Laptop issues: repair or replace?

[Gazza77]

I have a 5 year old Dell Inspiron that has seen better days, but is still more than adequate for my needs as long as it still works. Problem is, it doesn't. The DVD will no longer recognise discs, the battery is long since goosed, and the power cable is now spliting and is caked in electrical tape.

I only use it for MS Office basic packages, email/internet access, basic photo manipulation and Itunes. I need a laptop to be able to transport it easily as required, and it must have wireless capablities built in, all of which my present one does.

Given I wish to keep costs to a minimum, which is my best option? Replace all the knackered parts or call it a day and get a new one? If a new one, which one?

[fizzwheel]

I suspect that repairing it will cost more than it would do to replace it with something newer and faster.

At 5 years old I'd be inclined to call it a day and replace it TBH...

[SoulKiss]

I have a 5 year old Dell Inspiron that has seen better days, but is still more than adequate for my needs as long as it still works. Problem is, it doesn't. The DVD will no longer recognise discs, the battery is long since goosed, and the power cable is now spliting and is caked in electrical tape.

I only use it for MS Office basic packages, email/internet access, basic photo manipulation and Itunes. I need a laptop to be able to transport it easily as required, and it must have wireless capablities built in, all of which my present one does.

Given I wish to keep costs to a minimum, which is my best option? Replace all the knackered parts or call it a day and get a new one? If a new one, which one?

If you dont need more processing power, it may be worth looking at the Netbook class machines.

Ultraportible, only issue may be the screen size.

[Gazza77]

If you dont need more processing power, it may be worth looking at the Netbook class machines.

Ultraportible, only issue may be the screen size.

I have considered that, problem is my other half has eyesight problems and wouldn't cope with the screen size. As I am so out of date, I don't know what sort of processing power I need to be able to cope with running Vista without it grinding to a halt. There is plenty out there for under £300, but will it drive me up the wall by being slower than what I currently have?

[fizzwheel]

I don't know what sort of processing power I need to be able to cope with running Vista

As much as your budget will allow, but I've found with it that you dont wanna be scimping on the ram either, its got a bad case of resource hunger, the more you give it the better your machine will run...

Get down to PC World and have a look round they had some really good deals on the other day.

[Gazza77]

As much as your budget will allow, but I've found with it that you dont wanna be scimping on the ram either, its got a bad case of resource hunger, the more you give it the better your machine will run...

Get down to PC World and have a look round they had some really good deals on the other day.

Whose website do you think I am browsing right now. ;)

[Bibio]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169555

battery/chrger try fleebay

total cost i would suspect £80-100

if its only for office, email and surfing then who needs a mega processor..

[timwilky]

My usual bugbear, people who say they need laptops.

question 1:- why do you need to transport your puter? and ffs don't say to work

[davepreston]

well wilky mate im in the same boat eg need new laptop and do the same as gazza but its handy for me to have a laptop due to the internrt connection in my house (read phoneline) is in the stupidest place ever also the wife likes taking it into our spare room to have some queit while shes typing reports, i know your a fully fledged geek so come one answer the question which should i get (300 quid max)

[SoulKiss]

As much as your budget will allow, but I've found with it that you dont wanna be scimping on the ram either, its got a bad case of resource hunger, the more you give it the better your machine will run...

Get down to PC World and have a look round they had some really good deals on the other day.

Conversely NEVER buy from PC World, they are a bunch of crooks who will mis-sell you a machine.

[timwilky]

Dave position of phone doesn't matter this day and age with wireless connections etc.

Years ago a work colleague bought himself a laptop as work refused to supply him with one. He was then most surprised when they refused to allow him to connect it to the works network or to transfer work he had done on it onto his supplied computer etc. Work (read Timwilky) took the view that if he was "mobile" and worked from multiple locations he would be issued with a laptop.

My brother bought himself and his wife a pair of laptops for business as he was fed up of the kids loading rubbish and destroying his computer. guess what they destroyed his new laptops and as they were portable managed to drop one smashing the screen.

Again in house portability is an issue if you have kids. Responsible parenting should include policing their internet usage. difficult with teenagers if they are able to disappear into their bedrooms with a laptop.

Finally, cost of repair, upgrade is far reduced with a desktop system built with off the shelf components.

[phil24_7]

My usual bugbear, people who say they need laptops.

question 1:- why do you need to transport your puter? and ffs don't say to work

I work away a lot so need to be able to transport my computer so I can still stay in touch with the world. I also use the laptop in the lounge so I can watch telly, go on the laptopp and not completely ignore Kate!

Conversely NEVER buy from PC World, they are a bunch of crooks who will mis-sell you a machine.

+1 They also have no knowledge of the products in store.

[phil24_7]

Dave position of phone doesn't matter this day and age with wireless connections etc.

Finally, cost of repair, upgrade is far reduced with a desktop system built with off the shelf components.

Point 1: Can't seem to get my laptops to connect wirelessly to the router and the lounge isn't big enough for the computer

Point 2: Not if you have my computer. It cost over 2K to build, so I'd rather be repairing or buying a new laptop!

[ethariel]

Work out what you can afford to spend, then try sites like

dabs.co.uk
aria.co.uk
ebuyer.co.uk
insight.com

AFTER going to PC world to look at thier range, prolly find the same on sale at the above online retailers for less.

If you go the repair route then as above a charger/battery/drive will cost you 60 - 100 ish online.

[phil24_7]

Laptops direct is also a good bet for a good deal.

[Dave20046]

Conversely NEVER buy from PC World, they are a bunch of crooks who will mis-sell you a machine.
+ 1000000000000000:winner::smt076:smt076:smt076:smt0 65:hackedoff:


As you were...

Edit:

If yu have a laptop in mind pm me and I can see if I can help out. Can get toshibas pretty cheap.

[phil24_7]

What else can ya get cheap?

[maviczap]

Work out what you can afford to spend, then try sites like
dabs.co.uk
aria.co.uk
ebuyer.co.uk
insight.com
AFTER going to PC world to look at thier range, prolly find the same on sale at the above online retailers for less.

Currently using my laptop which is an Acer which I bought from EBUYER. Useful for when I work away from home, so I can talk to my kids on the webcam.

Ebuyer do buy now pay in 9 months, which allowed me to spread the cost, as it was on a 0% interest deal.

No complaints from Ebuyer or Aria. Ebuyer customer support much better than it used to be. Some models are cheaper than PC world, but not all.

In laws just bought a laptop from PC World :confused: as they don't trust online sites. Nice machine, but I would have bought elsewhere :smt067

[Dave20046]

phil:Dunno really predominently tosh and hp. imagine I might be able to get discounted otherstuff but combatting ebuyer is a pain in the ****.

[davepreston]

dave expect a call in a month or so lad

[davepreston]

and dave if its pink say its pink not red :)

[Dave20046]

and dave if its pink say its pink not red :)
It was ****ing red!!!!! lol, I swear it was, I'm still stumped about that.
Anyway yeah if you fancy something give m a shout and I'lll see how cheap I can get it.

[Gazza77]

My usual bugbear, people who say they need laptops.

question 1:- why do you need to transport your puter? and ffs don't say to work

1. To take to college to work on.
2. To be able to take to relative's houses who don't own computers.
3. To be able to take to other people's houses for internet use, as we don't have broadband due to location issues.
4. So I can go and work in peace in a different room when my gf decides she wants to watch tv.
5. Because when we cary out our loft conversion in the next 18 months or so, I intend building into it a higher spec pc that will use a lcd tv as a monitor, wireless keyboard and mouse, etc and want a cheap, short term solution that I can move with ease as necessary to use until then.

My usual bugbear, people who automatically asssume that the OP doesn't know what they want and they know better. ;):p

[Gazza77]

Conversely NEVER buy from PC World, they are a bunch of crooks who will mis-sell you a machine.

Hence a desire to walk in and know what I want, rather than have to ask the clueless 17 year old for advice.

[Gazza77]

Righty, a few options for opinions.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1904105648.124997539 1@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadehmjedheicflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=623575&category_oid=-36730

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164844

http://www.dabs.com/products/acer-ex5630ez-pdc-2gb-160gb-dvdrw-vhp-62F0.html?refs=50220000-15

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/eMachine_D620_Laptop_with_2GB_RAM_LX.N230Y.0032GB/version.asp

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/asp/versions.asp?rewrite=Toshiba_Satellite_Pro_L300-1FK_Laptop_with_2GB_RAM_PSLB9E-02U003EN2GB&pagetype=version&page=

Any thoughts from someone a bit more spec savvy than me?