Buying a Laptop: The current Generation

KonFusion

Gonna pick this up in the next few days.

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_IdeaPad_Z370_1341189.html

Any comments/critique?

Any other recommendations of similar or better spec for a similar price range?

Thanks folks.

Monotype

It's a last generation CPU. But for what you're paying, it's actually pretty good. There was a time when 13.3'' laptops were so expensive.
Features seem reasonably good - HDMI and eSATA are handy features to have.
Closest I see in the price region is the Asus 14'', but not really much benefit there.
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Asus_X401_Windows_8_laptop__X401A-WX350H/version.asp

KonFusion

Monotype wrote: »

It's a last generation CPU. But for what you're paying, it's actually pretty good. There was a time when 13.3'' laptops were so expensive.
Features seem reasonably good - HDMI and eSATA are handy features to have.
Closest I see in the price region is the Asus 14'', but not really much benefit there.
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Asus_X401_Windows_8_laptop__X401A-WX350H/version.asp

I'm getting it VAT free too, if that makes a difference.

All I'm going to be using it for is some scripting and browsing, pretty much.

I read quite a few reviews about the ASUS touch pad being awful, and that the space bar was very sticky & unresponsive, so while it's slimmer and lighter (which I'd prefer) I didn't see much greater benefit over the Lenovo.

KonFusion

Actually is this any better?

It's Ivy Bridge

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_G580_1296596.html

Edit: Scratch that, it's a bigger screen.

purplecow1977

Looking to buy my parents a laptop as the other one broke.

Requirements:
15.6" monitor.
Will be used for simple Office documents & day to day browsing/YouTube.
Play CDs/DVD

Any suggestions? What price am I looking at? Under 400€?

I'm kind of broke at the minute so would like to keep price minimal!

This one looks good
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5088993/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%252C%2BPCs%2Band%2Bphones%7C14418968/c_2/3%7Ccat_19780850%7CLaptops%2Band%2Bnetbooks%7C14419039.htm

Torqay

15.6" PB EasyNote, Core i3 3110M, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, €345 @ laptopsdirect.

The processor is a helluva lot faster than the Celeron. Even with the extended warranty (€35) and some extra RAM, it should be within your budget.

purplecow1977

As i said above, Ii want to get my parents a laptop, but to be honest I don't have the money at the moment. Is it possible to buy a laptop somewhere and pay it off monthly or so?

Vegeta

Torqay wrote: »

15.6" PB EasyNote, Core i3 3110M, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, €345 @ laptopsdirect.

The processor is a helluva lot faster than the Celeron. Even with the extended warranty (€35) and some extra RAM, it should be within your budget.

Looking for a laptop for my parents too, unfortunately that one above is now sold out as that is perfect specs wise.

My dad would manage better with windows 7 though.

Any suggestions for me?

BobCobb

Vegeta wrote: »

Looking for a laptop for my parents too, unfortunately that one above is now sold out as that is perfect specs wise.

My dad would manage better with windows 7 though.

Any suggestions for me?

Hello, just thought I'd let you know:
I clicked that link as I'm thinking of buying a laptop myself...it says that it's sold out but if you look under i3 laptops it seems to be there again.

h2005

Hi guys I`m looking for a laptop for in around 500 suitable for photoshop, dreamweaver etc any recommendations?

janejjjjjjj

Hi I'm looking for a good family laptop around the €500 mark.

Main uses school work, simple office functions, email and internet youtube, social networking etc.

We use and store a huge amount of music including an itunes library linked to 2 ipods so good memory needed.

Speaker quality is an important feature, none of us are gamers so screen resolutions, multi-media card type etc not that important.

Size/ weight is unimportant as we have a netbook to use when out.

From reading this thread (great advice btw, I feel like I actually have an idea of what I am looking for after reading it) I am looking at laptops with a third gen i5 processor with 4 or 6GB memory. Despite being caught with windows vista before, I am prepared to take the chance that, unlike vista, win 8 is the way forward and won't be quickly superseded by another OS soon. But I wouldn't rule out win 7 either if that's a bette way to go.


I have narrowed it down to these 3
€481.59
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Toshiba_C855-1RT_Intel_Core_i5_6Gb_640Gb_15.6in__Silver_PSCBWE-01Q00NEN/version.asp



€515.98
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Samsung_350V5C_Core_i5_Windows_8_Laptop_in_Silver__NP350V5C-A07UK/version.asp


€503.40 (reduced from €693.72)
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Sony_E15_-_Core_i5_3210M_4GB_640GB_15.5_Screen_Shared_Win_8_HP_SVE1512K1EB/version.asp




But am a bit stuck now. Is it really down to which I prefer at this stage? Or is one better/worse than the others in some way that I am missing? I know the sony has 4GB to the other 2 having 6GB but, at nearly €200 off, am I getting a good deal even with buying some extra RAM? Or is it reduced for a reason?

Are there any other laptops I should be looking at?

I looked at laptopsdirect.ie as they were linked here a few times but are there any other sites I should have a look at?

Sorry for all the questions but this is a large outlay for me and I want to get it right, all help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Torqay

janejjjjjjj wrote: »

Or is it reduced for a reason?

Probably because nobody in their right mind would buy an off-the-rails laptop with less than 3 hrs battery life for 700 yoyos, not even with a SONY sticker.

janejjjjjjj

thanks for your reply Torqay that's exactly why I posted here incase I'd missed something a bit obvious like that.

Tbh we tend to use the laptop like a desktop and usually have it plugged in. We like the mobility of a laptop if needed and we don't have a lot of space so we like the fact it's less bulky than a desktop but battery life wouldn't be a main consideration.

So would you say the new price of the Sony is reasonable for what it is? Or am I just being blinded by a brand name? I thought a sony might have better sound than other makes maybe but do you think they are much of a muchness really?

Any thoughts on the other 2 laptops? Are they any good? Is the price worth it?Would you go for one over the other?

Sorry again for all the questions

Torqay

If you're looking for a desktop replacement, why not buy a 17" laptop? At LD are a few offers, Core i3 w 6 GB RAM around 500 yoyos.

TBH, if I want to use something like a "desktop" then I'll get a desktop. With your budget, you'll get a Core i3 desktop and a nice 24" full HD Monitor. Better performance (a desktop i3 is faster than a mobile i5), better display and of course better sound (face it, laptop speakers are cr@p, even more so when they're cheap).

janejjjjjjj

thanks again Torqay for your reply.

You've given me some good ideas there. I don't know why really but since our first computer we've always had a laptop and I have never really thought about a desk top since. But what you are saying makes sense, I am effectively paying more for or getting a smaller screen and lower performance for a laptop which I intend to use mainly as a desktop.

I'll look into your suggestions and really appreaciate your time on this.

Torqay

Or some nice All-In-One PC with a touchscreen, which is a real blessing with Windows 8, although they might be a bit pricy, depending size and specs.

not1but4

I am looking at getting the following laptop for my sister for her birthday. She currently has a Dell but its fecking massing at 17in. She likes the size of my laptop which is 14in but I spent £600 on mine and I cannot afford to buy her the same one. So I am looking at around the £300 mark.

I am looking at the following laptop but the downsides are there is no CD drive and it only has two USB ports. Thing is she never uses CDs and only every hooks up her iPhone to the laptop so its all good.

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/ASUS_X401A-WX089V_1234097.html

But reading reviews here says the space bar tends to stick so I am about worried about buying it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RX46DD1A4FXBI/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RX46DD1A4FXBI

I also want to make sure it has a HDMI cable and a webcam after that all she will use it for is to go the internet and use Word.

Any advice?

daithi7

Hi there,

Looking for a nicely speced business laptop. Something along lines of 17" screen, i5 or i7 CPU, 8GB ram, 1 TB Hdd, dvd/optical drive (blu ray a plus), webcam, 4 x usb, win 8, office
other specs: good build quality, reliability and battery life
niceties: support, freebies, good brand, case, etc, etc

Thinking maybe Samsung, Dell or Acer. e.g
http://www.dell.com/ie/business/p/laptops?~ck=mn#!facets=213169~0~3086418&p=1
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_V3-771G_Iron_Intel_Core_i5-3210_Windows_8_Multi-Language_64-Bit_8GB_50_NX.M1ZEK.010/version.asp#maindesc
http://www.which.co.uk/technology/computing/reviews/laptops/samsung-series-7-np700z5a/review/

Any recommendations greatly appreciated?

Also Is there a good way to get a deal on MS office (with outlook)? e.g. is an upgrade of 1 month trial an advantage?

Thanks for all opinions, advice and help

Torqay

There is a special offer for the Inspiron 17R SE (aluminum case, base model 7720) for €1,099 (incl. VAT & delivery): Core i7 3630QM (quad), 8 GB RAM and 2x1 TB HDD, GT 650M.

Serephucus

I can vouch for the 17R SE. I used one over the Summer. Excellent screen (the matte one is far superior to the glossy), great speakers, and obviously the rest of the specs speak for themselves. The only improvement I'd make with it would be to throw an SSD in. The 32GB cache helps, but it's not a substitute for full-fledged solid state.

daithi7

Torqay wrote: »

There is a special offer for the Inspiron 17R SE (aluminum case, base model 7720) for €1,099 (incl. VAT & delivery): Core i7 3630QM (quad), 8 GB RAM and 2x1 TB HDD, GT 650M.

With windows 8 is a touch screen a major plus or just a nice extra??? what do you think?

hayser

Just wondering could anyone recommend a laptop for me please? I'd need the following:

Have a choice in the colour of it
At least 2 USB ports
A DVD / CD option
Preferably with a webcam but don't mind if not
Has to have a port in which to plug in a wire for speakers or microphone with ear pieces
Be able to install microsoft office on it
Be able to pick up wifi on the internet

Sorry is this is standard with all laptops. I don't know much about them and want to have an idea of what I want before I go to the shops.

TPD

Any advice on a laptop with a high quality screen? Used mainly for photo editing, gaming and coding. Resolution, colour accuracy etc. being priorities. Budget of say, €1500?

I'm wondering if there are any decent laptops in this range, compared to spending the 1500 on one of the Catleap monitors in the pc building and upgrading forum, and spending the remainder on a desktop to use with it.

Torqay

TPD wrote: »

Any advice on a laptop with a high quality screen? Used mainly for photo editing, gaming and coding. Resolution, colour accuracy etc. being priorities. Budget of say, €1500?

Go to PC Specialist, you'll get the Vortex series with AUO displays, configure the rest to your likings.

Torqay

hayser wrote: »

Just wondering could anyone recommend a laptop for me please? I'd need the following:

Have a choice in the colour of it
At least 2 USB ports
A DVD / CD option
Preferably with a webcam but don't mind if not
Has to have a port in which to plug in a wire for speakers or microphone with ear pieces
Be able to install microsoft office on it
Be able to pick up wifi on the internet

Sorry is this is standard with all laptops. I don't know much about them and want to have an idea of what I want before I go to the shops.

This is indeed very much standard today. Any other preferences (display size, gaming capability, mobility)? Budget?

daithi7

hayser wrote: »

Just wondering could anyone recommend a laptop for me please? I'd need the following:

Have a choice in the colour of it
At least 2 USB ports
A DVD / CD option
Preferably with a webcam but don't mind if not
Has to have a port in which to plug in a wire for speakers or microphone with ear pieces
Be able to install microsoft office on it
Be able to pick up wifi on the internet

Sorry is this is standard with all laptops. I don't know much about them and want to have an idea of what I want before I go to the shops.

Yes all that you have speced is fairly standard.

The Asus vivobook s200e and s400e (and s500) models look really nice and have touchcreen displays so that you can fully utilise the windows 8 interface.

p.s. I've just noticed that they don't include an integrated optical drive (cd/dvd), so assumedly you'd have to add an external one & factor this in to your pricing and so on.

SantryRed

Hi everyone,

Looking to purchase a laptop for a birthday present on Wednesday. Maximum I can spend is 400 euro. Needs are pretty basic, that it is quick and is able to browse the Internet and is for college assignments and the likes.

She got an Asus Notebook before Christmas but is absolutely atrocious.

Thanks.

Torqay

By Wednesday? That's a little bit too late to buy online...

While you will find quite a few nicely specced Core i3 laptops online for less than 400 yoyos, I'm afraid you'll end up with just another "atrocity" if you'll walk into a store with that budget (at Argos and HN cheapest Core i3 laptops cost €449, didn't check Currys as their website is a pain).

Maybe a voucher?

SantryRed

Yeah I was away all last week so kind of left it a bit late!!

What's this one like?

http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/HP-Pavilion-g62240sa-156andquot-Laptop-Red/312170/301

Torqay

AMD E2-1800? "Atrocious" to the extreme.



Seriously, with a budget of 400 yoyos anything other than a Core i3 is a pure waste of money.



See what I mean?