Currys has reduced the HP 14-ep2500sa 14-inch laptop from £299 to £199, saving shoppers £100 just before the peak back-to-school period. The budget model is aimed at university students who need a machine for lecture notes, essays and group projects without spending £1,000 or more.
According to the retailer, the Intel N150 processor handles everyday workloads, while the HD screen keeps images sharp. Dual speakers provide sound without the need for extra speakers. The laptop weighs 1.4kg and includes WiFi 6, USB-A and HDMI ports, 128GB UFS storage, 4GB LPDDR5 RAM (4800 MHz), a 14-inch non-touchscreen display and a built-in HD True Vision webcam.
Charger sold separately under EU rules
Because of new EU regulations, laptop power chargers are sold separately. A charger with a minimum output of 45W and a maximum of 100W is required. Currys recommends the LOGIK L65GANC25C Universal 65W USB-C GaN Laptop Charger, priced at £34.99, but it is £27.99 with 20% off when bought with a laptop. Amazon also sells a universal 90W USB-C compatible laptop charger for £14.
Alternatives to the HP laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 in blue is down to £219 in Very's Bank Holiday sale, a saving of over £100. It has 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and a 15-inch screen. One customer wrote: "This blue Lenovo lap top is the best lap top I have had. The key board keys are large and easy to press the screen is nice and big. All round great lap top. And even better I got it in the sale."
For those willing to spend more, the Apple MacBook Neo starts at £699 and comes in Silver, Blush, Citrus and Indigo. According to the Apple website, the MacBook Neo suits learning, with Apple Intelligence able to summarise lecture notes or create presentations, plus a Liquid Retina display for detailed movies, shows, videos and games.
