Budget big screen laptop?

lm01

Looking to help an older relative pick up a laptop in the next month or so and would like some advice on picking a model.

• Budget is in the €500 ballpark.
• Must be Windows and have a big screen (15" min, 17" preferred).
• Mobility and warranty irrelevant.
• Must be available to buy at a physical retail outlet.
• Usage is basic Facebook/Email/YouTube but it will probably be left on for hours and handled without care.

I'm looking at these two at the moment, both from Harvey Norman:

Toshiba C70D-B107 (€500) and Asus X75A-TY251H (€650). Is it worth encouraging the person to spend the extra €150?

TOSHIBA
Processor AMD E1-2100 (1GHz)
Cache Memory Size 1 MB
RAM 4GB
Storage Capacity 750GB
Graphics Card AMD Radeon HD 821

ASUS
Processor Intel i3 (2.4GHz)
Cache Memory Size 3 MB
RAM 6GB
Capacity 1000GB
Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics

Does anyone have experience of either of these models? Do either of them run slow or laggy? Would the cheaper option be good enough for light usage or are the specs just too low to handle basic tasks without lag?

Appreciate any help guys.

Aeternum

What about this http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/2395294/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%2C+PCs+and+phones%7C14418968/c_2/3%7Ccat_19780850%7CLaptops+and+netbooks%7C14419039.htm

madmaggie

I have an emachines laptop, bought on special at DID electric a few years back. It's bit sluggish, not the prettiest thing to look at, but it does the business. 15 inch screen, AMD processor, Windows 7. It was under 300.

lm01

Aeternum wrote: »

What about this http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/2395294/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%2C+PCs+and+phones%7C14418968/c_2/3%7Ccat_19780850%7CLaptops+and+netbooks%7C14419039.htm

That looks about perfect all right, thanks!

lm01

madmaggie wrote: »

I have an emachines laptop, bought on special at DID electric a few years back. It's bit sluggish, not the prettiest thing to look at, but it does the business. 15 inch screen, AMD processor, Windows 7. It was under 300.

Sluggish is definitely something I'd want to avoid as it would lead to a lot of complaints and I'd be the one held responsible! Thanks for the input though.

shanec1928

well avoid the amd so..

madmaggie

It suits me, just sending a few emails and eejiting around on facebook.

IrlMonk

Personally i think your mad buying a laptop from Argos or the likes!!!
try Komplette.ie
you can pick this up from their unit in Blanchardstown
Toshiba Satellite C70-B-215
better processor than the Intel Core i3 4005U, will do the job and €100+ cheaper than the ASUS
http://www.komplett.ie/product/zkb-01lap/80036170/toshiba-satellite-c70-b-215/details.aspx
i would still recommend shopping around and why limit yourself to a physical retail outlet? there are great deals online and they deliver to your door