[yan]

Hi!

I'm completely useless at technical things such as computers/laptops but we're needing to buy a new one.
I have no idea what kind of thing to look at so im hoping I can get some good advice here
We will be needing the laptop for general use, e.g. Accessing the Internet, watching videos on YouTube, downloading music, storing photos, shopping, banking, the odd assignment for college/uni and for my young son to use educational website. We have a lot of photos and music and often connect our iPods to the laptop to update them etc.

What kind of laptop will be best for us, like I say I'm useless so please keep it simple
Yan x

[neeeeeeeeeek]

Keeping it simple, Pretty much any new laptop will do all of that so it depends on how much you want to spend.

Things to consider 15 or 17inch screen. I used to have 17, but am happy with 15 now.

Does it really need a good battery life? They always drone on about battery life, but how many people actually use it when it's not plugged in!

Whats your budget?

[yan]

I want tO spend as little as possible. We have a notebook at the min but there's no disc drive, it's way too small and it doesnt really have a big enough memory as it keeps saying there's isn't enough when we try to add more music and it's REALLY slow x

[neeeeeeeeeek]

How much!

Would you buy second hand?

You are planning on using this a fair bit, buy the cheapest and you will regret it, probably like your Netbook!

[yan]

Ahh I see. Yes I would buy second hand. I'm not sure what's reasonable, I was thinking about £300

[neeeeeeeeeek]

£300 second hand would get you a decent laptop if you are careful. It will also nearly get you a new one that would so what you want.

http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Computer/cat/Laptops

[yan]

Thank you!

[neeeeeeeeeek]

Even cheaper and still pretty good!
http://www.ebuyer.com/294486-asus-k5...op-k53u-sx297v

[WallBuilder]

First thing i look at is the keyboard, is it full size with nice keys that actually move rather than the annoying touch sensitive types. I personally hate Vista as an operating system so tend to ignore any machines running that. Also might be worth considering what you might want to plug in to it so a minimum of three USB ports. There are hundreds of machines out there so look for machines with a decent sized memory and RAM , fifteen inch minimum size screen wise as well.

[axeman3uk]

Hi,

I note you were looking for a new laptop and Ive recently just listed mine on Sheff forum which is as new, the link is below:

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/show...op#post9088983

Cheers

Rob

[kinetic]

You can get 2008/2009 13" Macbooks on ebay for £300-£400

Example of a completed listing: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-MacB...#ht_722wt_1165

I'd take that over anything previously listed. Macbooks are great for people who aren't computer literate (you can walk into any apple store and they'll show you how to do what you want to achieve) and are designed the ground up with video/music/photo in mind (and come with free software for all those of things).

Just offering an alternative to Windows PC's (I have no preference for one or the other, I use both).

[Bonjon]

Originally Posted by kinetic

You can get 2008/2009 13" Macbooks on ebay for £300-£400

Example of a completed listing: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-MacB...#ht_722wt_1165

I'd take that over anything previously listed. Macbooks are great for people who aren't computer literate (you can walk into any apple store and they'll show you how to do what you want to achieve) and are designed the ground up with video/music/photo in mind (and come with free software for all those of things).

Just offering an alternative to Windows PC's (I have no preference for one or the other, I use both).

£300-£400 for nearly 5 yr old kit!! No thanks.

[kinetic]

Originally Posted by Bonjon

£300-£400 for nearly 5 yr old kit!! No thanks.

Maths isn't your strong point is it?

The example provided was a LATE (meaning >October - they generally renew them after the student rush in September) 2009 model. So its less than 3 years old.

Like I said, I'm not an Apple fanboy. I use Windows about 75% of the time. Linux about 10% (mainly on servers) and OSX maybe 15% of the time. I was just offering an alternative to what will inevitably be a succession of people suggesting various cheap windows netbooks and laptops.

The Macbook linked to would beat most netbooks, and give most new windows laptops a run for their money hardware wise. And for the OP's purposes, a mac would be ideal (but newer models outside of the price range given).

So your problem is?

[kinetic]

One more thing worth mentioning is that second hand Apple stuff generally depreciates in value very gradually (hence the point of your post I guess). Should you decide to buy a second hand Macbook and then sell it a year later you'll make far more money back (as a percentage of your outlay) than you would selling a Windows PC that was bought new.

[neeeeeeeeeek]

Originally Posted by kinetic

Maths isn't your strong point is it?

The example provided was a LATE (meaning >October - they generally renew them after the student rush in September) 2009 model. So its less than 3 years old.

Like I said, I'm not an Apple fanboy. I use Windows about 75% of the time. Linux about 10% (mainly on servers) and OSX maybe 15% of the time. I was just offering an alternative to what will inevitably be a succession of people suggesting various cheap windows netbooks and laptops.

The Macbook linked to would beat most netbooks, and give most new windows laptops a run for their money hardware wise. And for the OP's purposes, a mac would be ideal (but newer models outside of the price range given).

So your problem is?

What were you saying about maths? Your second hand 3 year old Mac is nearly twice as expensive as most new netbooks!

Chances are that nearly everyone this not very computer literate person knows who has a computer will have a windows based one. So instead of asking one of their many computer literate friends, you think its a better idea for them to toddle off to the Mac shop in Meadowhall every time they have a simple question!

[Bonjon]

Originally Posted by kinetic

Maths isn't your strong point is it?

The example provided was a LATE (meaning >October - they generally renew them after the student rush in September) 2009 model. So its less than 3 years old.

Like I said, I'm not an Apple fanboy. I use Windows about 75% of the time. Linux about 10% (mainly on servers) and OSX maybe 15% of the time. I was just offering an alternative to what will inevitably be a succession of people suggesting various cheap windows netbooks and laptops.

The Macbook linked to would beat most netbooks, and give most new windows laptops a run for their money hardware wise. And for the OP's purposes, a mac would be ideal (but newer models outside of the price range given).

So your problem is?

You said 2008\2009, now if my maths serves me right we will soon be in 2013 so that is nearly a 5 yr gap, is it not?

[kinetic]

Your second hand 3 year old Mac is nearly twice as expensive as most new netbooks

You (and the previous poster) seem to be missing the point of my post altogether. I wasn't suggesting a 3/4 year old macbook is a Cray computer capable of single-handedly navigating the ISS, whilst simultaneously finding the next unkown prime number.

For the third time: I was offering an alternative to what had already been suggested. I also wasn't (and aren't) engaging in a childish argument of "my suggestion of laptop is better than yours". Yes, I could have done what you'd already done and gone on ebuyer and found a laptop or netbook with slightly more RAM but a smaller hard drive, or one with a slightly faster processor but worse screen. But that would have been rather pointless really, wouldn't it? They are all much alike at this price range (i.e. not very good). If you really wanted to be helpful you could have just pointed her to a laptop review site which had tested multiple laptops in her price range, like this one: http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile...6673?artc_pg=2 (because, unlike you, they've actually tested these laptops and can therefore offer an informed opinion).

IMHO (and it's pointless arguing about it, because opinions are just that; opinions, not fact) a macbook would suit her needs down to the ground from the information provided. A different poster, with different requirements and I would have probably suggested something entirely different.

In fact, were it not for the fact she stated the need for capacity (photo/music/video collections), I'd have suggested she dump the idea for a laptop/notebook/netbook altogether and pick up an iPad 2, which are currently available new for under £300! (again - this an alternative to what you and others have already suggested - not a definitive answer).

you think its a better idea for them to toddle off to the Mac shop in Meadowhall every time they have a simple question!

That's quite obviously not what I meant. Apple regularly run (free) training courses on how to use their software (and I don't mean just a quick problem solving course for beginners, they run free workshops - everything from beginners courses to professional workshops on how to use everything from iPhoto to Logic Pro), as well as that if you are a total beginner you can walk into any apple shop and have them train you, in a one on one session on how to use any mac software (you can even book the appointment slot over the Internet). This is training by professionals, not from your mate from the pub who think's he's a Computer Science Major because he can run Spybot.

If the OP were to have a problem with her mac she seems quite capable of being able to ask on a forum (besides which, you're far less likely to run into problems with a mac; viruses, spyware and other nasty infestations are almost unheard of - not totally free from, I concede, but very rare).