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Laptop Virgin

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  • 05-06-2015 12:51pm
    #1
    magicmushroom
    Registered Users Posts: 824 ✭✭✭


    Hi all

    So I am due to start college this September as a mature student.

    Up until now I've used an iPad for my internet needs but I'll obviously need a laptop now for college work.

    I have no idea what to look for, I don't know about all this RAM stuff etc.

    Can anyone tell me what specs I will be looking for?
    Which brands are the best?

    The laptop will just be used for basic college work (so I'll need a Microsoft package), streaming movies etc online, general internet usage and also maybe a bit of gaming (who doesn't love the Sims lol).

    My budget will be around the €500 mark.
    I don't need specific model suggestions (although they would be useful) but just an idea of what minimum spec details to look out for.

    Basically a 'laptops for dummies' type of thing!

    Thanks very much for your help


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    K.O.Kiki
    Registered Users Posts: 18,697 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_thinkpad+t%2A++ssd/

    ThinkPad T-series are robust, strong CPUs, decent battery life, good keyboards.

    SSD > SSHD, an SSD (flash) drive makes computing so much better for everything.
    4-8Gb RAM.
    CPU: Core i7 > i5 > i3 > anything else


  • Options
    #3
    magicmushroom
    Registered Users Posts: 824 ✭✭✭magicmushroom


    Thank you :)


  • Options
    #4
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    Nothing wrong with buying 2nd hand at all but those Thinkpad's are not good value.

    €360 for a 1st gen i5 which would be 5 years old now. There are far more powerful and newer laptops being sold on adverts for the same money.

    I bought a Dell Lattitude with an i5-M520, 4GB, 64GB SSD for €170 a while ago on adverts from a guy who sells a few of them. That's what those era machines sell for.

    And €200+ for an almost ten year old basic Core 2 based Thinkpad with a 160GB hard drive. :confused:

    Those are bad prices.

    Have a look at the Dell website. You can get a current generation i3 based Inspiron with 4GB of Ram and a 500GB hard drive for €429 shipped to you.

    If gaming is limited to the sims then you'll be fine with that, or something like this which works out at €350 after cashback.

    If you prefer to buy in store this is good enough value in PC World, same as the Dell though you'd have to research which laptop has a better battery/is lighter etc.


  • Options
    #5
    K.O.Kiki
    Registered Users Posts: 18,697 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    Forgot about the Dell Latitude series, good call.

    Wouldn't go for Inspiron myself.


  • Options
    #6
    magicmushroom
    Registered Users Posts: 824 ✭✭✭magicmushroom


    Would anyone mind telling me if this sounds any good?


    http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/toshiba-l50-d-b-136-amd-a8-processor-8gb-ram-1tb-hard-drive-wi-fi-156-inch-laptop-with-optional-microsoft-office-365-personal-white/1436926235.prd?amendCommerceItemId=ci53958000525

    Toshiba L50 D-B-136 AMD A8 Processor, 8Gb RAM, 1Tb Hard Drive, Wi-Fi, 15.6 inch Laptop with Optional Microsoft Office 365 Personal - White

    Useful info:
    • AMD A8-6410 quad core processor
    • 8Gb RAM
    • q1Tb (1000Gb) hard drive
    • 15.6 inch HD LED-backlit display (1366x768)
    • DVD SuperMulti dual layer drive
    • AMD Radeon R5 Graphics
    • 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth
    • Webcam with microphone
    • Skullcandy tuned speakers with DTS® Sound™
    • 2x USB 3.0 (1x USB Sleep and Charge), 1x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI
    • Card Reader

    €529.00 including Office 365


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