To think I should get a new laptop even though I don't have a lot of money?

[SharkiraSharkira]

I have a inexpensive laptop which I use for uni work but even though I bought it brand new and not that long ago (about 18 months) it is slow and rubbish. It probably doesnt help that I don't have broadband at home and so can only access the internet via my phone (can't get broadband due to the property I live in) but it is just so shit I can't get anything done!

I seriously spend probably about 25%-50% of the time I'm supposed to be working just trying to wait for the thing to load/waiting for programs to start working again after they randomly stop working, reconnecting the internet signal after it randomly disconnects etc etc.

I'm just so fed up of it. Trouble is, I don't have a lot of money at the moment as I'm just about to finish my temporary contract at work and although I have another job lined up its not guaranteed.

So wibu to get another one and spend some of the valuable money I have on a replacement that actually works so I can actually do my assignments? I'm thinking of going to somewhere like CEX so I can at least exchange it and get some of the money off another one (rather than get a brand new one).

I know I probably could take it to someone to get it fixed but tbh I can't see it getting much better since its been terrible ever since I first got it, and I need something to do my work on fast!

[user1477282676]

Why is it slow? It's probably something that's fixable...something you've downloaded or something.

[sirfredfredgeorge]

A new laptop will not solve the internet problems, or indeed likely much else. Take it to cafe - connect to wifi, is it fine there - it probably will be, if it is the computer won't do anything. It doesn't sound like it would be a sensible use of money to buy another computer.

You would've had to make a particularly bad decision 18months ago to get one which is too slow to do anything.

[NeedMoreSleepOrSugar]

If it's only 18 months old it probably just needs cleaned up (delete files and programmes you don't use etc) and defragged. Simple and free to do - I'd suggest you try that first. I regularly use an 8 year old laptop for work and it's fine as long as it's kept "tidy".

[Allthewaves]

What sirFred said

[NeedMoreSleepOrSugar]

Also check for bloatware that may be on the laptop from when you bought it if you haven't already - many high street stores and brands put the biggest load of rubbish on machines that do little more than slow them down!

[SharkiraSharkira]

It has been defragged and 'cleaned up' recently and everything not essential deleted - doesn't make any difference it is still slow!

It has always been like this right from the start. I don't know if it might be ok if I had a wifi connection but I have taken it to cafes and things and connected there and it still doesn't work very well. I don't tend to like working in cafes though as I find I can't concentrate very well if there is noise/music etc around me and sometimes it just isn't practical to lug all my books/folders etc that I need to the cafe/place either.

I just really need something that works well So frustrating to be doing work which is difficult anyway and then to have the stupid thing freezing all the time.

[Bailey101]

If the laptop is only 18 months old, it sounds like you're having software issues. Have you tried completely wiping it and reinstalling the OS? There might be something running in the background that's causing issues or mucking up the registry entries.

[YelloDraw]

Work in the uni library?

[antimatter]

What is the spec of your laptop?
Most important info would be to know how much RAM it has.

You can copy and paste it from your receipt, including make and model and I may be able to help you to understand what's going on with slowness. I won't be able to help with internet access :)

What I mean is that you may have to spend a bit of money on it without having to replace the whole laptop.

[SherlockPotter]

I've reserved one from Argos... it's £180! It's a netbook I think (it's 11.6in) and I get Office 365 from university for free. I've had mine over 2.5years but I got it through my DSA, so getting it repaired is more complicated than normal. I finish uni in May so I don't see the point in sending it off. I might as well buy a cheap one!

[Newtssuitcase]

It is far more likely to be slow because you are using your phone rather than a broadband connection.

[FinallyHere]

Have a look at how much RAM, or memory, is installed. It is very likely that you can upgrade this. Its not too difficult to do yourself, if you go about it methodically and watch lots of y-tube videos first.

There are lots of sites which when you connect to them over the internet, will diagnose how much RAM you have i stalled and what you could do to upgrade it. If your computer has been cleaned out recently, but is still sluggish, it is very likely that it is having to move lots of things in and out of memory.

www.pcworld.com/article/2957195/components/how-to-install-new-memory-in-your-pc.html
Other retail outlets are available, try google "add ram to my laptop...."

[wannabestressfree]

If you got it through DSA they will look at it. My son has one with them. You are wasting money buying another one...

[PizzaPlease]

If the actual laptop is slow then that has nothing to do with her using her phone for the Internet. Is everything up to date, everything swept and checked? If so then back up your data and try resetting to factory, see if that helps (you would need to do that for somewhere like cex anyway). If that really doesn't help then of course replace it if needs must. If you don't feel like you can drop the full amount of money at once check out very, they have a take 3 option where there is no interest for 3 months as long as you make the payments on time. You can still set aside the cash, but it could help with the job uncertainty. Cex is great but the warranty is limited, a year I think?

[SharkiraSharkira]

Balls, I was wondering if that was the case Newt. But it is still slow even when connected to wifi? No idea what the specs are really, Dp chose it as I am not technologically minded at all and haven't a clue where the receipt is!

Sadly my uni is about an hour's drive away so I can't really go in just to use the computers. That's the other reason why I would prefer a new one as I have to cart it around with me on the train/bus and it is huge and heavy.

[SharkiraSharkira]

I can't get any sort of finance Pizza (bad credit)

What is DSA? Its not bought through the uni if that's what you mean, I get no assistance from the uni at all for stuff like that.

[idontlikealdi]

Broadband would be cheaper as at least you could pay it monthly and I'm sure it would be quicker. If you're using wifi in a cafe or somewhere it will be slower the more people that are hooked up.

[Sonders]

I think it'd be daft to buy a new laptop when you haven't done everything you can to improve the one you've got. Loads of good advice from PPs above!

[SwedishEdith]

What make and model no is it?

[DJBaggySmalls]

If you have a cheap laptop it might be struggling to run Windows 10. you dont need Windows 10. Look at Linux Ubuntu instead. Its much smaller and will take up less resources.
You can add Apache Open Office.

[SherlockPotter]

DSA - Disabled Students Allowance

I get support for my Dyslexia, the laptop was part of the support package but it runs on Windows 8 and is running slow now (it can't be upgraded)

[WeAllHaveWings]

if you are using Windows 10 go into/type "About my PC" which will take you to system settings and you can see and tell us the Windows version/processor/RAM/system type etc.

If you are not windows 10 google to find out how to do this on other versions.

my PC is 6 years old and still ok for internet/excel/word etc. 18months old doesn't seem that long unless it is a very low spec. What software packages are you using?

[SharkiraSharkira]

I can't get broadband in my property, if I could I definitely would as I'm sure it would help.

It does have windows 10 (I think) which I absolute hate but I have no idea how to uninstall it and/or install something else.

I'll talk to dp and ask him to help when he gets home.

[wannabestressfree]

Sorry Shakira I thought you said you got it with DSA. I apologise...
To the lady that did and it lagging it's worth getting in touch with them as they will generally help or have a look at it.

[SharkiraSharkira]

It's ok, ah yeah I see no I don't have a disability so I don't get the dsa.