Cheap laptops?
Comments
Everyone will tell you to get what they have so not sure you'll get much insight. There are no bargains anywhere any more in the truest sense, everyone has the same access to the same online prices. What I find goes unsaid these days but is important, is build quality. Assuming you don't want to join the Apple culty (yes I did say culty) walled garden, your best options for build quality are probably Thinkpads, Latitudes, and Surfaces (if you want to be like Apple but not Apple). Spec wise, the things that you speak of will run fine on the most basic; for the best part of two decades even the most basic hardware has been fine for "standard" usage. Also, does it need to be portable? If not consider a mini PC (NUC).
Yeah I probably should have said this is mainly for work stuff as everything else in the house is apple- phones, tablets, MacBooks
But I need to use windows and teams on a dedicated machine. As the current old dell 7400 has died (drowned) I thought someone might have seen any bargains in the sales.
You did say it's for work stuff. :) That 300 quid job will fall apart a lot quicker than a Del 7400, but if you're going to go Keith Moon with it, it doesn't matter...
I wouldn't get the lowest CPU spec as it can become trying waiting for restarts, even things like opening office apps can be a pain when it is not fairly instant.
In 2024, you don't think office apps open fairly instantly? The loading is mostly a function of the disk latency and less to do with CPU (although again even the weakest modern CPU is fine for office work), SSDs are "instant" enough, no?Jono111 said:I wouldn't get the lowest CPU spec as it can become trying waiting for restarts, even things like opening office apps can be a pain when it is not fairly instant.
I'd try to get a Core i5 is possible, 256GB SSD minimum, 8GB RAM minimum - should be achievable for a £300 budget.
Id add two other notes...
1. The cheap chinese non-brand jobs that pollute amazon these days are a huge gamble, one I'd personally not take, but don't be too scared of people like Asus and Acer - yes they are cheap for a reason, but they are cheap...
2. Have a look at reconditioned laptops - it's a bit buyer beware but some exceptional bargains available - I'd always give laptopsdirect.co.uk a try to see if they have any bargains. If you go for this option, make sure it properly supports Windows 11, as Win 10 goes out of support end of this year.
Id add two other notes...
1. The cheap chinese non-brand jobs that pollute amazon these days are a huge gamble, one I'd personally not take, but don't be too scared of people like Asus and Acer - yes they are cheap for a reason, but they are cheap...
2. Have a look at reconditioned laptops - it's a bit buyer beware but some exceptional bargains available - I'd always give laptopsdirect.co.uk a try to see if they have any bargains. If you go for this option, make sure it properly supports Windows 11, as Win 10 goes out of support end of this year.
Like this for example: https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/refurbished-lenovo-thinkpad-t480-core-i5-8th-gen-16gb-256gb-14-inch-windows-t1-t480i516gb256gbw10p/version.asp
What about the reconditioned computer people? Would anyone recommend them? Seems a few about who sell secondhand Dell mostly.
Something like this might be work
https://www.costco.co.uk/Computers/Laptops-MacBooks/ASUS-Vivobook-AMD-Ryzen-716GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-16-Inch-Laptop-M1605YA-MB296W/p/538504
Looks a decent spec that should last a few years.
https://www.costco.co.uk/Computers/Laptops-MacBooks/ASUS-Vivobook-AMD-Ryzen-716GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-16-Inch-Laptop-M1605YA-MB296W/p/538504
Looks a decent spec that should last a few years.
That's pretty good! Good spec overall, 14 inch so the lower screen res won't be a big issue, and the Lenovo professional jobs (of which that is one) have a fine reputation.topdog91 said:
At around £300 I'd look at what you can get new as well. Id call this a solid choice should you be able to stretch to £320 -https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-Vivobook-M1605YA-16-0-WUXGA/dp/B0DBQTK5V8
Not as good a brand but overall a better CPU, screen and bigger disk - I've had a quick search and looks like has a spare slot to allow you to upgrade to 24GB of RAM (it has 8GB soldered to the board) so a bit future proof as well.
Certainly you will one way or the other be able to get a decent basic laptop for about £300.
Edit: got a very, very similar one to the new ASUS for my son's birthday - its a bit cheap feeling but performance is excellent.
darthed1981 said:I'd try to get a Core i5 is possible, 256GB SSD minimum, 8GB RAM minimum - should be achievable for a £300 budget.
AMD is likely to be faster than Intel, so don't be bound by it's got to be an i5.
Any modern computer should be fine for basic office stuff. Just make sure that it has 8GB of RAM because of the bloated modern versions of Windoze.
The one in the OP should be fine. HP / Acer / Asus and all the other budget laptops from the big brands will be similar.
Yes I should have said i5 or equivalent AMD, thanks for clarifying.
Quick glance on Amazon. How does this look?
https://amzn.eu/d/6Uquivz