Curry's £179 Laptop

[Tubbycoates]

Being somewhat PC ignorant, I've seen this blue PC advertised.

It sounds ideal for someone like me, but I don't think it has a CD/DVD.

Is there anything else wrong with it?

Thanks all (please don't baffle me!!)

[Tuvok]

Do you have a link to it?

If it doesn't have cd/dvd then if its got usb, you can buy an external drive for about £30

[AlwaysConfused]

Seems ok to me, Tubbs, http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/laptops/1402121/hp-stream-11-and-stream-14-review-hands-on

[Tubbycoates]

Thanks Guys, my boyfriends tight so he's waiting for the sales!

[Buenchico]

To save others from having to hunt for the link:
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-stream-11-d007na-11-laptop-blue-10075697-pdt.html#cat-0

I'm not too keen on such devices as they don't have a hard drive. Instead they use a memory card to store and handle some data but you're really expected to keep your files (such as pictures, videos, documents, etc) online. So if you've got no internet access you can't get at your files. Further (because there's no hard drive) you can't add lots of your own software.

If I was looking for a budget laptop I'd be looking for a refurbished model here:
http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/products/computing/laptops-notebooks
(That's an excellent company. I've recommended it to lots of people, who've always been delighted with their products and service. I'm typing this using my new desktop PC, which I purchased from them for £99!).

[VHG]

You get what you pay for.

It has a very small screen, only 11" (most laptops have 15" or more)

It has a very slow processor.

I does not have much memory.

It also does not have a network connector so you HAVE to use it with wi fi.

This laptop will CRAWL.

[hc4361]

No hard drive
Very small screen
Not enough memory so will be slow
Very poor battery life for such a low powered device (my ancient netbook has a 9 hour battery life)
Small keyboard
Reliant on an internet connection

This sort of machine is fine as a second (or third) computer. It can never replace a full size laptop or desktop especially if you intend using it for long periods. There are much better options available.

[VHG]

Lets just try to "position" this device.

A few years ago if you wanted to do email and browse the web you HAD to buy a "proper" computer, either a full sized desktop PC or a laptop.

This "proper" computer probably had far more power than most users would ever need, because it also had to be powerful enough for people who wanted to do "power" work on it like video editing and so on.

Then a few years ago Apple brought out the iPhone and the iPad, and other companies brought out their smartphones and tablets, and all of a sudden you did not need a "proper" computer to do these simple tasks, you could do it on your smartphone and tablet.

Of course this was bad news for the companies who made desktop PCs and laptops because their sales plummeted.

So some companies decided to try to make laptops that were more like tablets. Light, low powered, easy to use and so on.

And this laptop is one of those.

It is ONLY of any use if you plan to do VERY simple things on it, the sort of things you may do an a tablet or smartphone.

About the only thing you can do on this laptop that you cant do easily on a tablet is to write a word processing document.

So you should ONLY consider this laptop if you want to use it in a simple basic way.

If you wishes to do any "serious" work on it, or even play games, then buy a "proper" laptop.

[Hopkirk]

For a similar price you can get a proper basic Dell laptop

[mikey4444]

I agree with everybody else...avoid this like the plague. Why buy a Reliant Robin when for the same money you can a Fiesta ! Or maybe even a Focus !

There are plenty of laptops and notebooks around for very little more money that are miles better than this. I have just had a quick look on Tesco Direct and if you wait until Boxing Day, you will get even better value for your money.

Let us all know what you end up doing Tubby, as its always nice to get some feedback when we offer advice !

Happy Xmas to you and yours !

[Tubbycoates]

As always, thanks all.

Excellent advice.

Marry Christmas !