Buying New Cheap Basic Laptop

warrenaldo

Folks,

I am looking to get a new Laptop - need some advice.

I am not looking for something with all the bells and whistles.

I will be using it for Basic Stuff -
surfing Web(wireless router needed)
watching movies
bluetooth connectivity
connecting to camera/phone

Nothing fancy here.
I was looking at the Inspiron 6400
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspn_6400?c=ie&l=en&s=dhs&cs=iedhs1

But if anybody can reccomened anything else that would be great - or give me feedback on this.

kmick

I have a 6400 and am very happy with it for basic surfing, documents, and general speed. A Few downsides
1) Its heavy - not very portable
2) The DVD drive is a bit flaky on mine. Seems to be a common problem
3) It can overheat and the screen shuts off. Happens if it has been on for like 8 hours so I suppose it is not so bad. Have to plug it out, pull out battery and leave it cool down.
4) No memory card reader

Other than that very pleased with it.

warrenaldo

did you get any add ons to it? i was thinking of upgrading to the
Dual-Core T2080 Processor (1.73)
From the(1.6)

Everywhere seems to rave about the Dual Core Processor speeds.

Tom Dunne

warrenaldo wrote:

did you get any add ons to it? i was thinking of upgrading to the
Dual-Core T2080 Processor (1.73)
From the(1.6)

Everywhere seems to rave about the Dual Core Processor speeds.

Do you need Dual core? It is a way of future-proofing the laptop, but if money is tight, think about whether you need it or not.

Also, just a note on the bluetooth - it is an optional extra, so make sure to select it.

As for meeting your requirements, it most certainly will. Just make sure to go for at least 1Gig of RAM.

warrenaldo

well that was the reason for the dual core - hoping that it will prolong its life expectancy with me.

cheers.

Anybody have any other good laptops in this class that may be worth checking out

johnny_paradise

iam not messin but i seen in dunnes stores in dundalk they had a fidjitsu simans laptop for either 399 or 499. it was black quit small and very light. windows vista installed also and an 80gb hard drive. i would recomend it for general use

newbie2

I too am looking for a laptop and was looking at the 6400. How long does delivery take from Dell? Any other ideas on a cheap one to play poker on, watch movies and surf ????

johnny_paradise

i am not sure but i got one and it came bout a week before expected. i think it was meant to be 3 weeks. if you ring them they will tell you

TerrorFirmer

kmick wrote:

3) It can overheat and the screen shuts off. Happens if it has been on for like 8 hours so I suppose it is not so bad. Have to plug it out, pull out battery and leave it cool down.

What do you mean 'not too bad'?? If that was me I'd be sending it straight back. Granted mine does sometimes overheat the odd time after 7-8 hours of non-stop games playing, but I often run it 24/7 for days and no problems. Overheating after a few hours, unless you're doing really super intensive tasks, is not acceptable.

vindesel

I recently bought a laptop off these guys for €620. Kompustore I'd try them or a store. I'd problems with my last laptop (Dell) and took 3 months to get it fixed!!.

Tom Dunne

vindesel wrote:

I recently bought a laptop off these guys for €620. <snip> I'd try them or a store. I'd problems with my last laptop (Dell) and took 3 months to get it fixed!!.

vindesel - can you confirm you have nothing to do with that website? I am very suspicious of anyone who pimps a website on their first post.

AlmightyCushion

tom dunne wrote:

vindesel - can you confirm you have nothing to do with that website? I am very suspicious of anyone who pimps a website on their first post.

Hopefully we have another irishpc.com situation.

vindesel

Nothing to do with them..or Dell. No odds to me where the guy buys from. Just don't want the same thing happening to anyone else.

Tom Dunne

vindesel wrote:

Nothing to do with them..or Dell. No odds to me where the guy buys from. Just don't want the same thing happening to anyone else.

That's grand, thanks for that.

Nothing personal, but you would be surprised the amount of website/business owners who try to get free advertising by pretending to be a satisfied customer.

Welcome to the forum.

vindesel

Thanks Tom. Guess i better watch my P's & Q's here.:) by the way whats the irishpc thingy about?

Tom Dunne

vindesel wrote:

Thanks Tom. Guess i better watch my P's & Q's here.:)

No, you really don't have to. I am probably more sensitive/anal about this than other mods.

vindesel wrote:

by the way whats the irishpc thingy about?

Don't go there. Check out the link in my signature.

vindesel

which link?

AlmightyCushion

vindesel wrote:

which link?

This is it.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055115646

Ha ha it's really funny. Didn't they actually pay for advertising here?

Edit: Note that the user from irishpcs posts were deleted. So it might not make much sence.

vindesel

Ha ha.Sounds like a top end operation. 1. How cheap are they trying to advertise in forums. 2 With the store owners attitude i'd say he has very few customers. Wonder what his help desk team are like to deal with ...lol lol:D

AlmightyCushion

vindesel wrote:

Ha ha.Sounds like a top end operation. 1. How cheap are they trying to advertise in forums. 2 With the store owners attitude i'd say he has very few customers. Wonder what his help desk team are like to deal with ...lol lol:D

Yeah I can only imagine.

What do you mean there's a problem with our product. Our stuff is the fúcking sh!t now fúck before I have you killed. Thank you please come again.

vindesel

i dont see a registration number or vat number on the site anywhere. Must check the kom site for that too...