Best place to get a new laptop?

ciara1052

Basically - I need a new laptop and I've spent a while looking at diffferent ones I that suit what I need but I'm just now sure where to actually buy it?

I've had people tell me to stay far away from PC world and Harvey Norman and to stick with buying online, either from Dell (because their insurance deal is supposed to be fairly good) or amazon.

Part of me thought that if there was an issue that if I'd bought it instore that I would have somewhere to return it to whereas that might be difficult with amazon (I've never had to return anything I bought from amazon before).

Thanks for any advice

Mac B

ciara1052 wrote: »

Basically - I need a new laptop and I've spent a while looking at diffferent ones I that suit what I need but I'm just now sure where to actually buy it?

I've had people tell me to stay far away from PC world and Harvey Norman and to stick with buying online, either from Dell (because their insurance deal is supposed to be fairly good) or amazon.

Part of me thought that if there was an issue that if I'd bought it instore that I would have somewhere to return it to whereas that might be difficult with amazon (I've never had to return anything I bought from amazon before).

Thanks for any advice

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie have a good reputation even if they are on line, I know a few people bought from them and very happy, however as they never had a problem therefore no experience of their after sale service

robbe

Mac B wrote: »

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie have a good reputation even if they are on line, I know a few people bought from them and very happy, however as they never had a problem therefore no experience of their after sale service

Had bad experience with them tbh - item ordered flagged as in stock on website (which is why I ordered from them above other suppliers). Was then told order was out of stock, then order was in stock but not at price per website, order was then delivered and when arrived the spec was not as per website. All in all an absolute pain. A 3 week saga from start to finish.

In the end I ordered from dabs.ie and the item arrived as per specs on website within 2 days. Google reviews of laptopsdirect.ie or .co.uk and you'll see my experience was not unique. However it's possible that with well known standard products they are fine.

Maximus Alexander

I've bought a few laptops (and tons of other hardware) from Komplett over the years and have never been disappointed. They have a good selection, are pretty tough to beat in value and had fantastic customer service on the one occasion that I had a problem with my order.

I've also had Computer Universe recommended to me, who are German and slightly cheaper than Komplett, but I've never tried them myself so can't offer a first hand recommendation.

Either of these will have a much wider selection and lower prices than the likes of laptopsdirect or elara.

Sam Mac

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I've bought a few laptops (and tons of other hardware) from Komplett over the years and have never been disappointed. They have a good selection, are pretty tough to beat in value and had fantastic customer service on the one occasion that I had a problem with my order.

I've also had Computer Universe recommended to me, who are German and slightly cheaper than Komplett, but I've never tried them myself so can't offer a first hand recommendation.

Either of these will have a much wider selection and lower prices than the likes of laptopsdirect or elara.

Really? I have heard nothing but complaints about Komplett - just have a look at the Komplett forum on here!! - some people waiting 5 months for a refund after returning faulty items etc.

Maximus Alexander

Sam Mac wrote: »

Really? I have heard nothing but complaints about Komplett - just have a look at the Komplett forum on here!! - some people waiting 5 months for a refund after returning faulty items etc.

I've genuinely only had positive experiences. I bought an Acer Aspire from them only last month and it arrive promptly with no issues. The only place I could find it cheaper was Computer Universe, but I didn't know about that until after I'd ordered it.

The only time I've ever had to send something back was several years ago at this stage, and they have changed ownership since, so I guess customer service could have declined in that regard.

To be fair though, going by Boards threads you'd think every company in Ireland was utterly hopeless - take a look at the Talk to... forums. :eek:

ciara1052

I'm actually looking at getting an Acer Aspire from them (http://www.komplett.ie/komplett/product/zkb-02pc/80015127/acer-aspire-v7-482p-54208g50tii/details.aspx) though I really don't want a touch-screen one.

I'd rather go with the place that's hassle free when it comes to returns/repairs but I think everyone seems to have their own experiences with these places.

Maximus Alexander

ciara1052 wrote: »

I'm actually looking at getting an Acer Aspire from them (http://www.komplett.ie/komplett/product/zkb-02pc/80015127/acer-aspire-v7-482p-54208g50tii/details.aspx) though I really don't want a touch-screen one.

I'd rather go with the place that's hassle free when it comes to returns/repairs but I think everyone seems to have their own experiences with these places.

Another option is dabs.ie. I've only ordered from them once because I'm not a huge fan of their website, but had a positive experience and a friend of mine swears by them.

sea_monkey

you can design your own here www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

its what i did as i found it hard to find one with a decent sized ssd and ram with an i5

breadbin

if you are still in the market for a laptop OP i might suggest http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=959&catid=1828 have used them a few times and brilliant so far. 2 days postage on the stuff i bought.

Computer Universe http://www.computeruniverse.net/en/groups/30000064/notebooks-laptops.asp are fantastic as far as price and choice but the thing that stopped me buying from here is the german keyboard layout. might not be a deal breaker but was for me.

i would have recommended Dell in the past but not now. they ship from china apparently which will take 2 weeks and which they fail to mention on their website so as long as your not in a hurry for the laptop by all means. well i'm sure they do mention it somewhere just not very visible.

i have also used Komplett.ie http://komplett.ie/Komplett/site/KomplettHome.aspx and nary a problem either but choice recently has diminished.

Mike Litoris

sea_monkey wrote: »

you can design your own here www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

^^^ What he said. Great choice of configuration, great to deal with and great prices. Dell are overpriced.

ciara1052

Mike Litoris wrote: »

^^^ What he said. Great choice of configuration, great to deal with and great prices. Dell are overpriced.

breadbin wrote: »

if you are still in the market for a laptop OP i might suggest http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=959&catid=1828 have used them a few times and brilliant so far. 2 days postage on the stuff i bought.

Computer Universe http://www.computeruniverse.net/en/groups/30000064/notebooks-laptops.asp are fantastic as far as price and choice but the thing that stopped me buying from here is the german keyboard layout. might not be a deal breaker but was for me.

i would have recommended Dell in the past but not now. they ship from china apparently which will take 2 weeks and which they fail to mention on their website so as long as your not in a hurry for the laptop by all means. well i'm sure they do mention it somewhere just not very visible.

i have also used Komplett.ie http://komplett.ie/Komplett/site/KomplettHome.aspx and nary a problem either but choice recently has diminished.

sea_monkey wrote: »

you can design your own here www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

its what i did as i found it hard to find one with a decent sized ssd and ram with an i5

That's great! Thanks a lot
I went into a few shops and many of them didn't have the models I was after and a two just told me to get a mac...

Looks like I'll end up using PC specialist - Komplette had great prices but not exactly what I wanted.

breadbin

if you post exactly what you are looking for i'm sure there are a few on here would help you get the best price.

ciara1052

breadbin wrote: »

if you post exactly what you are looking for i'm sure there are a few on here would help you get the best price.

Sorry - should have mentioned in the OP
My main concerns are that it has an i5 processor, that the screen size is between 13-14 inches and it's portable. I'd be using it pretty much daily for long periods of time (mainly for word documents/excel and the like but there will be some graphic heavy software) and I want it to last which is why I'm willing to spend money on something decent. Don't have any preference for brands - I've used acer and lenovo in the past and liked them though.

breadbin

what about budget?

http://www.computeruniverse.net/en/groups/30000064/notebooks-laptops.asp?language=english&maxrecords=30&cp=1&np=2&props=30014239_30014230_30014136_30035400_30132668_30077383_30107233_30132476_30149033_30145131_30107240_30147448_30088090_30132891_30170505_30148013_30148643_30156613_30160232_30160016_30148465_30157860_30158022_30157982_30160400_30161015_30149018|10001804&group=30000064&order=[POP]%2C%20[SC]%2C%20[VKB]%2C%20[N1]%2C%20[N2]&newProgram=False&newDays=30&previews=False&props_mastergroup=False&props_groupfilter=30000064&o=[VKB]%2C%20[N1]%2C%20[N2]

here are some i5s from computer universe starting at €400. bear in mind postage is not that much, think around €14 for a laptop and some of these don't come with windows. suits some people to install their own os. and yeah they more than likely have a german keyboard. this can be changed in the operating system but the keys won't. sure you can get a feel for the pricing though.

would you want a 1080p screen? i'd recommend it cos the 1366x768 might be a bit crap.

i've emailled them about qwerty keyboards see if they have any

also on pcspecialist an i5 will set you back €600. have the link but not sure it will have the laptop i customised

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/results/

ciara1052

breadbin wrote: »

what about budget?

http://www.computeruniverse.net/en/groups/30000064/notebooks-laptops.asp?language=english&maxrecords=30&cp=1&np=2&props=30014239_30014230_30014136_30035400_30132668_30077383_30107233_30132476_30149033_30145131_30107240_30147448_30088090_30132891_30170505_30148013_30148643_30156613_30160232_30160016_30148465_30157860_30158022_30157982_30160400_30161015_30149018|10001804&group=30000064&order=[POP]%2C%20[SC]%2C%20[VKB]%2C%20[N1]%2C%20[N2]&newProgram=False&newDays=30&previews=False&props_mastergroup=False&props_groupfilter=30000064&o=[VKB]%2C%20[N1]%2C%20[N2]

here are some i5s from computer universe starting at €400. bear in mind postage is not that much, think around €14 for a laptop and some of these don't come with windows. suits some people to install their own os. and yeah they more than likely have a german keyboard. this can be changed in the operating system but the keys won't. sure you can get a feel for the pricing though.

would you want a 1080p screen? i'd recommend it cos the 1366x768 might be a bit crap.

i've emailled them about qwerty keyboards see if they have any

also on pcspecialist an i5 will set you back €600. have the link but not sure it will have the laptop i customised

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/results/

I'd be willing to spend 700+ euro (maybe more if one was particularly good) Thanks again! I'll definitely take a look.

daithi7

Dell had a nice touchscreen model the 14z, but I think screen is just 1366x768, and you'll have to check if they still sell them. Nice looking laptops iirc though.