Wanting a new computer/laptop, need some advice!

[Inferna]

My old faithful laptop has finally given up the ghost with the internet connection only working wired and it's taking an age to start, so I've decided to invest in a new one!
Basically I need something under £500 (might be too much of a stretch lol) that will be pretty heavy duty. I'm planning on getting PS/AI/In Design and Sai so it'll need to run all the adobe stuff without too much lag.
I'm not really fussed if it is a laptop/desktop or not because this is so I can do my college work at home. Laptop would probably be easier for portability but I don't mind getting a desktop.
I'd prefer if it ran Windows 7 because I don't really like the look of Windows 8 haha.
Using art programs, word and going on the internet is most likely all I'll be using it for- so gfx for gaming isn't a big deal.
Any suggestions will be appreciated :3

[SirBlaziken]

If you have a lot of things wired to internet, don't get a netbook. If not, netbooks aren't as expensive, a bit more compact, and pretty fast and lightweight. I have an Asus, works fine.

Also, do not, I repeat, do not use internet explorer! It has ruined countless desktops at my house.

Sorry if this doesn't help.

[JSM]

Hi court I know next to nothing about computers, but I can point you here. I've heard good things about people who have asked for help buying a new computer/laptop there. (look in the sidebar for somewhere to ask about laptops, the people in these places are far more knowledgeable than I ever could be.)

[.~:Sly Foxx:~.]

I'm in a similar boat, and I've currently got my eye on the Dell Inspiron 15r. From the sounds of things it can handle some tough stuff, and there are still some around with Windows 7.

A quick google brings up one on Amazon for £595, but that's a quick search and I'm sure you can find one for cheaper~

[Milsap]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/toshiba-satellite-c850-1nu-15-6-laptop-21322534-pdt.html

Only down side is that it's Windows 8. Still a great laptop though, and Windows 8 is better than it looks. Honest.

[Moon Chaser]

All I can really say is avoid Acer Aspire laptops. I've had three and all of them had to have the same part repaired (the bit you plug the charger into before the warranty ran out and the two which are broken had it happen again after the warranty ran out.

[lets all go out for some frosty chocolate milkshakes]

acer also had that drama with the rootkit

[Del]

Just gonna chime in and say that Windows 8 really isn't that bad. The only real difference between 7 and 8 is the lack of Start Button (which is such an insane nonissue since we have a Windows Key on our keyboards which does the same thing), and the new Start Menu which covers the whole screen instead of being a pop-up window (but it's really not that bad).

I've been using Windows 8 since I upgraded from 7 back in January and I've not once encountered any issues, so if you find something you like but it has 8, don't let it put you off because "the internet said it was bad" or whatever.

[Richard and Blaziken]

I had a laptop with Windows 8 for 3 days. Said laptop crashed 6 times (seriously, I wasn't even doing anything intensive, just trying to get everything setup). I found one with Windows 7 and it's so much better for me. I'm not saying Windows 8 is bad... but I didn't like it at all. I recall mousing over part of the screen would go back to that dreaded windows screen with all the useless tabs I ended up getting rid of. It's a matter of personal taste, but Windows 8 on a laptop or computer seems very... unnecessary to me. Just my personal opinion; do research on it before getting one to see if you'll like it.

[Milsap]

The thing with Windows 8 is all you see on the adverts is the new start menu (That looks pretty much the same as the home screen on my Windows Phone). When you actually go and look at one, it's exactly the same, only that the Start menu is much bigger and easier to navigate.

[.~:Sly Foxx:~.]

Hey - if Windows 8 is really that bad, there's a chance that just buying a download of Windows 7 for whatever laptop you want to use will be tour cheapest option. You can buy it on Amazon for £70 or, if you're willingnto take a risk, from independent sellers for about £50.

[Dragonpika]

I'd recommend Argos's ebay outlet! I recently was in the same boat and they have loads of refurbished laptops there for cheap.

Here's all their laptops that pop up when you search for "Windows 7", I'd double check that any you like definitely do though cause searching for numbers is always weird.

I got a Toshiba Satellite with Win7 from there and it's shiny and red and only cost me less than 300 so I was a very happy bunny :3

[Lord Raven]

I had a laptop with Windows 8 for 3 days. Said laptop crashed 6 times (seriously, I wasn't even doing anything intensive, just trying to get everything setup). I found one with Windows 7 and it's so much better for me. I'm not saying Windows 8 is bad... but I didn't like it at all. I recall mousing over part of the screen would go back to that dreaded windows screen with all the useless tabs I ended up getting rid of. It's a matter of personal taste, but Windows 8 on a laptop or computer seems very... unnecessary to me. Just my personal opinion; do research on it before getting one to see if you'll like it.

Gonna guess it's a few factors
a) hardware sucks.  You changed your laptop from one that runs Windows 8 to one that runs Windows 7, which is wholly indicative of hardware failure.
b) you're downloading a ton of apps that work on windows 7 - the problem with these apps is that there's  no windows 8 version yet.  It slowed down my friend's laptop heavily until he downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials (because I tend to be smart about my internet browsing).  In fact, he downloaded a metric asston of these which completely destroyed his laptop.

Just gonna chime in and say that Windows 8 really isn't that bad. The only real difference between 7 and 8 is the lack of Start Button (which is such an insane nonissue since we have a Windows Key on our keyboards which does the same thing), and the new Start Menu which covers the whole screen instead of being a pop-up window (but it's really not that bad).

Put your mouse in the lower left corner.  You don't need no windows key ;o

All I can really say is avoid Acer Aspire laptops. I've had three and all of them had to have the same part repaired (the bit you plug the charger into before the warranty ran out and the two which are broken had it happen again after the warranty ran out.

I've had mine since February and I've had zero issues.  If you keep having the one part repaired it's your laptop itself thats faulty.  Had the same harddrive issue twice with an old Inspiron I used to have which was an issue with my particular model and not the whole line of laptops.

Kit - the 15R is actually pretty cheap for good specs.  I've had my own issues with it but people generally like it.  It'll last you like 3 years though, maybe more if you don't handle your hardware as poorly as I do.  I don't exactly have the softest touch...

[Kpyna]

build your own computerrr

mine cost me just over $1000... it can run any game on high quality and boots up in 5 seconds. google what parts you should get for your own specific needs, since i think that for like 500 euro you should be able to build a pretty good system for art and rendering things. look into it, building a computer sounds way more complicated than it actually is, especially with all of the step-by-steps online.

[Moon Chaser]

I've had mine since February and I've had zero issues.  If you keep having the one part repaired it's your laptop itself thats faulty.  Had the same harddrive issue twice with an old Inspiron I used to have which was an issue with my particular model and not the whole line of laptops.

All three acer aspires I've owned have had that problem and all three were different models.