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Laptop For Basic Farm Used

  • 24-08-2025 04:30PM
    #1
    fawlty towers
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 93 ✭✭


    Anyone have any recommendations for a basic laptop for farm use, email, spread sheet letters etc. Budget of 3-400

    Any trustworthy 2nd hand sites: refurbed.ie, greenish.ie or any others?



Comments

  • #2
    Lime Tree Farm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,126 ✭✭✭Lime Tree Farm


    You'd easily get a new laptop for that price in Curry's or Harvey Norman - check their adds for back to school . Check the Dell website also.

    That said, I prefer a desktop with a printer for farm accounts



  • #3
    Dunedin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,665 ✭✭✭Dunedin


    definitely go with laptop as you have much more flexibility. All modern printers can be connected to laptops just the same and wireless too.



  • #4
    bogman_bass
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,257 ✭✭✭bogman_bass


    if you aren’t going to be gaming or anything like that’s then a cheap Chromebook will do the trick



  • #5
    Tork
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,668 ✭✭✭Tork


    I help an older family member with farm admin, and to be honest, I wouldn't recommend a Chromebook. Not all the paperwork is digital, and I've scanned/photographed many a document over the years. In my experience, a lot of file collating is involved. Some end up being copied onto a USB fob for the accountant. I find file management on a Chromebook a PITA. Yes, it's doable but it's nowhere nearly as intuitive as Windows. There's a time and a place for a Chromebook. A business like a farm isn't it IMHO. It's the equivalent of trying to swim with weights attached to your feet.

    Post edited by Tork on


  • #6
    irishgeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,754 ✭✭✭irishgeo


    whatever you buy make sure it has a SSD/flash drive and at least 8GB of RAM.

    If you want to run a purchase past me PM Me.



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  • #7
    blackbox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,240 ✭✭✭blackbox


    An Irish company called GreenIT is very good for used laptops. I've used them a few times - no other connection to them.



  • #8
    Silverdream
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 747 ✭✭✭Silverdream


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058422590/laptop-for-basic-farm-used

    Won't get a new one of any use in that price range. Plenty of sellers on adverts.ie, for sub 300 you will get decent laptop. One thing you have to factor is they no longer come with MS Office and if you have to buy that then you are looking at 140 for the home version. There are cheaper alternatives though, but they take a bit of getting use to.

    Try and get at least a 10th gen Intel I3 or above or a Ryzen 3200g or above. also get look for windows 11.

    Used Thinkpads tend to be the best value, plentiful and are usually well spec ex corporate laptops.



  • #9
    Belongamick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭Belongamick


    I suggest 'Back Market' for refurbished laptops - download the app from Google play. I also suggest ESET for good low cost virus protection. I have used both and no connection.



  • #10
    irishgeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,754 ✭✭✭irishgeo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123751059#Comment_123751059

    You don't need eset. Defender built-in to windows should do the job.



  • #11
    FishOnABike
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,945 ✭✭✭FishOnABike


    Install Libre Office for free (https://www.libreoffice.org) rather than spending on MS Office - especially since MS seem to be heading towards a subcription based licencing model.



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  • #12
    Tork
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,668 ✭✭✭Tork


    If it costs enough, farmers can get their accountants to claim it against tax 😉



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