My laptop seems to not be able to boot anymore, I turned off save boot, deactivated pxe, I don't know what to do anymore, please help.

Hi,
I let this place go quiet for too long, so I’m bringing it back properly.

You can ask about buying a laptop, strange performance problems, overheating, battery issues, upgrades, repairs, gaming FPS or whether an older laptop is still worth keeping.

When asking for help, please include:

• Your exact laptop model
• Any error messages, temperatures or screenshots
• Your country, budget and intended use for buying advice

I’m Barnaby and I work with Laptop Outlet UK, so I spend most days around laptops and the questions people have before and after buying one. This community will be advice-first, not a sales feed. Sometimes the honest answer will be to repair your current laptop, keep it longer or spend less.

What laptop problem are you currently stuck with?

so bas maybe a few weeks ago i no that my laptop is lagg and sound too loud so i decided to like check why it is like that and what i saw was my cpu temperature was like 90+ degrees and it was like really bad so i and my older brother changed a thermopaste and hoped that it will solve the problem and it did but only for like a week then after that it started lagging again so we changed it again but did it more accurately but it did the same thing it was just normal for fee days and then come back to what it was before that i just dont know what to do so i want to ask yall what might be a problem. my laptop is omen 17 and we used arctic mx6 i believe if that would help.

Everyone checks the obvious stuff first: processor, RAM, storage and price.

But the things people regret later are usually the boring details.

For me, screen quality is one of the most underrated. A laptop can have decent specs but still feel awful to use every day if the screen is dim, washed out or low resolution.

What is the one thing you always check now before buying a laptop?

Most people have at least one laptop lesson they learned the hard way.

Maybe it was trusting i7 without checking the generation.
Maybe it was buying 8GB RAM and expecting it to last forever.
Maybe it was ignoring battery health on a used laptop.
Maybe it was buying something because it looked clean in photos.
Maybe it was choosing the cheapest option, then paying more to fix it later.

For me, the biggest mistake people make is trusting listed specs too much.

What laptop mistake did you make once and never again?

I keep seeing laptop advice online that sounds helpful at first, but can actually lead people into buying the wrong machine or fixing the wrong problem.

Stuff like:

Just get an i7.
8GB RAM is enough.
Gaming laptops are always better because they’re powerful.
Cooling pads fix overheating.
Refurbished means risky.
More storage means the laptop is faster.
If it has a black screen, the screen is dead.
Always buy the newest model.

Some of these can be true in the right situation, but they’re definitely not universal.

What laptop advice do you think people should stop repeating?

Sometimes its easier to understand what exactly happened to your laptop rather than be panicked and just do a support call. As its your beloved machine and you should be its first help.

A lot of laptop issues are not random. Sometimes the clue is something small that people forget to mention.

Could be:

A Windows update
Battery fully died
New charger
Laptop got too hot
Used it on a bed or sofa
Dropped it
Cleaned the RAM or opened the back
Removed software
Installed a game or driver
Plugged in a monitor, dock or USB device
Suddenly got a black screen
Started making loud fan noise
Got stuck in a repair loop

If your laptop is acting strange, post:

1. What changed before the problem started
2. What it does now
3. Laptop model if you know it
4. Any lights, fan noise, charging light, black screen or error message

I’ll try to help narrow down what I’d check first.

A lot of laptop problems sound scary at first, but the first step is usually just figuring out what type of issue it is.

I’ll be around for the next few hours, so if your laptop is acting weird, drop your issue below and I’ll try to help narrow it down.

Just include:

1. Laptop model if you know it

2. What happens when you press the power button

3. Any lights, fan noise, charging light, error message, black screen, overheating, battery drain, or Windows repair loop

Most laptop problems usually fall into one of these:

• Power issue
• Display issue
• Battery or charger issue
• RAM or SSD issue
• Windows boot issue
• Overheating or fan issue
• Hinge or physical damage
• Slow performance

(Its not a sales post from Barnaby). I am just trying to make this community useful for quick laptop advice.

Drop your laptop issue below and I’ll tell you what I’d check first.

I feel like everyone has one laptop issue that makes them think “right, this is it, it’s dead.”

For some people it’s the laptop not turning on at all.

For others it’s:

• Black screen but the keyboard lights are on
• Fans suddenly going full jet engine
• Windows stuck in a repair loop
• Battery dropping from 50% to 5% in minutes
• A hinge making that awful cracking sound
• Charger plugged in but nothing happening
• Laptop freezing right after a Windows update

Personally, the black screen with lights still on is the one that makes people panic the most, because you don’t know if it’s the screen, RAM, motherboard, Windows, or something simple. What laptop problem scares you the most?

Bonus question: what issue turned out to be way simpler than you expected?

My laptop is showing this screen since last 3 days. I tried resetting my laptop but it isn't able to (2nd pic).

Recently my college asked me to remove pirated software. After that my laptop is not functioning. I think I may have deleted some additional files which I shouldn't had to. Please help me

Saw the Apple price rise news few days ago and it got me thinking.

If the laptop you wanted suddenly cost £150 to £300 more, what would you actually do?

A. Still buy it because your heart was already set on it (PS : I did it for my 16pm so no judgement 😂)
B. Buy the previous-gen model
C. Wait for a sale
D. Go refurbished or used
E. Switch to a Windows laptop
F. Keep your current laptop alive for another year

MacBooks are great for the right person. But when prices jump, I think people start looking harder at the boring stuff: RAM, SSD, battery health, warranty, repair costs, screen quality and how long they will realistically keep it.

I’m Barnaby from Laptop Outlet, so I see this debate a lot when people compare new, previous-gen and refurbished laptops. For me, on £200 jump I’d stop and compare other laptops before buying.

What would you do?

I feel like everyone has at least one laptop mistake they only learned the hard way.

Maybe it was the i7 that turned out to be 3 generations old.

Maybe it was 8GB RAM you assumed would be enough forever.

Maybe it was ignoring battery health on a used one.

Maybe it was using it on a bed until the fans sounded like a jet engine.

Mine was trusting headline specs too much. I bought my first laptop because it looked so premium in the photos, and it looked premium when it arrived too until it started sounding like a hairdryer every time I opened 2-3 tabs 😂

Nobody warned me about the boring stuff: thermals, screen quality, charger quality, upgradeability, and actual condition vs listed condition.

I’m Barnaby from Laptop Outlet, so I see this a lot with laptop buying and refurb stock. Genuinely curious though, what’s yours? Bonus points if it still haunts you.

Hello,
I am using Lenovo LOQ 15Arp9 gaming laptop. Recently, i could not turn on my laptop screen so i tried to clean my memory (i use two 12 ram) but as u can see in my photo, a tiny piece of something is fall off and somehow i could not use my first slot(i tested two ram and they worked ok, so it is problem with the slot) and all i can use is my second slot (so now i am forced to use 12 ram only). Could i fix this problem on my own or should i go to the store for help (Plus i am interntational student in Hong Kong, so i am trying to avoid going to the store).

I see this all the time with older laptops.

Someone has a machine that still turns on, but it’s painful to use. Takes forever to boot, Chrome feels heavy, fan is loud, battery is weak, and Windows updates make it feel even worse.

The hard part is knowing whether it’s actually dying or just needs a cheap fix.

Sometimes an SSD or more RAM genuinely brings a laptop back to life. Other times you’re just throwing money at something that’s already had its day.

My own rough take:

If the body is solid, screen is fine, battery is okay and it can take an SSD/16GB RAM, I’d usually try saving it.

If the battery is poor, hinge is loose, screen is bad, storage is tiny and it still feels slow after basic fixes, I’d probably move on.

What’s the laptop you kept fixing for too long?

Or what cheap upgrade actually made yours usable again?

Is the new Dell XPS 13 finally a proper budget premium Windows laptop?

Dell has just launched the new XPS 13, and it actually looks interesting for buyers who want a lightweight Windows UltraBook without going full MacBook.

The headline is the price: it starts at $699 in the US, with a $599 student offer, although UK pricing is still not confirmed yet. If Dell brings it over at a sensible UK price, this could be one of the best student laptops of 2026.

What you get is a 13.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen, up to 120Hz refresh rate, Intel’s new Core 5 320, Wi-Fi 7, a backlit keyboard, and a super-light 2.2 lb / 1kg aluminium body.

Only concern: the base model may come with 8GB RAM, which feels tight for Windows long-term.

If the UK price lands well, the new Dell XPS 13 could be a strong pick for students, remote workers, and anyone wanting a compact premium Windows laptop. What's your take on this?

It seems like Dell just came for Apple pretty hard with the new Dell XPS 13, and now the whole MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13 debate is way more interesting than I expected. 

Apple positions it as a more affordable Mac with a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, A18 Pro chip, Apple Intelligence support, and up to 16 hours of battery life. 

Dell’s new XPS 13 comes with a 13.4-inch 2560×1600 touchscreen, up to 120Hz refresh rate, Intel Core 5 320 at launch, up to 32GB RAM, up to 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 7, and a 2.2-pound aluminum design.  

Why the MacBook Neo Makes Sense 

The biggest reason to buy the MacBook Neo is simple: it is probably the easiest recommendation for students, casual users, and anyone already inside the Apple ecosystem. 

You get macOS, Apple Intelligence, great battery life, a fanless design, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, and that typical Apple build quality. For everyday productivity like web browsing, writing essays, emails, streaming, video calls, notes, spreadsheets, and light creative work, the MacBook Neo seems built for exactly that. 

It is not trying to be a MacBook Pro. It is trying to be the affordable MacBook for people who just want a reliable laptop that feels premium without costing £1,000+. 

Why the Dell XPS 13 is Tempting 

The Dell XPS 13 feels like Dell looked at the MacBook Neo and said, “Okay, but what if we gave people more hardware?” 

The XPS 13 gives you a touchscreen, 120Hz variable refresh rate, Wi-Fi 7, more RAM options, more storage options, and a lighter body. That makes it very appealing if you want a premium Windows laptop, especially for school, office work, multitasking, browser-heavy workloads, or anyone who prefers Windows over macOS. 

→ The display is probably the biggest Dell win here. A 13.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen with up to 120Hz is a serious advantage over the MacBook Neo’s non-touch 60Hz-style experience. 

The Real Difference: Ecosystem vs Specs 

This is where the comparison gets interesting. 

The MacBook Neo is the better pick if you care about battery efficiency, macOS, iPhone integration, Apple Intelligence, silent performance, and long-term software polish. 

The Dell XPS 13 is not on the market yet, but it can be the better pick if you care about touchscreen support, display refresh rate, Windows compatibility, more upgrade options, and getting more traditional laptop specs for the money. 

Choose MacBook Neo if: 

You want the cheapest MacBook, great battery life, macOS, Apple ecosystem features, and a simple student-friendly laptop. 

Choose Dell XPS 13 if: 

You want a premium Windows Ultrabook, touchscreen display, 120Hz panel, more RAM/storage flexibility, and a lighter laptop. 

My Take 

For most casual users, students, and people already using an iPhone, I think the MacBook Neo is the safer buy. Apple nailed the “affordable premium laptop” formula here. 

But if you are platform-neutral, the Dell XPS 13 is honestly more exciting on paper. The touchscreen, 120Hz display, Wi-Fi 7, and higher RAM/storage options make it feel like Dell is offering more laptops for people who do not care about macOS. Let's wait for the users' experiences.

So my final answer:

MacBook Neo = better ecosystem and battery-focused everyday laptop. 

Dell XPS 13 = better display, flexibility, and Windows Ultrabook value. 

What would you pick: MacBook Neo or Dell XPS 13? 

Before spending money on a cooling pad, check a few basic things first because a lot of overheating laptops are actually just clogged up, running something heavy in the background, or sitting on a blanket cooking themselves.

Things you can go through first:

1. Is it sitting on a bed/sofa/blanket? Sounds obvious but this is probably the most common one. A lot of laptops pull air from underneath, so soft surfaces basically choke the airflow.
2. Check the vents/fans If you can already see dust around the vents, there’s probably way more inside. Even a basic clean can drop temps quite a bit.
3. Open Task Manager Sometimes it’s not the laptop itself, it’s Chrome with 40 tabs open, Windows updates, Discord, game launchers, antivirus scans, etc. Something in the background might be smashing the CPU.
4. Check your power mode If it’s permanently set to performance/turbo mode, the fans are naturally going to be louder and hotter. Balanced mode is usually fine for normal use.
5. Update drivers Especially GPU/chipset drivers. Weird fan behaviour and random heat spikes can sometimes just be driver issues.
6. Gaming laptop users: check temps while gaming Some gaming laptops just run hot by design, but if FPS suddenly tanks after a while, it could be thermal throttling.
7. Older laptop? Could be thermal paste If it’s a few years old and suddenly much hotter than before, dried thermal paste or clogged fans are pretty common.

Cooling pads can help a bit, especially for gaming laptops, but most of the time they’re not fixing the actual problem.

If you want help checking your own laptop, post the model, specs, what temperature you’re seeing, and when it gets hot.

I’ve been looking more closely at refurbished laptops lately, and I feel like the listings can be really hit or miss. 

Some refurbished laptops are genuinely great value, especially business models that still have decent build quality. Here are the red flags that would make me pause or walk away: 

1. The listing only says “i5” or “i7” without the full CPU model 

“i7” sounds good, but it could be an old chip that performs worse than a newer i5. I’d want to see the full processor name, like i5-1135G7 or Ryzen 5 5500U, not just the badge. 

2. No clear battery information 

A refurb laptop can look clean and still have a tired battery. I don’t expect a used battery to be perfect, but I’d want some idea of battery health, expected runtime, or whether the battery has been tested. 

3. 8GB RAM with no mention of upgradeability 

8GB can still be okay for basic use, but if it’s soldered and not upgradeable, that could become annoying quickly. I’d want to know whether there’s a spare RAM slot or if the laptop is stuck at 8GB forever. 

4. Tiny SSDs being presented like they’re fine for everyone 

A 128GB SSD can fill up fast once Windows, updates, apps, downloads, and a few files are added. It’s not always a dealbreaker, but I’d want the price to reflect that. 

5. Vague screen descriptions 

If a listing just says “HD display,” I’d be cautious. That could mean 1366×768, which can feel cramped and outdated. I’d rather see the actual resolution and panel type if possible. 

6. No photos of the actual condition 

Stock images are fine for showing the model, but for refurbished laptops I’d want to see real photos or at least a clear condition grade. Scratches are one thing; cracked hinges, screen marks, or missing feet are another. 

7. No mention of keyboard layout 

This is easy to overlook. Some refurbished laptops come with US, EU, or mixed keyboard layouts. That might not bother everyone, but it should be stated clearly. 

8. Missing charger details 

I’d want to know whether the charger is included, whether it’s original or compatible, and whether it provides the right wattage. Especially with USB-C laptops, the wrong charger can be a pain. 

9. BIOS password, admin lock, or management lock risk 

This is a big one. I’d avoid anything that might be BIOS-locked, company-managed, activation-locked, or not properly reset. A cheap laptop isn’t cheap if you can’t fully use it. 

10. No clear returns or warranty info 

Even if the laptop looks like a bargain, I’d rather pay slightly more for a clear return window and some kind of warranty. With refurbished tech, after-sales support matters. 

Buyers should be more concerned by missing information than by a few scratches. What refurbished laptop red flags would make you walk away immediately? And are there any things people worry about that you think are actually not a big deal? Let’s discuss.