Err I would just get a cheap used business laptop perhaps. Can certainly get something decent for less than £200.

I've had some bad experiences and really don't trust used electronics, do you know of anywhere trustworthy that gives a decent (at least a year) warranty and won't quibble about intermittent problems?

I'd rather give her the extra myself than risk having to fix it for her, especially since I've no idea about diagnosing what a problem actually is these days, but it'd certainly work for some.

Just found my answer. Surprising what a Google search can help with.

There are a lot of variations of this Thinkpad, Gurt. What's your exact model? Or what would you recommend. I assume it is Lenovo.

three1ne wrote:

Just found my answer. Surprising what a Google search can help with. There are a lot of variations of this Thinkpad, Gurt. What's your exact model? Or what would you recommend. I assume it is Lenovo.

It has an 'i7' 3520m (hyperthreaded dual core, so 4 threads), rest is mostly standard I think. I asked the seller if he would sell it for cheaper with the HDD and RAM removed as I would be replacing them straight away, it arrived with the hard drive and RAM anyway. The i5 version is the same processor with just a slightly lower top clock speed, so another solid choice. Models after that started using the 'u' version CPUs which were low power and more efficient but weaker than the predecessors, my old X230 is about as quick as a modern Macbook.

Oooh there was one thing about the X230 that might be tricky though, there are TN and IPS screen versions. IPS is much preferable for off-angle viewing and colours, maybe not such a bother for documents and stuff? If the seller doesn't specify you can send a message asking them, though many don't reply.

If it comes with a hard drive then you can chuck in something like this in it's place - https://www.mymemory.co.uk/integral-120gb-p-series-5-sata-iii-2-5-ssd-drive-560mb-s.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImqLW5dO12gIVwbgbCh16ygaXEAkYAiABEgLhp_D_BwE Essential for that snappy response, that one is probably not the top performer, but should be close enough.



Oh yeah definitely go the Linux route for speed and no bloat.

If it's tricky to find sources for a Thinkpad then do look at comparable machines from maybe Dell or Toshiba, plenty of good used laptops around. They key thing is spare parts like the keyboard and stuff, and especially get one with a removable battery. I have a big extended one in my X230 which does the job nicely, and doubles as a really good handle for carrying around and holding it up with one hand. Also look at the non-X Thinkpads, the T models probably. Bit bigger so not as portable, but will probably have faster processors and more ports. There's a Thinkpad Reddit which is a good place to ask for specific models to look out for.

Key things to make sure you get and to ask questions about; IPS screen (if that's desirable for the use case), SSD of 120GB capacity or greater (X230 can take an MSATA or 2.5" form factor, MSATA requires opening it up to get access, which is reasonably easy), 8GB of RAM, and you can forgo an operating system if you go the Linux route.

Certainly cheap options out there, sometimes just a case of asking the seller about configuration, and weighing up whether to go barebones and fill in the RAM/SSD yourself with deals you've found. There are sellers like this supposedly offering a year's warranty too.

Unlikely wrote:

Can anyone recommend a robust, ideally fire-proof USB drive to use to backup critical files from laptops/phones etc?

ioSafe, they aren't cheap though.

Dinostar77 wrote:

Unlikely wrote:

Can anyone recommend a robust, ideally fire-proof USB drive to use to backup critical files from laptops/phones etc?

ioSafe, they aren't cheap though.

Thanks, will look into them.

AJ, yar, probably, but that requires those services to continue to exist.  Admittedly, a physical solution relies on that hardware not failing.

Yeah, I get that, thanks.  I've already suggested off-site backup is a better option and that's probably what we'll do.

Also, Photobucket suddenly announced they were going to hold years' worth of image hosting to ransom, and having not read the EULA of dropbox etc. in detail I'm assuming there's nothing to stop them doing the same at some point.

Really? Nothing at all?

Unlikely@ backup stuff to a HD, put the HD in a fireproof box. that would be cheaper.

I’d be amazed if a fireproof box actually protected your data in the event of a fire. Enough heat for long enough will surely melt the copper in the circuitry.

I’m not even sure that a fireproof drive would survive a full on house fire.

I store my important data offsite, on a hard drive in my drawer at work.

Now I realise that won't help here. But multiple physical backups at different sites is always my preferred solution.

You could get one of these made.

https://gizmodo.com/this-tiny-coin-contains-a-microscopic-archive-of-1-000-1791607699

WorKid wrote:

I store my important data offsite, on a hard drive in my drawer at work. Now I realise that won't help here. But multiple physical backups at different sites is always my preferred solution.

Ta.  As it happens offsite backup is exactly the solution we agreed last night.