Buying a netbook/laptop...

Napoleon Plural

Hi, I wonder if I could pick your collective brains about laptops.

My flatmate is selling their Dell Latitude D600. I've never owned a PC, I am a saddo who hangs around internet cafes or logs in when the boss isn't looking.

Anyway, this Dell is 7 years old but does have good reviews.

http://www.itreviews.co.uk/hardware/h478.htm

I see one is going for £100 ish on eBay. So is that a fair price to offer? Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter or is able to warn me off? I always fancied a netbook myself (Samsung are good) but they're around £300 minimum.

Thunderbird 2

Hi NP

(I love it when we have posts next door because of out icon pics!)

Anyway - You can get a good brand new laptop, or sometimes reconditioned ones for as little as £300 - £400, including Dell who are a good reputable make, or Toshiba (my own laptop.)

A laptop that is 7 years old might be ok to a degree, but if starting afresh as you are, I'd be inclined to spend a bit more for a more recent model. Its system and components will be more up to date.

Netbooks - a variation on Apple's IPad idea in a sense. If you are always running around and can put up with a computer the size of a purse, its fine. - However it won't have a CD tray, so bye - bye disk back ups, and no DVD disk player ability. If you use a portable hard drive with video files though that knocks that problem squarely on the head!.

Personally, I prefer a laptop, ok its bigger, but its the best option I find in having the best of both worlds.

In the end it does depend on how you will use it, and what for.

WARNING! - I strongly advise having a look at some laptops face to screen and speaking to anyone you know who is a boffin face to face too. - A friend or private professional computer expert who either runs their own business, or someone who works for IT in a company using a lot of computer systems. - I have a few friends who are professional Boffins, and they know their stuff. Chain retailers of Computer equipment are not the best people to ask in my experience - they are always looking for the best sale!

Napoleon Plural

Thunderbird 2 wrote:

Hi NP

(I love it when we have posts next door because of out icon pics!)

) I see what you mean!

Get advice from someone in the know and it always puts you back a bit because it complicates things. On the other hand, you can go with something that looks good and only later find out down the line that it's missing such and such a thing. So if Netbooks has no CD, zilch, that's a big no no. So thanks for the advice.

Thunderbird 2

You're most welcome, and Anytime!

minigeff

if no cd/dvd in a netbook puts you off, consider an external drive like the cubez. its plug and play, no drivers needed!