laptop for parents

junya

junya

junya

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Joined
22 Nov 2003
Posts
293
hello there. need to choose a laptop for the parents who have a budget of around £350. all it will be used for is web browsing and the only feature my dad wants is a decent size screen. does anyone have any suggestions please?

cheers. :)
 
for that price you'll be better with a net book. they are made for browsing the net as it says net book lol. i have one and can say they are very good....but i have the advent 4211b.
 
I would also say the Dell Inspiron range is worth a look. If you want a higher spec machine for the price the the Dell Outlet which sells reconditioned machines may be worth a look.

Rgds
 
hi gents,

can i have some opinions on this please?

Product Description: HP Compaq 610 - Intel Celeron 560 2.13 GHz 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, VHP
Processor: Intel Celeron 560 / 2.13 GHz
RAM: 2 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM ( 1 x 2 GB )
Hard Drive: 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Operating System: Microsoft Vista Home Premuim
Screen: 15.6" TFT 1366 x 768 ( WXGA ) - BrightView
Graphics Controller: Intel GMA X3100 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0
Bluetooth: Yes
WiFi: Yes
Webcam: Integrated - 2 Megapixel
Microsoft 2007 Office Ready: Yes
Shipping Weight: 2.5 kg

i know it is a low spec, but do you think it will be ok just for light web browsing and do you think it is good value bearing in mind it can be had for £250 brand new with a 12 month warranty?

cheers.
 
I'd check out some of the HP Pavillion range. i think maybe a dv5 or dv6. Got one each for two family members and they are great. Very good specs and super build quality.
 
he is prepared to spend a little more if it is worth it, maybe around the 400 mark. i have found these which seem decent, what do people think, would you recommend dell? the outlet produced similar spec ones for £370 ish so not much point in going refurb unless something better pops up.

Inspiron 1545 - £399
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T4300 (2.1GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit- English
Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)
1 year of coverage included with your PC
McAfee® Security Centre - 15 Month Protection - English
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year
FailSafe® Theft Protection - track and protect lost or stolen laptops - 30 days free trial
15.6" Widescreen WXGA WLED (1366 x 768) TFT Display with TrueLife™
4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
500GB (5400RPM) Serial ATA Hard Drive
Intel Integrated GMA 4500MHD
DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
4-cell 24WHr Li-Ion primary battery
Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g)
No Bluetooth Upgrade
No Camera Included
Black Colour with Matte Finish

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Studio 15 - £429
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T4300 (2.1GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit- English
Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)
1 year of coverage included with your PC
No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year
FailSafe® Theft Protection - track and protect lost or stolen laptops - 30 days free trial
15.6in Widescreen High Definition (1366x768) WLED with TrueLife
4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
512MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4570
Fixed Internal DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive including Software
Primary 6-cell 56 WHr Lithium Ion battery
Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g)
No Bluetooth Upgrade
2.0 Mega pixel Integrated Web Camera
Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard
Black chainlink

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspiron 17 - £399
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T4300 (2.1GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit- English
Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)
1 year of coverage included with your PC
McAfee® Security Centre - 15 Month Protection - English
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year
FailSafe® Theft Protection - track and protect lost or stolen laptops - 30 days free trial
17.3" WLED High Definition + (1600 x 900) TFT Display with TrueLife™
3072MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [1x2048 + 1x1024]
250GB (5,400rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
Intel Integrated GMA 4500MHD
DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
Primary 6-cell 48 WHr Lithium Ion battery
Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g)
1.3 Mega pixel Integrated Web Camera
Obsidian Black colour with custom high-gloss finish

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspiron 17 - £429
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T4300 (2.1GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit- English
Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)
1 year of coverage included with your PC
McAfee® Security Centre - 15 Month Protection - English
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year
FailSafe® Theft Protection - track and protect lost or stolen laptops - 30 days free trial
17.3" WLED High Definition + (1600 x 900) TFT Display with TrueLife™
4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
320GB (5,400rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
Intel Integrated GMA 4500MHD
DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
Primary 6-cell 48 WHr Lithium Ion battery
Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g)
1.3 Mega pixel Integrated Web Camera
Obsidian Black colour with custom high-gloss finish
 
The support from Dell is excellent but many people do report disatisfaction with their PC/laptop. My Laptop functions really well for example, but I have had 3 displays, a motherboard and a cooling assembly and have a call for replacement motherboard and display open now. Having said that the particular laptop I have seems prone to issues.

If you are set on the Dell, I would suggest considering if it is to be portable before recommending the 17inch versions and desk space. Maybe get them to look at some sizes in a store to get an idea of the dimensions they prefer and screen sizes/resolutions. Of the ones you've listed my preference would probably be for the 15 inch Studio due to the GPU, battery and built in web cam.
 
HANDS DOWN the Studio 15, the extra 30 quid gives you a lot for your money over the Inspiron 15. Do they want a 17" laptop? I have got one, and am replacing it with a 15", its kind of overkill.

Plus the Studio has better build quality and graphics, although I doubt that matters to them.
 
i had a feeling the studio would be popular! i'm aware it has better graphics but he really will not be making any use of it. bearing in mind he has already stretched the budget to 400 is it worth the extra? from what i read it has better graphics, hd screen and hdmi, all of which i doubt he will get the use from.

i would love the studio though for when i occasionally need to use it! might offer to pay the extra £30 quid for him!
 
Have they decided on 15" or 17" yet?
If it is to be 15" I would personally say (I think we have established this is also your choice) the Studio is well worth the extra but of course it is down to the person paying the money in the end. The one thing against the Studio may be the slot DVD drive, you hear about these failing although mine has never been a problem (so far :eek: )

Forgetting the graphics for a moment, do they think they will never use the webcam? also confirm that they will not use the laptop on battery power.
My guess is that once they have the laptop they will use both at some point. It is nicer to have a built in camera than have to remember to carry your USB camera and the 6 cell battery is likely to last a fair bit longer than the 4 cell on the 15" inspiron.
If they want a 17" then I doubt they will benefit much from the extra RAM so there is really only one choice
 
i have persuaded them that i think a 15" will be completely sufficient for their needs. to be honest they will probably not really use the webcam and will probably use it mainly through the mains. at the moment they are not computer literate (i am teaching them, cannot wait..) but yeah i think for £30 the studio is a much better deal so i think i will contribute that myself.

job done! many thanks. guess i will be waiting 2 weeks + for delivery now.
 
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