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Buy Laptop or Upgrade?

  • 14-09-2011 11:51am
    #1
    Fizzy Duck
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 192 ✭✭


    Hi

    I need some advice with regards buying/upgrading a laptop.

    I don't know if I can rely on my laptop long term now and I need it as I am in 3rd year of college (Games Development). Our course this year requires familiarity with Windows 7 and an ability to handle creating 3D graphics.

    At the moment I have a Toshiba Satellite U300-113. I have had it since late 2007 and it has been through the wars. The keyboard has been replaced twice, the motherboard twice and the fan twice. Last year I brought it to an official repair shop and paid €430 to fix it up. This included replacing some elements of the shell casing too. But what I want to know is would it be worthwhile upgrading this laptop (new hard drive/windows 7/graphics card/ram) or should I sell it and purchase a new one? I've got 4 years from it.

    And if I do get new one how much should I pay for it (min/max)?

    Regards,
    FD


Comments

  • #2
    DamoRed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 394 ✭✭DamoRed


    Sounds like you've done as much as can be expected in the time you've had it - some by necessity, and costing plenty, too. With that in mind, it would be pure folly to think of spending any more on it, and even if you did, you'd still be wondering at the back of your mind how long more you'd get from it. Four years would be as much as anyone should realistically expect a laptop to last if it's getting used a lot.

    Go and spend your money on something new and have some peace of mind.


  • #3
    danger_mouse_tm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 992 ✭✭✭danger_mouse_tm


    It sounds like you're pretty rough with laptops! two keyboards? The reviews suggest that the toshiba generates quite a bit of heat. If you have been using this on your lap and blocking the vents they I would say that you have overheated the graphics chip. The second board replacement could indicate that whoever did the repair may have just "re flown" the graphics card and the problem happened again causing you to go and buy a whole new motherboard.

    If your laptops, in it's current state, is in good condition you should get around €200. You could put that towards something new. For you to upgrade your own with another gig of ddr2 ram, a bigger hard drive and windows 7 (without going near the graphics card (it that's even possible to change) you would end up spending just over €200. €500 would get you into the core i3 market with 4 gigs of ram. Spend more if you can. How about a nice Sony with a 2 year warranty? Definitely look into getting one of those laptop trays. Fans under laptops draw fibres from your clothes and clog up the vents keeping me in a job!


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