Good Laptop deals
- Thread starter kingrollo
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I'm going to suggest that as improvements these days are so small and even basic models have sufficient speed that build quality is more important than what goes inside. Anything current will suffice. I am assuming he isn't doing professional video work? 😉😂
Electric_Andy
Heavy Metal Fan
- Location
- Plymouth
Nothing you buy new will be slow for every day use. I would also consider screen size which is often overlooked. If it's to be used on a desk then I would get as large a screen as you can find, or would he even consider a separate monitor?
Not to be rude but is a new laptop the best solution for this person, given that cost is an issue? For example, i got a mini-PC with Win11 installed, for £80 used. it absolutely flies compared to my 5 year old work laptop. The cheapest Laptop I can see on Amazon (in their current sale) is £239, that's a bog standard processor and 8GB RAM which would be fine.
Not to be rude but is a new laptop the best solution for this person, given that cost is an issue? For example, i got a mini-PC with Win11 installed, for £80 used. it absolutely flies compared to my 5 year old work laptop. The cheapest Laptop I can see on Amazon (in their current sale) is £239, that's a bog standard processor and 8GB RAM which would be fine.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Office refurb laptop - 2-3 years old and are fast.
FrankCrank
Old layabout
As above, gubbins inside is much of a muchness for daily basic use, but build quality will be the determining factor regards price.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
To add to Electric Andy's comment, depending on envisaged use, there's a lot to be said for a reasonably small laptop plus a separate screen rather than a big laptop with a big screen.
Likewise a USB DVD drive is likely more convenient than a monster laptop with a DVD built in.
I favour SSD for the operating system at least, particularly for a laptop as the instant start when you open the lid is nice. Debatable if you then have a built mechanical hard drive as well, or use an external drive - either way this depends on the storage needs of the user.
Likewise a USB DVD drive is likely more convenient than a monster laptop with a DVD built in.
I favour SSD for the operating system at least, particularly for a laptop as the instant start when you open the lid is nice. Debatable if you then have a built mechanical hard drive as well, or use an external drive - either way this depends on the storage needs of the user.
bonzobanana
Guru
What does he want to do with the laptop? If its basic media, web browsing etc then perhaps a Chromebook for reliability and simplicity. You don't need to spend a lot to get a good chromebook, sub £200 is possible.
Jotheboat
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Littleborough, Lancashire
I've used these guys a couple of times. seem very helpful: https://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/laptops-netbooks/?tn-laptops
Time Waster
Veteran
One thing I think would be helpful to keep it going longer. I once had a laptop for work that had a battery that could be replaced. I replaced it with a battery pack with more cells too. Not sure if that is possible these days, but back then it was three or four screws and a simple unplug and plug in again befoer closing it. My new battery almost lasted a full day unplugged when before it only got 2 or 3 hours then had to be plugged in all the time.
I have three laptops currently and two are only working when plugged in as the batteries do not hold charge so I think durability and ability to actually self repair or get repaired easily. A good work style laptop is better than a home use one I reckon but the cost goes up (unless refurb or secondhand/reconditioned one)
I have three laptops currently and two are only working when plugged in as the batteries do not hold charge so I think durability and ability to actually self repair or get repaired easily. A good work style laptop is better than a home use one I reckon but the cost goes up (unless refurb or secondhand/reconditioned one)
presta
Legendary Member
My Samsung laptop had a battery that just unclips, no tools needed, and I replaced it twice in the 8 years I had it. This HP laptop is only 4-5 years old and the battery's been dead for half that time, but it's not replaceable without dismantling it. The battery used to last about 5 hours when it was new out of the box, but within 3-4months that was down to about 2 hours. I wanted another laptop with a replaceable battery, but they were virtually unobtainable by the time I bought this. All sorts have been sacrificed to the God of Miniaturisation: replaceable battery, DVD drive, numeric keypad, half the USB ports, separate ear & mic jacks, and now I see that the current ones often don't have ethernet or USB-A.
Laptops are evil in my book. Twice I have ones on which the memory could easilly be upgraded and on both subsequent to doing that they have failed. It was as if the added memory was too much for some of the aged components to cope with. I did with one manage to get the supplier to take the memory back.
The last one I had with a bult in CD drive seriously overeheated and partly melted its case at a screen hinge point and the susesequent two both suffered screen hinge failing , an Acer and a Lebovo.
Current laptop is a HP which was bough direct from them in a sale* with an extended warrenty so it properly will behave itself
*Quite tyically manufactuers web site sales are reflected by Amazon having them on offer at what seems to be the manufacturers web site prioce plus Amazons mark up on it, so if you see an electronic item in particular on offer on Amazon check the manufacturers web site.
The last one I had with a bult in CD drive seriously overeheated and partly melted its case at a screen hinge point and the susesequent two both suffered screen hinge failing , an Acer and a Lebovo.
Current laptop is a HP which was bough direct from them in a sale* with an extended warrenty so it properly will behave itself
*Quite tyically manufactuers web site sales are reflected by Amazon having them on offer at what seems to be the manufacturers web site prioce plus Amazons mark up on it, so if you see an electronic item in particular on offer on Amazon check the manufacturers web site.
Electric_Andy
Heavy Metal Fan
- Location
- Plymouth
Laptops do have their place, very much so. If you need to carry it around more than once a year then they are a very practical solution. or if you have absolutely no space in your house for a monitor and/or must use it on your lap (which is not even recommended) then fine. But if it's going to be staying in a house, on a desk then you will be paying more for the convenience of a laptop and as others above have said, they are more prone to hardware issues and damage.
Mini PCs (or small form factor PCs as they are often known) are a very good compromise between performance, price and space saving. They do have some drawbacks i.e. due to the lack of physical space inside, they are not always upgradable to the same extent. But with 8 or 16GB RAM offered, and a decent processor, there is really no need to think about this if all the person is doing is web browsing, Youtube etc.
My Dad kept saying he wanted a laptop, but he does all his work on his desk so he got a desktop. He has had it upgraded 2 or 3 times over the years. He also has an ipad which for him is a bit of an expensive luxury; I don't even know why he needs a PC, an iPad and a smart phone, but he's not on a budget so can please himself. A lot of older people are scared of PCs because they are big and they can't use one in the lounge or on their lap, but IMHO that's what phones are for!
