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Buying a laptop

Discussion in 'Computers/Gadgets' started by MutantNinjaSkrtel, Oct 28, 2008.

  1. MutantNinjaSkrtel

    MutantNinjaSkrtel
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    I need a laptop urgently for college.anyone have any recommendations or advice?where they are cheapest,memory etc?thanks!!
     
  2. chopper84

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    get a mac! wont have any trouble with it at all maybe about a grand tho but well worth it
     
  3. MutantNinjaSkrtel

    MutantNinjaSkrtel
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    all i need now is a grand!:Dthis might sound stupid but does a mac have microsoft word,excel etc or is it different software?............and im supposed to be studying business information systems!:D:cool:
     
  4. chopper84

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    jsut had a quick look(i dont use those programs myself and they have there own versions for word proccessing,spreadsheet program and a slideshow program thats all on iworks 08. it uses leopard OSX operating system which is a 100 times better than windows.might take ya week or two to get used to using it tho. id lend you mine for a few days but i wudnt survive without it lol,plus they are smaller and look neater than most laptops
     
  5. GaryMc

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    I bought an Acer well over two years ago and its brilliant. I use for work and leisure and never had any issues. I got it in Harvery Norman.
     
  6. Bren100

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    www.dell.ie/outlet

    This is the Dell outlet. There is only a basic warranty on them so they are cheaper.
     
  7. siflood

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    Nice laptops in power city cost between 350-400 nice and cheap and very good
     
  8. fermoyred80

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    An idea would be to buy a basic one with word excel and all that with a medium sized memory and then buy an external harddrive. Keep all your documents, photos, music etc on this drive to free up the computer. I bought one for college its a 500GB( I think its a 500, anyhow its big and Im never gonna fill it) and only cost 80yos.
     
  9. windhover

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    have to agree lad. sounds like that you only need the basic functions and any laptop will suffice for that also refurbished laptops with warranty on ebay.. great value
     
  10. JOE

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    What college do you go to? I know that Apple and UCD have an agreement whereby all students get a 15% discount on all laptops...
     
  11. Andrew

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    Depends what you need it for really.

    If you just need it for word processing or storing lecture notes and/or internet access then you can definitely go for a lower end laptop. No need for dual-core processors or anything like that.

    If you're an engineer or science student and need to be running different simulation tools then you need to go some thing better. Dual core processor is a must. Lot of RAM too.

    Brands: I've always like Acers. They've never let me down.
    I wouldn't recommend Apple. They're overpriced for what you get. There are advantages to macs to certain people though (particularly if you're not a tech head). For instance, there's no worry about viruses, everything you need (word processing, photo editing, media players) is packaged and ready to go out of the box. So if you're not comfortable installing these things yourself (or can't find someone who can help) and have the cash to splash, Apple could be a good option for you.

    Where to buy: Don't go near the likes of Soundstore, Harvey Normans, PC world etc. That's like going to your local corner shop and buying a pack of biscuits for €2 when you can get them for €1.50 in Tesco.

    There are several sites online where you can find good laptops at good prices.
    www.pixmania.ie
    www.dabs.ie
    www.komplett.ie

    are a few I've used in the past.

    Hope that helps
     
  12. MutantNinjaSkrtel

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    thanks for all the advice lads!Very helpful!

    i go to UCC joe so i wont be able to get that UCD offer unfortunately!im goin to stick with a dell because theyve never let me down before and as fermoyred suggested im gonna get an external harddrive on the cheap.

    Im still shelling out a grand though-have to get a red one for the pool and ive just been told i'll be spending 6-9 months in boston on work experience so i got really good ram and download speeds so il be able to watch all the reds games on it.

    doubt id come across any pubs showing the carling cup tie v crewe at 5am local time over there!
     
  13. redforever

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    Stay away from Dell if you can I bought an XPS supposed to be the D... B..... but its a piece of s... its given up the ghost twice in 6 months and this cost me a small fortune, spent my bonus thinkin i was deadly, I was only a monkey.

    If you are going to Boston there is a huge Liverpool shop in south Boston in a pub called Shennanigans, I know this isnt the right thread for this but you'll have no problem there and the place is owned by a couple of lads from Tallaght mega pub you'll love it.
     
  14. Ade Alves

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    Can't go wrong with a Dell Inspiron 1525 mate. Only 499E now as you probably have seen in the ads on tv.

    I use mine for uni and general use... email, net, music, dvds etc etc.

    Here's a review for it... http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4175

    Great all rounder IMO.

    Dell or Toshiba are the best compromise between price and reliability in truth so go for any for one of those co.
     
  15. MutantNinjaSkrtel

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    nice 1 for that mate.putting in my order in the morning.its 2 am and im frantically doing an essay cos i didnt have a laptop to do it in uni!u should be in bed:D:p
     
  16. Aido82

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    2nd that

    you can get open office for it - its a free version of ms office
     
  17. Aido82

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    To be honest the dell machines are OK, if they break down prepare to be on hold to india for a long time. The inspirons are the budget end of the scale, teh lattitude would be a better buy

    i bought the mac fromthe states for 600E in the summer at the height of the euro being its highest value, the same laptop is 1200 euro over here - rip off
     
  18. RedWally

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    Using an Inspiron 9400 with 17" screen for work. Have it 18 months - no issues. Got it over a Latitude due to larger screen. The screen had to be replaced under warranty but so has the screen of many latitudes we have in the office.
     
  19. Ade Alves

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    Long story but me mam broke the dvd drive, yes just the dvd drive which went flying out of the laptop.

    I bought mine in PC World(wankers), so brought it down to the buggers and they were all it could take up to 6-8 weeks. I was a raging bull.

    Got it back though in 3 weeks just before Uni started so was grand.

    My friend's step da used to work in Dell. One of the top guys actually and he used to find the service to be ridiculous.
     
  20. liamo3

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    Really need a new laptop this seems like a good site www.laptopsdirect.ie anyone used it before?
     

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