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Buying a Laptop: The current Generation

1303133353650

Comments

  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 259 ✭✭505_


    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


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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/



  • Registered Users Posts: 7 mirhamxa


    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??


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭ligerdub


    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?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭ligerdub


    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.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,446 ✭✭✭run_Forrest_run


    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?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,446 ✭✭✭run_Forrest_run


    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??


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,446 ✭✭✭run_Forrest_run


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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,025 ✭✭✭duffman13


    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.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭glic83


    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


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭glic83


    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?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    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?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭glic83


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    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)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭glic83


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭glic83


    Price wise I don't think you can get it anywhere else for that kind of money, worth that price imo


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    glic83 wrote: »
    Price wise I don't think you can get it anywhere else for that kind of money, worth that price imo


    Bought it. I only realised that the sale may end tonight when I checked at the earlier post, so I would be running out if time. Decided to go for it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    I just realised that I bought it and used the mailboxde address, as i selected it to check the packing station message.
    I'm too tired to try and figure out how to change it, but I think it will arrive as I have ordered a laptop before using mailboxde, obviously or the address wouldn't have still been there.
    Anyway, I may consolidate so it could be handier.
    Main reason I use my friends address is to make returns easier if I need to, but can still do it using mailboxde.


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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    glic83 wrote: »
    Price wise I don't think you can get it anywhere else for that kind of money, worth that price imo

    so you plan on using an external keyboard to get the right UK/Ire layout?


    sort of defeats the point of a laptop?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    glasso wrote: »
    so you plan on using an external keyboard to get the right UK/Ire layout?
    sort of defeats the point of a laptop?


    An external keyboard, no. Remove the German keyboard and install the UK keyboard.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    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)

    presume that is what was meant here?

    or is it getting the exact model laptop keyboard and replacing it in the laptop?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    same laptop here with uk keyboard as standard for £330

    addresspal to get delivered

    https://www.ebuyer.com/874549-hp-255-g7-ryzen-3-8gb-256gb-full-hd-15-6in-win10-laptop-6bn96ea-abu#


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    glasso wrote: »
    presume that is what was meant here?
    or is it getting the exact model laptop keyboard and replacing it in the laptop?
    Replacing the keyboard.

    glasso wrote: »
    same laptop here with uk keyboard as standard for £330
    addresspal to get delivered
    https://www.ebuyer.com/874549-hp-255-g7-ryzen-3-8gb-256gb-full-hd-15-6in-win10-laptop-6bn96ea-abu#

    I thought the sale was ending last night, so I ordered it kinda quickly from the other site. The ebuyer one works out around €385 delivered. Not too bad either, and probably a lot less hasle if anything does go wrong.
    I am also looking at some of the Lenovo, but they rarely have decent deals in Ireland.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    although there may be issues with that ebuyer sites on letting you get it to Ireland apparently.

    just be sure that you get the right keyboard. that G7 model name has been used for years afaik but the design will have changed and so possibly the keyboard part.

    the 530s 14 lenovo with the better 2500u (more powerful and better graphics power with the vega 8 over the 2200u integrated graphics) in an all-metal build and portable size and weight was going for 599 on lenovo.ie - not sure if still the case

    pretty decent value imo


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    glasso wrote: »
    although there may be issues with that ebuyer sites on letting you get it to Ireland apparently.

    just be sure that you get the right keyboard. that G7 model name has been used for years afaik but the design will have changed and so possibly the keyboard part.

    the 530s 14 lenovo with the better 2500u (more powerful and better graphics power with the vega 8 over the 2200u integrated graphics) in an all-metal build and portable size and weight was going for 599 on lenovo.ie - not sure if still the case

    pretty decent value imo


    Yeah the 255 G7, keyboard is L50000-031.

    I think €599 is way out of budget unfortunately.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Just an update.
    The laptop was delayed because it was a bank holiday in Germany this week but it is being delivered now, so mailboxde is not considered a packing station (handy to know for any future deliveries). Also it is possible to get cashback using shoop.de (eu version of topcashback), but, regrettably I don't use any of those so I can't verify how muc/what percent.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,632 ✭✭✭Turbulent Bill


    Looking for laptop recommendations, will be for general home use, no gaming:

    14" (or slightly bigger) screen, must be decent quality.
    i3 or i5
    128GB+ SSD
    8GB RAM
    Must have Win 10 Pro (want to use BitLocker)
    Budget is about €600

    Any suggestions?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Looking for laptop recommendations, will be for general home use, no gaming:

    14" (or slightly bigger) screen, must be decent quality.
    i3 or i5
    128GB+ SSD
    8GB RAM
    Must have Win 10 Pro (want to use BitLocker)
    Budget is about €600

    Any suggestions?

    lenovo ryzen 2500u (broadly equivalent to an i5 but with better integrated graphics e.g. can even play demanding games at 720p if wanted)
    8gb ram
    256gb ssd
    all-metal build
    14 inch full hd ips
    light enough
    windows 10
    battery life 8 hours

    currently down to 599 - not sure how long this offer will last - was more last week.

    https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/laptops/ideapad/500-series/Ideapad-530S-14-AMD/p/88IP50S1048

    best deal going imo at the moment for a decent laptop

    see it here - guy is a bit hard to understand but you get to see the laptop



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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    by the way you won't find win 10 pro for sale on consumer laptops.

    you can buy a cheap win 10 pro key on ebay though and then install it yourself.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311.R1.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xwindows+10+pro.TRS0&_nkw=windows+10+pro+key&_sacat=0


  • Registered Users Posts: 153 ✭✭Roy Rogers


    I'm looking for a 14-15.6" laptop for general household use: light office work, streaming, VLC (casting to Chromecast). Doesn't need to be very portable, and battery life isn't really a concern.

    I'm looking at a few options in the €500-700 range:

    Lenovo Ideapad 530S 14"
    €625 for next 21 hours.
    I've read some reviews saying the speakers are muck. Could be bad for watching TV/movies in bed.

    Lenovo Ideapad 330S (14", i5 8250u)
    €616 for next 21 hours. Is it much of a step down from 530S, or are the differences largely in build/finish?

    Lenovo Ideapad 330S (15", Ryzen 5 2500U)
    €537 for next 21 hours. Bigger screen, but numpad and off-centre keyboard :(

    Lenovo Yoga 530 14" (i3-8130 model)
    €599 for next 21 hours.
    Only 4GB RAM. Not too bothered about 2-in-1 functionality, but tablet mode with the body as a kickstand might have better sound than the 530S.

    ASUS Vivobook S430 14"
    €560ish (i3, 4GB RAM)
    €760ish (i5, 8GB RAM)
    On the i3 model, I'm wary that 4GB RAM could be a problem in a year or so. On the i5 model, I'm not sure if it's worth the price increase.

    Asus Vivobook S530 15"
    €609. Price and spec seem decent. However, it has a numpad and off-centre keyboard.

    Anything that recommends any of these above the others?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    this posted by another poster in a recent thread is very good value

    https://www.ebuyer.com/874549-hp-255-g7-ryzen-3-8gb-256gb-full-hd-15-6in-win10-laptop-6bn96ea-abu

    8gb ram
    i3 equivalent amd 2200u
    8gb ram
    256gb ssd
    full hd screen

    not a beauty but more than enough for your needs and superb value at £300

    use parcelwizard / similar



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    glasso wrote: »
    lenovo ryzen 2500u (broadly equivalent to an i5 but with better integrated graphics e.g. can even play demanding games at 720p if wanted)
    8gb ram
    256gb ssd
    all-metal build
    14 inch full hd ips
    light enough
    windows 10
    battery life 8 hours

    currently down to 599 - not sure how long this offer will last - was more last week.

    https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/laptops/ideapad/500-series/Ideapad-530S-14-AMD/p/88IP50S1048

    best deal going imo at the moment for a decent laptop

    see it here - guy is a bit hard to understand but you get to see the laptop



    amazon de for 549 unless im missing something obvious. free delivery too

    edit- keyboard layout different, right?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    amazon de for 549 unless im missing something obvious. free delivery too

    you'll get a German keyboard layout from there tho


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Roy Rogers wrote: »
    I'm looking for a 14-15.6" laptop for general household use: light office work, streaming, VLC (casting to Chromecast). Doesn't need to be very portable, and battery life isn't really a concern.

    I'm looking at a few options in the €500-700 range:


    Anything that recommends any of these above the others?

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Huawei-Matebook-14-Inch-Laptop-Processor/dp/B07KV9J1PG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=matebook+d&qid=1559128319&s=gateway&sr=8-3

    fact that it's Huawei shouldn't be an issue

    nice laptop - build and screen. 8gb. 256gb ssd


  • Registered Users Posts: 153 ✭✭Roy Rogers


    Actually, I'm really leaning towards this at the moment: https://www.ebuyer.com/855754-lenovo-v330-14arr-ryzen-5-laptop-81b1001euk

    Seems to be a bit of a step up from the HP you recommended, glasso. (Thanks, btw.) Side-firing speakers and a centred keyboard (which seems impossible to find on 15.6 models), so that's two big ticks for me.

    The screen seems to be the weak point but realistically, it will probably be fine for my needs. Not ideal for watching TV/movies but acceptable.

    The price also seems good. The more I think about it, I'm really not going to need any sort of serious performance. Just need to get over my but what if I need to... tendencies.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Roy Rogers wrote: »
    Actually, I'm really leaning towards this at the moment: https://www.ebuyer.com/855754-lenovo-v330-14arr-ryzen-5-laptop-81b1001euk

    Seems to be a bit of a step up from the HP you recommended, glasso. (Thanks, btw.) Side-firing speakers and a centred keyboard (which seems impossible to find on 15.6 models), so that's two big ticks for me.

    The screen seems to be the weak point but realistically, it will probably be fine for my needs. Not ideal for watching TV/movies but acceptable.

    The price also seems good. The more I think about it, I'm really not going to need any sort of serious performance. Just need to get over my but what if I need to... tendencies.


    Seems very good value alright and worth the extra £50.

    The Ryzen 2500u with Vega 8 graphics can actually run a fair few mainstream games as the integrated graphics are more powerful than the Intel equivalents.

    Battery seems small at 30 watt hours but if that is not an issue for you as said then go for it.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    you should still get 4 to 5 hours video playback on a 30wh battery though.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 153 ✭✭Roy Rogers


    Seems like a goer so. Thanks for the advice!


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