Topic: New Laptop Required

[Clive]

No rush, but I shall be looking for a new laptop after Christmas in the hope of finding a bargain.  It will be used for:

Internet and e-mails
Storage of photos
A bit of WP

I have no idea what sort of spec I should be looking for so would appreciate any advice.  It will have to be a Windows machine but I don't mind which version.  3.1 is preferred. 

[Rik]

Don't wait till January, Clive, VAT goes up again. I'd go Dell or HP, but what's your budget and how portable do you want the machine to be?

[Simon]

Budget??  Clive doesn't know the meaning of the word! 

I'm sure there would be some deals to be had post Christmas though, wouldn't there?  The VAT increase is only 2½%. 

[Clive]

   I prefer Simon's theory Rik as things are usually cheaper after the Christmas binge.  I don't need state of the art, just something pretty basic but reliable.  I haven't thought of a budget but I don't want to pay for a Jag when a Fiesta will do. 

[Lona]

I've just bought this one for Mr Lona's Xmas, Clive

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Samsung_R720-JS01UK_Laptop_NP-R720-JS01UK/version.asp?refsource=LDfroogle

You want one with an hdmi connection to connect to your TV

[Clive]

That's one hell of a machine Lona.  An HDMI connection is mandatory.  My Mac has one and we could not be without it.  However, £570 seems a lot to pay for what I need.

[sam]

I have a nice acer machine.

[Clive]

It's already out of stock!

[Rik]

You've got to move fast at this time of year, Clive.

[Clive]

So I see!  Just when I was beginning to warm to the price.   

[Rik]

It may be warmer in two weeks...

[Simon]

So... do companies have to charge the increased VAT on existing stock, purchased at the old rate? 

[Clive]

It may be warmer in two weeks...

By 2.5%? 

[Simon]

 

[Camstop]

So... do companies have to charge the increased VAT on existing stock, purchased at the old rate? 

Yes. Vat is charged at the time of sale.

It doesn't make any cost difference to the vendor as they only pass on the price difference in purchase and sale vat to HMRC.

What will affect shops is replacing all the price stickers and altering all their software to the new rate.