Advice - spending life savings on a laptop

Lggkaos on 11/12/2013 - 10:57

Hi Guys,

My sister is a volunteer teacher at the Solomon Islands university. Two of her students have given her their savings for the last couple years. About $285 each. I am trying to find the best deal I can for them.

  • I need a laptop or tablet because the power is unreliable and this size is easier for someone to take to Solomon Islands in their luggage.

  • I need a windows device so they can use word and powerpoint.

  • I was thinking about a surface RT, but can't find any at the moment for this price.

Any suggestions you may have would be useful. I would send my old equipment, but I have already sent it all to other needy people in the past. So let me know your best ideas for $285.

Thanks for the help,
SB

Computing

Comments

  • Car-la-la on 11/12/2013 - 11:13

    maybe contact these guys http://www.greenpc.com.au/
    considering the cause they may be able to donate/provide low cost laptops

  • _Bruce_ on 11/12/2013 - 11:27
    +1

    Just so you are aware, particularly as MS Office is so expensive there are good free options such a Libre Office.

  • ESEMCE on 11/12/2013 - 11:58
    +1

    $285 isn't going to buy you a new anything unless you consider an android tablet, which is not at all ideal.

    Best bet would be to look secondhand, where you can find Surface RT's on eBay for around that price.
    Personally I'd steer clear of RT and buy a couple of netbooks (ie Aspire One or EeePC) along with a couple of spare batteries for extra runtime.
    Definitely another +1 for LibreOffice.

    • scrimshaw on 11/12/2013 - 12:13

      I think RT would be a ideal choice. These are for students whose main use is web browsing and office work, and unlike ordinary Windows there is no need for OS maintenance like disk defrags, anti-malware protection etc.

      RT tablets also have better battery runtime, which is ideal in environments where you can't always have reliable electricity.

      • ESEMCE on 11/12/2013 - 12:42

        I think the RT is only a good option when money and utility is of no/minimal object.
        If they were my life savings, I'd want as much utility and longevity as possible from the device.

        The Surface has poor utility - it can do a couple of things OK and nothing more - and it has poor longevity - when it's glued-in battery inevitably dies in a couple of years or it's dropped and the screen shatters, the only option is to buy a new one..
        A netbook on the other hand can do anything that the Surface does and a whole lot more (ie run any program you care to, install different OS's, write, compile and run your own software, have a cheap/free full-size keyboard/mouse plugged into it for much easier input when using Office Software) and it's repairable (with purchased or cannibalised parts) by anyone with a few screwdrivers and a logical mind.

        Modern OS' don't need disk defrags and if you cotton wool users so they don't need to worry about malware, then you're just setting them up for failure in the future.

      • _Bruce_ on 11/12/2013 - 12:43

        Yes and no. Right now I completely agree it is great, but in a few years time we middle class Australian's would just throw away the RT tablet which doesn't work anymore and shrug, but that isn't the case here.

        Even simple things like being stuck on an old IE version locks you out of a lot.

  • cannedhams on 11/12/2013 - 15:59

    They're giving you their life savings. I'd wait around for the next corking good deal to pop up, presuming that they can wait.

    For example, there was a recent deal on here for refurbished ex-lease laptops, i5s for around the $200.00 mark. At least they can keep the balance of their money.

  • slow on 11/12/2013 - 16:08

    As it appears they are genuinely needy and a good cause what about trying to find someone to donate recycled laptops to them so that they can keep their money?

  • ggkaos on 11/12/2013 - 16:32

    I have gotten some people to donate already. Some generous businesses have sent a few tablets and laptops there already as have most of my friends and family. Unfortunately the need is far greater than what I can source. Normally I'd buy or contribute something myself, but my wife I take off soon to Cambodia for 18 months of unpaid work at an orphanage we support, so we're saving for that.

    I can wait about a month for a good deal as someone is going there in mid January.

    Thanks for all the suggestions and advice so far.

    SB

  • cintamami on 11/12/2013 - 17:01

    Hi there

    Perhaps look at 2nd hand as well? from ebay, I think Dual Core (Acer) could be easily had for less than $300.

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Acer-Aspire-5738G-Laptop-Core-2-D…

    or this,

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ACER-Aspire-One-AOD255E-10-Netboo…

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Acer-Aspire-One-Blue-P532h-Atom-N…

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Acer-Aspire-1810T-Core-2-Duo-Slim…

    the 3rd one looks good!

    you can ask the seller for discounted shipping and make an offer, possibly, you can get it for cheaper than the asking price. Explain to him/her what the purpose of the purchase for. I once sold on ebay for a bargain, I knew I could get more, but I decided to take a hit for a good cause.

    Better still, if it comes with a tax invoice, as long as the total order is over $300 (excluding shipping), you get the GST back!!! considering they only save $285 over 2 years, I assume $15 each in GST would means a lot for them.

    Also, if you are buying brand new. That means you have $313.50 as a budget, as you will the GST back on the way out of Australia.

    • scrimshaw on 11/12/2013 - 18:37

      For less than $300 Dell E4310's are a better buy (Core i5 + 4GB DDR3 rather than Core 2 Duo). More reliable than Acer and parts are easy to source.
      http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Used-Laptop-DELL-LATITUDE-E4310-I…

      • cintamami on 12/12/2013 - 00:08

        I was just quickly scouring ebay for a lappie below $300.

        I think a laptop would go a very long way rather than a tablet for those students.

        The above links I believe are a good value! I5!!!

        Only 4 left, better be quick if you really want to buy!

  • batrarobin on 11/12/2013 - 20:22

    I just bought two laptops from the recent deal posted here from ExRental company TechRentals, great laptops at great prices. Cost me $238 for each.

    Just PM me your email and I can forward you their email on what laptops they have on offer.

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