Laptop queries
Discussion
Are you from the other thread where you said you bought an ASUS Cloudbook? You must have bought the cheapest laptop you could find, there are obviously going to be compromises. They are essentially cheap Chromebooks that have been forced to run Windows 11 when they probably shouldn’t. Does yours only have 4GB RAM? Chrome infamously uses a lot of RAM to run smoothly. If you’ve run out then it’s going to run slowly.
If it’s too slow after a couple of days of using it and it doesn’t work for you because there aren’t enough USB ports, maybe you should return it as you’ve clearly bought the wrong product.
If it’s too slow after a couple of days of using it and it doesn’t work for you because there aren’t enough USB ports, maybe you should return it as you’ve clearly bought the wrong product.
Edited by Brainpox on Saturday 31st December 11:36
Well, the thing is, a laptop is not a desktop.
I'm guessing (from your description of the spec in your other thread), that it's one of these:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1938827?clickPR=pl...
It says it has Bluetooth, so you can connect a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard using that, you don't need to use the supplied USB dongle.
You machine comes with Windows in S mode, which it seems you have now switched out of. Most new machines will not be shipped like that, I suspect yours has been because it's a low spec machine.
But from your description above, it sounds like you really want a desktop and have bought the wrong thing.
I'm guessing (from your description of the spec in your other thread), that it's one of these:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1938827?clickPR=pl...
It says it has Bluetooth, so you can connect a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard using that, you don't need to use the supplied USB dongle.
You machine comes with Windows in S mode, which it seems you have now switched out of. Most new machines will not be shipped like that, I suspect yours has been because it's a low spec machine.
But from your description above, it sounds like you really want a desktop and have bought the wrong thing.
disation to run all the latest stuff flawlessly and to have all the connectivity you could possibly want to run it as a replacement desktop? It isn't very helpful to say that you bought a poor laptop - but I'm afraid it is always going to struggle at even the basics these days.
In your position, I would look for a refurbished Dell desktop. Plenty on eBay, even the occasional new one like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114789291372?hash=item1...
Look for at least 8Gb memory and an SSD as yiour main storage and you'll be amazed at the diference compared to your laptop.
In your position, I would look for a refurbished Dell desktop. Plenty on eBay, even the occasional new one like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114789291372?hash=item1...
Look for at least 8Gb memory and an SSD as yiour main storage and you'll be amazed at the diference compared to your laptop.
I'd look at a refurbished PC from one of the many ebay sellers, like this one:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255883246284
I'd raise the RAM to 16GB but it's even got Dell warranty for another year & you could even make an offer. I'm most familiar with the Optiplex 7070/80/90 series & there are a few to choose from. If you pick a seller with a good feddback rating to are farily safe, but it's not like buying new. I've bought several & not had any issues.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255883246284
I'd raise the RAM to 16GB but it's even got Dell warranty for another year & you could even make an offer. I'm most familiar with the Optiplex 7070/80/90 series & there are a few to choose from. If you pick a seller with a good feddback rating to are farily safe, but it's not like buying new. I've bought several & not had any issues.
snuffy said:
Well, the thing is, a laptop is not a desktop.
I'm guessing (from your description of the spec in your other thread), that it's one of these:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1938827?clickPR=pl...
It says it has Bluetooth, so you can connect a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard using that, you don't need to use the supplied USB dongle.
You machine comes with Windows in S mode, which it seems you have now switched out of. Most new machines will not be shipped like that, I suspect yours has been because it's a low spec machine.
But from your description above, it sounds like you really want a desktop and have bought the wrong thing.
OP, to give you a clue how slow that Celeron N4020 processor is, it scores a similar benchmark to a first generation laptop i5 processor from 2010.I'm guessing (from your description of the spec in your other thread), that it's one of these:
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1938827?clickPR=pl...
It says it has Bluetooth, so you can connect a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard using that, you don't need to use the supplied USB dongle.
You machine comes with Windows in S mode, which it seems you have now switched out of. Most new machines will not be shipped like that, I suspect yours has been because it's a low spec machine.
But from your description above, it sounds like you really want a desktop and have bought the wrong thing.
My spare laptop is a 2010 i3 and does the same things in Youtube as the OP reports, so it is definitely a performance issue you have there.
To help speed it up, turn off all the Windows animations and effects like transparency. Uninstall all bloatware and apps that you do not use. If you don't use Onedrive, either uninstall it or go to options and tell it not to run at startup. Uninstall any third party antivirus software.
Stick a USB hub in your USB C port to expand the number of sockets you have.
I've never heard of "S mode".
Just changed my 2yr old £1000 ThinkPad as it was getting a bit slow and a Black Friday pricing glitch made a replacement with faster processor, more RAM and bigger SSD at the same price a bit of a 'bargain', but even that has its moments where it goes away to check what it's supposed to be doing next.
A £200 machine doesn't bear thinking about. The dock for the ThinkPad (which gets around the USB - and other - ports issue) was near enough that.
Just changed my 2yr old £1000 ThinkPad as it was getting a bit slow and a Black Friday pricing glitch made a replacement with faster processor, more RAM and bigger SSD at the same price a bit of a 'bargain', but even that has its moments where it goes away to check what it's supposed to be doing next.
A £200 machine doesn't bear thinking about. The dock for the ThinkPad (which gets around the USB - and other - ports issue) was near enough that.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff