Recommendations for Laptop / Desktop (Budget $750)

Lshockrave on 06/07/2015 - 23:58
Last edited 07/07/2015 - 08:47 by 1 other user

Hi all,

Need recommendations for a laptop / desktop. Basically my sister's PC is about to die and need to help her find a replacement. She uses it mainly to do school work, browse the web, watch videos etc - but ideally we get her something decent that won't lag in 6 month's time. We've got a good monitor, keyboard, speaker, mouse etc still so won't need to buy those.

Also, I don't have the skills to assemble bits together (so can't quite go to MSY and buy parts to DIY) and the custom set they've got there doesn't seem that great. Being a home laptop it can be heavy and bulky (if it makes it cheaper) - we will just plug it to a monitor anyway. So quite indifferent on which we get - just after something that's the best value (she already has an ultrabook so portability won't be a plus factor).

Any recommendations? Let's not spend over $750 on this, and if we can get it cheaper even better!

Thanks

Computing

Comments

  • Sage on 07/07/2015 - 00:30
    +1

    I'm curious what's wrong with the computer. The best bargain would be to replace one component, though I am aware that's supposedly not an option. The problem may even be the software, in which case it would be basically free to fix.
    Anyway if you're after a basic desktop (desktops are better value than laptops if you don't care for portability) then one around the $300-$400 price range is probably more than what's needed for basic use.
    I'm also curious, why get another computer if she has an ultrabook? Can it not connect to the set up you have?

    • scrimshaw on 07/07/2015 - 02:27

      For the desktop, the Shopping Express Trifecta deal that was on today (well, Yesterday!) included the Gigabyte Brix and the 4GB DDR3 combo, that makes a pretty good desktop for general usage.

      You will of course need two more extra things to make the desktop work — a drive (Sandisk SSD recommended) and an operating system.

      Installation instructions — difficulty: easy — Time required — 5 minutes

      • shockrave on 07/07/2015 - 08:02

        And would the Gigabyte Brix perform better than buying a laptop that's around the same price? And 2 more stupid questions - does the headphone / microphone jack takes speakers as well, and also how do I get an OS on it?

        Not familiar at all with the Brix or other mini desktops like it!

        • scrimshaw on 07/07/2015 - 08:42

          Yes, it has a combined audio in and out jack, which is compatible with any audio device.

          Getting windows on it is a cinch, you just need to create a bootable USB drive. Again, easy to do and doesn't take more than a few minutes to get the contents of a disc in to a Usb.

          Google "Windows 8 USB install"

    • shockrave on 07/07/2015 - 07:53

      Good question - basically she takes her laptop around a lot and doesn't want to plug and unplug things

  • Axelstrife on 07/07/2015 - 01:48

    sound like any old I3 (not ancient generation though) system with a SSD and 8gb of ram would do.

  • DarkOz on 07/07/2015 - 08:27

    At $750 you should settle for a laptop because it comes with preloaded Windows and the convenience.

    Just search the JB Hifi website to take a look at all the laptops available at around $750. For School work, web browsing and videos literally any laptop will do as long as you don't play the latest and greatest games. Decide if you want 14" or 15" and make sure you check out the speaker quality. My current $1,500 laptop has the shittiest speakers ever.

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