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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069  
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Like you say so much choice... For general computing I would recommend Lenovo / think pads , not the most sexy looking but tough as old boots
I've just picked up a couple of Lenovo t61's for £145 each, the rough spec is: Dual core processor, 2gb memory, wifi, network, windows, 80gb disk.. Or you could go all Applely and get a MacBook Air but you will still need office etc Sorry I meant to put the link up .... http://www.thelaptopcentre.co.uk/ Last edited by bpman on 27th Aug 2013 4:39pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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27th Aug 2013 1:05pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582 
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Have a few words with your tutor/computer department at the university.
When I worked at Leeds Uni, there was a section of the University Computer Services Dept. which sold laptops etc at a reduced rate to staff and students. They would load up the computer with any special applications you needed and provided a good backup/repair service. It is worthwhile getting a good case/bag etc to protect it as it is slung around car/bus/worktop etc. Good luck with your studies 
Brendan |
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27th Aug 2013 1:17pm |
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| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044  
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All good advice - bear in mind if you think you need Microsoft Office with all its associated bits and bobs you can get it for a song as a student. Mrs H got if when she did a computer course and IIRC paid about £30 for it
And make sure you get a laptop that's as powerful as it can be as office seems to take a lot of resources. As bpman says lenovo are good, I have one which hasn't let me down yet. I've had a few Dell bits inc a laptop and although you have to deal with overseas the support is good (they arranged a part and fitting on one of my pcs which was well out of warranty - I had to pay for the part and fitting (obviously) but at least they carried on the support and helped out which is more than can be said for some pc companies. DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
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27th Aug 2013 1:34pm |
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| Lishlandy Member Since: 26 Oct 2011 Location: High Wycombe Posts: 941 
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IBM Lenova thinkpad is the way to go. Got me through my 3 years of uni and still going. I have the T410 as a work laptop and has been use daily for the past 3 years with no problem, often running many spreadsheets and word docs at a time while having other applications open such as Oracle and adobe professional. Handles it all with ease.
Lenova thinkpad T410 is my firm vote from me =================================== Steve 90 xs sw in Stonoway Grey - Sold 110 USW X-TECH |
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27th Aug 2013 2:53pm |
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| lukev01 Member Since: 24 Mar 2012 Location: Bedfordshire Posts: 412 
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Get the genuine Microsoft Office packages via www.software4students.co.uk
This is a Microsoft-backed venture and you will get the full Office pack for about £50 if you want all the bells and whistles, instead of £400, slightly less than £50 if you don't want every application. As a student, you can register free for this and you will get the software within 1 week of purchase, with all correct licences, key code, etc. 1970 Series 2A 88" |
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27th Aug 2013 2:59pm |
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| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044
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That's the guys MrsH used for hers, a bit of a bargain. DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
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27th Aug 2013 3:21pm |
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| TheWarden Member Since: 25 Feb 2013 Location: Southampton Posts: 179 
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My approach has always been to go to somewhere like PC World. Have a play, have a chat, buy iy cheaper online etc.
Dell make good machines and add to it support and for god sake get an external drive for backups and you should be good to go. Get the best one you can afford. 2013 Aintree Green 110 Station Wagon SX |
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27th Aug 2013 3:39pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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Very good advice ... Or use an online backup service |
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27th Aug 2013 4:41pm |
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| SteveG Member Since: 29 Nov 2011 Location: Norfolk Posts: 660 
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If its just for writing reports and Internet access, personally I'd get an iPad with a keyboard.
Instant on and off, everything backed up online, 10hrs battery. Pages, Numbers and Keynote are more than a match for general Microsoft Office use and supports those formats for the reading and writing. Cheers Steve |
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27th Aug 2013 5:08pm |
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| Mean Green Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: South Ayrshire Posts: 280 
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Is an iPad realistically feasible?
I have only really used one for emails and surfing the net etc. Can you really produce reports etc to the same standard as something with MS Office? and is it comfortable to use?
Thats my problem - how do I know what is "best" - AMD vs Intel - celeron, core, atom ? In the past when I was buying desktops I employed the mantra of - get the biggest numbers possible ie most MB RAM, biggest HDD etc is this still the case? |
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28th Aug 2013 1:46pm |
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| Martin Site Admin Member Since: 02 Apr 2007 Location: Hook Norton Posts: 6610 
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For a technical course like an MSc, where you are likely to need to handle tables of data, complex diagrams, etc then I wouldn't have thought an iPad is suitable.
 1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW |
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28th Aug 2013 1:59pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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i7 is the latest and greatest CPU
What are you going to be using it for ? If its general word, excel etc the a core duo, i3, i5 would be fine As much ram as you like 2,4,8 or even 16 ! |
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28th Aug 2013 2:01pm |
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| GUM97 Member Since: 05 Feb 2012 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3555 
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I love my iPad, but I couldn't live without a computer as well!
An engine to TDi for!
"Land Rover- Proudly turning drivers into mechanics since 1948" |
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28th Aug 2013 2:03pm |
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| Martin Site Admin Member Since: 02 Apr 2007 Location: Hook Norton Posts: 6610
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^Ditto! The iPad is great, but it is not a laptop replacement once you start to do anything technical.
Too many variables (screen size, weight, battery life) to recommend a single system really  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW |
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28th Aug 2013 2:06pm |
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