Buying a 17" laptop for my brother

somurray

Hello,

My brother is moving out into a flat and he can't bring his desktop due to space constraints and practicality (his gf needs space for her work and laptop too), so he will need a laptop that he won't really be lugging around outside his flat and replaces the need for his desktop.

I'm thinking of recommending him a 17 inch laptop, basically a "desktop replacement", his current desktop uses a 17" monitor anyway.

He only needs to use word processing, internet browsing and applications for his work which his 2008 era desktop can just about handle.

Would this Dell be the sensible option?:http://www.dell.com/ie/p/inspiron-17-5749-laptop/pd?oc=cn74914&model_id=inspiron-17-5749-laptop

The one that is going for €379.


I am also thinking of upgrading it for him from the very start: with this stick of RAM: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-KVR16LS11-Memory-Module-DDR3-RAM/dp/B00CQ35GYE/ref=sr_1_24?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1432499311&sr=1-24&keywords=4GB+1600MHz and this SSD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-SDSSDP-128G-G25-SATA-Inches-read/dp/B007ZW2LY4/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1432595671&sr=1-6&keywords=ssd

Speaking of which, in regards to the SSD, should I just replace the optical drive (which he won't be using at all) with the original included internal when installing the SSD as the boot drive? Would this work?: http://www.amazon.co.uk/VicTsing%C2%AE-12-7mm-Universal-DVD-ROM-Optical/dp/B00LIQOOB6/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1432595742&sr=1-1-fkmr2&keywords=ssd+mount+cd


So am I going the right way with this idea or does anyone have any better ideas? I would love to hear them!:D

jimmycrackcorm

If youre looking at buying a Dell then definitely look at buying from the outlet for value for money. You have to use parcelmotel and it's a pain if you need to get it sent back for repair but cant beat the price.

K.O.Kiki

Do cheapo Dells even come with an OS install disc?

truedoom

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

Do cheapo Dells even come with an OS install disc?

most new systems don't come with an OS install disk, can factory restore it from the hidden partition on the hard disk.


That lappy is fine for the price.

Expect it to be a bit plastic-y and cheap feeling.

In my experience, newer inspirons aren't great. We had a 15R, and it would over heat just watching movies (even though vent's and fan were clean). Just had poor circulation.

But you probably won't find a better price for a 17 inch laptop in any shop.