Netbook or laptop for my Mum?

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Netbook or laptop for my Mum?

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#515039 1-Sep-2011 13:18

timmmay: Thanks Bill. Is 2GB enough, or should I look at upgrading to 4GB for my Mum? If I should go 4GB I can't work out if there are free slots, might have to throw the 2GB away and replace.

2GB is plenty for her. Unless she would be using something like photoshop for photos or heavy HD video editing , 2GB would do fine.

We run PLC software at some of our sites with SQL express database on 2GB RAM running Windows 7 and never had any feeze or slow down issues.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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#515041 1-Sep-2011 13:20

Thanks, looks like we have a winner, so long as Mum likes the look of it :) Has anyone actually used it?

timmmay

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#515104 1-Sep-2011 14:57

New requirement: 15" or larger screen. Mum says her eyes aren't what they used to be.

Any recommendations?

These two look decent, and are cheap enough, just depends on her budget.

$900, 4GB RAM, 15.6" screen, Core i3
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/samsung/15-6-inch-notebook-sku-20856/

$605, 2Gb RAM, 15.6" screen, AMD Dual-core E-350, 1.60 GHz
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/acer/aspire-15-6-inch-notebook-sku-21165/

freitasm

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#515108 1-Sep-2011 15:03

Dell Inspiron, online?

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graemeh

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#515115 1-Sep-2011 15:11

timmmay: New requirement: 15" or larger screen. Mum says her eyes aren't what they used to be.

Any recommendations?

$2 reading glasses from The Warehouse?

timmmay

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#515119 1-Sep-2011 15:15

freitasm: Dell Inspiron, online?

Good idea. Prices are pretty much the same as above, but with slightly better specs. $600 for 2GB RAM but with an i3 processor, or $900 for 4GB RAM.

Is Dell better than Asus/Samsung when it comes to laptops?

graemeh:
timmmay: New requirement: 15" or larger screen. Mum says her eyes aren't what they used to be.

Any recommendations?

$2 reading glasses from The Warehouse?

Not actually a bad idea, I use them myself when i'm looking at tiny screens, but she can only see well out of one eye so won't help that much.

billgates

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#515122 1-Sep-2011 15:17

http://shopap.lenovo.com/nz/en/notebooks/thinkpad/edge-series/e520/

For an extra $1 when ordering the any of the lenovo e520 series notebooks, they also add a portable 500GB external HDD.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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#515130 1-Sep-2011 15:34

billgates: http://shopap.lenovo.com/nz/en/notebooks/thinkpad/edge-series/e520/

For an extra $1 when ordering the any of the lenovo e520 series notebooks, they also add a portable 500GB external HDD.

Good tip! They're good value for 4GB RAM, but I think Mum will be fine with 2GB RAM - anyone disagree with that? Not that I can find a 15" screen with 2GB ram.

I thought I saw a Dell with a 15.6" screen and 2GB RAM for $600, but I can't find it now. The cheapest they have is $900, with the Lenovo about $860 inc GST.

Anyone have any thoughts on Dell vs Lenovo?

CM

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#515139 1-Sep-2011 15:47

How about the Dell Vostro 1015?
$699 + delivery at Computer Direct
http://www.computerdirect.co.nz/products/NOTDEL02.asp?KEY=15291&grp=

Or the Lenovo G560?
$688.85 + delivery from PB Tech
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=NBKLEN1238536B&name=LENOVO-IdeaPad-G560-Last-Demo-unit-Penti...

Both 15.6 inch screens and 2Gb RAM.

EDIT: Pricespy shows 22 options for 15.6 inch screens with just 2GB RAM under $750.

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#515142 1-Sep-2011 15:52

go lenovo :)

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timmmay

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#515144 1-Sep-2011 15:55

Thanks for the suggestion CM. The Lenovo is ex demo, I wouldn't get one of thse. The Dell is Core2 Duo, pretty old technology now, but still fine - I use a Core2Quad for photo processing. The new Lenovo that Bill linked to is better value I think at about $860.

kobiak - why do you like Lenovo over Dell?

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#515148 1-Sep-2011 16:03

Having used both Lenovo and Dell, I like them both. We are a dell shop currently at work. I find lenovo's pricing to be better than Dell's even after applying my EPP discount with Dell. Both make great hardware and after sales support is good with both.

Do whatever you want to do man.

kobiak

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#515150 1-Sep-2011 16:04

@timmmay just a general thing. lenovo is better then dell

+ because no glossy look that would matter for me. BUT I do own matted dell too :)

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#515151 1-Sep-2011 16:05

I just scored a Samsung 300 Series notebook... Battery is pretty good 5~ hours.

Intel i3 - 4GB ram - 320GB HDD.

timmmay

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#515159 1-Sep-2011 16:13

Looks like it's Dell or Lenovo, probably the Lenovo at this point, but i'll go over the options with Mum and see what she likes.

Thanks for all the help everyone! :-)

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