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@kentmonkey I think for that price, you're looking at an entry level Chromebook. Although I have no idea about SharePoint on those. How is she with Google Docs etc? Edited by Dougs at 07:16:59 08-01-2020 |
Recommend a laptop! • Page 5
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Dougs 100,414 posts
Seen 14 hours ago
Registered 18 years ago -
I've had a couple of Chromebooks. At the budget price point they are all about the same spec and performance. Build quality may vary with some being more plasticky or having slightly worse screens. 4gb ram is preferable to 2gb.
They obviously work best when online all the time although you can work offline too by installing browser extensions. Some CBs can install apps from the Google store.
Google docs really chugs when editing documents longer than 50 pages. Budget CBs are acceptable for light work but not exactly a pleasure to use, though not are they terrible. -
Daz190uk 463 posts
Seen 10 hours ago
Registered 10 years agoI bought one of these for £629 in the Currys Black Friday sale: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-14-ce3520sa-14-laptop-intel-core-i7-512-gb-ssd-silver-10198863-pdt.html
It's not my primary gaming machine, have a desktop for that, but wanted an all rounder where I could also do some light gaming on the sofa.
I have been hugely impressed - the MX 250 is actually pretty capable.
I would say it's base X1/PS4 level and, sometimes, better. I can run Destiny 2 at 720p at 60fps for example. It would do 1080p at 30 fps with ease if I wanted it too. For more CPU demanding strategy games etc it runs really well.
Quite amazing really. -
@Dougs she's never used Google docs, but uses office at work and OpenOffice at home, so should be able to go between them fairly comfortably.
The Cloudbooks can be had for a similar price for similar specs, but you seem to trade off better compatibility (with USB/SD card devices, so we could plug the camera in on holiday and get photos off of it, whereas the Chromebook probably couldn't) and printing etc. But you then have to use the MS store for apps/programs rather than Google, and it wouldn't interface so well with her Google calendar, etc. -
@rice_sandwich that's helpful. Most things she'd be working on would be no more than 20 pages, but there will be the odd occasion where she'd get a 50-80 pager to work on.
I've heard that about the screens -Chromebooks mostly have poor screens it seems, especially at the budget level. -
@kentmonkey
Yes, you pretty much get what you pay for. The screens are not amazing but are usable. The mouse pads on the CBs I've used have not been great and the keyboards are ok. I see that Argos / PC World have a fairly wide range, though most cost more than you're looking to pay.
The main advantage is that they are simple to use and easy to reset if they get messed up. You don't have to bother about Windows updates, drivers etc. For web browsing and simple office stuff they are a perfectly serviceable option. If cheap CBs were a game they'd get 6/10. -
@rice_sandwich thanks and I think the latter point is a good one... That's good though for what she needs.
The most important thing is for it to be quick and hassle free. She's not the least bit technical and will throw anything my way as soon as it needs updating or confirming. So simple over specs for her (there's a joke about me in there somewhere).
I'll pop into the local Curry's at the weekend and try out a couple of entry level Chromebooks, and possibly a Cloudbook as well, and then order or from AO or John Lewis. 😄 -
Singularity 3,282 posts
Seen 22 hours ago
Registered 18 years ago -
Singularity 3,282 posts
Seen 22 hours ago
Registered 18 years ago -
puddleduck 2,002 posts
Seen 1 day ago
Registered 14 years agoManaged to scour the Web search to find this thread and hoping some of you clever people can help!
I'm looking at getting a laptop but it's been so long since I've done anything outside of my console that I'm basically a moron on these things now!
I've been looking at this: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/form-view/optimusXI-pro-17/Optimus-Pro-Z-Exige-17/
With some changes like only 1 main 1tb SSD drive, changing the ram to 2666mhz, getting the better thermal paste it Ends up coming in at £1190. Which to my simple eyes compares well to most places like Currys, Ebuyer, Novatech etc...
Is anyone able to be really helpful and say if I'm basically putting bits together that will just bottleneck, or if I'm missing something stupid?
Much appreciated if you can! -
dfunked09 2,406 posts
Seen 55 minutes ago
Registered 1 year agoUnless you really really REALLY need a gaming laptop, just don't do it would be my advice.
Absolutely shit specs for the money you pay, and they'll be outdated with no upgrade options as soon as you but them. -
@dfunked09
Thanks for replying. I do get that if I want to compare performance a desktop will clearly be no comparison. It's really for when the TV is out of action so I can sit and play some good strategy games whilst not locking myself away for the day. Also adds in being able to head over to a mates house and the added portability when wanting to watch sport without having to always be hogging the main TV.
So I need a laptop as my last one has died after many years of good service and ideally I want it to be able to play games too.
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