Is this Laptop worthy of Purchase ?!

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Professor1991

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Whats up All,

I'm in the market for a new laptop as my old trusty laptop is showing it's age. I've had it for at least 4 - 5 years but as of late, it shows strains of not keeping up. I can't use Lightroom without the fans just going off and a simple task like opening a browser causes multiple threads in the CPU to be used and the fans keep going. In the past a simple clean of the fans was a good fix but it was merely temporary. I've yet to spend some good time on Lightroom/ Photoshop because my laptop just bogs down (4gb RAM) and as of late, at random times, many of the keyboard keys just fail to work (Thankfully I chose the rare instance they work to type this !).

I work in an IT company so I'm often surrounded by computing hardware and 1 laptop that caught my interest was the ZBook 17 G3. I got briefly hands on with it and honestly, I quite like it. It was only after when I looked it up that I found how expensive it was ! I want a laptop which has a fairly large screen (17"+) as I tend to view visual content a fair bit and I quite like a lot of screen real estate. I would also ideally like some beefy hardware, processing wise and I would should think anywhere in the region of 8gb + is good enough for me. I would also like all the connectivity options as well such as USB, HDMI, SD Card Slot, headphone jack etcc... Only thing I'm not too fused about is having a large storage capacity. My current laptop is 320gb in capacity and after 5 years of having it, I've never needed to off load for the sake of saving space. I have a 2TB external hard drive which I infrequently use to back up my photos.

Thing is, I came across this listing (Link below) and although the laptop is refurbished, I still think it's too good to be true. 1 reason why I want to purchase a higher spec laptop is because I want to have it for the foreseeable future. The only reason I'm upgrading my laptop is because I find using lightroom to be a hassle and even the mundane tasks are becoming awfully taxing for my laptop. I am also aware the laptop in the link is a gaming laptop and the additional costs of package etc.... According to friends, they believe it's a risk, I understand it but it's refurbished by HP Direct but I still think it's a good deal. I am fully aware that I may be missing something grave hence me creating this thread. I appreciate any feedback/ advice.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-17-3-1...var=412807665871&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
 
Sounds like an American keyboard there as it seems be sourced from the US.

I can recommend the company in the link below. I am very pleased with a high spec refurbished Dell that I bought a month or so ago. And it came with a UK keyboard. Screen/resolution size was the only small issue, but that does not impact on anything I do...

www.cheaplaptopcompany.co.uk/laptops
 
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I'd get a UK laptop for warranty purposes and no import tax. Around Black Friday you often see some amazing deals on laptops. Have a search on Hotukdeals and see what comes up, that's a website where people post good deals that they find, I use it a fair bit.
 
First thing we need to know is what is your budget?

I personally wouldnt buy a laptop from ebay that is going to be sent from New York (unless you live in America that is)

Things to note about the laptop itself -
The screen is 17 inch but the actual resolution is only 1600 x 900.
The hard drive whilst 2TB in size is a slow 5400rpm version.
Changing the HD for an SSD (should you wish to) is a pig and requires the laptop chassis to be completely stripped.

Try sourcing a uk laptop so you get a warranty.
Have a look at the Dell Outlet store they usually have good spec'd laptops for decent prices.
 
I appreciate the feedback all,

My budget is £400-£500. I would most definitely like a large screen, anything in the 17" would be ideal. Most strenuous thing the laptop would have to do is run Lightroom.
I saw this and for what it's worth, it seems good. The only thing that has me doubting is, I contacted the seller and they haven't provided a proper name for the laptop. What they gave me was an amalgamation of letters, numbers and a symbol.
 
Another vote for Dell.

My other half got a good i3 Dell Inspiron last year for £269.

Quick enough and a good screen on it too.
 
Professor1991 said:
I appreciate the feedback all,

My budget is £400-£500. I would most definitely like a large screen, anything in the 17" would be ideal. Most strenuous thing the laptop would have to do is run Lightroom.
I saw this and for what it's worth, it seems good. The only thing that has me doubting is, I contacted the seller and they haven't provided a proper name for the laptop. What they gave me was an amalgamation of letters, numbers and a symbol.
Click to expand...

The generic name for the laptop is HP Pavilion 17
The mix of numbers and letters usually make up the precise model version and country of origin.

What is the info they gave you?
 
stupar said:
The generic name for the laptop is HP Pavilion 17
The mix of numbers and letters usually make up the precise model version and country of origin.

What is the info they gave you?
Click to expand...

I asked for a model name as the listing didn't seem to mention anything and I was given this ... 17-Y015CY.

I am awfully tempted by this and I think a UK equivalent buy would set me back a lot more than £500.
 
Professor1991 said:
I asked for a model name as the listing didn't seem to mention anything and I was given this ... 17-Y015CY.

I am awfully tempted by this and I think a UK equivalent buy would set me back a lot more than £500.
Click to expand...


Don't buy it, just don't, listen to the advice you have been given (or why bother asking). And yes, HP Pavilion 17-Y015CY is the model name.

Screen size isn't everything and a 17" screen with only 1600x900 resolution will look terrible and actually be rubbish for editing photos.

And this laptop might end up costing more if you end up having to pay import duty and VAT on top of the price, which is entirely possible. And how annoying would it be to have a keyboard without a £ symbol on it.
 
I would avoid it.

The listing on ebay itself mentions import taxes of approx £85 and the 90 day HP warranty only applies to toll free numbers e.g America so international warranty may not be honoured.
 
Nawty said:
Don't buy it, just don't, listen to the advice you have been given (or why bother asking). And yes, HP Pavilion 17-Y015CY is the model name.

Screen size isn't everything and a 17" screen with only 1600x900 resolution will look terrible and actually be rubbish for editing photos.

And this laptop might end up costing more if you end up having to pay import duty and VAT on top of the price, which is entirely possible. And how annoying would it be to have a keyboard without a £ symbol on it.
Click to expand...

You do have to pay import duty, and it's even added automatically at the checkout - according to the listing

$497.95 item
$26.18 delivery
$112.56 import charges

So $636.69 total, or £481.67 according to eBay at the moment.

So it does meet the OP's budget requirements. That said, US keyboard, US power and a pain in the arse to claim against warranty etc and it's not a particularly spectacular laptop anyway, I think I'd pass.
 
Question - do you need a laptop for portability?
If not then i would suggest a desktop pc with a bigger monitor......more scope within your budget.
 
Taking everything into account, I've decided to allow it. The price listed included a 30% discount as well.

Answering previous posts, I stay in fairly cramped quarters so a desktop isn't ideal as space is limited. A large laptop I find will be ideal because I use my laptop as a TV almost in regards to viewing content and beefy specs will hope to relegate the need for a desktop. I've been hands on with a few a big laptops to know, this is something I genuinely want.
 
Best of luck and I hope it works out for you.

Personally, and for the price, I wouldn't chance it and would have gone to Dell's website.
 
Latopsdirect do come up with the occasional brilliant deal - I was looking for a new laptop for precisely the same reasons as Prof , I had bought a reconditioned Lenovo T410 and thinking it was ready to pack up after 3 years so I started looking for a new one , I had inherited a bit of money so could afford whatever I wanted within reason , eventually I decided on a Dell Precision 7710 which looking back was way too big a specification for my needs but I was going through a funny phase in my life and bought it .
I nearly bought a self configured laptop from PC Specialist but had such a good deal on the 7710 I couldn't turn it down - next time anyone's looking for a new laptop I would say go to Dell Outlet UK [ I didn't but I will next time ] .
 
Hello All,

Update: I've managed to acquire a HP Zbook 17. I got it blindly cheap from a reputable seller. It was cheap for a reason and with that being it wasn't ready to use. It has a cracked screen, it needs a battery, HDD. I would also like to update the RAM from 4 to 16. It's limited 16 because it''s the dual core variant although the quad core can support up to 32gb. I'm merely wondering here, but is it possible to upgrade the CPU ?

The physical condition of the laptop (minus the screen) was immaculate. Anyone wondering, I got it for £150 !
 
TLR-330 said:
Can you source a screen for it or do you intend to use it with an external monitor?
Click to expand...

According to the seller, it requires a new screen as it is cracked. The crack isn't particularly visible switched off but I would think I need a new one.
 
Not a bad deal if you're competent with small fiddly connectors, provided there's nothing else wrong with it.
It may be it was just left on the floor and trodden on, it might be it was dropped. generally every Laptop we've had at work with a broken screen has been scrapped as they have generally been abused.

Still, check these out
http://www.laptop-lcd-screen.co.uk/...ON-17.3-LAPTOP-SCREEN-NO-DIGITIZER__40410.asp
 
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I's a bet as to the whether the rest of the laptop is in good condition. Given the fairly cheap price I got it for, their are a number of "upgrades/ repairs" I intend to perform. Chief of which, is the screen which the seller himself stated needs to be replaced. It has 4GB of RAM although this can be expanded to 16 which I intend to do. It is limited to 16 as this is the dual core variant of the machine, quad core variants however can support up 32GB. I'm merely enquiring here but, can I upgrade the processor ? I also intend to get a SSD albeit not a sizeable capacity (Ideally 128GB). This model does not have a finger print scanner although it's "slot" is covered. Is it possible to add finger print module to it ? I know these modules do exist but is it possible.
 
First thing would be to figure out a technical manual for the laptop from HP. That will show you how all the interiors are put together and how to disassemble the machine, then it will give you part numbers etc., to search for parts. Since you want to replace/add so many things to it, I wonder if what you bought is really such a good price.
 
TLR-330 said:
First thing would be to figure out a technical manual for the laptop from HP. That will show you how all the interiors are put together and how to disassemble the machine, then it will give you part numbers etc., to search for parts. Since you want to replace/add so many things to it, I wonder if what you bought is really such a good price.
Click to expand...

I am fully aware of the manual and I intend to read/ watch extensive tutorials on how to perform the necessary repairs. My job to a really loose extent kind of deals partially with this plus I have meddled with laptops in the past. I am aware of individual part numbers of the necessary items I require. The only "luxury" item I intend to get is an SSD so I can have a general speedier laptop and probably the only thing I want but I can do without is integrating a finger print scanner. These laptops sell north of the £600 mark and I honestly reckon I got a steal. I intend to partially source items from my work so I can reduce further expenditure.
 
Excellent Professor. I am happy you have it all under control. Sorry I cannot be of much help as I have only used Thinkpad laptops and they are the only ones I had to repair a couple of times.
 
Why do you want a fingerprint scanner? That would be very low on my list of requirements on a laptop
 
I suppose techniques and advice in regards to repairing laptops can generally be applied although I take on board all advice.

In relation to the finger print scanner, it's something I'd like but I don't need. I've given myself a fairly feasible budget (Which has a bit of room for spending more) and if after all the repair/ replaces, I have money to spare, why not ! Again, its not something I am immediately after.
 
Update: My screen size is 17" and the resolution is 1600x900. However I would personally like a 1080p panel but I was wondering would I be able to make it work. I would think from a physical stand point, the panel should fit but would the extra screen resolution be supported ?
 
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