Laptop for University

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ForzaMancini

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Ardwick
Heading off to Uni next month and consequently I am in need of a new laptop. Looking to spend no more than £400 on it. As I possess almost zero knowledge of what are good and bad specifications for a laptop I was hoping the kind souls of Bluemoon would be able to point me in the right direction. The laptop will only really be used for Microsoft Word/Powerpoint etc. and I don't intend to be doing any gaming on it. I found a couple suggested in a Guardian article that seem decent enough so feedback would be appreciated on the links below. Thanks in advance.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/toshiba-satellite-l50-b-137-15-6-laptop-white-22071163-pdt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-n ... 3-pdt.html</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n298-sa-15-6-laptop-purple-21908917-pdt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-n ... 7-pdt.html</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-p077sa-15-6-laptop-red-10012277-pdt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-n ... 7-pdt.html</a>
 
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-X551CA-15-6-inch-Laptop-Black/dp/B00FC55UX0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-X551CA-15- ... B00FC55UX0</a>

That would be just fine for your needs forza.
 
depends on your course forza

maybe do some checking with the people at uni

eg my son was doing a multimedia degree and a big percentage of the course work revolved around the particular functions on a macbook, all the students had them, if he had attempted the course with say a Sony Viao he'd have been behind the 8 ball a fair bit.
 
I always buy Dell mate. They have served me well over the years.
I get them directly from:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.dell.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">www.dell.co.uk</a>
 
Just a thought

You could try and pretend you're dyslexic at your university, take the test with them and hopefully pass the test and get a free laptop and various other support including extra time in your exams.
 
Might be an idea to save a bit of cash for an external hard drive to back up your work in case something happens to your laptop. And don't leave it with your laptop - if the laptop gets nicked so will the hard drive ;-)

Ask a mate who knows about computers about backing up and the other back up options you have.
 
standytogilvy said:
Just a thought

You could try and pretend you're dyslexic at your university, take the test with them and hopefully pass the test and get a free laptop and various other support including extra time in your exams.
Click to expand...

Do this. Your Uni is likely heinously overcharging you for your course anyway, may as well claw a bit back.

Pelly Greeny said:
Might be an idea to save a bit of cash for an external hard drive to back up your work in case something happens to your laptop. And don't leave it with your laptop - if the laptop gets nicked so will the hard drive ;-)

Ask a mate who knows about computers about backing up and the other back up options you have.
Click to expand...

Don't necessarily do this. Well, it depends on how much work you have. As you've said you'll likely have your hard drive with your laptop anyway, they'll both get nicked, both get a virus, etc. It's useful if you have large project files (videos, photographs, 3D models etc) but for covering your arse on project work Google Drive and Dropbox are your best friends. Invest the money into a good internet connection and you can always use it for, erm, other activities.
 
You're not going to go too far wrong with that budget. For what you require almost anything out there will be sufficient. It's only for things like gaming or high intensity spreadsheet work that more powerful ones become needed. So go for a known brand, get the most powerful one that fits into the budget to future proof it to some extent, and keep an eye on the offers that are out there - even PC World come up with decent savings from time to time. And the advice about an external hard drive to back everything up is good advice.
 
Wish I faked the dyslexia test, I'd probably pass it considering my mother's dyslexic. A mate faked it and has a free macbook, twat.
 
Bought my lads from Laptops direct - <a class="postlink" href="http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/</a>

You need to have a rough idea of what you want though but will certainly be more competitive than PC World.
 
Still not bought a laptop yet and I'm starting to panic a bit with my course starting soon. Would hugely appreciate if anyone could post a couple of links to some laptops from £350 and under that will serve me well and be a safe bet to last me over the years of my study. Have got the one TCIB posted as an option but would like to have some more choice. Thanks in advance.
 
ForzaMancini said:
Still not bought a laptop yet and I'm starting to panic a bit with my course starting soon. Would hugely appreciate if anyone could post a couple of links to some laptops from £350 and under that will serve me well and be a safe bet to last me over the years of my study. Have got the one TCIB posted as an option but would like to have some more choice. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I think I could safely say that TCIB knows more about IT then 99% of the posters on this forum

hope that helps
 
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-x550ca-15-6-laptop-21836943-pdt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... 3-pdt.html</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n267sa-15-6-laptop-purple-21865576-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR~~" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... splay~RR~~</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n278sa-15-6-laptop-silver-21862507-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR~~" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... splay~RR~~</a>

Which is the best of these 3? I get a 7.5% discount at Currys as well. Or is there no difference (obviously not none, but is there enough difference to justify the price discrepancy) between these 3 and the one TCIB kindly suggested?
 
ForzaMancini said:
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-x550ca-15-6-laptop-21836943-pdt.html

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n267sa-15-6-laptop-purple-21865576-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR~~" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... splay~RR~~</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n278sa-15-6-laptop-silver-21862507-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR~~" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... splay~RR~~</a>

Which is the best of these 3? I get a 7.5% discount at Currys as well. Or is there no difference (obviously not none, but is there enough difference to justify the price discrepancy) between these 3 and the one TCIB kindly suggested?
Click to expand...

I have to wonder what the fuck you're doing going to Uni if you can't buy a fucking laptop! Man up and buy the coolest looking one like everyone else. Your student loan plus the aptitude you're showing here mean it will be free as you're never going to earn enough to have to make repayments!
 
So you need a laptop to use Word, Powerpoint and the internet? That'll be any laptop then.

You're welcome.

Seriously though, I run Adobe Premiere on a £480 (3 years ago) laptop. Windows Media Player is more demanding than Microsoft Office in my experience.
 
ForzaMancini said:
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-x550ca-15-6-laptop-21836943-pdt.html

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n267sa-15-6-laptop-purple-21865576-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR~~" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... splay~RR~~</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n278sa-15-6-laptop-silver-21862507-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR~~" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... splay~RR~~</a>

Which is the best of these 3? I get a 7.5% discount at Currys as well. Or is there no difference (obviously not none, but is there enough difference to justify the price discrepancy) between these 3 and the one TCIB kindly suggested?
Click to expand...
You're doing very very little with the machine so comparing specs is almost meaningless. Almost any laptop will do for you. ASUS have the best reputation for reliability but AMD-based machines (the two HPs) are better value for money specs-wise. The better spec'd machines there are the AMD-based HP's, Better graphics, more RAM, more HD space. However, do you don't seem to need any of that.
 
Gelsons Dad said:
ForzaMancini said:
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-x550ca-15-6-laptop-21836943-pdt.html

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n267sa-15-6-laptop-purple-21865576-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR~~" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... splay~RR~~</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n278sa-15-6-laptop-silver-21862507-pdt.html?intcmpid=display~RR~~" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/ ... splay~RR~~</a>

Which is the best of these 3? I get a 7.5% discount at Currys as well. Or is there no difference (obviously not none, but is there enough difference to justify the price discrepancy) between these 3 and the one TCIB kindly suggested?
Click to expand...

I have to wonder what the fuck you're doing going to Uni if you can't buy a fucking laptop! Man up and buy the coolest looking one like everyone else. Your student loan plus the aptitude you're showing here mean it will be free as you're never going to earn enough to have to make repayments!
Click to expand...

Well said.
 
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