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alligator

20 posts

Geek


#83497 17-May-2011 22:49

Hi everyone,

After six years of heavy usage my Mac is on the blink. I'm a student and I can't afford to buy a replacement Mac, so I'm in the market for a Windows 7 notebook. I don't know much about computers, so the array of cheap notebooks quite confusing to me.

My absolute budget limit is $701 (I literally have $701 in my bank account). A netbook is too small for me as I do a lot of online research and a 10" screen involves too much scrolling up and down when reading PDF journal articles.

My minimum requirements are:


  • 13" screen

  • 320 GB hard drive

  • 2 GB RAM

  • Wifi (I have a b/g/n wifi router)


I use my computer for:


  • word processing

  • browsing the web (including YouTube)

  • lots of emailing

  • reading PDF files

  • iTunes-related activities (listening to music, renting movies, syncing with my iPod)

  • storing digital photos


I also use a Canon USB scanner and a Samsung USB laser printer. I don't do any gaming. I only work at my desk, so battery life doesn't matter.

I'm happy to consider any brand except Dell (two of my friends had problems getting replacement Dell power bricks). I need this computer quickly, so ideally it needs to be from a retailer who has a Dunedin presence, or can deliver to Dunedin within 48 hours.

Please can you advise the best notebook I can get for under $701? Look forward to receiving your advice! 

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wpcnz
94 posts

Master Geek


  #470336 17-May-2011 23:02
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Was also a macbook user for several years, had to downgrade recently to save some $$.. 

 

Bought a CQ56 from DSE and am happy with it. Was only around $550 during their recent 20% off sale

 

Not sure of the current price of it, but let me know if you want more details/reviews of the machine. 



alligator

20 posts

Geek


  #470430 18-May-2011 11:10

Thanks wpcnz and l43a2 for your advice.

I've gone with the cheapest Compaq Presario I could find, the CQ56-103TU from Dick Smith for $550. Looks like it'll do the job, and it means I've got cash left over to buy the $99 student download version of Office (something I hadn't thought about last night).

Cheers! 



vexxxboy
4243 posts

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  #470432 18-May-2011 11:25
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maybe to late but playtech have a hp notebook with better specs for $699


http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139235/CATID=366/ID=15388/SID=145314234/productdetails.html




Common sense is not as common as you think.


alligator

20 posts

Geek


  #470433 18-May-2011 11:33

Yeah a bit late unfortunately. Thanks for the link though.

cyril7
9058 posts

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  #470818 18-May-2011 22:11
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Do you really need to spend money on Office, open office is more than most require and free.

Cyril

alligator

20 posts

Geek


  #470882 18-May-2011 23:50

Hi Cyril,

Ordinarily I'd definitely stick with OpenOffice (and would recommend it to others), but I study extramurally and work collaboratively on Office documents with other students across NZ, so need full Office compatibility for formatting, layout and tracking changes etc.

Cheers.

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