why this cheap pc is really not a good deal

why this cheap pc is really not a good deal

Selling for just 279 euros with an inkjet printer, this 17-inch laptop seems ideal for a family or a college student, but upon closer inspection, it’s a very poor choice, even at this price.

Summer is generally an ideal time to get good deals on computers. And for good reason: between sales and back-to-school, promotions abound, both in online stores and in supermarkets. By digging around a little, and reacting quickly, you can take advantage of excellent opportunities, especially on computers and their accessories, both entry-level and high-end.

This is still the case in 2024, where major brands are offering particularly attractive discounts. This is evidenced by this offer at Auchan, which is currently offering a 17-inch laptop with an HP inkjet printer for only 279.99 euros. An unbeatable price that allows you to fully equip yourself at a lower price. However, when you look more closely, it is not a good deal at all.

So, even if it is pretty with its full keyboard, the HP LAPTOP 17-CN0012NF PC is an old and very limited computer. Its processor, the electronic chip that makes everything work is a Celeron N4120, a very sluggish old-generation model. The RAM installed as standard of only 4 GB, is insufficient to properly run Windows 11, the operating system, which requires at least 8 GB and even 16 GB to be comfortable. In practice, whether it is Windows or applications, everything will be slow. The storage system, a 128 GB SSD, has too little capacity and you will quickly be cramped to save files! The same goes for the screen which, despite its large size, must make do with a low display definition and outdated technology with mediocre rendering.

That’s not all! The printer included “as a gift” in the pack, an HP Deskjet 2821E, is an entry-level model officially sold for 50 euros. Of course, it is a color inkjet multifunction printer equipped with Wi-Fi and a scanner that may be sufficient for moderate use. But it is slow and, above all, it must be used exclusively with HP brand ink cartridges that are expensive and have a low capacity. Clearly, and as is often the case with these very low-cost devices, you risk paying several times the price of the printer in a single year, especially if you opt for HP’s Instant Ink service which automatically delivers cartridges to you via a paid subscription.

In short, despite its very low price, this Auchan offer is absolutely not interesting. Between the mediocre performance of the PC and the very high cost of use of the printer, you risk a big disappointment. It is above all an opportunity for the manufacturer to get rid of old outdated references. Better to spend a little more to invest in a serious and durable configuration.

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