Is the laptop worth buying?

[HappyHippyDad]

This is kind of electrical, so I hope it's ok in this section. Apologies @westward10 if not, I'm sure it will be moved very quickly

My laptop has had it's day. There is such a huge range of laptops out there that I am getting overloaded. Also, I don't understand half of the spec. AMD athlov vs ryzen 7 ??!! Intel i3??!! No idea which is better or what it really means.

basically, I want a laptop that can handle web browsing and writing up certificates on a pdf, that's it. Is this reasonably priced laptop worth buying... https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3110973?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=rrmatraqw&istBid=t&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157|acid:804-627-9544|cid:20264799336|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:7182686531165566896|dvc:c|adp:|mt:|loc:9045578&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20264799336&utm_term=3110973&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=804-627-9544&GPDP=true&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtamlBhD3ARIsAARoaExC4aiXOoZ8bgZUUybTpf7DNMZOS_DaXRiSWabRqGsoNRbA9fB9moAaAs26EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks all.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Sorry to keep this thread going, but I've seen another laptop now that I 'think' ticks more of the boxes. @Vortigern put me of the acer because of the 1.8Ghz processor speed!

How about this one...?
2.8Ghz speed,
Quad core,
16gb RAM,
Ryzen 5

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3088782

 

[DPG]

Sorry to keep this thread going, but I've seen another laptop now that I 'think' ticks more of the boxes. @Vortigern put me of the acer because of the 1.8Ghz processor speed!

How about this one...?
2.8Ghz speed,
Quad core,
16gb RAM,
Ryzen 5

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3088782

That will cope with a lot more than the basic stuff you need it for. Which is probably a good thing - it would save upgrading when you decide you need to use different software.

i suppose it depends how important it is to keep cost to a minimum.

 

[kropaske]

You are going up with price every post, in that case consider this one:

M1503QA-L1119W, ASUS Vivobook 15X AMD Ryzen 5 16GB | Box.co.uk

www.box.co.uk

It will give you couple more cores, even more clock speed and great screen.

And in case you buy laptop with windows in S-mode, Google how to switch it off as you will be swearing at Bill soon as you attempt to install any software. Many laptoos comes with Windows in S-mode now.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

That will cope with a lot more than the basic stuff you need it for. Which is probably a good thing - it would save upgrading when you decide you need to use different software.

i suppose it depends how important it is to keep cost to a minimum.

Thanks DPG... Unfortunately I've taken so long to think about it, it is now no longer available at my local Argos! In fact, I think I could correctly use the word 'tardy' here

You are going up with price every post, in that case consider this one:

M1503QA-L1119W, ASUS Vivobook 15X AMD Ryzen 5 16GB | Box.co.uk

www.box.co.uk

It will give you couple more cores, even more clock speed and great screen.

And in case you buy laptop with windows in S-mode, Google how to switch it off as you will be swearing at Bill soon as you attempt to install any software. Many laptoos comes with Windows in S-mode now.

What is the processor speed Kropaske? All I can find is what it bursts up to (4.2Ghz). All the others I have looked at seem to have a lower figure (i.e around 1.3 to 2.8 Ghz) and then the higher figure of what it burst up to. What is the lower figure for this model?
Also, have you bought from these guys before without issue?

 

[kropaske]

It's 3.3Ghz

https://www.amd.com/en/products/apu/amd-ryzen-5-5600h

I own laptop with Ryzen 7 5800H which is very similar to this one but with 2 more cores and i find it very fast and responsive

 

[nicebutdim]

Sorry to keep this thread going, but I've seen another laptop now that I 'think' ticks more of the boxes. @Vortigern put me of the acer because of the 1.8Ghz processor speed!

How about this one...?
2.8Ghz speed,
Quad core,
16gb RAM,
Ryzen 5

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3088782

Take a look at the HP machine I linked again - £120 less and not much difference in spec.

Edit: it had 8gb RAM - hard to keep up

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Take a look at the HP machine I linked again - £120 less and not much difference in spec.

Edit: it had 8gb RAM - hard to keep up

Thanks for the heads up. I've had a proper look now I've had your nudge. yes, it's now a contender. Being risk averse I kind of only want to buy it from a large, well known company that wont quibble at a return. Argos took the other back without any hassle. I'm guessing currys is similar.
One question.... It's £120 cheaper, what's to stop me buying 8GB RAM and putting it in for £30? Have I then got a 16GB RAM machine which is equally good to an advertised 16GB laptop?

It's 3.3Ghz

https://www.amd.com/en/products/apu/amd-ryzen-5-5600h

I own laptop with Ryzen 7 5800H which is very similar to this one but with 2 more cores and i find it very fast and responsive

I'll have a think if I want to spend the extra bucks for the one you suggest. if it's crap, I'll be back on line giving you a poor review ;-)
Have you bought anything from that site before?
I did read that the clock speed is different to processor speed, albeit I think it is relative to processor speed?

 

[kropaske]

Have you bought anything from that site before?

Yep, a lenovo laptop for the wife, came next day, no issues. It was so good a bought another one few days later for myself, again delivered next day, no issues. If you have any concerns buying from unknown online shops always use credit card as transaction can be reversed

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Right.... I just cant spend any more time sat at my existing laptop looking at laptops.

It doesn't have a battery in it as they don't seem to work anymore and it switches itself off twice per hour (randomly).

I am going to take on board anymore replies up until 9pm and then I'm ----ing a coin!

 

[pirate]

Sorry I can't contribute much here. I have 3 laptops and a big desktop PC. My pal fixes them for me. I am very lucky!
I did ask him to have a look at my intercom system...He shook his head and said "That's two Tate & Lyle syrup tins with a bit of string between them...try thicker string!"
PS: Nobody under the age of 50 will understand this, sorry!

 

[Vortigern]

The laptop you linked, Lenovo Ryzen 7 ticks all my boxes. The graphics is a little dissapointing but I could live with it. As a comparison I work with a desktop with Ryzen 5 and Geforce graphics. I use it to play WoW which is a demanding game computer wise. The most significant upgrade was memory speedwise. I put in 32Gb which noticably speeded things up. Don't forget to enquire about TPM. The S part of windows can be toggeld off which will be one of your first tasks on the all new singing dancing laptop.
As you hinted in previous post, you will be giving poor reviews if the laptop recommended is not up to scratch, let it be known;
I am not recommending a specific laptop. What I am offering is the component level tick boxes you should aim for. In the end caveat emptor!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Sorry I can't contribute much here. I have 3 laptops and a big desktop PC. My pal fixes them for me. I am very lucky!
I did ask him to have a look at my intercom system...He shook his head and said "That's two Tate & Lyle syrup tins with a bit of string between them...try thicker string!"
PS: Nobody under the age of 50 will understand this, sorry!

Everyone needs 3 laptops... It's the norm. ;-)

 

[HappyHippyDad]

The laptop you linked, Lenovo Ryzen 7 ticks all my boxes. The graphics is a little dissapointing but I could live with it. As a comparison I work with a desktop with Ryzen 5 and Geforce graphics. I use it to play WoW which is a demanding game computer wise. The most significant upgrade was memory speedwise. I put in 32Gb which noticably speeded things up. Don't forget to enquire about TPM. The S part of windows can be toggeld off which will be one of your first tasks on the all new singing dancing laptop.
As you hinted in previous post, you will be giving poor reviews if the laptop recommended is not up to scratch, let it be known;
I am not recommending a specific laptop. What I am offering is the component level tick boxes you should aim for. In the end caveat emptor!

Thanks Vortigern, you've been very helpful in this thread (as others have).

Unfortunately i twiddled my thumbs too much and the clearance priced lenovo 7 in Argos disappeared.

I then went to buy the asus that @kropaske recommended as it does look good. However, i did a quick check of the retailer and they had very poor reviews...... so, i'm still looking. Cup of coffee and a Sunday browse on the randomly switching off old HP laptop.

 

[kropaske]

You may have been looking at wrong Box reviews:

www.box.co.uk is rated "Great" with 4.2 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with www.box.co.uk's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 10,668 customers have already said.

uk.trustpilot.com

 

[plugsandsparks]

Or just go to a specialist retailer like pcspecialist.co.uk and you can fill your boots with any possible laptop. I can confirm they do exist, i have been there, they do what they say, the warranties and tech support are excellent. Spent about £7000 with them over the last year.