(Very) low budget laptop recommendations?

thehamo

Can anyone reccomend a decent laptop for a very low (circa 150-200) budget?

I bought a Chuwi lapbook 15.6 and it's the biggest pile of poop emoji I've ever witnessed. I'm currently in buyer dispute on Amazon over it hoping for a refund.

Anyway. I'm cash strapped and in need of a laptop. Mostly for internet based stuff, but small projects like video editing as well.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Alanstrainor

What's wrong with the Chuwi?

Your budget is extremely tight. Do you need Windows 10?

You mention video editing, I presume this would be extremely light editing? Given what you can get for that money, no machine is going to be well suited to editing video.

thehamo

Alanstrainor wrote: »

What's wrong with the Chuwi?

Your budget is extremely tight. Do you need Windows 10?

You mention video editing, I presume this would be extremely light editing? Given what you can get for that money, no machine is going to be well suited to editing video.

I've had trouble with it since day one. The mouse pad is shocking. The computer has crashed on numerous occasions. Shut down message up in the screen. Screen went blank then flashing erratically. The wireless connection has just disappeared even with network resets and reinstallation of wireless card it just ups and vanishes.

I understand my budget is tight. In terms of video editing, yeah I'm talking adding logo to a 3 minute clip, cutting and editing short vids adding text etc.

I'm willing to buy refurbs also

tedpan

I'd be looking for something with an SSD And i5 processor. It will be so much of a change you'll never go back. Slightly over budget..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4TH-GEN-CORE-i5-4310U-DELL-LATITUDE-E7240-LAPTOP-4GB-RAM-128GB-SSD-HD-WINDOWS-10/152989161820?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo%3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20151005190540%26meid%3Df1dc19afd33b453dacbc0d437c07376e%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D152989161820&_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226

bren2002

Would you not consider a very cheap and simple laptop and use a meatier amazon ec2 instance for when you're edit video. (just remember to power it off when you're done!)

thehamo

bren2002 wrote: »

Would you not consider a very cheap and simple laptop and use a meatier amazon ec2 instance for when you're edit video. (just remember to power it off when you're done!)

There in lies the problem. I haven't a clue what Amazon Ec2 is or does!

Jarren

For extremely light editing (based on your budget)

http://www.adverts.ie/15317673

bren2002

thehamo wrote: »

There in lies the problem. I haven't a clue what Amazon Ec2 is or does!

You can rent a machine in any spec you like and are billed by the minute. Everything from the a simple pc machine to insanely spec'ed high end servers and work stations. And I mean *high* end, 128 cpus and 1TB of ram.
Once you get used to it you can use it to your advantage, say configure it as a mid range pc for reviewing and general day to day stuff and then switch to an incredibly powerful machine for rendering before switching back. You only pay for what you use. But always remember to turn it off, you get billed by hours online.

TerrorFirmer

Jarren wrote: »

For extremely light editing (based on your budget)

http://www.adverts.ie/15317673

Pretty much this. New for that budget, all you'll get is low end stuff that would struggle with a few tabs on firefox let alone video editing.

The same cash (200) 2nd hand gets you a machine literally 4x faster.

thehamo

http://www.adverts.ie/15328450 gonna take a punt in this. Opinions?

tedpan

thehamo wrote:

http://www.adverts.ie/15328450 gonna take a punt in this. Opinions?

The price isn't bad, it's a nice machine.

The slow 1tb 5400 hard drive puts me off though. To make it quick you'd need to update to an SSD.

thehamo

For what if need it for I don't really need uber fast speeds etc. It's better spec than any of the computers I've ever had before and they've been grand!

Would this be a better option?

http://www.adverts.ie/15329511

Alanstrainor

thehamo wrote: »

For what if need it for I don't really need uber fast speeds etc. It's better spec than any of the computers I've ever had before and they've been grand!

Would this be a better option?

http://www.adverts.ie/15329511

I think I'd try bargain on price. It's a reasonable machine but it is 6 years old. It will manage most tasks just fine, and it's a decent if old school portable design.

tedpan

thehamo wrote:

Would this be a better option?

Yeah, far better. Same processor as your first link. I'd recommend viewing them, watch how fast they boot and then you'll know what's best for you.

thehamo

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I think I'd try bargain on price. It's a reasonable machine but it is 6 years old. It will manage most tasks just fine, and it's a decent if old school portable design.

in terms of the second one?

ive bargained the price of the first one down with th 1TB HDD but you's reccomend the ssd instead? I prefer the stle of the first one TBH!

MarkR

tedpan wrote: »

I'd be looking for something with an SSD And i5 processor. It will be so much of a change you'll never go back. Slightly over budget..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4TH-GEN-CORE-i5-4310U-DELL-LATITUDE-E7240-LAPTOP-4GB-RAM-128GB-SSD-HD-WINDOWS-10/152989161820?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo%3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20151005190540%26meid%3Df1dc19afd33b453dacbc0d437c07376e%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D152989161820&_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226

That actually looks pretty nice. I was looking for something to dabble in python a bit. Would likely use with an external monitor. You use this guy before?

thehamo

So I went and had a look at a few different laptops from the seller on adverts. I went with the 8gb ram with 1t hard drive. Simple reason he explained how easy it would be to change to ssd and keep the 1t hard drive through the CD unit. The machine just suited my needs more with a much clearer and bigger screen. I may change to the sad down the line when i have the money

serox_21

go with an Lenovo Thinkpad second hand. Similar to this one

This laptops are build to last. You can find even with a SSD.

DavyD_83

I'm looking at this market too.

Really need a laptop mostly for work from home (via citrix), budget of €200.
Have been looking on adverts and have it down to a few 8GB i5 machines with either 500GB HDD, or a 120 SSD.

What would be the general opinion on Dell Latitude (E6430) Vs Lenovo ThinkPad?

I've only really used Dell or HP in the past; I have nothing against Lenovo at all, just based on fact I haven't used one I'm a little reluctant. If the group knowledge of Boards says Lenovo>>Dell, or the opposite, it could change definitely help make my mind up.

Oh, another thing I have started worrying about;
Is 14" (1366x768) screen going to be a nightmare to work on; should I be looking for higher resolution (yeh, I know the budget may not allow), if resolution v SDD v RAM, which would you take the hit on?

Usage will be work from home, a bit of MS Office for home admin, and music/media organisation (on external & network drives).

Thanks!!
DD