Your computer opinion

[Seahorse]

I have no room for a big computer, ie one with monitor, keyboard and that box thingy so I think im gona have to get a laptop.
As simple a neccesary, all i want to do is email facility(paypal as well) and to buy things via credit card over the internet.
What kind of laptop/features should I go for, and would I be a fool to buy from ebay(where prices are half price!!)?

Your opinions please.

[nattynetty]

You can get some really cheap laptops nowadays especially at the mo in the sales - worth checking out all the usual suspects like PC World and comet to suss out their prices. As you only need it for the basics you won't need all the super-duper features so a cheapy should be fine I'd imagine.

I'm looking to get one in the sales as hubby is getting a bit put out that his laptop is slowly being claimed by me and says I need my own.

[euston-74]

I do everything I need on a laptop - personally I'd buy from somewhere where I could get some set up support - unless you are more computer savvy than me. I'm lazy and every time I have a problem I run to get help from my other half.
Mel

[nattynetty]

personally I'd buy from somewhere where I could get some set up support

Oh yeah very good point, forgot about that as I too have a hubby who does all that technical stuff for me.

I'm a bit funny about buying things on ebay I only ever get very small value items - you read so many stories I'd be petrified of parting with a few hundred quid on there.

[Seahorse]

Oh yeah very good point, forgot about that as I too have a hubby who does all that technical stuff for me.

I'm a bit funny about buying things on ebay I only ever get very small value items - you read so many stories I'd be petrified of parting with a few hundred quid on there.

Yep, good point.But they are around £200 in ebay, sooo tempting.
I have a couple of friends who work in computers so I suppose I can ask them for any help.
I try to learn about computers whilst watching tv ads, they keep saying things that mean absolutely nothing to me, just a big bunch of letters and numbers.
I think I shall have a looksee this weekend but its gona be tough to try to look knowledgable of these things..

[swirlyarts]

Just asked hubby for advice as he works in computing and he says how are you going to connect to the internet? Dial up, broadband, wireless etc - it's important apparently ;) I will ask him for further advice for you later. Do you have a budget in mind? Hubby says that he wouldn't buy on ebay - you don't know what you are getting and he has bid on some and got bombarded with spam from people who look through listings and see your name on there. He has no qualms about buying online but just not from ebay.
Hope that helps and I'll ask him for more info later
Lynsey
btw - welcome back!!

[Seahorse]

EEK!!Broadband, wireless, dial up, what who when where huh!!??
No idea what any of those are.I just thought I had to connect(dont know how, a phone call to the powers that be I suppose)put a connection from the computer to the phone line then hay presto.
I hadnt got that far, I was gona ask pals.
What do you suggest?Preferably cheap tho.

[swirlyarts]

If you are plugging into the phone line then that is dial up - if you have to put a wire into th phone socket each time you want to connect. Hubby had a quick search for you last night and he said that there was a decent one at woolworths for £400 and that ebuyer (www.ebuyer.com) had a good one for £400 too. There was a cheapr one on there but he would recommend paying the extra £30 for a better model - I can send you the actual links to the machines if you want?

[Seahorse]

Yes please, il pm you.

[0103media]

No to ebay.. imho...


I'd look @ reconditioned if you want to save money...

About £400 for the laptop will get you going .. A little more if you want wireless... And stick with the likes of pcworld ebuyer and dabs.

a few examples..
Basic setup : (no wireless)
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/035724

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119776/rb/24183665993

loads more...

[swirlyarts]

There is a thread on moneysavingexpert about the best cheap laptop to buy - it might give you some tips

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1993

Hubby also advises not rushing into buying one - if you see one that you like then get them to write down down the spec (details of how much memory etc) and then you can pm me and I'll get hubby to check it out for you. He says his rates are very reasonable :D

[Seahorse]

Ooer, thats the best(only) offer Ive had all year, hehe.Thanks for the info and help.

As my boss was downstairs fixing a printer I subtley asked 'Got any laptops lying around that you dont want?'
Needless to say the answer was no.
Worth a try tho.

[0103media]

The best way to buy computer stuff is to get a budget.. simple as that..

Its easy to find the best for your money but without a budget it get all messy...

I love my laptop... :D

I try and buy a new one every year but haven't in the last year cos this one is amazing and not much compares...

I'm looking for one soon for the GF so i'll let you know what is got..

Factors about laptops..
Weight.. you pay for less.. If you using it at home only then you can save loads of £££££'s

For what you said the memory isn't to important as even bottom level laptops have plenty for surfing email and basic stuff..

Memory is needed if you run loads of programs at the same time..
I'm really bad for that ;) I have about 15 programs running right now.. its just the way I work..

2 screens its worth the invertment too .. Its amazing the extra amount of work you can do..

pm me as always for any help :)

[Seahorse]

I have no idea what running a program is, as it seems to involve running, il avoid it.

Thanks for your help.
Firstly, as you know, I need to actually make things to sell.I am currently glueing something that doesnt want to set so Im getting annoyed as its delaying progress of a potentially sellable item.
Secondly, I have a budget in mind but I have to convince myself not to vomit in the shop when I hand over around £400 for soemthing Im only gona use when Im on holiday from work.

[swirlyarts]

for something Im only gona use when Im on holiday from work.

You will suprised at how much you use it! A quick check of the forum for instance can take up a lot of time!!

[Seahorse]

You will suprised at how much you use it! A quick check of the forum for instance can take up a lot of time!!

I believe you,but I dont want to get addicted.
I think my parents would love to use it, have a look at holiday deals,flights etc they even like to email relatives in Canada,but they think going to the library and paying is better, so far they refuse.
Love the way Im blaming my parents, if only theyd share the financial burden!!!!!woe is me.

[Apple Tree Crafts]

If you really want to buy from eBay remeber a few simple rules

1. Always but always pay by PayPal.
2. If you can, suggest that the seller excepts Escrow - this way your money is not released to the seller until you have the laptop and you are completely satified with it.
3. Insist on Royal Mail Special Delivery Signed For, even if it means you have to pay extra.
4. BEFORE bidding check out the seller's Feedback..if it's less than 100% look somewhere else.

It's common on eBay for sellers of laptops, mobiles etc to take your money & run. They might ask you to pay via money order or bank transfer, they then have your cash and you have no puter. You also have no come-back, as eBay will then claim that it is nothing to do with them, they are merely a 'venue'.

PS I'd be lost without my laptop, I love it. And I use it for designing all my crafts and also for chatting free to my parents who live abroad!

[Peter]

*I believe you,but I dont want to get addicted.*

Ha! HOW many posts? :o You're already there girl! *Cackles loudly*.............you're one of US!! :D :D

[0103media]

IMHO i'd never buy anything that you really need to know will work after 6months..

I lost so much data in my life from these forums being hacked twice to virus's in my outlook that I pay to safe guard my hardware and software..

I think along the lines of do u drive with a seat belt on or off..

If the item is like being stopped in a car park then take the seat belt off and relax (ebay example card or cards, genral craft stuff)

If your on the motorway then keep you belt on.. (ebay example a car/pc/house lol )

Just imho

[Memories4ever]

Theres a nice entry level laptop on the Dell website for £348 (£298 if you choose v basic 3 month service plan) (Inpsiron 1300)

40gb
Celeron processor
512 ram

I'm thinking of getting one. Dell comes highly recommended by my colleagues (I work in IT)

M4E

(wouldn't buy from ebay - see scams where something looks like a really cheap price, but they're only selling a web link to an external web page with a product for sale)

[Seahorse]

Thanks for the info.
I keep seeing laptops for sale in papers, Im so tempted!

[Seahorse]

I had a quick look at laptops at the weekend, they look so posh, big wide screens, very modern keypads, nothing like the one and only laptop I saw a couple fo years back.
i dont think im gona feel so bad about buying one when i get round to it.

[The Sewing Forum]

Frankly, for such basic needs, I would recommend getting yourself along to the next local computer fair and picking up a basic and/or refurbished laptop for £100-£200 at most.

TSF