Please help me help a friend buy a laptop

WLB79 · 17 Sep 2011 at 17:38

Hi,

A friend is going to get a new PC and thinks a laptop will be more useful than a desktop.

As I have no experience with laptops can someone advise on what we should be looking out for and what would be a desent price.
It will mainly be used for the net, stats packages and occasionaly some Auto Cad.

Any help or pointers would be great.

Scrutinize · 17 Sep 2011 at 18:38

most things will run autocad,

basic minimum spec is you want an intel i3/i5, 4/6GB memory, intel HD 3000 graphics or dedicated graphics of ATI 5470 or better (www.notebookcheck.net)

avoid the amd fusion chipsets, intel celerons and ULV options and you will be fine.

what is your friends budget?

WLB79 · 17 Sep 2011 at 19:16

mrk1@1 said:
what is your friends budget?

Less than I was expecting, she doesn't want to spend much more than £100 for a second hand one. That probably rules out the i5s.

oli356 · 17 Sep 2011 at 20:26

Doesn't that just rule out pretty much everything

Django x2 · 17 Sep 2011 at 23:39

Yes, you just wont get a decent laptop for £100. Even the old skool Dell insprions 1525s are more than a £100 and these (with the right spec) would just about suit your requirements

Scrutinize · 18 Sep 2011 at 06:52

yep pretty much any working laptop from the last 6 years with an OS installed, even xp, will fetch £100 ish or more,

just try to find something with a core 2 duo in and 2-3 GB memory. quite high risk buying at this price bracket though due to likely age and wear and tear.

Gilbert89 · 18 Sep 2011 at 10:54

I recommend your friend saving up a little bit longer..