hamster Posted 26 July, 2009 Share Posted 26 July, 2009 Hi folki, End of next week (pay day) I need to buy a laptop for Mrs h (it is to be a little surprise for being my princess). I know it's a very tight budget, but due to other unavoidable outgoings I have to stick to a buget of only £300 (yeah, laugh it up). I know there are deals to be had just by Googling, but I am aware of the amazing wealth of expertise on here, so please go do your stuff SWF'ers. For that money I am fully aware that I am not going to get her a state of the art box of tricks, but if you can for a monent put yourself in her shoes (Size 3, before anyone asks) and stick to this brief. She does a lots of general surfing, e-baying and e-mailing She downloads and plays silly little games, definitely not into modern resource sapping ones though. I reckon she's currently got about 10GB of music that I'd like to transfer onto the new one. We use free security software so no requirement for bundles I have *cough* MS Office so no need for that either. REQUIRED: webcam built in Wifi SD Card slot Very good battery life (spare would be nice) OS - Toughy this. Although I am willing to learn to use that Linux one, I would prefer to have Vista onit for her. Main factor here is if the cost saving. DESIRED: Largish screen Pink (only joking) I have seen refurbs on offer (cheers stevo) but I really do want a decent warranty. Thanks in advance, I have every faith in you. One final thing, if you reckon that certain specs are more important than others please explain why as although I work in IT I am pretty thick when it comes to what's inside the things. Final, final note. I will be paying CASH and will not be taking out finance EVER again (been there, done that). xx hamster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 26 July, 2009 Share Posted 26 July, 2009 Dell. Dell. Dell. Especially if you want 'pink'... but they are reasonably priced for laptops with good specs. Plus there are plenty of online voucher codes to make your purchase even more reasonable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 26 July, 2009 Share Posted 26 July, 2009 under budget- http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159081, for £296 with 3gb RAM a tad over- http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164844 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOTONS EAST SIDE Posted 26 July, 2009 Share Posted 26 July, 2009 Try this , no web cam. But with the money you have left you could buy a good one easy! http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=NBA-X58LAP020A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlehead Posted 26 July, 2009 Share Posted 26 July, 2009 £300 you say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 26 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 26 July, 2009 /\ I like it, hoiwever it is not PINK, nor can I see a webcam and that screen is a tad small. Than ks all the same, but F A I L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 26 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 26 July, 2009 Try this , no web cam. But with the money you have left you could buy a good one easy! http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=NBA-X58LAP020A Ad says it has a webcam right at the bottom of the page. Good choice already I am impressed fellas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 26 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 26 July, 2009 under budget- http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159081, for £296 with 3gb RAM a tad over- http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164844 Cheers Steve, I promised myself to keep within my budget so the bottom one is a no go. The other doesn;t list a webcam. See PM please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 26 July, 2009 Share Posted 26 July, 2009 (edited) try this one? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164881 EDIT- If it has to be pink, laptop skins in Poundland at the moment....for a pound Edited 26 July, 2009 by saint_stevo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOTONS EAST SIDE Posted 26 July, 2009 Share Posted 26 July, 2009 Ad says it has a webcam right at the bottom of the page. Good choice already I am impressed fellas.My mistake Hamster. But not bad for £265 tho! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 26 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 26 July, 2009 (edited) My mistake Hamster. But not bad for £265 tho! Glad you said that, as I had initially read it as £229 (didn't see the +VAT price). I did secretly have it down as a fave choice (thinking £70 in beer tokens). Right techy question coming up: What does 'dual core processor' mean and should I care? In answering please assume that you are talking to a middle aged half-wit. While I am at it, is it noticeable if you have a 1.66, 2 or 3 Ghz thingybob? Edited 26 July, 2009 by hamster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 27 July, 2009 Share Posted 27 July, 2009 (edited) Glad you said that, as I had initially read it as £229 (didn't see the +VAT price). I did secretly have it down as a fave choice (thinking £70 in beer tokens). Right techy question coming up: What does 'dual core processor' mean and should I care? In answering please assume that you are talking to a middle aged half-wit. While I am at it, is it noticeable if you have a 1.66, 2 or 3 Ghz thingybob? Dual core means it has 2 processors, thus providing more processor speed and meaning your machine will cope better with multiple applications running etc. Only netbooks these days will be single core The NC10 S13 has listed is probably the best netbook around, and has about 7hrs battery life, but i wouldnt want to use it for longer than about 2 or 3 hrs due to its size etc Edited 27 July, 2009 by saint_stevo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 27 July, 2009 Share Posted 27 July, 2009 My main laptop blew up the other day so im getting this as the replacement, Size isn't really an issue for me as all I will be using it for is Internet and Downloading music (And trying to get girls to strip on webcam) Tested one for the day at work last week and awesome machines. All I would suggest is upgrade to 2gb RAM I was thinking for hamster's mrs, if she wants to be on the thing for 4hrs+ a day then a netbook would become very uncomfortable. I have a netbook for d/ling and surfing (and enticing young females into my abode) but i also have a 'work' laptop if i need to spend a while doing stuff. I hope the RAM upgrade isnt like the Acer A150 though, that was a mission! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesaint sfc Posted 27 July, 2009 Share Posted 27 July, 2009 Dell Inspiron 1545. Job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 27 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 27 July, 2009 Dell Inspiron 1545. Job done. Sorry tssfc, can't find it sub £300. cheers for taking the time though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baj Posted 27 July, 2009 Share Posted 27 July, 2009 Sorry tssfc, can't find it sub £300. cheers for taking the time though. Refurbed - http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/product-info/Dell-Inspiron-1545-T3400-3GB-RAM-250-GB-HDD-Vista-Home-premium squeeze another £27.75? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 27 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 27 July, 2009 Refurbed - http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/product-info/Dell-Inspiron-1545-T3400-3GB-RAM-250-GB-HDD-Vista-Home-premium squeeze another £27.75? I can't baj, I have to be strict with myself atm. I'm trying raise some cash for other stuff too you see. Without going into details, I have a few surprises up my sleeve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesaint sfc Posted 27 July, 2009 Share Posted 27 July, 2009 Contact these guys: http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/eComputers-LTD__W0QQ_armrsZ1 Say you want what Baj posted for £300. I expect they will. I buy sh*t loads off 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesaint sfc Posted 27 July, 2009 Share Posted 27 July, 2009 So you know - what you're asking for in a 1545 is cost price for me. £1.84 profit lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 27 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 27 July, 2009 So you know - what you're asking for in a 1545 is cost price for me. £1.84 profit lol. Argh, this is gonna be hard, I just know it. And I have another days before I can make a final choice. I hate choice! I just checked them people out and was led to a 12" netbook for only £269 (no OS though), now I am tempted to go down that route,again. must resist. Already had a 'chat' with Baj about refurbs, and I'll concede that one (ie will consider a refurb) so can you 'sell' me that the 1545 one ie tell me why it is sooo good please? /\ Hope that makes sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 27 July, 2009 Share Posted 27 July, 2009 i can OS any netbooks with XP so don't worry about that, and as its a good cause, FOC. Refurbs- http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1947564498.1248715405@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfgadehlikgjelcflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&page=ProductList&category_oid=-27411&fm=1&sm=0&tm=4&show_all=true#(any):(any):(any):(any):(any):(any):(any):150:900:PageNo_3:SortOrder_DOWN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesaint sfc Posted 28 July, 2009 Share Posted 28 July, 2009 Argh, this is gonna be hard, I just know it. And I have another days before I can make a final choice. I hate choice! I just checked them people out and was led to a 12" netbook for only £269 (no OS though), now I am tempted to go down that route,again. must resist. Already had a 'chat' with Baj about refurbs, and I'll concede that one (ie will consider a refurb) so can you 'sell' me that the 1545 one ie tell me why it is sooo good please? /\ Hope that makes sense? Dell are a fantastic company who make really good quality stuff. The Dell Inspiron 1545 is there best selling Inspiron at the moment. The Inspiron series is aimed at the home user, so they will have sold a lot of them. Better to spend a bit extra and buy something that is reliable and will last you a long time than buy a Packard Bell or an Acer which won't be as reliable. Having said that, the last few Acer's I have worked with have been pretty good, but horrifically ugly. I personally wouldn't buy anything other than a Dell. http://www.trustedreviews.com/laptops/review/2009/02/20/Dell-Inspiron-1545/p1 Well worth contacting E-computers to see what they can do also - you'd be a fool not to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 28 July, 2009 Share Posted 28 July, 2009 If i was buying a laptop right now, i would buy HP I have had to change far too many mobo's in Dell laptops for my liking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 30 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 30 July, 2009 Hi all, Just waiting for a 'best offer' from AC computers, they said they cannot do the recommended 1545 for less than £300 and reckon that e-computers processors are not as good as the ones they sell. Also, e-computers are on holiday and cannot dispatch until next week and me being impatient when I eventually make up my mind, I want to order as soon as I have made up my mind. Therefore I have a shortlist of: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159081 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164881 http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=NBA-X58LAP020A (very nice price) Should i ask for a poll (mods), bearing in mind I want it for this weekend and prob need to order by 5 today? I will post the offer from AC when it arrives. I would like to stress how genuinely appreciative I am for ALL of the messages and advice I have had on here. Thanks Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeySFC Posted 30 July, 2009 Share Posted 30 July, 2009 Don't buy windows is my advice, get a refurbished Macbook...once you go Mac you don't go back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 30 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 30 July, 2009 Don't buy windows is my advice, get a refurbished Macbook...once you go Mac you don't go back. Don't do this to me Blakee. Okay then, 3 questions: Why? Where? How much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 30 July, 2009 Share Posted 30 July, 2009 I would get the ASUS at that price mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 30 July, 2009 Share Posted 30 July, 2009 Don't do this to me Blakee. Okay then, 3 questions: Why? Where? How much? Cos its fashionable to like Mac's Online More than £300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 30 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 30 July, 2009 Just had e-mail re matching the one that baj recomended from AC computers, they will match the spec for £325. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 30 July, 2009 Share Posted 30 July, 2009 Just had e-mail re matching the one that baj recomended from AC computers, they will match the spec for £325. Oh well. thought u had to order by 5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisthehulk Posted 30 July, 2009 Share Posted 30 July, 2009 http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.206-9216.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisthehulk Posted 30 July, 2009 Share Posted 30 July, 2009 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/168750 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOTONS EAST SIDE Posted 30 July, 2009 Share Posted 30 July, 2009 (edited) Hi all, Just waiting for a 'best offer' from AC computers, they said they cannot do the recommended 1545 for less than £300 and reckon that e-computers processors are not as good as the ones they sell. Also, e-computers are on holiday and cannot dispatch until next week and me being impatient when I eventually make up my mind, I want to order as soon as I have made up my mind. Therefore I have a shortlist of: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159081 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164881 http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=NBA-X58LAP020A (very nice price) Should i ask for a poll (mods), bearing in mind I want it for this weekend and prob need to order by 5 today? I will post the offer from AC when it arrives. I would like to stress how genuinely appreciative I am for ALL of the messages and advice I have had on here. Thanks AndyHi Andy as Saint Stevo said get the ASUS, they invented netbook . And they proberly make the best motherboards around! And at £269.24 inc delivery its a bargain! Edited 30 July, 2009 by SOTONS EAST SIDE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 30 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 30 July, 2009 thought u had to order by 5? 2m orrow, I got it wrong ****. tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 30 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 30 July, 2009 Hi Andy as Saint Stevo said get the ASUS, they invented netbook . And they proberly make the best motherboards around! And at £269.24 inc delivery its a bargain! Really? Tell you wht, if satevo syas yeah, I will buy it. And you can alll **** yourselves off in ht eknowledge that youj have played a part in making mrs hamsyer's life more bearable. and yep, we habe been to the pub toniught. xx's hamster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOTONS EAST SIDE Posted 31 July, 2009 Share Posted 31 July, 2009 Really? Tell you wht, if satevo syas yeah, I will buy it. And you can alll **** yourselves off in ht eknowledge that youj have played a part in making mrs hamsyer's life more bearable. and yep, we habe been to the pub toniught. xx's hamsterCheck out Stevos post No30 on this thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 31 July, 2009 Share Posted 31 July, 2009 Get the ASUS, and with the 30quid you saved, take the mrs down to Prezzo for some dinner later on tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 31 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 31 July, 2009 Thank you all everso much, I am eternally grateful. Wesley, at Ac Computers did me a deal (£320) whereby I am getting this: http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/product-info/Dell-Inspiron-1545-T3400-3GB-RAM-250-GB-HDD-Vista-Home-premium I negotiated over the phone and got free delivery and a (Pink) laptop bag thrown in, so in a roundabout way I kept to budget (I will keep telling myself this). I'm really pleased and Mrs h will be over the moon I am sure. Thanks all Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 31 July, 2009 Share Posted 31 July, 2009 Although the Pink case is only £14...... Web cam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 31 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 31 July, 2009 Although the Pink case is only £14...... Web cam? Webcam built in, though he did say that they are not as good as plu in's due to having to move the whole screen to get in shot, that'll be fine though. Pink laptop bag will look filthy soon I reckon, but it will stop me borrowing it, or carrying it for that matter. Oh yeah, it also comes with Vista Home PREMIUM which the others didn't so I am well chuffed tbh. Please, no-one find it cheaper or I will cry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 31 July, 2009 Share Posted 31 July, 2009 http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/445573/inspiron-1545-intel-core-2-duo-t640/ LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 31 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 31 July, 2009 Pink case is only £14...... stevo, I ain't gonna kid myself too much, I never wanted a bag for it anyway, but the free delivery (was £10.95), and the £7.50 off the quoted price must adds up to about 6% off, which ain't too bad considering the good initila price. The bag was just a nice gesture. He was really nice and although obviously a salesman with targets to meet, I felt that he was genuinely trying to help. he even found me these alternatives to stay wthin budget: http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/product-info/Fujitsu-Siemens-Amilo-Li-2727-Dual-core-T1400-2GB-RAM-100-GB-HDD-DVDRw-Drive http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/product-info/IBM-T60-IBM-Thinkpad-T60-Intel-core-2-duo-T2500-2-GB-RAM-60-GB-HDD-Combo-drive-XP-Pro which convinced me even more that i was getting a good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_stevo Posted 31 July, 2009 Share Posted 31 July, 2009 stevo, I ain't gonna kid myself too much, I never wanted a bag for it anyway, but the free delivery (was £10.95), and the £7.50 off the quoted price must adds up to about 6% off, which ain't too bad considering the good initila price. The bag was just a nice gesture. He was really nice and although obviously a salesman with targets to meet, I felt that he was genuinely trying to help. he even found me these alternatives to stay wthin budget: http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/product-info/Fujitsu-Siemens-Amilo-Li-2727-Dual-core-T1400-2GB-RAM-100-GB-HDD-DVDRw-Drive http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/product-info/IBM-T60-IBM-Thinkpad-T60-Intel-core-2-duo-T2500-2-GB-RAM-60-GB-HDD-Combo-drive-XP-Pro which convinced me even more that i was getting a good deal. I was only pulling ya leg mate, you have bought a very nice laptop, and probably worth the extra as well. Hope it is well received and that the mrs is happy and recovers comfortably with her new toy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 31 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 31 July, 2009 http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/445573/inspiron-1545-intel-core-2-duo-t640/ LOL LOL back at yer stevo "Base Inspiron 1545 Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 (2.0GHz,800MHz,2MB)" If I have learnt one thing from this thread it is that 3 is a bigger number than 2, so there. Also that price is -VAT so £349.21 Please don't do this to me, I am bad enough without your encouragement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 31 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 31 July, 2009 I was only pulling ya leg mate, you have bought a very nice laptop, and probably worth the extra as well. Hope it is well received and that the mrs is happy and recovers comfortably with her new toy. Blimey! That Ann Summers thread was months ago, you have a good memory mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 31 July, 2009 Author Share Posted 31 July, 2009 EDIT- If it has to be pink, laptop skins in Poundland at the moment....for a pound And I bet there's a wee profit in those on e-bay, so may take a trip tomorrow and buy a case. thanks for the tip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 3 August, 2009 Author Share Posted 3 August, 2009 EVERYONE. Mrs hamster say's "thanks mwaaaaaahhh xxxxxxxxx's" ditto from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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