing you should be looking at.
    Half decent machine from a seller with heaps of feedback and the vast majority is positive.
  • evil cevil c Posts: 7,833
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    Budget? Have a think about what you are going to be using the laptop for and how heavy is your usage going to be. Suggest you search PC and Mac forum and look at threads started by FMs who are wanting to buy a laptop.

    I have a refurb laptop myself bought from PC World nearly 3 years ago now and the laptop was 1 year old when purchased. I haven't had any problems with it and the price was good. Then again I look after it, don't download anything dodgy and carry out regular maintenance on the software and hardware, don't use it on dusty surfaces, don't spill anything on it, don't pull out USB flash drives unless it safe to do so etc.

    Buying a very cheap laptop is taking a risk. How well was it looked after before you bought it? Has it been knackered through heavy use? How old is it? How long a guarantee did you get when you bought it?

    You need to do some basic research before you buy it, just like you would if you were buying a car, say. You might not be technically minded, but the shops selling laptops are and the less you know and the cheaper you buy the more chance you have of ending up with a machine that won't suit you and getting ripped off into the bargain.

    Look at some PC and laptop mags, read the reviews, go to online review sites like TechRadar, PC Advisor, TrustedReviews, Notebookcheck.net, Laptopmag.com. If several reviewers agree on a laptop then it's probably a good one.

    PC World are good to visit so you can get a feel of what the laptops are like to use. How solid is the construction, are the USB slots too close together, is the keyboard springy or firm, is it backlit, is the screen reflective, is the touchpad in the right place for you, how big are the keys and what layout?

    Have a look on Amazon and check out the tech specs. Anything you don't understand, Google it. Read informed customer reviews (not the ones that say 'this is a good laptop and it suits me' type of thing).

    Look for online retailers who specialise in laptops, have a look at their current clearance range, look for models that are just about to be superseded, look for special prices and short term deals.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,910
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    Si_Crewe wrote: »
    Fairy nuff. :)
    An ex-corporate Dell, Toshiba or IBM laptop is likely to be more reliable than a similarly-priced Packard Bell or Acer machine, even if the spec's won't be as good.

    I had an IBM before, I thought it was very good:) I also had an Acer travelmate and found my experience to be very poor indeed:(
  • grantus_maxgrantus_max Posts: 2,744
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    pjw1985 wrote: »
    Yes, I do waffle on a bit after a few cans of beer:o

    I could stretch to a couple of hundred. My main use is to use it to surf the net

    Why not get a tablet then if your main use is surfing? You should be able to pick up a reasonable one for £200.
  • reglipreglip Posts: 5,268
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    PC might be cheaper and being on a budget you could buy it part by part and put it together. Is there any reason you need a laptop
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,910
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    Why not get a tablet then if your main use is surfing? You should be able to pick up a reasonable one for £200.

    I wondered if I should get one of those netbooks?
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 578
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    Toshiba - built like a brick shithouse! reasonable specs for general ICT bits and bobs
    IBM - reliable and generally acceptable specs for business use
    Dell - variable results some last forever some are flaky - ok specs
    HP - general use laptops, usually alright for basic use and reasonably reliable.
    Asus - usually fast some have gfx cards in suitable for gaming, like to overheat at times - require more maintenance than above!
    Advent - Shit!
    Ergo - Shit!
    Lenova - good but expensive, on benefits I'd avoid unless someone is selling one cheap.

    In North Wales I usually visit this little independent shop in Hollywell, the guy there knows his stuff Phil Jones PC or something or Phil jones computers either way he is far better than your big electro superstore sales bods. you probably are better off nipping into a little independent for advice.
  • evil cevil c Posts: 7,833
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    Check out the laptops in your price range on these sites, then Google the model followed by reviews, e.g. Acer Travelmate P253M Core i3 reviews. I suggest you look for a Core i3 CPU, integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000 or HD 4000), Windows 7 operating system or do you want Windows 8? What size screen do you want?

    http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/laptops/I3%20Laptop%20Refurbished
    http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/refurbished-laptops/703_7366_70436_xx_xx/xx-criteria.html
    http://www.acerdirect.co.uk/box_opened_laptops/prod.asp
    http://search.acerdirect.co.uk/nav/160/corei3/type/laptops/0
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr_i_0?rh=k%3Acore+i3+laptops+under+%C2%A3300%2Ci%3Acomputers&keywords=core+i3+laptops+under+%C2%A3300&ie=UTF8&qid=1381918303
  • burton07burton07 Posts: 10,869
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    pjw1985 wrote: »
    I wondered if I should get one of those netbooks?

    I agree with the poster above - get a tablet. Get the Tesco one for £119.

    I recently bought a refurbed laptop for my grandson from the interweb. It was an HP Compaq with a good spec. & Windows 7 installed for £180 with a guarantee. The original price for this model was over £800.
  • BelligerenceBelligerence Posts: 40,613
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    Toshiba - built like a brick shithouse! reasonable specs for general ICT bits and bobs
    IBM - reliable and generally acceptable specs for business use
    Dell - variable results some last forever some are flaky - ok specs
    HP - general use laptops, usually alright for basic use and reasonably reliable.
    Asus - usually fast some have gfx cards in suitable for gaming, like to overheat at times - require more maintenance than above!
    Advent - Shit!
    Ergo - Shit!
    Lenova - good but expensive, on benefits I'd avoid unless someone is selling one cheap.

    In North Wales I usually visit this little independent shop in Hollywell, the guy there knows his stuff Phil Jones PC or something or Phil jones computers either way he is far better than your big electro superstore sales bods. you probably are better off nipping into a little independent for advice.
    Would recommend Lenovo; some good deals if you look around and know the right places.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 578
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    www.philjonespcs.co.uk

    thats it, he is pretty good.
    I have had loads of kit from there and he knows his Shiz!
  • grantus_maxgrantus_max Posts: 2,744
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    reglip wrote: »
    PC might be cheaper and being on a budget you could buy it part by part and put it together. Is there any reason you need a laptop

    Probably not the best option for the OP as he/she has already admitted to not having a great relationship with technology. A tablet might be the most user-friendly way for them to go.
  • burton07burton07 Posts: 10,869
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    pjw1985 wrote: »
    Sorry I know how totally dumb I must sound asking this but I am not very technically minded. Myself and technology do not get on at all well :confused::(
    reglip wrote: »
    PC might be cheaper and being on a budget you could buy it part by part and put it together. Is there any reason you need a laptop

    Ain't gonna happen anytime soon:D
  • 1Mickey1Mickey Posts: 10,427
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    I've had a 2 laptops that cost over £400 and they've both had their problems. Both of them had 3 year warrantees so all the repairs were covered but I wouldn't even consider buying a laptop without an extended warrantee now.
    If I only had £200, i'd buy a desk top pc. They take up more space but you can get a better, far more robust pc for that price than you can a laptop and they almost always last longer.
  • SnrDevSnrDev Posts: 6,094
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    I'd ask what sort of problems are you getting? If they're down to how you use it, what software you run , what websites you visit, how cautious you are re anti virus etc, then it might be that spending more won't resolve those problems, they'll happen just the same on a more expensive machine.

    It's easy to opt out by claiming that you don't get on with tech, but basic knowledge is easy to come by and awareness of what can cause problems is the best way to avoid being vulnerable to them. If PC / laptop based systems are causing you bother, a refurbed iPad or tablet might do you better just for surfing & email as not directly interacting with the file system is a good way to avoid problems.
  • rupert_pupkinrupert_pupkin Posts: 3,975
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    *cough* Apple *cough*
  • grantus_maxgrantus_max Posts: 2,744
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    *cough* Apple *cough*

    *cough* £200 *cough*

    :)
  • RegTheHedgeRegTheHedge Posts: 2,794
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    Personally if i just wanted to surf as effortlessly as possible with something that would last - it'll have to be an ipad
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