@TomsFocus here is a good link to keep an eye out for laptop deals. April last year I got an Lenovo Ideapad 5 (Intel i5) for my dad which was a bargain at ~£580 with 16Gb ram, 512Gb SSD and both discrete and GeForce MX350 GFX. Not long after the retail price was over £750 if you could even spec that up. My brother bought the AMD 4000 series version of the same laptop which didn't have the option of the GeForce GFX (though the AMD 4800U has pretty decent built in GFX) for a little over £630. - (2) Laptop Deals ⇒ Cheap Price, Best Sales in UK - hotukdeals

I don't like hearing two lots of bad news this afternoon.

First was a call from the son of a work colleague who retired just before Christmas. His fathered contracted covid-19 and is critically unwell in hospital after taking a massive turn for the worse in the last few days. As the South East was already under tier 4 we couldn't even meet to say our good byes and pass over his retirement gift or card (I still have his main gift and other bits here and was arranging to send it over by courier) and now he may never see his retirement at all 😢.

Second call was from another work colleague who is also in hospital after finding out his prostate cancer has now spread to his spine. He had been in and out of hospital from 2018 after first being diagnosed and was apparently being checked and tested to make sure nothing was spreading but somehow late in the year he started to suffer massive back pain and ended up in hospital where they have found things had spread. He's had radio and chemo therapy to try and reduce the swelling in his spine and is facing the possibility of spinal surgery.

It's just been a s#*t year and now it's turning into another.

1 hour ago, Zico said:

I don't like hearing two lots of bad news this afternoon.

First was a call from the son of a work colleague who retired just before Christmas. His fathered contracted covid-19 and is critically unwell in hospital after taking a massive turn for the worse in the last few days. As the South East was already under tier 4 we couldn't even meet to say our good byes and pass over his retirement gift or card (I still have his main gift and other bits here and was arranging to send it over by courier) and now he may never see his retirement at all 😢.

Second call was from another work colleague who is also in hospital after finding out his prostate cancer has now spread to his spine. He had been in and out of hospital from 2018 after first being diagnosed and was apparently being checked and tested to make sure nothing was spreading but somehow late in the year he started to suffer massive back pain and ended up in hospital where they have found things had spread. He's had radio and chemo therapy to try and reduce the swelling in his spine and is facing the possibility of spinal surgery.

It's just been a s#*t year and now it's turning into another.

Hope things turn out for the better for them. One of my family members in America I heard is on a ventilator due to covid. 

Honestly last year was the worst year of my life. Hope this year doesn't be as bad.

13 hours ago, Zico said:

@TomsFocus here is a good link to keep an eye out for laptop deals. April last year I got an Lenovo Ideapad 5 (Intel i5) for my dad which was a bargain at ~£580 with 16Gb ram, 512Gb SSD and both discrete and GeForce MX350 GFX. Not long after the retail price was over £750 if you could even spec that up. My brother bought the AMD 4000 series version of the same laptop which didn't have the option of the GeForce GFX (though the AMD 4800U has pretty decent built in GFX) for a little over £630. - (2) Laptop Deals ⇒ Cheap Price, Best Sales in UK - hotukdeals

I keep checking HUKD, deals seem to be updated every day at the moment!  That seems like about the right spec and price for me too.  Though I don't need a separate graphics card really.

Every laptop posted on there seems to have some complaints in the comments though, things I don't even understand like soldered RAM (how else do they attach it?) and screen nits - I didn't know screens could catch headlice!  And then there's mention over overheating and short battery life...I wasn't aware Ford even made laptops!

59 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I keep checking HUKD, deals seem to be updated every day at the moment!  That seems like about the right spec and price for me too.  Though I don't need a separate graphics card really.

Every laptop posted on there seems to have some complaints in the comments though, things I don't even understand like soldered RAM (how else do they attach it?) and screen nits - I didn't know screens could catch headlice!  And then there's mention over overheating and short battery life...I wasn't aware Ford even made laptops!

Samsung make the battery's  for ford elec vehicles. 

1 minute ago, iantt said:

Samsung make the battery's  for ford elec vehicles. 

So will they spontaneously combust like the ones did on their Galaxy smartphones?

2 hours ago, Nick Y said:

So will they spontaneously combust like the ones did on their Galaxy smartphones?

Will they or have they? 🤔🤔

Wuhan  market............Never looked at it before but my just lost for words that's all can say.

4 minutes ago, FiestaForever said:

Let’s hope not, there will be a few too many angry Ford owners with burnt out cars, garages, and houses with garages attached.😬

Do a Google search? 

Oh no!  

Ford To Idle Saarlouis Assembly Plant Over Microchip Shortage (fordauthority.com)

14 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Oh no!  

Ford To Idle Saarlouis Assembly Plant Over Microchip Shortage (fordauthority.com)

Down side no car, upside deffo a "21" plate at some point this year. 

1 minute ago, iantt said:

Down side no car, upside deffo a "21" plate at some point this year. 

True.  Though if people keep buying laptops at this rate it might be a 71 plate...  

41 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Oh no!  

Ford To Idle Saarlouis Assembly Plant Over Microchip Shortage (fordauthority.com)

Do you know if your one has been built yet 

12 minutes ago, Tizer said:

Do you know if your one has been built yet 

I don't think so.  The salesman has been careful with his wording saying that it's 'in build' which probably means it's still in segmentation, gathering dust on the factory floor somewhere.

Did you check yours on ETIS at all?  Just wondering how soon it would appear on there as it's not there so far.

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

I don't think so.  The salesman has been careful with his wording saying that it's 'in build' which probably means it's still in segmentation, gathering dust on the factory floor somewhere.

Did you check yours on ETIS at all?  Just wondering how soon it would appear on there as it's not there so far.

Because of the way I bought the car I did not have any way of checking for myself but the broker did have because it was the first new car that I bought so I asked if it could be delivered on my birthday (sad, I know 😀) and he got back to me and said that would be ok.

When I did get my registration number it was a week or two before delivery and nothing was showing up on Etis even though the car would have been in the UK by then. 

2 minutes ago, Tizer said:

Because of the way I bought the car I did not have any way of checking for myself but the broker did have because it was the first new car that I bought so I asked if it could be delivered on my birthday (sad, I know 😀) and he got back to me and said that would be ok.

When I did get my registration number it was a week or two before delivery and nothing was showing up on Etis even though the car would have been in the UK by then. 

I was also hoping to get this one on my birthday, either it's not as sad as you think...or we both are!  

Not that it matters now, lockdown will still be in place and the factory won't have re-opened by then lol.  I'll just have to try and forget about it for the next month and then try to get a more realistic estimate once they start building them again.

 

23 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I was also hoping to get this one on my birthday, either it's not as sad as you think...or we both are!  

Not that it matters now, lockdown will still be in place and the factory won't have re-opened by then lol.  I'll just have to try and forget about it for the next month and then try to get a more realistic estimate once they start building them again.

 

If you can't have it on your birthday, could have it on my birthday instead. 😂😂😂😂😂

haven't been on in over a week, i haven't been captured or taken over by the covid-19 thankfully but i have been distracted by a new found trend, 

I've been trolling through a local app driven advertisement site in search for HotWheel's, Matchbox or Siku vehicles for my sons shelves display shelves which I bought on Amazon and painted up myself. 

anyway; it has been a fun therapeutic and at times funny but also a very annoying and stressful experience all in the same number of days, but overall a fantastic distraction from the news and ever increasing restrictions.

well first I suppose here is how its looking, got some fantastic models fitted now, and some more fantastic sets on the way; I'm surprised to discover the huge following people have for these thing, and they different variants of build streams for want of a better term to describe, there is a range or spec called "real riders" which are like a premium version of hot wheels, they have real metal chassis as well as body, greater levels of detail and proper rubber tyres,

I've been blocked by one collector because i bought a car which he had kept in original packet since 1994 and after i had purchased for 15 euro, i sent him a picture of it the shelf and he completely flipped out because i opened it. 😅

here it is:

pretty psychedelic and probably wouldn't be allowed to be sold now due to the letter on the top having a significance.

perhaps they think I'm crazy as I'm taking them out of the packaging which of course decreases there value but I'm on purchasing for investment or resale, I'm purchasing to display and admire, our son is also going to play with them, ill number each shelf with a small label and do the same under each car, making them easy to return to the original formation when finished paying, i think by providing them to my son and showing him how good they look on the wall as well as manifesting stories and different scenarios for the various types it really helps to grow imagination as well as a level or felling  of sovereignty, an appreciation for ascetics and design and for him to find his own individual style among that array of vehicles.

and an example of growing imagination is here; 

who cant imagine and find it entertaining;  that Volkswagen jetta dished rims rolling on coil overs or bags with a diesel engine under the bonnet on a straight through de-cat pipe rolling coal with the flutter of pigeons under the bonnet, its a certain style and most definitely a certain form of character in the drivers seat of that particular vehicle which sets it apart from another on the shelf, and is most like closely monitored by one such as this 😆

moving along now; (no pun intended) other private sellers are very difficult to deal with and i find it quite frustrating which i suppose anyone whom has made a couple of purchases through a "buy & sell" type of private market will understand by frustration, 

heres a fine example, guy selling a nice little model of a BMW 

 

he's looking for 15 euro, i have used the app as it should be done to agree to purchase this item from the seller for his full asking price of 15 euro plus postage, with payment being sent to him via PayPal quick and hassle free, 

yet the guy doesn't respond to me atall, and i can see from his account profile that he is logging on to his profile and has clearly saw my offer but chooses not to respond.

the other type of frustrating seller is this one, selling a 1990 Honda Civic Type R 

THIS GUY WANTED, WHOOPS sorry caps lock was on which means i was shouting there back to moderate level font now; this guy wanted 10 euro and accepted my offer which allows him and i to personal message each other to process purchase or in normal times arrange to meet; anyway i instantly sent him a personal message to request his paypal address and i would immediately process payment, 

but it seems he didn't want that, first he requested my mobile number, straight out message sent by him via an open text platform "what's your mobile number" 

i said i haven't got one, then he says "what's your email address" 

i provided my email address and in the same message i said "the way a purchase usually works fella, is you provide me with YOUR email address, i then send you the money via PayPal, you then send me the item and its all yesterdays news. 

he then respond via the unmonitored personal message platform  to say "email sent" 😆

i waited an hour lads, and still received no email even to this very moment no email has been received, however after the hour had passed, i messaged to say "im purchasing this item to display it on my wall in my home, a transaction works without an ancestry report, mobile number and any further details being provided, you put yourself on here to sell something which i have agreed to purchase, now you wont accept payment, please cancel my purchase as i dont need the bad memory on my wall thanks. 

then he responds "ok"

I'm like 🙄 amateurs 

 i did however find a very professional seller and well it is very wrong of me to stereotype but i think the guy may be a bit of a hoarder like those saw in American Pickers however the rare thing is; he lives up the road from me in Ireland. wow 

anyway the guy is an absolute breath of fresh air to deal with in comparison to the trophy queens which I've just been talking about, 

I've successfully purchased some Dakar rally style models from him and there currently in the postal service on there way, 

and check out some of the detail and modified models this guy has for sale among his collection, a testament to the modified scene which illustrates in its design that the aftermarket oil cooler slapped on to the front bumper at an off centre and crooked angle wasnt just stuck on there in a hurry, that is stuck at that position and angle by design that is art at its finest, it may not be main stream and socially acceptable but it is there to form a function and be respected by many as a category in the automotive scene. 

to capture that in a model i think its fantastic. 

check these out, i haven't asked how much as i probably cant afford but wow. 

anyway, thanks for reading guys. hope your all staying safe 👍

@BigLen I saw this yesterday and thought of you!  

Corgi CC82114 Mr Bean's Mini - 'Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean' | Collectable

Can't believe how much peple pay for them new though! 😮 

52 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

@BigLen I saw this yesterday and thought of you!  

Corgi CC82114 Mr Bean's Mini - 'Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean' | Collectable

Can't believe how much peple pay for them new though! 😮 

Cool, some vehicles are crazy money

 

 

 

@BigLen El Camino or Ranchero?

6 hours ago, Turvey said:

@BigLen El Camino or Ranchero?

El Camino thanks man, it's mixing with the Columbia Street collection there and the low rider estate's 

Reminds me of the breaking bad sequal movie that one, 

 

On 1/15/2021 at 10:47 PM, zain611 said:

Hope things turn out for the better for them. One of my family members in America I heard is on a ventilator due to covid. 

Honestly last year was the worst year of my life. Hope this year doesn't be as bad.

I took a call at just before 9am this morning from my friend's son confirming the worse had happened and that his father had passed away on Friday evening.

Spent most of the day talking to friends and colleagues who knew him and trying to talk about the good things that we remembered or knew of the man.

On 1/16/2021 at 10:26 AM, TomsFocus said:

I keep checking HUKD, deals seem to be updated every day at the moment!  That seems like about the right spec and price for me too.  Though I don't need a separate graphics card really.

Every laptop posted on there seems to have some complaints in the comments though, things I don't even understand like soldered RAM (how else do they attach it?) and screen nits - I didn't know screens could catch headlice!  And then there's mention over overheating and short battery life...I wasn't aware Ford even made laptops!

Anything by AMD in the 4000 series will not need a separate GFX as the built-in one is supposed to be pretty good at handling most things at reasonable resolution/detail.

The importance of soldered RAM is that 8GB, for example, is often split between 4GB soldered and 4GB stick meaning if you plan to upgrade then you'll stand to end up with two different module sizes later on. This can also be a problem for the AMD 4000 CPU's who benefit greatly from DUAL channel memory - https://www.hardwaretimes.com/amd-ryzen-4000-apus-impact-of-dual-channel-memory-on-gaming-performance-2666mhz-vs-3200mhz-ddr4-memory/ .

 

10 hours ago, Zico said:

Anything by AMD in the 4000 series will not need a separate GFX as the built-in one is supposed to be pretty good at handling most things at reasonable resolution/detail.

The importance of soldered RAM is that 8GB, for example, is often split between 4GB soldered and 4GB stick meaning if you plan to upgrade then you'll stand to end up with two different module sizes later on. This can also be a problem for the AMD 4000 CPU's who benefit greatly from DUAL channel memory - https://www.hardwaretimes.com/amd-ryzen-4000-apus-impact-of-dual-channel-memory-on-gaming-performance-2666mhz-vs-3200mhz-ddr4-memory/ .

 

Ah I see.  I won't be upgrading anything so soldered RAM shouldn't be an issue.

HP seems to have a pretty poor selection left in stock, but Dell have a couple of interesting ones...10% off today and 5% cashback through TCB makes the prices a bit more acceptable!  Ryzen 5 or i5 for approx £550 after cashback.

Ryzen 5 - Inspiron 15 5000 Laptop (AMD) | Dell UK

11th Gen i5 - Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop | Dell UK

Or the Ryzen 7 for approx £636 after cashback.  

Ryzen 7 - Inspiron 15 5000 Laptop (AMD) | Dell UK

Would it be worth the extra £86 to go for the 7, or would either of the other 2 be best?

@alexp999 Or anyone else feel free to offer opinions on the above choices!