Hi there,
My current laptop of 7 years is on it's last legs (overheating, switching off, struggling with pretty much everything) so I'm in need of a replacement. I've spent the last few weeks doing research and I just can't seem to find anything to fit my needs and be within my budget. So I could really do with some help.
My budget is about £700/750 (around $1200 I think).
I'd be using it for the usual sort of stuff - browsing, office stuff, music, watching videos, a little bit of web design, some moderate/light gaming (usually older games) etc. However, due to illness I'm currently housebound, so my laptop is even more crucial than ever as it keeps me connected to the outside world and provides a huge amount of my entertainment.
The specs I'm ideally after:
15 inch
1920x1080 resolution
i5/i7 processor
6/8GB RAM
500GB HD (would prefer an SSD but with my budget I'm guessing that be pushing it)
Cool or light, as it'd be used on my lap most of the time.
Really I'd like something that will perform well as I'm sick of my super-slow current laptop, and that I won't have to replace in a couple of years.
I'd looked at models like the Lenovo Flex 2 - http/www.amazon.co.uk/Lenovo-15-6-inch-Multimode-Touchscreen-Notebook/dp/B00LLE6I3M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1408547505&sr=8-3&keywords=lenovo+flex+2 but read some reviews saying that it had a useless keyboard and trackpad, plus the build quality is pretty terrible. Also issues with the wireless connectivity. I'd also looked at some other Lenovo's, an HP and a Toshiba Satellite, but all of these seemed to have some fairly major flaws. I realise for the money I'm willing to pay I may be expecting too much but just really want to get it right.
The other option I'm considering is sacrificing some of those specs and getting a less powerful laptop and combining it with some form of tablet. The problem with that is I'm not sure if I really NEED a tablet. I've read a fair amount of people saying that for general home use a tablet is a good option now, and I like the idea of one.. but that may just be because it'd be new and different, and the novelty factor would wear off quickly, leaving me with something that wouldn't be up to the requirements I need.
I've even done some looking at hybrid laptops, mostly the new Asus Transformer Flip TP550, which seemed to fit the bill perfectly - http/computerpirates.co.uk/asus-tp500ln-dn064h-tp500ln-dn064h.html but is, unfortunately, a bit over budget.
So if anyone could offer their expert opinions on a possible laptop for me, or whether a laptop/tablet combination would be more suitable, or even the hybrid option, that'd be great. Feel free to tell me I don't need a certain spec or should get some extra I've missed out, I'm a bit out of my depth so all advice is welcomed Just any opinions or advice at all would be hugely appreciated!
Thanks very much!
- Andy
My current laptop of 7 years is on it's last legs (overheating, switching off, struggling with pretty much everything) so I'm in need of a replacement. I've spent the last few weeks doing research and I just can't seem to find anything to fit my needs and be within my budget. So I could really do with some help.
My budget is about £700/750 (around $1200 I think).
I'd be using it for the usual sort of stuff - browsing, office stuff, music, watching videos, a little bit of web design, some moderate/light gaming (usually older games) etc. However, due to illness I'm currently housebound, so my laptop is even more crucial than ever as it keeps me connected to the outside world and provides a huge amount of my entertainment.
The specs I'm ideally after:
15 inch
1920x1080 resolution
i5/i7 processor
6/8GB RAM
500GB HD (would prefer an SSD but with my budget I'm guessing that be pushing it)
Cool or light, as it'd be used on my lap most of the time.
Really I'd like something that will perform well as I'm sick of my super-slow current laptop, and that I won't have to replace in a couple of years.
I'd looked at models like the Lenovo Flex 2 - http/www.amazon.co.uk/Lenovo-15-6-inch-Multimode-Touchscreen-Notebook/dp/B00LLE6I3M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1408547505&sr=8-3&keywords=lenovo+flex+2 but read some reviews saying that it had a useless keyboard and trackpad, plus the build quality is pretty terrible. Also issues with the wireless connectivity. I'd also looked at some other Lenovo's, an HP and a Toshiba Satellite, but all of these seemed to have some fairly major flaws. I realise for the money I'm willing to pay I may be expecting too much but just really want to get it right.
The other option I'm considering is sacrificing some of those specs and getting a less powerful laptop and combining it with some form of tablet. The problem with that is I'm not sure if I really NEED a tablet. I've read a fair amount of people saying that for general home use a tablet is a good option now, and I like the idea of one.. but that may just be because it'd be new and different, and the novelty factor would wear off quickly, leaving me with something that wouldn't be up to the requirements I need.
I've even done some looking at hybrid laptops, mostly the new Asus Transformer Flip TP550, which seemed to fit the bill perfectly - http/computerpirates.co.uk/asus-tp500ln-dn064h-tp500ln-dn064h.html but is, unfortunately, a bit over budget.
So if anyone could offer their expert opinions on a possible laptop for me, or whether a laptop/tablet combination would be more suitable, or even the hybrid option, that'd be great. Feel free to tell me I don't need a certain spec or should get some extra I've missed out, I'm a bit out of my depth so all advice is welcomed Just any opinions or advice at all would be hugely appreciated!
Thanks very much!
- Andy