Looking for a cheap laptop...

[cossack]

I need a laptop so I don't have to rely on internet cafes when I move overseas. I don't want anything hi-spec. Just something that I can connect to the internet to send emails and surf the web and run some basic applications on. I don't need a large HD or CDRW or high speed graphics, just a basic useable laptop.

The hotel where I will be staying initially has 90 minutes free internet connection a day in the price so it seems a shame to waste it!

Question is, as a laptop novice, what should I be looking for and where can I get it cheap?

[RomeoTangoFoxtrotMike]

Morgan's (http://www.morgan-computer.co.uk/) specialise in "end of line" type stock -- you should be able to pick up a reasonable spec machine fairly cheaply. Make sure that the model includes Windows (sometime it doesn't) -- 98se or Me will be perfectly adequate for your requirements.

HTH

[Tosh McCaber]

Depends on how cheap you want. Two months ago, Dabs Direct had brand new Toshiba and Compaq laptops for, just over, and just under, £700, inc VAT. Bought the Compaq. Great value.

Probably even cheaper now?

[Tosh McCaber]

Actually, now I've checked, it was actually just over £600!

It's now down to £587. (Compaq 1015v from Dabs.com)

[cossack]

RTFM and Tosh

Many thanks, I'll take a look at both.

[newswatcher]

Cossack, don't be too gullible!

http://www.thisismoney.com/20030429/ht62275_s.html

[cossack]

newswatcher
I think that the info given above is all above board and having done a bit of searching, the product that has been recommended by Tosh is widely available, at several reputable dealers at the price he states.

Thanks for the warning though. What appears to be too good to be true, usually is!

[newswatcher]

Cossack, have no problem with the info given, have made several purchases from Dabs myself, although not familiar with Morgans.

Only posted because it was coincidental that this piece had appeared at the weekend, reference lap-top purchases. Also for those not as erudite as your good self!

NB I notice that PC World are offering this for £603.

[RomeoTangoFoxtrotMike]

Haven't bought much from Morgans myself, but one big advantage is that they have real shops, so you can actually see the goods before you buy :)

[Capt. Horatio Slappy !!]

Hi,

I used to buy only Dell laptops but their top of the range stuff was getting a little too expensive. I short-listed 24 different notebook manufacturers while looking for a replacement for my Dell Inspiron 8100 and narrowed my search down to one manufacturer:

www.pro-star.com

They are bound to have exactly what you are looking for and are about 30 percent cheaper than Dell while offering the same warranty and in most cases, superior speed and parts.

I just bought one of them and can report that it exceeded all my expectations, it wasn't the top of their line but it was close to the top :-)
Intel P4 2.53 Ghz cpu
512 meg pc2100 ram
533 FSB
15 inch UXGA display
40 gigabyte ( 4200 rpm fast hd )
dvd/cdrw combo drive
64 meg ATI radeon 9000 mobility grafix
Windows XP home
and 3 year warranty

All for $1800.00 including shipping. Pretty sure you can pick up exactly what you need for under a grand.

Good Luck !

Per pukus from alcolicum to alcolicum

[tacpot]

E-bay would be my first choice for this sort of thing. I'd recommend a minimum of Pentium 166Mhz and 64Mb RAM for a very basic machine to run Windows 98SE. Check that it includes a working battery, but as batteries deteriorate over time, don't assume that you will get very long battery life out of it.

A lot of laptops had either the floppy drive or CD-ROM drive external to the machine, so make sure you are getting the drives AND connecting cables you expect/need as part of the deal.

Check also how you will plug into the Hotel's Internet access - it is via Ethernet, look for someone selling a bundle that includes a 10Mbps PCMCIA Ethernet card, or for a laptop that has a built in ethernet port (these were rare until fairly recently - expect to pay over £300 to get a laptop with a built in ethernet port). USB ports on a laptop are very useful.

Just don't buy a Sony...


(And let us know what you buy and and what price)

[amanoffewwords]

I bought my first PC (486) from Morgans 15 years or so ago and just recently bought a Toshiba laptop from them (delivered next day for a tenner :ok: )

They haven't changed one bit over the years - brilliant then, brilliant now. Their stock changes constantly so you need to keep an eye on their site as some of the better stuff flies out in a blink of an eye.

I have also been using Dabs for a few years now - good service/prices though on this last point I sometimes find that www.insight.com/uk can be remarkably cheaper.

Newswatcher's insinuations are wrong as well as bordering on being libelous IMHO - is there a lawyer in the house?

And I wouldn't get anything less than XP as support for 98SE will eventually be phased out in due course by Microsoft - new Windows version due 2005 or possibly earlier so earlier releases will be laid to rest..

[Cornish Jack]

Rather surprised that nobody has mentioned the various computer fairs as a source - certainly for s/h machines. I use Tolworth regularly (3rd Sunday each month) but you can check your nearest 'local' on the britishcomputerfairs website. Excellent way of seeing what's available, all in the one place and the prices are usually quite competitive.

[newswatcher]

amanoffewwords,

Not sure where you are coming from. I agreed with DABS, and said I had no experience of Morgans, so where are the litigious comments? Damned if I can see them!!!! :confused:

The news report referred to "dubious" internet-only sites.

[Capt. Horatio Slappy !!]

Hi,

The F.O. I'm pared with this month is selling his laptop, it's a COMPAQ PRESARIO

Intel Pentium 3 ( mobile ) 600 Hz CPU
64 meg ram ( expandable )
6 gig Hardrive ( expandable )
14.1 Inch screen
8 meg ATI onboard grafix
onboard sound
Floppy drive
CD-ROM
onboard 56k modem
External mini PCI 10/100 mbps LAN card
Windows 98 SE
( Bundled Software, Works )
Power supply + All cables
Carry case

He will pay 2nd day Air shipping to anywhere in the world, only wants $500.00

Contact me if interested and I will pass it on:

[email protected]

[cossack]

Thanks for the offer Capt!
I've already ordered the Compaq 1015v mentioned earlier.
I await its arrival eagerly!
Thanks all for your help and advice, I'm sure I'll return here to get advice on how best to run it!

[phnuff]

I would recommend ebay - recently brought young phnuff an IBM thinkpad, 64 mb raM and (I think), 5 gb hard drive for £250 from there. Havnt been able to get near it since I gave it to her!!

Edited by phnuff - "Oh I see you already got one. Good luck with it"

[cossack]

It's arrived and seems pretty good so far!
I'm in the middle of transferring all my files and programs across and am writing this on it, so I must be doing OK.
Thanks all for your help.
A happy cossack
Not long now...