Summer is here and my computer huffs and puffs. I've had it many years and in the past two years i've been making music it's done a grand job. It is quite low spec by today's standards, but everything works fine (i5 3210m, 2.5 ghtz processory stuff, 8gb RAM).
I'd be happy to buy something similar, though something better would obviously be preferrable if I could afford it.
I have found two items. https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/refurbi ... ersion.asp
Which is pretty dear for my budget (no comment on quality). But the processor looks pretty good and is quad core but it's 2.0 compared to the 2.5 I have. Does that mean being quad core makes up for it? I don't understand these things.
Then there's this
https://www.stonerefurb.co.uk/hp-envy-1 ... dd-grade-c
Which is good value (grading aside). The cpu isn't hugely better than mine, but then I don't desperately need it to be.
What would you do? I can't afford something brand new or top of the range, but my laptop is getting a bit hot in the summer heat and I fear it won't be long before it needs taking at back along with Old Yeller.
Buying a new (old) laptop
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- KVRAF
- 1572 posts since 31 Dec, 2020
Muh bandcamp: https://automatedhero.bandcamp.com/?fro ... _dashboard
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- KVRian
- 565 posts since 3 Jan, 2021
I would clean out your old laptop, remove dust etc. If it runs stable now and doesn't make unusual noises it is a lower heat risk than some random newer one.
If you have a bit of cash it is well invested in 16 GB and a SSD if you don't use one already.
If you have a bit of cash it is well invested in 16 GB and a SSD if you don't use one already.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1572 posts since 31 Dec, 2020
I do not, but i'm not sure how much life is left in this machine so upgrading isn't something i'm looking into.uOpt wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 4:04 pm I would clean out your old laptop, remove dust etc. If it runs stable now and doesn't make unusual noises it is a lower heat risk than some random newer one.
If you have a bit of cash it is well invested in 16 GB and a SSD if you don't use one already.
I don't really know how to clean my laptop, beyond compressed air blowing out the vents (no dust seems to appear). I don't have the skill to open it up and I'm not keen to try
Currently it runs close to 80 degrees C in the hot afternoons, normally around 70 degress otherwise.
Muh bandcamp: https://automatedhero.bandcamp.com/?fro ... _dashboard
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- KVRAF
- 8149 posts since 13 Jan, 2003 from Darkest Kent, UK
Bottomline: these refurbs are probably very similar to yours but someones has opened them up and blasted them with compressed air. 
I've still got a similar spec'ed Dell hanging around, 12yo Latitude, could knock nails in with it. Power socket a bit loose but still fine for so much of what I do. Only bought a new one (refurb dell, ~£450) to get a more modern processor (modular stuff like Reaktor or VCV killed the old one) and a FHD screen.
If you're happy with your current ones spec then I'd seriously consider trying to upgrade it rather than buy another of similar vintage. ITZoo are pretty good, often have sales that can slash their prices, can get ex-business laptops (ie. better built Latitudes, Thinkpads etc) for not much more that HP. I'd stay clear of the Ideapads personally, I looked at a couple in Currys and they feel very flimsy.
I've still got a similar spec'ed Dell hanging around, 12yo Latitude, could knock nails in with it. Power socket a bit loose but still fine for so much of what I do. Only bought a new one (refurb dell, ~£450) to get a more modern processor (modular stuff like Reaktor or VCV killed the old one) and a FHD screen.
If you're happy with your current ones spec then I'd seriously consider trying to upgrade it rather than buy another of similar vintage. ITZoo are pretty good, often have sales that can slash their prices, can get ex-business laptops (ie. better built Latitudes, Thinkpads etc) for not much more that HP. I'd stay clear of the Ideapads personally, I looked at a couple in Currys and they feel very flimsy.
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- Boss Lovin' DR
- 14312 posts since 15 Mar, 2002 from the grimness of yorkshire
What Gary said...plus if you're not confident opening it up to give it a clean, there are loads of repair shops who would have a look and do a professional renovation - have a look on google for your area. Sounds like the fan is, in technical terms, a bit f**ked.
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- KVRAF
- 8149 posts since 13 Jan, 2003 from Darkest Kent, UK
Not encouraging you to risk doing something you're not comfortable with but if it is pretty old then it's probably easier to take apart if anything. This new Dell of mine has a few screws to remove then you have to unsnap all these catches with a plastic tool, a few times thought the whole back would snap trying to get them free. My old Dell was much easier, even had dedicated panels for the memory, easily removable battery etc. Cheaper production I guess.
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- Boss Lovin' DR
- 14312 posts since 15 Mar, 2002 from the grimness of yorkshire
You can probably also find the service manual online as well, which will give step by step instructions.
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- KVRer
- 7 posts since 6 Jul, 2022
I would be wary of buying a used machine with similar specs. If you are going for something different, I would look to grab something with at least 32GB of RAM and an SSD. Good site to compare parts if you havent seen it: https://www.userbenchmark.com/PCBuilder