Thread: New or Second Hand Notebook !

Hi Shaker

I have been using notebook for the last 4 years. To make it easier to use because I hate the notebook keyboard I have plugged a standard keyboard into it and I use a Logitech wireless mouse.

When considering the cost of second hand, I'd suggest adding the cost of a new battery, which it probably needs or soon will. Unless you expect to use it always connected through the charger, i.e. not really a notebook.

Joe

Shaker

I didn't really answer the question new or second hand. With this I am probably with Joe. My brother gave me his old notebook which was three years old and the battery was clagged but like Joe say if you are only going to use it like a desktop it wouldn't matter but as you are talking about wireless Broadband you probably will want to move around with it.

I think the price of new notebooks now is so low I would be thinking new.

You should make a trip to Tamworth, plenty to choose from and probably a lot more competative.

Originally Posted by Barry_White

Shaker

I didn't really answer the question new or second hand. With this I am probably with Joe. My brother gave me his old notebook which was three years old and the battery was clagged but like Joe say if you are only going to use it like a desktop it wouldn't matter but as you are talking about wireless Broadband you probably will want to move around with it.

I think the price of new notebooks now is so low I would be thinking new.

You should make a trip to Tamworth, plenty to choose from and probably a lot more competative.

I agree with Barry call in and see CPS computers if they are still there but now with HN and others maybe they like many have retired gone bush.

A few months ago my Clevo D400S notebook had a fit and the screen went very dim. Everything else worked fine. Cost of repair, don't, can't get the part (we live in a throw-away society right!?). So start looking for new notebook, forgetaboutit, all new notebooks have these idiotic very glossy screens. Not into watching windows light and fluoros.

Have a look on Ebay, found Acer Travelmate 660, 1.9Pentium M mobile, 512Ram, 80Gb HDD, 15" screen (matte),CDRW wireless etc. Cost me $420 Buy ItNow, picked it up, checked it out, very happy. Only downside, as mentioned, battery clagged, do I care? No, sits beside my chair and is connected to the desktop via ethernet connection installed when building the house. Don't normally use the wireless connection, but have done so and it works. If I wanted a new battery I could buy one on Ebay for $65, so it would still be a sub $500 notebook.

All the sub $1000 new notebooks are Celerons, won't have one of those.

Bonus of the Pentium M is that they run cool as, fan hardly ever comes on, and the notebook is switched onfrom early morning to late at night.

Worth considering secondhand.

you could always try these guys they have been around now for many years.
http://www.pcrecyclers.net/epages/im...ath=/Shops/acr

isn't nextg internet real expensive?

the nextg phone service is not worth p***ing on

Originally Posted by echnidna

isn't nextg internet real expensive?

the nextg phone service is not worth p***ing on

Our local independant federal member Tony Windsor last week did about 2000 klms with the local Telstra guru on the next G network testing the system because he is fighting the government trying to get Telstra not to close down the CDMA network in January because of the problems.

What he found was that the Transmission of Next G is as good as the CDMA network but it's all the crappy phones that Telstra has sold all their customers that are no good. There is apparantly only a couple of phones that are up to the task. He found that where the Next G wouldn't work either would the CDMA network.

Sorry, didn't read all the other posts so I hope I'm not repeating something, if I am, consider it a confirmation.


What do you want the Notebook for?

If it is to be your main computer, get a new one.

If it is to be just for traveling, get a 2nd hand one.

BS, I hope you didn't throw it out I came across this info some time ago.

"Laptop screens use a mini fluorescent lamp to backlight the display on your computer. In many cases, this light goes out and that is why the screen goes dark so quickly. This can be caused by any number of things: dropping your case or even by extended use.
The lamp can be replaced without you having to take it to a professional. The area where the lamp goes can be found on the front of your screen. It's just a little hole that opens up for the bulb.
You may be able to get a replacement lamp for under $20 depending on your laptop type. You'll want to refer to your laptop manual to try and find the type of lamp you'll need. If you can't find it there, you may want to contact the manufacturer, because you need a reliable source for the type of lamp your laptop needs. You don't want to insert the wrong one and cause even more problems. You can also try searching for your type online. Go to Google (or whatever your favorite search engine is) and type in something like "LCD Backlighting" or "Miniature Fluorescent Lamps." You can probably just order a new lamp from the Internet if you can find the type you need."
This may help some one.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

All the sub $1000 new notebooks are Celerons, won't have one of those

I have built many computers over the years with the Celeron processor and have found them to be a reliable component. They are excellent value for money and I would have no hesitation in buying a second hand computer with the Celeron chip.
Of all the components in a computer, the processor is the most unlikely one to fail.
Depends what you expect from a computer and your budget. The Celeron processor is one of the top selling processors in the world and cheap to replace. It will handle most peoples demands of a home based computer.

Originally Posted by munruben

I have built many computers over the years with the Celeron processor and have found them to be a reliable component. They are excellent value for money and I would have no hesitation in buying a second hand computer with the Celeron chip.
Of all the components in a computer, the processor is the most unlikely one to fail.
Depends what you expect from a computer and your budget. The Celeron processor is one of the top selling processors in the world and cheap to replace. It will handle most peoples demands of a home based computer.

Well I'm glad you think so, and I don't disagree that it is reliable. However when it comes to handling maths intensive tasks such as graphics and compiling VB and C++, it is just not up to the task.
However if you're happy with it, good on you. I've had one once, and never again, just my opinion and experience.

Originally Posted by David L

BS, I hope you didn't throw it out I came across this info some time ago.

"Laptop screens use a mini fluorescent lamp to backlight the display on your computer. In many cases, this light goes out and that is why the screen goes dark so quickly. This can be caused by any number of things: dropping your case or even by extended use.
The lamp can be replaced without you having to take it to a professional. The area where the lamp goes can be found on the front of your screen. It's just a little hole that opens up for the bulb.
You may be able to get a replacement lamp for under $20 depending on your laptop type. You'll want to refer to your laptop manual to try and find the type of lamp you'll need. If you can't find it there, you may want to contact the manufacturer, because you need a reliable source for the type of lamp your laptop needs. You don't want to insert the wrong one and cause even more problems. You can also try searching for your type online. Go to Google (or whatever your favorite search engine is) and type in something like "LCD Backlighting" or "Miniature Fluorescent Lamps." You can probably just order a new lamp from the Internet if you can find the type you need."
This may help some one.

David, I knew it involved "backlighting", but as I am basically a "software" man and not a "hardware" man, I didn't know the ins and outs.
Your explanation sounds very plausible and I'll have a look at it. Yes I do still have it, it was a good machine, has a P4 2.8G processor, so it flies, but at a price, it runs quite "warm", not really meant for a notebook.

laptops are very cheap now, in fact so cheap that they give them away with 2 years broadband connection here in the UK.

I was until a year or two ago a freelance insurance assessor, mainly dealing with computer claims. Of those claims 80% where laptops. Based on that experience my opinion is, go for a PC unless absolutely necessary .

The risks associated with laptops are numerous.

• If you spill your coffee on a PC keyboard your looking at a new keyboard. with a laptop it's often a new machine.
• Heat is a major problem with laptops, they put the fans on the side and they are easy to block up accidentally with a book or something, result one cooked laptop.
• You can easily drop them.
• They get left on the roofs of cars and fall on the road, get dropped under buses, lost.
• They are the first thing to be stolen in a burglary.
• If you go for anything other than a main brand manufacturer (Toshiba are arguably the best for parts) you nearly always find that 2 years after it was made parts are unavailable.

I haven't looked at laptop insurance for a year or two but there was talk in the industry of not insuring them at all, due to excessive claims.

They are hard to upgrade your stuck with the processor and screen etc, you can upgrade the drives and to a limited extent the memory.

All that said I have a laptop (bought new) and recently traveled the world with it in tow. I wouldn't have been without it on the trip but they just aren't the best option as a desktop replacement.

Cheers


Dave