Laptops for christmas

[JT77]

Hi folks.

My daughters 10&12 are looking laptops for Christmas

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas what I should look for.

I'm a tad out of touch with laptops, I have a dell that's 9 year old lol and an iPad. My work laptop is exactly that, a work comp.

All help appreciated. Not looking at huge expense either but just what processor etc. Thanks

 

[Chrisb83]

Seen this deal today on a web site I go on lots, www.hotukdeals.com might be of interest

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00S6DPAGM/?tag=hotukdealsnl-21

 

[JT77]

Thanks Chris.

 

[brendy]

laptops direct and argos (and pcworld to an extent..can't believe I said that!) do some very decent refurbished laptops. I have bought a few and seen more recently for colleagues and for the money their condition and years warranty are hard to look past. As long as you don't buy the cheapest on their sites, you can't really go wrong.

 

[ScienceBoy]

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/laptops/I5 Laptop Refurbished

Anything with a more modern i5 is great. The top 1 here is a fairly modern i5, the 3337u is from early 2013.

I have an i7 920 in my desktop from early 2008, a few months after launch, its still going strong and will be until it or the MoBo dies!

 

[JT77]

Thanks Brendy and sb will get a look today.
Cheers

 

[ScienceBoy]

Thanks Brendy and sb will get a look today.
Cheers

I assume it is just for browser and office use? Pay attention to size and weight of course, depending on portability needs.

 

[Paul77]

Pay attention to whether you can replace the battery or not. This is quite important for teens as they tend to leave the cable plugged in, totally destroying the batteries in laptops. For instance my Asus laptop has the battery soldered into the motherboard. It's not removable. Also check how much a battery is, some can be really expensive to replace.

Dont buy a netbook as these are passively cooled with no fans in them. Kids also tend to leave laptops on beds and they overheat no end.

 

[Crazyface]

Pay attention to whether you can replace the battery or not. This is quite important for teens as they tend to leave the cable plugged in, totally destroying the batteries in laptops. For instance my Asus laptop has the battery soldered into the motherboard. It's not removable. Also check how much a battery is, some can be really expensive to replace.

Dont buy a netbook as these are passively cooled with no fans in them. Kids also tend to leave laptops on beds and they overheat no end.

So you should use a laptop with the cable out and just on battery power?.......until the laptop warns you to find a power source or it will die.....?

 

[Crazyface]

Does it matter which manufacturer to buy, tosh, Asus....(reliability) whatever....or are they all as good / bad as each other?

 

[Paul77]

So you should use a laptop with the cable out and just on battery power?.......until the laptop warns you to find a power source or it will die.....?

Yes. Always wear the battery down in a laptop. Constantly having it plugged in destroys the battery cells to the point where the battery won't hold a charge and will need replacing. It needs full charge and discharge cycles. Same with mobile phones too.

 

[Marshy77]

JT hope you don't mind me asking a question too as I'm looking at getting a new/refurbed laptop but I'll be using it for djing with so would need net, office etc plus optical drive for burning the odd cd.

I'll keep an eye on this thread for offers etc.

 

[JT77]

No probs work away matey

Thanks for all the info chaps, we have seen a few, not ready to pull the trigger yet though. Main worry from the wifey is that if we buy direct what happens if it breaks!

So we are still looking at Currys et al, laptops direct had some real bargains but may be a little older? Think we are hoping for something to last 5+ years, is that possible now?

Thanks again.