Laptop Choice?

Refurb would be the way to go IMO. Excellent deals such as this (with a 1 year warranty)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lenovo-ThinkPad-X1-Carbon-Laptop-Core-i7-4600U-240GB-SSD-8GB-RAM-W10-Ultrabook/182462558910?epid=14029954810&hash=item2a7b9db2be:g:~OkAAOSwhEhcSusV

Chuck in an Office365 for Students subscription, job done.

Would add that to the office 365, make sure you sign up to onedrive, and when you set it up make sure documents\desktop folders are included in the setup, means that no matter where she saves stuff it will be automatically saved and backed up as she works, so no more lost homework. Also allows you to roll back versions easily too.

@TGR - assuming you're time limited, just buy the one Manc_Ronnie linked. It ticks all the boxes and is under budget.

It's a practical size too.

@TGR - I noticed in the Mac thread you said she's lost her work.

It may not help, but before I reinstalled windows on my OH's laptop, I was able to load it up and access the hard drive by using a live version of Ubuntu.
https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#0

It won't work if it's encrypted. But for 10mins and a USB stick it's worth a try.

Thanks all for the advice. There is a lot to take on board and I am clueless.

Honestly, just buy the one Manc_Ronnie linked from eBay now.

Don't over complicate it.

If you need it sooner ask them for express postage.

If you need one today post a wanted add and see if you can borrow one.

If you don't have a spare USB stick order a 16GB one from Amazon now. When it arrives follow the link I posted and ask any Qs in the Linux thread.

Thanks

And depending on what you mean by 'laptop died' you might just be able to remove the hard disk from the old laptop, put it in a 2.5" USB enclosure and copy the data over.

That’s an option except for one issue - I’m doing well to plug it in - that’s the extent of my computer knowledge.

Hi - Tier 1 refurbs - they do ex-corporate devices with a guarantee. Devices are generally bombproof as not consumer spec. Lenovos generally vfm.

https://www.tier1online.com/refurbished-laptops/?sort=bestselling

Yeah, that's the company, I linked to their ebay shop.

Cool, buy laptop, when delivered, search Google or local Facebook groups for an IT Tech type. Get them to sort it, all for < £350.

Just noticed e-bay link above - same place. I agree with Manc Ronnie.

W.r..t laptop, when you say died? No power? No screen? Won't start? Also agree about taking drive out and plugging into a caddy to get work back.

The most bang for your buck would be second hand. Either the one that Manc_Ronnie linked or something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lenovo-Thinkpad-X260-Core-i7-6500U-2-50GHz-8GB-Ram-500GB-HDD-Webcam-HDMI-Laptop/323966207690? (I've bought a few laptops from this ebay seller and they're all fine).

These laptops are pretty powerful for the price and a better build quality than what you'd get new in this price range (they're ex-corporate machines so designed to be a bit more robust and long-lasting). The downsides are that they may be a bit cosmetically damaged, the screen resolution isn't always as good and the battery life is rarely anywhere near as good as a new machine (this is partly because the batteries are old, partly because a lot of focus has gone into making computers more power efficient in the last few years).

If you're going new and willing to go up to £500 (well, £516) I would go with this from the Dell outlet store
https://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/SecondaryInventorySearch.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdfb1&l=en&s=dfb&sign=PXhcOSHtr1T4IOw%2fPR7UdfPVr%2fBMMC3rhUr6l0wkldUSsQRCCGsfuCb4F9SW2bMz6x8T8tmTqdcVEb0DjDFoA%2fnw%2fzswH0IOjZUBBoeFJC7fda4NNtZOJFJ%2b6QygdKzq49aGRcOEgrlNJytZsInMfVlQr6x%2bkGWyhymf%2b%2fLMh2wgaHcgbXTjSU0Hy74Gyn8FC%2bIWoUsGZizSekZkVlPCN0ipINs0fjDWEw1cVew6SHEBamhU4rCxjsqCfvwWW2HJ9k63GjMbcZA%3d

It's very powerful for the price and the outlet store stuff is basically new. It's a better screen and a way better processor than the second hand ones linked. It also has newer features like a USB C port which will future proof it.

Personally, I'd try and stretch to the Dell if that budget is possible.

Thanks for the info. Still pondering my options.

It froze and wouldn’t restart.

Basically you won't get anything decent new under £300 so at that price I'd look at second hand. If you can stretch to £500/don't want second hand then something like the Dell I linked will be very good.

Thanks. I expect she will be looking for an Apple in the future and this one should cover from now until then. Bizarrely I may get her handmedowns!

Sometimes worth taking the battery out and leaving it for a few mins. Presumably won't power on, not just something wrong with Windows...?

Where do you live? I'd be happy to take a look at it if you're close enough...

I doubt I’m close. I’m in Norn Iron. But thanks for the offer. This forum is full of great people.

Shite. Sorry I can't help.

I do advise that the old laptop may not be a lost cause though...

No probs. Thanks for the offer, it is much appreciated.

I do advise that the old laptop may not be a lost cause though...

Agreed

if the laptop has a built in battery there should be a little hole that you can poke with a paper clip to effectively do the same thing as removing the battery.

pressing and holding the power button for 10 seconds or so may also get it to power off