Need a laptop

[winkywinkola]

but can't afford Apple!

I've just gone back to work on a freelance basis.

I'm a direct marketing account manager.

I need a laptop and printer so I can view lots of big PDF files as well as all the usual Office gubbins.

I'd love to be able to afford a MacBook or something but as I've just started out, I'd better stay realistic.

Any recommendations for the cheaper end of the market?

I would not even consider an Apple when you can get a REALLY nice HP or Toshiba for under £400

Unless you are doing a LOT of graphics work, Apple is a toy, PCs are work machines

www.johnlewis.com/toshiba-satellite-l50-b-1rc-laptop-intel-celeron-4gb-ram-1tb-15-6-black/p1613709

Wise grounding words. Thank you.

I've got a lovely HP notebook with a touchscreen. Frankly I think it looks more elegant than my colleague's MacBook and he's a bit jealous of me flipping round my screen.

Can I have a link?

www.johnlewis.com/hp-slatebook-14-p000na-android-laptop-nvidia-tegra-4-2gb-ram-32gb-emmc-14-touch-screen-yellow-and-silver/p1591569

Hi Winky good to see you moving forward after turning down the college gig, I was on your thread.

I (marketing freelancer too) needed to replace my previous Toshiba when DS dropped it on the floor! I find myself travelling around with my machine a lot, so had considered the airbook type machines...however they are a 'lite' on performance and space. So I went for www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Satellite-M50-A-11N-15-6-inch-Processor/dp/B00G4CBEIA which is very light for a high spec machine laptop.

When at home I use a remote keyboard & mouse and a stand for my laptop as it prevents me from hunching over www.amazon.co.uk/3M-MS90B-Adjustable-Monitor-Supports/dp/B000MK2Y2K/ref=sr_1_11?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1411152756&sr=1-11&keywords=computer+stand and it all really works for me. Only downside is Windows 8, but I am just getting used to it.

Oh and make sure you back up a lot as your machine will be everything to you! Thank goodness mine was backed up when it was dropped.

Good luck.

Ooooh Margot, you remember. Am touched!

Yes, I'm working again after ten years. I love it but I'm finding it hard with my ds3 aged 2 at home. I guess this will be the hardest stage, finding my way back into work and managing everything else too.

I'm hoping to be able to afford a cleaner and nursery one day!

I will look at your laptop advice too. Many thanks.