After a cheap laptop for some work, and I keep getting really distracted by specs. Even the cheapest possible offering seems to have half a dozen variants with better RAM, GPU, etc, and I keep on exploring options, instead of settling on something reasonable. Looking for something small, light, with excellent battery life, that’s big enough for me to work on comfortably all day if necessary. Does it need a mega graphics card, no, but I keep going for 16/32GB RAM with the future in mind, and that leads me on to models that are £1,000+ instead of £100+. The more storage the better. Not a Chromebook, I want to actually have control of my device.
With the caveat that I have absolutely no experience with these computers, have you looked at Framework laptops?
Saw them mentioned in a discussion between game devs about reasonably priced development laptops (I want to say Terry Cavanagh said he’s got one), so I looked them up. Might fit what you’re looking for. Might.
1 Like
I usually pick up used laptops on ebay from reputable sellers. They’re cheaper than new, they come with the OS installed (like a new one), and you can usually find a good combo of specs for notably cheaper than new. 16gb is not unreasonable by any means. I personally like Lenovos for work–they’re well-made, not heavy, and usually have touch screen, which I find useful. It just takes a little web research on the front end of determine which model you might prefer.
1 Like
I might have to try this next time. I normally buy new and then sell my existing one - and get surprisingly a lot of money for the old one.
Might just be my family of origin or something, but I rarely buy used - cars / laptops / houses……
1 Like
My laptops are used, my house was built the same year I was, and both our cars were used. Aside from the immediate loss you take as soon as a new car leaves the lot or a new laptop comes out of the box, it also is its own kind of recycling.
2 Likes
Interestingly, the Switch 2 seems fairly readily available around me, at least according to store websites. I don’t know if it’s a general lack of interest, not enough innovation, parents unwilling to buy things for their kids that look exactly like they already have, or what. My daughter’s Switch is dying - the fan and battery are both shot, plus drift on a joycon - so I may pull the trigger sooner than later and give her my Switch. There isn’t the killer game yet for me, though. I suppose Pokémon Scarlet with better performance is a draw.
3 Likes
Available near me too; if I believed it that kind of thing I’d say they held stock back to increase interest on launch day, but that wouldn’t make sense, so… /s
Worthwhile upgrade for me overall, I think, even without Hades 2, Elden Ring, or Diablo 4 (if it comes) yet.
2 Likes
I don’t think summer is a great launch time for anything expensive geared towards kids. Families take vacations, which are expensive, and the idea of putting out more cash for something at this time of year rubs parents the wrong way. I don’t know why Nintendo didn’t do a launch in November. And I also don’t know why they didn’t pair it with a mass appeal, big title game either. It’s a weird mis-step for Nintendo, which has always been very calculating about releases.
I wonder whether the continued life of the Switch persuaded them that launch isn’t that big a deal, and it’s better to have some more niche options at launch to let them breathe, and then get console sales bumps each time a new tentpole comes out.
1 Like
I think it’s the fact that they had their supply chain sorted out.
It sold faster than the switch 1 - and there was ample stock. So, no scalpers, no lines - just a beautifully organised release.
Agreed that it is lacking a killer pokemon - I won’t get until that drops, and then it will be an insta buy.
Apparently Nintendo posted their numbers accidentally, showing 5.4million sold in first month
https://insider-gaming.com/nintendo-reveals-switch-2-has-sold-5-million-units-doubling-switch-1/
2 Likes