Aggghhh - Laptop died!

Shaun · 03-09-2011, 10:45

My trusty Sony Vaio died yesterday.

Well I say died, it looks like it's the screen, rather than the rest of it.

I'm gonig ot have to buy a new one, but I'm not a high end gamer so not looking for top of the range.

What's good on the market now for around the Â£300 to Â£400 mark?

I've not kept up with processor speeds/models since I bought my last laptop so feel a little adrift at the thought of buying a new one.

Any good advice? Anyone seen any good roundup reviews recently?

Kymmy · 03-09-2011, 11:46

Moved to the correct IT forum

Dai · 03-09-2011, 13:26

I've supplied a couple of Acer lappies to clients recently.

http://www.ebuyer.com/268391-acer-as...p-lx-r9702-072

The build quality and 'feel' of the machines seems good although I don't think they would stand the sort of bumping around that a sales rep would give them in the car. Having said that, they are fast and responsive and the keyboard seems nice to use.

If you are just planning to use it at home I'd say this is worth considering.

qasdfdsaq · 03-09-2011, 14:11

I've been dealing with Acer laptops for a good 7 or 8 years now and they've had some good and bad models. In general they're good value, but not particularly robust in my opinion - not poor, but as Dai says, wouldn't stand too much bashing.

Far as your Sony is concerned, if it's just the screen that's broken why not just replace the screen instead of the whole thing?

idi banashapan · 03-09-2011, 15:12

a good way to test if it is just the screen would be to plug in an external monitor.

Dai · 03-09-2011, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

I've been dealing with Acer laptops for a good 7 or 8 years now and they've had some good and bad models. In general they're good value, but not particularly robust in my opinion - not poor, but as Dai says, wouldn't stand too much bashing.

I chose the first one for a customer largely on the strength of your recommendation. I was overall quite impressed so I stuck with Acer for the second purchase. Two happy campers so far, which is nice.

Shaun · 11-09-2011, 10:06

Well after trying everything I could think of I think it was the integrated graphics card as the machine wouldn't output to an external monitor or go past POST by the sound of it.

In the end I replaced it with a Samsung S3520 from PCWorld which was the best deal I could find for a laptop with these specs.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/samsun...83827-pdt.html

Cost me Â£450 after cashback so not too bad.

An expense I could have one without but the new laptop is very shiny and fast so not all bad.

I can't believe how cool it runs too compared with the old Sony!

Thanks for the advice guys

Wayfair · 15-09-2011, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

I've supplied a couple of Acer lappies to clients recently.

http://www.ebuyer.com/268391-acer-as...p-lx-r9702-072

The build quality and 'feel' of the machines seems good although I don't think they would stand the sort of bumping around that a sales rep would give them in the car. Having said that, they are fast and responsive and the keyboard seems nice to use.

If you are just planning to use it at home I'd say this is worth considering.

Mine came yesterday, well impressed, Thanks Dai..

dragon · 17-09-2011, 00:17

It's amazing how cheap laptops have become in the past year or so.

Can get a dual core machine, 3GB+ of ram with at least a 250GB hard-drive and still get change from Â£300

They'll be giving them away with the cornflakes next

qasdfdsaq · 17-09-2011, 11:34

Well they did give them away with broadband packages and mobile contracts...

That said I paid Â£1450 for my last laptop

dragon · 17-09-2011, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

Well they did give them away with broadband packages and mobile contracts...

That said I paid Â£1450 for my last laptop

Never did understand how they get away with calling it a free laptop when the monthly cost of the contact was usually double the one without the "free" laptop for the same usage limits/dongle