Laptop

Roscoemck · Joined: 10 Aug 2016 Posts: 477 Location: Glasgow

Guys,

Somehow we've ended up having no laptop or pc in the house, just various iPads and other Apple products.

This means I don't have anything with a USB port for connecting devices, like my Garmin 920XT, to allow updates.

I was thinking a MacBook Air but that means waiting a good few months until funds allow. Why a MacBook? Because I'm used to Apple products and the simple way they easily sync with each other.

It's a fair wedge, so any other recommendations for a decent enough laptop?? Mainly used for browsing, You Tube, updating devices. No gaming.

Could probably go to £400 just now.

Cheers
Ross

AndyS.. · Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4305 Location: Gotham

I bought an Asus from Sainsbury's. It was on discount and I used my Nectar points to discount it further and pretty much got it for nothing (it was about £230 before discounts). Considering I was replacing an Alienware Area 51 laptop that kept over heating I'm really happy with the Asus. I only do simple stuff on it, Office and internet things, but it hasn't played up at all. Pretty good really. I connect my Garmin (and phone and other bits) to it, it works fine. Windows 10 is pretty good, IMO.

jibberjim · Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Posts: 8378 Location: Kingston

http://www.tier1online.com/728-4290a11/refurbished-x220-laptop-i5-2520m-2-50ghz-8gb-grade-a-12-5-webcam
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Roscoemck · Joined: 10 Aug 2016 Posts: 477 Location: Glasgow

Couple of good options there.

The Sainsburys route is interesting, we've get discount as my son works there and we've got a Nectar card.

GrahamO · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2017 6:42 am Post subject:

eBay - get a Mac mini.

I live in a hotel with shared internet connections so I am not too happy about all our devices being visible on the network and it's also not good trying to stream to an Apple TV when there are 50 others trying to do the same on the same hotel wifi network.

So I bought a second hand Mac mini, and use that to connect to the internet and hang an 802.11n router off the back of it which means a private 300Mb wifi network for streaming or iTunes library access and all the hotel sees is a single item connected. The hotel only permits three devices per apartment to connect at the same time.

It cost £150 and just sits there silently acting as a firewall. Once set up you don't even need a keyboard or monitor as you can control it directly by any other device on the network.

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jibberjim · Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Posts: 8378 Location: Kingston

GrahamO · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2017 3:33 pm Post subject:

Yeah, and a second hand wireless node with two antenna systems would do it as well, but try using a Raspberry Pi to run OSX or Windows programs.

I also happen to be cr*p at writing software and have a life Wink

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Arguing with engineers is like wrestling in mud with a pig - after a while you realise they like it
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Jorgan · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2017 8:53 pm Post subject:

GrahamO · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 3:43 am Post subject:

No, an apartment which is part of a hotel which has the advantages of both a home apartment (fill with your own stuff) and a hotel ( they clean it and we can use room service).

Its quite common here.
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Arguing with engineers is like wrestling in mud with a pig - after a while you realise they like it
newMan : I don't know why you think you can address me like that! Don't ever reply directly to any of my posts again please.