Laptops.

[McNoodle]

I know my way round a PC for work, e.mail etc, but don't quite understand the details when 'buying' one on contract - if I get a laptop from say Carphonewarehouse, with 3GB download, various speeds etc for example for about �30, how many actual hours online - which is why I want one mainly - do I get? Plus, if I go over allotted time, does it shut off, or do they bill me extra like what happens with a phone contract?? Any advice please?

[Rollo]

It is not a question of "how long you get online". It is how much do you download when you are online.

[ChuckFickens]

I would personally not go near a broadband package with a 3Gb cap, thats pretty low. it's impossible to say how long online as it depends what your doing

if you watch a couple of programs on something like Iplayer, or several videos on utube you will very soon be over that and no they won't stop you using it, they will just bill you huge amounts for going over your limit.

[Ethel]

That is a very expensive way of buying a laptop. Get the specs of the laptop and see how much cheaper you can buy it elsewhere.

Then factor in the cost of the mobile broadband and it will still be much cheaper.

And do you really want mobile broadband? If you intend using it mostly at home, get a fixed broadband, and buy a mobile dongle for around �30 and use it as pay as you go when you need to be mobile. Or use the hotspots that are available

[BillySugger]

A friend of mine bought a laptop from Orange �30 a month with 3GB download limit . The laptop itself has 768MB RAM , can't remember the CPU but it's somewhere around 1.4GHz the screen is made of plastic.

[Ethel]

How many months?

[BillySugger]

18 .

[Ethel]

That's �540

You can buy a cracking laptop for around �300 and get the dongle contract for �10 a month - �180

�480

[BillySugger]

I know , I did tell him ..but what can you do ?

[McNoodle]

Ethel - you're right in what you're saying, but we haven't all got �300+ up front, and therefore have to go by the more expensive yet affordable route...

[Ethel]

There are plenty of interest free deals if you shop around

[McNoodle]

I'd be grateful if you could tell me where - most the ones I see average 24%.

[McNoodle]

Can you use a dongle in a 'tower' PC without a landline?

[scaniavabis]

If you can't afford it up front, how could you afford it a bit at a time? It's the same thing only more expensive. Your Pound will only be worth about half a Euro in a years time?

[Ethel]

Kays catalogue, for example 20 weeks interest free credit, at least

http://www.kays.com/rf/kay/p.do/electricals/co mputers/laptops/celeron-m550-laptop-with-15-4i n-display-and-vista-software?Ns=prod_in_stock| 1||prod_min_base_price|0||scu_id|1&groupId=528 418265&Nu=this_product&SNtk=&Np=1&SN=154+42944 84645+85+4294966715&Ntt=528418265&D=528418265& Ntk=group_search&Dx=mode%2bmatchall&thisprod=5 28418265&N=154+4294484645+85+4294966715&Nty=1& Mis_item_id=15&Mis_item_loc_id=1&product=52841 8265&pageSize=12

[Ethel]

52 weeks interest free

[McNoodle]

Thanks Ethel. scaniavabis - be quiet...