Can you help me buy a laptop please?

[ABriefHistoryOfThyme]

I’m clueless and the complicated choice has overwhelmed me.

I need really basic and idiot proof. Really just office - word and excel and access to Google docs. That’s about it really. I have iPad for Netflix, shopping and socials.

any suggestions or links would be much appreciated

great. my thread title looks like a begging which I’m not at all sorry

I love the super simple Lenovo Ideapad. I think they have a ThinkPad too now. About £200, with windows 10. I love it for writing, doing the accounts and watching YouTube. Lightweight. I've had one for near on 10 years and it has served me well 👍

That’s great. Thanks. I’ll look at those

I too need a new laptop. I have been told that you have to be careful because some of them are basically useless without a WiFi connection. I don't have WiFi in my flat and I don't want it. I have been happily using my laptop to do lots of stuff I want then if I need to go online I can take it to a cafe or a library or something.

I bought my laptop from Aldi supermarket several years ago and it has served me well. They only had them in there once though which is a pity.

I have no idea if the Lenovo Ideapad is one of the ones that can be used without WiFi and I don't know how I can find out.

What is your budget? I personally would not go anywhere near a Lenovo. HP do some really good midrange priced ones.
Laptops don’t tend to have word, excel ie. Microsoft software installed you have to purchase access to Office 365. However Office 365 requires internet access.
if you want to work offline without Internet you would need to download the actual Microsoft software or load it from a disc.

This one is ok if you don’t need much storage and are happy with a smaller screen. It also comes with a year free office 365
https://www.currys.co.uk/products/hp-14sdq2507na-14-laptop-intel-core-i3-128-gb-ssd-silver-10222268.html

or this one for more storage and larger screen but more expensive
https://www.currys.co.uk/products/hp-pavilion-14dv2504sa-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-512-gb-ssd-silver-10240197.html

Really depends on your budget - hope that helps

I got a HP Stream 11 last year and it's just for doing my uni work (office, excel and internet) and it's great, does everything I need with no issues.

Curry's have it for £179 just now and that includes a years free Microsoft subscription.

www.currys.co.uk/products/hp-stream-11ak0515sa-11-laptop-intel-celeron-64-gb-emmc-white-10235996.html

We need to know if the op will always have internet connection - if so the HP stream would do the job as storage would be via the cloud.

I have MacBook Air. I hate PCs and always find Apple laptop much more reliable.

Will probs only use at home so wifi is ok. I have office 365 attached to gestating business.

I have office on iPad too but that’s linked to my personal email and account so it gets confused which is totally annoying.

busget is as anal as poss as I literally only need it for website, email and office stuff.

small as poss not anal. That would be weird

Dells are very reliable though not that cheap. Lenovos aren’t the most reliable.

avoid MacBooks. They used to be great but have gone seriously downhill in the last few years. And they are very expensive for what they are.

Have a look on Laptops Direct. You can get a higher spec model for a cheaper price.

I also had no idea but there is an independent office and computer shop near me and they sold me an Acer which has been brilliant. It came loaded with Word, Office, etc and if I have any problems they will sort them out for me. So I would recommend getting friendly with your local techie shop.

@ABriefHistoryOfThyme

Wbat did you choose in the end?

DD needs a new laptop that supports word as her chrome book no longer supports this.

I have an Acer chromebook that was pretty cheap (i bought it two years ago and I think it was about £170). I'm very pleased with it, it does all you mention in your post and it is incredibly simple and idiot proof to use, like a tablet with a keyboard basically.

I keep going back to Dell. Their ordering system walks you through step by step and each selection has an information icon so you can understand what you are choosing and why. They also have live chat if you have questions. It starts with what do you want it to do? I have everything from one for simple on-line shopping to a very high end one for work and each does exactly what it was selected for.

Have you got word on it?
Ours says chrome no longer supports word.

I use Word daily on it - you have to access it using the browser, I have access to online office 365 through work and you can use it through there.

I bought a reconditioned laptop. Problem is, it doesn't seem to have a new battery in it. I have to recharge it every day, even though the WiFi and Bluetooth are off most of the time. I didn't think it wouldn't have a new battery in it. After all, what would 'reconditioned' mean if it doesn't mean a new battery? They gave it a wipe down with a damp cloth?

So my advice is steer clear of reconditioned laptops. Another problem I have with it is that it wants to restart and update often. This takes a while, and then it says it was unable to update so it is removing files. This takes time too. It means I can't use it when I want to.

I think specifics would help processor, an i5 or higher and at least 8gb. That's what I look for rather than make or model. Those specs will see you ok for a few years. An i3 or lower will be holding you back when regular updates come out. I.like CEX for 2nd hand.

Do you tend to add word once you have bought a laptop?

DD had a chrome book and doesn't get on with the 'browser word' she can use on it. (think that's the right term).
She would like a different laptop for uni next year that she can get the proper word on.

I have no clue.

What would be a decent processor and Ram?
Still looking for one for uni
Thanks