Getting a new laptop for university, need some help

[TheSlee]

Hi,

 

I have been recently looking at laptops (on a fairly tight budget) as I go off to university soon and I don't currently own one (and my desktop is a tad too big :P) and I was just wondering if I missed anything on 3 models I have been looking at.

 

I am thinking that the best one is the Medion Akoya E5211, (MEDION® AKOYA® E5211 Notebook) all the reviews seem to be very positive and it seems to offer good specs at a good price, the only downside is the short battery life of 2 hours. it seems too good to be true and I am worried that I have missed something as I know that sometimes reviews are biased by the shop and sometimes the actual specs are lower than displayed as the parts are not so good.

 

THen I was also looking at the Toshiba L300 12i (Satellite Pro L300-12I - Product Specifications - Toshiba). This also seems to have good specs, very similar to the Medion, but with a smaller HDD and a slightly weaker CPU.

 

Finally there is the Acer Aspire 5633 (Acer Aspire 5633WLMi review from TechRadar UK's expert reviews of Laptops and netbooks) which is last on the list, but it also seems to have good specs for an affordable price (I am buying on eBay, not for £689.00 :P)

 

any input would be greatly appreciated, as it stands, I think the Medion is the best one, but any input will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[Synapse]

What do you want to use your laptop for at Uni?

 

I'm an Uni and I use mine for essays, research, some stats work (that means spreadsheets mostly) and thats about it. Depends what you are studying I guess.

 

The most useful thing is being able to take it to the library, get on the net, and work in peace. That means for me using headphones and iTunes alongside Word or similar and a browser. Battery life isn't so much an issue as there are power points everywhere.

 

Personally I prefer Macbooks, using Pages instead of Word, and something like Bookends for organising references etc. Battery life is stunning on the 13" Macbooks, and they just work. Worth a look.

 

Looking at your 3 choices, the Medion is the only Windows 7 machine - that would sway me straight away as it is smoother and speedier than Vista.

 

The Acer has dedicated video but less hard drive capacity and memory - if you can get it with Win 7 I think it will be the wise choice. If not, go for the Medion

 

Course you could buy one of these.....

 

Apple Macbook Laptop - Laptops | Ebuyer.com :)

[TheSlee]

Well, the links are just for reference, I'm getting one from eBay and I have found these 3 models and they are all about the same price £250, where the macbook is £800.

[KenB]

  Quote

I'm getting one from eBay ......... price £250

There is a distict difference in price - £689 for £250

Are you sure the ebay seller is providing a new machine and not refurbished ?

[Dalo Harkin]

One is talking about a Macbook and one something completely different :)

 

I wouldnt touch medion with a barge pole, acer, HP or Dell are fine.

[KenB]

Hi Dalo .....

 

  Quote

One is talking about a Macbook and one something completely different

 

I was refering to the poster's comments on post 1 & 3 re. Acer Aspire etc.

 

  Quote

Finally there is the Acer Aspire 5633 ...... for an affordable price (I am buying on eBay, not for £689.00)

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I'm getting one from eBay and I have found these 3 models and they are all about the same price £250

 

I think the poster was dismissing the mac as being too expensive.

[KenB]

Acer 5633WLMi Price:

Acer Aspire 5633WLMi Laptop LX.AG50J.169 - Acer Direct

 

You may be able to get it cheaper elsewhere but £250 does sound too good to be true.