Can anyone recommend a laptop under £350 with full windows (not the 64 bit irritating one). We've managed to get a rebate from the gas company ;D Don't need it for anything fancy - just basic home use... Struggling to find something that you don't have to spend an extra 80 to get the windows key for
I often buy my laptops from Dell Outlet UK. They are returns sold by Dell and they often go for £100 to £200 less than list for the same spec. I buy the Business Latitude range but their Vostro business range is generally good and if it break they come with 3 years Next Business Day warranty. The are slightly above your budget but I found one at £390. Might need to add delivery. Or you can go to the Dell Outlet Uk Home section they have same spec laptops within your budget but they only come with 1 year return to base warranty, which isn't bad for free. Here's one that looks good. http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/AccessoriesAndWarranties.aspx?familyId=1390&categoryId=SA&c=uk&l=en&s=dfh&cs=ukdfh1&suid=6444251d Here's the link to look at other in the Home section http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=7&c=uk&cs=ukdfh1&l=en&s=dfh The only thing is they all come with Windows 7 64bit. I use 64bit at work and home and have no problem installing 32bit version of software? What is the problem you have with 32bit? Oh and here's the link to the Business laptop section http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=3&c=uk&cs=ukdfb1&l=en&s=dfb Good luck.
Thanks - that's really useful! Is the 64 bit not where you get so many uses of word before you have to buy the full windows? We had that on a netbook we were given and it's a pain... Netbook is a bit too small - been using one for last several years but not great for working from home I don't mind refurbished if they are any good..
Thanks - I've only ever bought second hand when friends were upgrading so the world of new laptops is a bit confusing.
32 and 64 bit refer to how windows uses its memory allocation with 64 bit being faster. You want 64 bit, everything is moving that way, it's the new technology. Regarding the number of uses of word etc, now days you get a trial version of most software that gives you x days or do many uses trial then you have to buy it. Just make sure if you buy a laptop that is comes with a full version of office and not a trial one. Ebuyer is a good place to start for a look at prices. Acer are generally good mid / lower price laptops.
Dell and acer are terrible builds, some of the worst company's around. Under £600 and will have problems, overheating, crashes etc You pays your money you take your chance. If you have a full copy of word then you won't have a limited use, but that is so expensive for what it is now. Open office is a great free alternative and does everything word does, even opens word docs. You can get some great desktops for £350-400. As I've tried to explain to the missis, laptop are not designed for replacement pc's, they are a pc away from home type thing. Yes they have got a lot better recently but you need to buy closer to the £1000 mark for them to last. Case point, she bought an Acer for £400 within a year it was 80c at idle when it should be 40c. I pulled it apart and cleaned it but it made no difference. The cooling system was terrible but Acer wouldn't let us return it as it wasn't 'broken'. It now regularly turns itself off due to overheating when she uses it. My pc was self built and is probably 6-7 years old and I've never had an issue with it.
Thanks - I was getting mixed up between operating system spec and office. You are right in that we had a trial copy - I'm guessing no one sells laptops with office pre loaded? I understand about open office but Richard has had frustrating experiences with that before so we would like ms office I'm guessing go for the highest numbers you can in terms of internal processing and memory to make it last as long as possible
Don't get me wrong, there are some great laptops at that price, but you will have to hunt them down and do some serious research before you buy. Don't just take our word for it. With processors (32 bit vs 64 bit) 64 bit is where the industry is finally going, it works faster and more efficient and as such makes your system no have to work so hard or slow down. Also you can get a 'Media PC' which can be as small as a shoe box, almost. You have a nice size TV so could wire it direct into that.
It really depends on what you want the laptop for, here are a couple from a quick search: http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/sony-vaio-vpceh2f1e-e-series-1045685/review http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/packard-bell-easynote-ts11-1057868/review
Hi Jen ... This all totally depends on what you are after - but if space is an issue and you want a really great machine. Why not look into the Mini Mac? http://www.apple.com/uk/macmini/ You'd have to add a bit more towards it - but you can get some very good referb ones that are only a few years old. We have one in the lounge and use the big TV as it's monitor - add a wireless mouse and keyboard and it suddenly becomes the greatest thing ever. We use it mainly for surfing the net / watching films / i player etc etc ....
I bought an Acer 2 years ago for home and it is stil going strong, no problems whatsoever. We also buy Acer or HP Business laptops for our sales guys at work, again no problems at all. Yes they wear out and get slower etc as time goes on and the more'stuff' you put on them but not one has broken down, failed, or gone wrong unless the user has dropped it / installed some dodgy software etc... Having said all that, you do get what you pay for and in the computing world that extra £50 / £100 and a bit of research can make a big difference.
yep i bought an acer laptop and i've had no problems, you need to know the limitations of any item you buy, i browse the net and watch the odd bit of telly etc, if i wanted to hack nasa i'd have bought a better one lol
