I went into PC World and Comet, armed with a list of your recommendations and tried out the keyboards and screens of all the different makes. The PC World assistant appeared to be only 14 years old, but talked confidently about 'gigs' and the benefits of an 'Athlon' over a 'Celeron'. He seemed particularly enthusiastic over one machine which had a 'dual core' and stroked it reverentially as he spoke.
All this twaddle brought out the worst in me, so I declared that I was no fool and explained the results of my own research. I knew that I could type at a maximum of 30 words per minute ie half a word per second. Let's assume each word averages four letters, so that means I need a machine which can achieve 2 Hertz (cycles per second). Throw in a few more for updating the screen, checking the memory etc and 10 Hertz should be sufficient for my requirements.
This troubled him a bit and he sadly informed me that machines of 10 Hertz hadn't been invented yet, but would probably be available in a few years time (He gazed whistfully into the distance at this point). Feeling slightly guilty at upsetting him, I hurried away.
I only lasted two minutes in Comet, as the assistant was clearly devoid of intelligence and kept trying to sell me an extended warranty 'for my own protection, in case the machine should break down'. I explained that it wouldn't be me who needed protection if the machine decided to stop working and headed to John Lewis; where the intelligent, middle aged salesman convinced me that the Toshiba would do me just fine. (I like John Lewis because the girls who work in perfumes etc are good looking and flirt outrageously whereas the blokes who work in electronic things know their stuff but don't talk in techno-jargon. Everyone however knows where everything is in the store. Try testing them with some obscure item for fun- you can never catch them out.)
Anyway, as no shop would match internet prices and having the meanness gene; I nipped round the corner to a nearby cafe to see how much I could save by buying online, only to discover that it was the same price. So tail between my legs, I returned and handed over my hard earned royalties.
9 comments:
I wouldn't have gone for a Tosh personally, but from what I've hear from other customers you've made a good choice with John Lewis. They've got a genuinely good customer servive department that seems to actually *care* about your rights and happiness.
Under no circumstances buy anything that's not a loss leader from PC World, Currys or Dixons. Ever. I used to work for them and won't set foot in the place if I can avoid it.
Mr. Chalk, you can't go much wrong with your attitude. Specific technical gimmicks tend to be misleading marketing arguments. A good feel is what you need, so if you feel comfortable, you're OK.
And the reliability record with Toshiba is OK, not the greatest but the best part is that it doesn't have too much bloatware included when you start using it.
Have to agree with Mosher RE PC-World/Currys. I used to work for them myself as a phone monkey for their extended warranties. Lets just say that how the company hasn't ended up in court more then it does (and it does) for trying to screw over its customers I'll never know.
Good choice on the Toshiba though - very very rare that one of those ever came back with a fault verses the others I mentioned in my previous comment. Decent keyboards not the best equipped or stylish, but they'll take a fairly decent kicking and at good prices too.
Never dealt with John Lewis, but also heard good things about them. I'll definitely keep them in mind when I eventually replace my EeePC 701.
In my experience I have never had cause to complain about John Lewis, whereas PC wurld et al........
And why care about who made the laptop - as long as YOU like it!
Speaking as an IT guy a lot of the recommendations you got would be nothing but trouble in the environment I do daily battle with and recommendations come in two sorts - ones from experience or ones where there is a back hander.
Another thumbs up for JL, and another ex-Dixons group employee advising you to avoid them at all costs.
On the point of going round shops to try stuff out then buying it cheaper off the net - this is apparently such a problem for outdoor equipment retailers that one correspondent for Trail magazine reported having been told that it would cost them £15 to TRY ON a jacket, £15 that would be deducted from the price if they bought it.
Lol, love the 10Hz comment, sums up the intelect of the average electronics store salesdroid.
With a laptop, the most important thing is the 'feel'. I don't like dell's touchpad buttons, so they're out. I only wish I had gotten one with a matte screen, rather than the glossy one that picks up a lot of reflections. Long as you're happy with it, all that matters really, innit.
My son had a part-time job in PC World for a few weeks and he doesn't know the first thing about computers (other than how to update his facebook account). One of his jobs was to sell laptops and he just used to embellish what it already said on the product card with a lot of stuff he made up. (Probably why he only lasted a few weeks!)
I have an OLD Toshiba Satellite. It still works. Even though my youngest danced upon it....
If it does what you want, then it's a good buy.
Shopping makes the normally peaceful TeacherCreature want to kill! However, you are on to a winner with John Lewis. They might be a bit pricier, but where else can you buy a shiny new laptop and a deliciously warmed cheesy scone at the same time?
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