Buying a Laptop: The current Generation

05-03-2019 08:47PM

the laptops direct lenovo has 8gb and better battery life claimed

ryzen 2500u similar to i5 intel.

is it new or refurbished?

the screen may be better on the 330s tho

irishrepeat2 · 05-03-2019 09:12PM

glasso wrote: »

the laptops direct lenovo has 8gb and better battery life claimed

ryzen 2500u similar to i5 intel.

is it new or refurbished?

the screen may be better on the 330s tho

New. However the reviews are poor....apparently, the battery and screen are poor...

05-03-2019 10:22PM

irishrepeat2 wrote: »

New. However the reviews are poor....apparently, the battery and screen are poor...

battery life worse on other lenovo I think

07-03-2019 01:15PM

if you can buy in UK from curry's this is not a bad deal

https://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-swift-3-14-intel-core-i3-laptop-128-gb-ssd-silver-10180989-pdt.html#srcid=11026

i3 but a powerful i3 chip - as powerful as the older 7200u i5

full hd screen, light enough.

505_ · 07-03-2019 02:20PM

Looking at a Lenovo Yoga 530 myself. For general use, some R/Python and probably Football Manager at some stage. I can get the following model for €660. Just looking for any feedback on it value for money wise,is there anything better out there in that price range etc?

I'm not too pushed about it being a 2 in 1 as I will mainly be using it as a laptop maybe the Yoga functionality will be good for watching netflix. Thanks.

https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/laptops/yoga/500-series/Yoga-530-14-Intel/p/88YG5000978
Processor Intel Core i5-8250U Processor ( 1.60GHz 2400MHz 6MB )
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64
Display Type 14.0"FHD IPS AntiGlare LED Backlight 1920x1080
Memory 8.0GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SODIMM 2400MHz
Storage 256GB SSD PCIe
Warranty One year Depot or Carry-in
AC Adapter 65W
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 620
Battery 4 Cell Li-Polymer
Bluetooth Bluetooth Version 4.1
Pen ClickPad + No Active Pen
Security Features Fingerprint Reader
Wireless Lenovo AC Wireless

07-03-2019 03:50PM

505_ wrote: »

Looking at a Lenovo Yoga 530 myself. For general use, some R/Python and probably Football Manager at some stage. I can get the following model for €660. Just looking for any feedback on it value for money wise,is there anything better out there in that price range etc?

I'm not too pushed about it being a 2 in 1 as I will mainly be using it as a laptop maybe the Yoga functionality will be good for watching netflix. Thanks.

https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/laptops/yoga/500-series/Yoga-530-14-Intel/p/88YG5000978
Processor Intel Core i5-8250U Processor ( 1.60GHz 2400MHz 6MB )
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64
Display Type 14.0"FHD IPS AntiGlare LED Backlight 1920x1080
Memory 8.0GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SODIMM 2400MHz
Storage 256GB SSD PCIe
Warranty One year Depot or Carry-in
AC Adapter 65W
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 620
Battery 4 Cell Li-Polymer
Bluetooth Bluetooth Version 4.1
Pen ClickPad + No Active Pen
Security Features Fingerprint Reader
Wireless Lenovo AC Wireless

not a bad deal -

ticks the boxes
-> 4-core i5, 8gb ram, ssd

battery life claimed 10 so assume 6.5hrs is ok and has some sort of fast charging.

how useful the convertible thing varies from person to person. I have such a laptop and only find it useful really if flying on an airplane to watch media with the keyboard facing down so the screen is facing you.

imo sort of useless as a tablet as way too heavy for a tablet.

so overall a decent deal at 660

personally would forgo convertible and touchscreen for a bit of a lighter unit (1.6kg is OK but 1.4kg and less "feels" light) but at that price range that's a struggle.

07-03-2019 04:11PM

700 on amazon Germany

similar specs but 1..4kg and has a nice slight raise on the keyboard when open which is useful for a better typing position and is a very current trend in higher-end laptops.

you'd be surprised how much a couple of hundred grams can make it feel lighter in that range of weight.

looks nice from the pics.

battery is nearly same size as yoga one 43 wh vs 45 so can't see much diff in battery life.

https://www.amazon.de/ASUS-VivoBook-90NB0J54-M04770-Notebook-UHD-Grafik/dp/B07KFLCM82/ref=sr_1_5?crid=D2HJB779IAIA&keywords=8250u+laptop&qid=1551971216&s=gateway&sprefix=8250U+%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-5

Asus are a quality brand.

07-03-2019 04:20PM

basically it's the Asus s14 . seems to be a step up from the yoga build-wise for sure.

if you can afford the difference I'd go for the Asus but the yoga is by no means bad

review
https://beebom.com/asus-vivobook-s14-review/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBWFAkgU8M4

mirhamxa · 17-03-2019 11:40PM

Can anyone suggest me a gaming laptop in the range of 1000$ USD??

My preferences are:
Brand HP, DELL, MSI
Screen Size 15.6"
Hard 500GB to 1TB
SSD At least 128 GB
Dedicated Graphcis 2GB
RAM 16/8 GB
BackLit keyboard.

Any model available with these specs in the range of 1000$ USD??

19-03-2019 04:23PM

mirhamxa wrote: »

Can anyone suggest me a gaming laptop in the range of 1000$ USD??

My preferences are:
Brand HP, DELL, MSI
Screen Size 15.6"
Hard 500GB to 1TB
SSD At least 128 GB
Dedicated Graphcis 2GB
RAM 16/8 GB
BackLit keyboard.

Any model available with these specs in the range of 1000$ USD??

dell have some deals going at the moment

use "SAVE10" code when you've added item to basket (until march 20)

e.g. G3 15.6 inch with i5 8300h and nvidia 1050 card 4gb. with the coupon about €660. that's a good deal it has to be said. add more ram and hd if you want with items from amazon. cheaper to do it that way. just plug into to ram slot or 2.5inch hard drive bay.

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops-desktops-accessory-deals/dell-g3-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-3579-laptop/cn35715

19-03-2019 11:25PM

actually this one might be a better buy

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops/dell-g5-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5587-laptop/cn55829

probably a better build on the G5 over the G3 and the 1050ti card is worth getting over the 1050

the screen might be better also I think.

use the same code for a price of about 770

ligerdub · 20-03-2019 10:33PM

I'm thinking of getting this:

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops/inspiron-15-7000/spd/inspiron-15-7580-laptop/cn75804

€1080 with the 10% discount.

Is there any way to see the processor/clockspeed?

I won't be using it for gaming or anything like that but I will be using it for reasonably memory intensive usage (analysing large datasets).

Anyone have any thoughts?

21-03-2019 12:06AM

ligerdub wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting this:

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops/inspiron-15-7000/spd/inspiron-15-7580-laptop/cn75804

€1080 with the 10% discount.

Is there any way to see the processor/clockspeed?

I won't be using it for gaming or anything like that but I will be using it for reasonably memory intensive usage (analysing large datasets).

Anyone have any thoughts?

the cpu on the one that you have selected is the i7-8565U. that's a good capable cpu but the best value is in the equivalent i5. you wouldn't notice much difference. the u mobile chips have only about 10% difference between the i5 and the i7 and it's not worth the extra money really. the i5-8265U is perfectly fine for your uses.

personally I'd be more inclined towards the dell 7000 13 as it's a nicer design, lighter and the 13.3 screen is big enough for work imo.

ligerdub · 21-03-2019 12:19AM

glasso wrote: »

the cpu on the one that you have selected is the i7-8565U. that's a good capable cpu but the best value is in the equivalent i5. you wouldn't notice much difference. the u mobile chips have only about 10% difference between the i5 and the i7 and it's not worth the extra money really. the i5-8265U is perfectly fine for your uses.

personally I'd be more inclined towards the dell 7000 13 as it's a nicer design, lighter and the 13.3 screen is big enough for work imo.

Thanks very much.

21-03-2019 12:44AM

just one thing to keep in mind that the 13 has lower battery life due to a smaller battery.

I believe that it gets 6 to 7 hours - just in case that is not enough for you.

it's much more portable than the 15 though.

I have a 13.3 laptop myself and find it fine for working on excel and databases etc.

sometimes it's also cheaper to upgrade ram and ssd yourself than to pick dells options.

both ram and ssd are easily upgradable on those laptops.

and as I said no real value unless there is a great deal on going for the i7u over the i5u

desktop chips and the laptop H like 8300h vs 8750h are a different story though (there are big differences)

run_Forrest_run · 24-03-2019 12:19PM

glasso wrote: »

actually this one might be a better buy

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops/dell-g5-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5587-laptop/cn55829

probably a better build on the G5 over the G3 and the 1050ti card is worth getting over the 1050

the screen might be better also I think.

use the same code for a price of about 770

wow, this is the first mainstream laptop I've seen that comes with Ubuntu and not Windows as standard. Is this a new trend of something that has been going on for a while, albeit for gaming machines?

24-03-2019 08:58PM

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

wow, this is the first mainstream laptop I've seen that comes with Ubuntu and not Windows as standard. Is this a new trend of something that has been going on for a while, albeit for gaming machines?

not that common really. not sure where the demand is coming from. cuts some cost out but most people would want gaming on windows as not every game comes out on Linux.

run_Forrest_run · 24-03-2019 09:03PM

glasso wrote: »

not that common really. not sure where the demand is coming from. cuts some cost out but most people would want gaming on windows as not every game comes out on Linux.

Personally I'd have no problem purchasing a laptop running Ubuntu solely. As a matter of fact I was interested in the G5 even though I'm not a gamer at all but it seems to have a better spec (or similar) to some of the Inspiron models which are more expensive...what's that about??

25-03-2019 01:12AM

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

Personally I'd have no problem purchasing a laptop running Ubuntu solely. As a matter of fact I was interested in the G5 even though I'm not a gamer at all but it seems to have a better spec (or similar) to some of the Inspiron models which are more expensive...what's that about??

it's a gaming laptop - chunky and fairly heavy.

some of the inspirons are in a totally different segment like the 7000 13 where you're paying for metal build, narrow bezels and a portable laptop about 1/2 the weight of the G5.

totally different segments really.

run_Forrest_run · 25-03-2019 08:47AM

my current (old) laptop is a ThinkPad so bulky is fine with me

duffman13 · 15-04-2019 05:51PM

https://www.laptopsdirect.ie/hp-250-g7-core-i5-8265u-8gb-1tb-hdd-15.6-inch-windows-10-home-laptop-6bp13ea/version.asp

Any thoughts on this, mainly use my laptop for a little excel, word and not much else. Current laptop has slowed to nothing and takes an age to get going.

18-04-2019 08:37PM

duffman13 wrote: »

https://www.laptopsdirect.ie/hp-250-g7-core-i5-8265u-8gb-1tb-hdd-15.6-inch-windows-10-home-laptop-6bp13ea/version.asp

Any thoughts on this, mainly use my laptop for a little excel, word and not much else. Current laptop has slowed to nothing and takes an age to get going.

you could try adding an ssd drive to your current laptop - would likely speed it up a lot. makes a huge difference and brings many an old laptop back to speed.
that could be worth trying first as it's quite easy to do. you can get a 240gb sata 2.5 inch ssd on amazon for 30 euros. recommend to reinstall windows when you are putting it in.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/YUCUN-Internal-Solid-State-240GB/dp/B073WH5Z46/ref=sr_1_14?keywords=240gb+ssd&qid=1555616185&s=gateway&sr=8-14

the one that you linked to does not have an ssd drive either (older spinning hd) so won't be quick to start up either.

it also has a poor display.

the one here for 489 has an ssd, 8gb ram, good i3 cpu and full hd display

battery life is not the greatest at 6 hours or so but still ok.

https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/laptops/ideapad/300-series/Lenovo-ideapad-330S-14IKB/p/88IP30S0987

glic83 · 22-04-2019 03:25PM

Would the Lenovo mentioned above be the best bang for buck at the lower end? I need a new laptop, have a brand new 240gb SSD so could put this in a laptop if it comes with a 1 TB mechanical drive. Ideally a 1080p screen and an i3/i5 or Ryzen processor.

Any thoughts on this seems a solid price for the specs
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/lenovo-14-full-hd-laptop-v330-14arr-ryzen-5-2500u-256gb-ssd-8gb-ram-35478-ebay-ebuyer-ends-midnight-3218733

23-04-2019 09:57PM

glic83 wrote: »

Would the Lenovo mentioned above be the best bang for buck at the lower end? I need a new laptop, have a brand new 240gb SSD so could put this in a laptop if it comes with a 1 TB mechanical drive. Ideally a 1080p screen and an i3/i5 or Ryzen processor.

Any thoughts on this seems a solid price for the specs
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/lenovo-14-full-hd-laptop-v330-14arr-ryzen-5-2500u-256gb-ssd-8gb-ram-35478-ebay-ebuyer-ends-midnight-3218733

that's decent yes.

battery life the only thing that is not so great.

or spend a bit more (600) on lenovo.ie and get the 530s 14 which is all metal build for the ryzen 2500u version with 8gb ram and 256gb ssd.

glic83 · 23-04-2019 11:01PM

glasso wrote: »

that's decent yes.

battery life the only thing that is not so great.

or spend a bit more (600) on lenovo.ie and get the 530s 14 which is all metal build for the ryzen 2500u version with 8gb ram and 256gb ssd.

Price is gone back up now, so the only difference between the 330 v the 530 is the metal build everything else seems to be the same, is the battery a higher capacity?

Suckit · 28-04-2019 09:59PM

Looking for a laptop for a relative in college, budget is €350.
I haven't looked much, but I am looking at the the HP 255 G7 - AMD R3-2200U/8GB/256GB SSD.
Almost exactly €350 delivered. Are there any better options available?

glic83 · 28-04-2019 10:04PM

Suckit wrote: »

Looking for a laptop for a relative in college, budget is €350.
I haven't looked much, but I am looking at the the HP 255 G7 - AMD R3-2200U/8GB/256GB SSD.
Almost exactly €350 delivered. Are there any better options available?

Link? Can't see it anywhere for that price.

Suckit · 28-04-2019 10:15PM

glic83 wrote: »

Link? Can't see it anywhere for that price.

https://www.0815.eu/656566728 + mailboxde.com
UK/Irish Keyboard is on ebay for £10 - £15

I think that sale ends at midnight tonight. (11pm here)

glic83 · 28-04-2019 10:21PM

Suckit wrote: »

https://www.0815.eu/656566728 + mailboxde.com
UK/Irish Keyboard is on ebay for £10 - £15

I think that sale ends at midnight tonight. (11pm here)

Do they ship to Ireland? Says for delivery outside of Germany you need to contact them. They also say they don't ship to packaging stations, I'm presuming that's the likes of mailboxde.com, looks a sweet deal to me if you can get it.

Suckit · 28-04-2019 10:39PM

glic83 wrote: »

Do they ship to Ireland? Says for delivery outside of Germany you need to contact them. They also say they don't ship to packaging stations, I'm presuming that's the likes of mailboxde.com, looks a sweet deal to me if you can get it.

I'm not sure, I've an account with them from a few months back and send things to a friend of mine in Germany. He then sends it to me with GLS or DPD, usually works out around €20.
But, I am almost 100% I've bought a laptop from them using mailboxde when he was in Italy. Just after Christmas.

You could try it anyway. Worst case scenario they refund you.

EDITED - https://www.mailboxde.com/faq.html#h15sizok1mu3krghx81x8hgb81mpahg5

The carrier doesn´t delivery to P.O.BOX – is it P.O.BOX?

Our warehouse isn´t P.O. BOX or DHL Packstation – we are a standard warehouse. All tracked shipments brought by the couriers are signed by the employees of the warehouse.

Buying a Laptop: The current Generation

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