Advice please - need to buy a new pc around £300 so probably laptop but which one?

[Polgara2]

Our old desktop only works when it feels like it so thought would replace while the sales are on.

Looking at laptops because I thought they might be better value? But am now getting confuddled by which processor and brand of laptop I actually need! And am getting desperate.

Has anyone spotted any good deals out there? Don't make these purchases very often so don't want to buy a dud.

We use mainly or browsing, office and photos

Thanks

[CruelAndUnusualParenting]

I picked that Lenovo mostly for the Core i3 processor, but Win 7 is a nice bonus.

I recently bought an HP laptop. Although it was good value for the money in most respects, I has issues with it's wifi and the plastic case seems a bit flimsy.

[1sassylassy]

HP pavillions are known for their poor fans and tendency to overheat,although they may have improved since I last bought one 3 years ago,that lasted 16 months before the fan went kaput.

[Polgara2]

Thanks - didn't know Debenhams sold computers! Have you picked that one because of the win 7 part? There is the same model with win 8 I notice.

Are hp any good these days - I notice pcw have a hp pavilion with i5 processor in the sale also.

[CruelAndUnusualParenting]

Lenovo have a good reputation. I would probably spend a bit more and get this Lenovo with a Core i3 Processor and Windows 7. If I've read the spec right it comes with Windows 7 preinstalled and Windows 8 disk, so you can upgrade when/if you decide you want Windows 8.

[Polgara2]

Lots of useful info there thanks so much! Will go and digest.

I was looking at pcworld only because can get £25 off with dd1 O2 priority moments!

But will of course check prices everywhere before any purchase.

I am determined to get something this weekend

[NorthernLebkuchen]

I bought the Acer one linked a week ago. So far very happy with it. Battery life is good. Windows 8 is driving me a bit mad but I think I just need to actually do some research on how to do things.

[unlucky83]

Just been having a look at which laptop reviews for you - agree don't touch the Advent! These exact models aren't reviewed -well a Lenovo G505s is - has a good score then they say there are better budget laptops available -but not which one!
So looking at the brands you mention, Which ask customers for their opinion. They all (except Advent -2 stars) get 3 stars ... Asus come 2nd after Apple (Apple get 4 stars - a big difference - always makes me , think if you pay Apple prices you are going to be inclined to think it was worth the money!)
Anyway scores are close
Reliability - Asus, Toshiba, Acer, Lenovo (66-57%),
Customer score - Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Toshiba (75-65%) ...
In the best buy tables there really isn't much difference for these brands in your price range ...
You could get a Which subscription and check it out (think they do a trial for £1 - I have the full thing £8 per month and I keep meaning to cancel...then forget) - also look for reviews on line of your favourites ...
I think I'd head down to PC world and have a look which you like the best! (Don't necessarily buy there ...have a look and then check the prices and reviews online!) Also be aware - some don't have bluetooth (which I now love to transfer the odd photo from phone to laptop) - and one budget (an Asus? might be Acer) didn't have a DVD drive (can plug in an external one but that might be important to you)...
Good Luck...
BTW I don't like Lenovo - DPs old netbook developed a problem with the screen hinges -(was second hand, so cheap) found online it was a common problem from being a year or so old and Lenovo were less than helpful. I have a Samsung I like, no problems for 2 years previously had a Dell (but was a business one -not cheap) lasted for 10yrs -couldn't be further upgraded but case/screen etc withstood being chucked in my 'handbag' and bashed around!

[1sassylassy]

Its personal opinion,I have seen some good things written about Toshiba laptops,especially on MN but nothing good recently,I certainly have never considered Toshiba a premium brand.Thisblog.laptopmag.com/best-worst-notebook-brands-2013/3 survey confirms that

[Polgara2]

Is it worth paying more for the likes of a toshiba btw?

[Polgara2]

Xpost 1sassy.

That's the info I need too. We had an acer desktop which I haven't liked but just couldn't decide if it was me! Had no idea if asus was good or not.

[Polgara2]

Yes I agree - I was leaning towards a laptop for its versatility ( plugging in keyboard etc when in its 'home' place as you both say.) It's just the spec and price if the desktop that is now making me dither again!

[1sassylassy]

Out of the laptops you link too,I would consider either the asus or the lenovo,in personal opinion the lenovo due to the fact I,m typing this on an AMD lenovo laptop but that is my personal opinion,,somebody else will maybe come along and tell you its crap,

In all the reliability surveys I,ve seen asus and lenovo are always in the top half,acer seem to be a marmite brand,you either love them or hate them and I,ve seen more complaints about Advent than any other brand.

[unlucky83]

Sorry cross post as I contemplated why I don't like desktops and realised I have an odd relationship with my computer...
At home for work I have my laptop on a 'monitor' shelf on my desk and an external keyboard and mouse plugged in - I do lots of spreadsheets so find laptop keyboards/trackpads less suitable/comfortable ...
Then if I am browsing the web etc I will take my laptop and sit on the sofa or in bed...

[unlucky83]

Was thinking about this and I might have issues ...I would hate to go away for more than a couple of days and not be able to access my files...(not keen on cloud storage/remote access ...)
I've had a PC for the last 20 yrs and always had laptops (did have a desktop as well once -a friend gave me but I only used it really as a glorified typewriter). But then I have always done work at/from home (and have more than one iron in the fire eg used to do research and my partners accounts) - my last job I got a new laptop that I could connect to the servers at work ...and I take it if I am visiting my family (we stay for a couple of weeks) ...my personal life is on my computer too ...shopping lists, packing lists, to do lists...even with google calendar and a smart phone I am nearly surgically attached to my hard drive ! - so anything but a laptop is out of the question for me! (And it is my laptop - no-one else can use it -work confidentiality etc not just me having an overly close relationship with it )
DP has a netbook he shared with DDs until I got DD1 her own laptop
Desktops are good though ...with all the advantages pointed out by 1sassy ...unless you are overly attached like I am!

[1sassylassy]

You can plug in a mouse to a laptop ,you dont have to use the trackpad.

[Polgara2]

Yes that's the one. Well it is a replacement for family desktop but dc are teens with laptops and tablets etc so they're not that bothered! I was thinking laptop so I don't have to buy extra monitor etc as none come with them these days do they? And the portability would be handy for me and dh BUT dh does like a mouse and keyboard rather than trackball etc.

[1sassylassy]

Unless you actually need a laptop,I would go with the desktop,more durability,tend to live longer and far easier to upgrade/replace components if needed.I think its this one you mean,very similar spec to my laptop which has done everything I,ve asked it to do at a very quick speed.

If its going to be a family PC, then I always go for a desktop,no chance of getting knocked off a table,it cant be taken to bedrooms and less chance of drinks being spilled onto vital parts.

[Polgara2]

www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/lenovo-g505-a6-15-6-laptop-21707557-pdt.html

www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/advent-torino-x700-15-6-laptop-21646965-pdt.html

www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-e1-570-15-6-laptop-21743676-pdt.html

www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/asus-x551ca-sx024h-15-6-laptop-21707561-pdt.html

Or aforementioned desktop medion e4059 (amd a8 1tb 8ram)

Hopefully that works now!

[Polgara2]

Oops clearly not mastered links yet sorry am on iPad so have to start again

[Polgara2]

Thanks all this is really helpful

So if was choosing between say these :

www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/lenovo-g505-a6-15-6-laptop-21707557-pdt.html

www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/advent-torino-x700-15-6-laptop-21646965-pdt.html

www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/asus-x551ca-sx024h-15-6-laptop-21707561-pdt.html

www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-e1-570-15-6-laptop-21743676-pdt.html

Or the aforementioned median e4059 desktop

Which would be best?

Thanks again

[1sassylassy]

I bought an AMD A6 desktop last year for a family pc and was so impressed with it that stayed with AMD when buying a laptop for myself.

[unlucky83]

Sorry don't know much about processors - I have Core i5 but a couple of years old...(Computer I wanted was same spec/model etc but Core i3 - mine came from PC world - it was on special offer and the i5 was cheaper than the i3 anywhere - including PC World - and it was the latest i5 ! )
If you go for 4GB ram (that can be upgraded)....then pretty sure a 1TB hard drive for a laptop is around £50 (obviously you might have to pay to get it fitted/op system reinstalled etc - unless you can do it yourself) so if you start running out of space it isn't that expensive to go bigger...
Other things if you are using it as a desktop replacement get a bigger screen (15inch min) - or get an external monitor and go for smaller if you want it to be more portable...
And enough USBs or get a decent hub - so you can attach external mouse and keyboard if you want (unless you go wireless - you might only need one receiver for both).

[CruelAndUnusualParenting]

I really don't know much about the AMD CPUs, but a little Googling suggests that the a4 and a6 aren't as good as the i3. The Pentium definitely won't be as good as the i3.

If you are stretching for a better processor, look to see if you can find an i5 in your price range. If the i5 is too expensive the i3 is probably the one to get.

[Polgara2]

Ok so which is the better processor - I have seen amd a4, amd a6 or intel i3 in my price range (ooh and maybe pentium g2030?)

Thanks very much

[CruelAndUnusualParenting]

4GB RAM and 500MB disk should be plenty for most people.

As prices are always dropping, best value comes from buying the RAM and disk you need now and upgrading when (if) you need to, rather than buying more now. The CPU is the the hardest bit to upgrade, so if you are going to spend more for "future proofing", spend it on a better CPU, not RAM or disk.