Can anyone reccomend me a cheap laptop/notebook?

[R1 Indy]

Basically Im after a very cheap laptop or notebook.

It's main purpose is for setting up IP CCTV camera's etc, where customers have no wifi.


It needs to be small as possible, as it will be used 7M up ladders etc.

Windows

RJ45 and wifi

Budget Max £150

Does not need massive HD, or any fancy bits/hardware.

Does not have to be brand new, could be a refurb end unit etc.



I'm not too sure what I'm looking for etc.

Any reccomend actions would be great.

Cheers

[ZesPak]

At that budget it would be slim pickings, how bout an older 2nd hand samsung netbook and spend the rest on a stick of RAM?

It won't be blistering fast but it'll work, be compact and have decent battery life as well as a RJ45 connector.

[Foliage]

http://www.ebuyer.com/623955-asus-x102ba-touch-lap...

[R1 Indy]

thanks, the samsung looks ideal on paper, like this one;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-N210-Intel-Atom-...

I would imagine the 2GB memory would be fine? It does not need to be super fast, just not slow...

Regarding battery life, as long as it can last a couple of hours, that would be fine.


Yes the budget is low, but its going to be used once a week max, and very little work for it, so i do not see the benefit on a expensive system that will just sit there depreciating!

[ZesPak]

R1 Indy said:

thanks, the samsung looks ideal on paper, like this one;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-N210-Intel-Atom-...

I would imagine the 2GB memory would be fine? It does not need to be super fast, just not slow...

Regarding battery life, as long as it can last a couple of hours, that would be fine.


Yes the budget is low, but its going to be used once a week max, and very little work for it, so i do not see the benefit on a expensive system that will just sit there depreciating!

I was just saying its LOW .
I've had a N110 a couple of years ago (2009-2012), couple things about it:

• It was dog slow on the XP it came with, ran fine with Win 8 in the end. I blame a combination of the measly 1GB of RAM and the Atom though. 2GB in the N210 should be better and the CPU is better as well.
• It was amazing VFM at £200 NEW.
• It did everything it said on the can, like a full windows laptop only more compact.
• Battery was easily 8h in the first year.
• My friend has it now, it's still running fine. Sold it to her for £100 after 3 years of usage, probably the least I've ever lost on a laptop in absolute money .

[sgrimshaw]

What about a Win 8.1 tablet?

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/ipa...

or

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/ipa...

for example.

Plenty of tablet brackets around too, so you could secure it on a mount on your ladder etc.

USB ethernet adapters are readily available and are cheap.

[ZesPak]

Good call, a small one will be easier to hold in one hand and used by the other I'm guessing.
If you need USB AND RJ45 at the same time you could have some problems though, most of them only have 1 usb port.

[sgrimshaw]

ZesPak said:

Good call, a small one will be easier to hold in one hand and used by the other I'm guessing.
If you need USB AND RJ45 at the same time you could have some problems though, most of them only have 1 usb port.

Something like this would probably overcome that:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IZA09SU?psc=1


Or this should also work:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MG82AF2/ref=...

Just ordered one of each for a couple of my pieces of kit, so if anyone's interested if they "work" then just shout.

Edited by sgrimshaw on Friday 6th March 11:42

[R1 Indy]

sgrimshaw said:

What about a Win 8.1 tablet?

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/ipa...

or

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/ipa...

for example.

Plenty of tablet brackets around too, so you could secure it on a mount on your ladder etc.

USB ethernet adapters are readily available and are cheap.

interesting, i did not realise you could get ethernet adaptors for a tablet.

Does the windows software operate exactly the same as it does on a laptop etc?

If so then i think that is perfect.

[ZesPak]

R1 Indy said:

interesting, i did not realise you could get ethernet adaptors for a tablet.

Does the windows software operate exactly the same as it does on a laptop etc?

If so then i think that is perfect.

I would opt for a 2GB RAM one if you can find one.

[sgrimshaw]

Review here of the Bush MyTablet 8, only has 1gb RAM but even then the review is positive.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/tablets/1000241/bush-mytabl...

The Linx 8 reviews well too http://www.pcpro.co.uk/tablets/1000352/linx-8-revi...

I'd echo Zespak's recommendation for the 2gb though, but 2GB RAM seems elusive on the 8" tablets.

The Linx 10" does have 2GB though, review here for you http://www.pcpro.co.uk/tablets/1000259/linx-10-rev...

I've gone for the Linx 10 as I want to try using it for remote support and I "need" Windows.

ETA - just ordered a Linx 10!

Edited by sgrimshaw on Friday 6th March 12:26

[R1 Indy]

Thanks guys, I went for the Linx8 in the end, which arrived this morning.

I am very impressed with it, I cannot believe its so cheap!

It is very easy to use, fast, it does everything my iPad does, and more.

It will even just about fit in my pocket.

I'm sure it will serve its purpose very well.

The real test will be if it survives when I inevitably drop it whilst up a ladder