Buying a new Laptop-Advice wanted

Indestructable

(Firstly I hope I have posted this in the right section)

I have worked hard and have saved up around 600 euro to buy a laptop for college for next year. I have looked around but I am not very tech savvy.

The one I have found which I like most is this: http://www.elara.ie/productdetail.aspx?productcode=ECE2142205

What do you guys think of it? 6GB RAM and 640GB Harddrive. 2.53Ghz i3 processor.

OR what other recommendations for my price range would you recommend and where would you recommend buying from? Is Elara.ie a good supplier?

Thanks you all in advance for your advice

Alanstrainor

That laptop certainly has a lot of spec for the cash. But what are you going to be using it for?

Speaking as someone who went back to college 2 years ago, and is still studying, I was something that's small and light enough to throw in my bag, but large enough to type on without difficulty. And of course having a 6+ hour battery life is important to me.

If you don't need a fast machine, i'd be looking at something smaller and more efficient, perhaps an 11.6" screen.

Indestructable

Well I'll be moving out of my house and sharing a house with 5 other people, and what I expect to use it for will be some games and watching videos and the like at home for entertainment purposes and keeping in touch with family.

Of course I'll be using it for assignments and study also. I can't see it leaving the house that often unless it is required in the course.

I see your point how a smaller one could be more practical, but it'll have to be my entertainment for the next few years too! Thanks

Alanstrainor

Indestructable wrote: »

Well I'll be moving out of my house and sharing a house with 5 other people, and what I expect to use it for will be some games and watching videos and the like at home for entertainment purposes and keeping in touch with family.

Of course I'll be using it for assignments and study also. I can't see it leaving the house that often unless it is required in the course.

I see your point how a smaller one could be more practical, but it'll have to be my entertainment for the next few years too! Thanks

Ah i see, if that's the case. Then 15" plus screen is the way to go! The one you linked to is impressive.

redux

Can't help you with the laptop, but I have dealt with Elara for the last 4/5 years. Mostly I have bought computer components and in that time have had two problems with faulty hard drives.
Elara refunded the cost both times, no problem. They are a bit pricey compared to competitors, but worth it for the service.
You can get cheaper at Dabs.ie but you'll end up screaming and traumatized!

Indestructable

Sent this e-mail to the good people at Dabs and apparantly they are only sales people and can't help me so maybe you guys can





Hi, I have been looking at this Samsung laptop and I have a few quick questions I hop you can help with. http://www.dabs.ie/products/samsung-rc510---core-i3-380m-6gb-ram---640gb-hdd---windows-7-hp-64bit-15-6--laptop-7G4C.html?refs=54950000

(Quicklinx: 7G4CWS00)

The first question is: I notice that it is ''Ordered upon request'' Can you give me a rough estimate as to how long I would be waiting to receive it?

Secondly, It says Core i3 in the description but in the specs. it says Core i5. Which of the two is it?? I'm hoping Core i5!

And finally there is a similar Samsung laptop on your website for about 60 euro less but it is Core i3. Is there a big advantage in having Core i5?

Thank you,
Barry Nolan.

redux

Ordered upon request can mean any time in the future.
Before you consider Dabs, look up the Dabs forum and read the comments.

It might be a good idea for you to check out laptop review/comparison sites, you can probably get what you need for a lot less money.

I think this is the Samsung:http://www.samsung.com/ie/consumer/pc-peripherals/notebook-computers/performance/NP-RC510-S01UK/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail

Have you checked out Argos.ie? Samsung specs cheaper.

Indestructable

Hmm Dabs doesn't seem great at all now having visited their forums.

Thanks for your reply, I will give argos a look. I have also found this on Amazon which, to me, is incredible: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-RV511-notebook-2-66GHz-Premium/dp/B004NSUG0E/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1304367083&sr=1-1

6gb ram, 640GB hardrive, Core i5 2.66ghz. And all for around 650 euro.
What do you guys think?
Now if only I had a credit card... Ha

Charlie Haughy

Much better deal here mate than the elara one you linked: http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_Edge_15_1037796.html

Add £10 for shipping. Use www.xe.com to convert.

redux

If you don't have a credit card (who does these days!) you can use a 3V card.

www.3v.ie

_Whimsical_

Charlie Haughy wrote: »

Much better deal here mate than the elara one you linked: http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_Edge_15_1037796.html

Add £10 for shipping. Use www.xe.com to convert.

Is this a good laptop?

Does the fact that it's i3 rather than i5 make a big difference?

Spazdarn

i3 is the entry level and the i5 would have a bit more umph to it. Personally I'd probably get the i5 in the hope that you'd get more years out of the laptop...

_Whimsical_

ToiletFusion wrote: »

i3 is the entry level and the i5 would have a bit more umph to it. Personally I'd probably get the i5 in the hope that you'd get more years out of the laptop...

Thank you for that! I'm all about the umph! I'll start thinking "i5" so!

Indestructable

That's a good laptop but I want something which will last a minumum of 4 years without feeling too outdated and I would be willing to pay more to achieve this.

Unfortunatley the limit to any one 3v voucher at a time is 300, I use 3v and it is grand for smaller purchases.:rolleyes:

_Whimsical_

Indestructable wrote: »

That's a good laptop but I want something which will last a minumum of 4 years without feeling too outdated and I would be willing to pay more to achieve this.

Unfortunatley the limit to any one 3v voucher at a time is 300, I use 3v and it is grand for smaller purchases.:rolleyes:

Remember that you can now load a paypal account from your bank account. Saveonlaptops and lots of other stores let you pay via paypal.It might be worth looking into. It takes a few days to transfer funds into your account though so do it early if you want to.

Indestructable

I forgot about using Paypal, I didn't do much research on UK based sites but I might look into that now! Thanks.