Which laptop do I need for 2018?

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New Year, New Laptop

Now 2018 is under way, Christmas feels particularly distant – both in the past and the future. A great many people at this time of year decide to punish themselves for their December transgressions, but we at IT Clear think differently. January and February are PERFECT for buying yourself a fantastic gift, but with one caveat: you have to somehow sell it to yourself as a practical, necessary and super-important item, that your personal and professional life simply cannot do without.

And what says practical, necessary and super-important like a new laptop? These sleek, inviting and useful devices ARE practical. You (probably) need one, and they’re (probably) going to be very useful to your career. Nothing says “I’m a professional” like a flash laptop, and the fact that they’re also very useful for watching films, playing games and for messing around on the internet is simply a welcome extra.

At IT Clear, one of our many specialisms are Dell laptop deals – we offer these devices for some of the best prices on the market. But which is the best laptop to buy? Let’s run down the top five winter purchases to wipe those post-Christmas blues away, and start 2018 off with a bang.

Dell XPS 13

Dell XPS 13Even if we do say so ourselves, this is a fantastic place to begin our countdown. The Dell XPS 13 sets a nice tone for 2018: it’s a forward-thinking and very well-designed product. Let’s start with the display, all expansive 13.3 inches of it. Not only does this practically borderless, Infinity Edge screen provide you with about 2.3 inches more visuals for your money than average laptops of this size, it is also touch sensitive and boasts an impressive UltraSharp QHD+ 3200×1800 resolutions. Get ready for sharper-than-real-life images, videos and graphics.

In terms of memory, processing speed and general power, the XPS 13 is also a cut above: Intel Core i7-7660U (4M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz) processors, 16GB RAM and a 512GB M.2 Solid State Drive will ensure that your device can handle everything from web design and coding to gaming and other graphic-intensive activities. Top it off with an ultra-thin, ultra-light chassis and a stylish, back-lit keyboard, and you’re looking at a genuinely impressive device. Continue reading…

Christmas Gift Ideas

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Christmas gifting

As it’s now the season when people start saying ‘tis’ instead of ‘it is’, ‘TIS probably time to start thinking about presents! Being that the Edwardian era has long since passed, you rarely see the dolls houses, wooden rocking horses and model train sets that are traditionally depicted under the tree. In 2017, and probably forever, presents are technology-based. And booze-based.

And this is no bad thing. Computers, tech and accessories are very practical choices for presents, and have a usefulness that extends far beyond the just-for-Christmas nature of many gifts. Santa likes them too, as they’re getting smaller and lighter by the year – besides, we’re pretty sure he outsources his deliveries these days.

Functional for work or play, and lasting for many years, tech gifts are a great choice to wow your loved ones. What’s more, they needn’t break the bank!

Let’s take a look at some awesome ideas, all of which are great value too – these new, open-box, ex-demo and manufacturer-refurbished items won’t be beaten on price.

Gaming MonitorMonitors for the serious gamer in your life

What?! Your daughter/son/wife/husband/sister/brother is only using a TV for their new PlayStation or Xbox? Tell them they’re missing a trick: hitching up a monitor allows them a dedicated screen for their console, as well as well as a display and graphics that will make for extremely exciting gaming. Our range of cheap monitors offers fantastic TFT (thin film transistor = consistent display from all angles) and HD models, and go up to 70” size. Which is completely massive.

They can also use these great value monitors for their desktops (original design intention alert), and we also have a wealth of HDMI cables to make sure there are no Christmas morning “what do you mean I can’t set it up?!” moments. Continue reading…

Which is best for web design, a laptop or computer?

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Which is best for web design, a laptop or computer?

If you’re in web design, there’s every chance your colleagues have already stated their preference for desktops or laptops. Not all of these opinions will have been in line with one another; IT professionals are natural contrarians.

Some – often the more technically minded – may favour a powerful desktop device in order to handle their niche programming and coding requirements. More creative types may enjoy the mobility that comes with a laptop: decent RAM and a few other features are good enough for these crazy kids. At IT Clear and ITC Sales, we’re not bothered about tribalism, tradition or other trivialities – we just want you to make the right choice for you.

Laptops

Let’s start small. In today’s increasingly non-traditional working environment, web design is often undertaken remotely. The best part about working out of office is, surely, the ability to do so in whatever city/cafe/bar/club that you’d like, when you’d like. That, and the ability to visit clients and wow them in person, is where a laptop will come in handy; these increasingly light, compact and powerful devices are also easily able to handle most web design tasks. Continue reading…

What is the best laptop for photography?

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Best laptops for photography

One of the cruel ironies in the life of a photographer – amateur or professional – is that the freedom and mobility afforded by ever-lighter cameras are then shackled by desktop editing software. Well, be shackled no longer: IT Clear and ITC Sales have a range of laptops that are particularly light and portable, at no expense to display, speeds or editing capabilities. These useful devices allow you to rove, roam and explore as a photographer, and edit on the go.

Cheaper devices can often handle straightforward editing tasks. Processing speeds, however, are an issue: if you’re handling lots of photos, you’ll want to keep these speeds down. Likewise, day-to-day you may benefit from useful features such as touch-sensitive screens, and your images – put simply – will look better on a great display.

The Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 offers everything a photographer could ask for. Its sleek, light and strong construction ensures durability if you’re on the move, and its Intel Core i7-7660U processor and 8GB of RAM can handle your editing software with no issues. However, the practically borderless screen is where the device truly excels: its 13.3 inch QHD+ Infinity Edge Touch Display allows for superb colour accuracy and smooth functionality, and the 3200 x 1800 pixel resolutions will render your photographs with exceptional clarity.

Meanwhile, plenty of ports make the device useful in any setting, and there are a wealth of handy accessories to accompany it and make your life easier. This is a device that is easily transported to work, to location and to wherever you need it – allowing your very own portable editing suite. Continue reading…

Dell Latitude: top rated computers for college students

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Dell Latitude

Whether you’re a seasoned post-grad or a fresh-faced… fresher, you’ll need a laptop that can keep up with the demands of student life. That doesn’t only mean the storage of your exceptionally well-curated library of music, box sets and films, by the way – you also need a device with the day-to-day functionality, memory and portability that will prove essential to your convenience and productivity, along with plenty of useful extra features.

The Dell Latitude range has you covered for all things student, with user-friendly design and seamless performance for industrious yet enjoyable usage. There is also a range of education-specific features that set the Latitude range apart as a worthwhile choice.

Custom made for education

With easy connection to projectors and other devices, powerful processors, expansive hard drives, excellent operating systems and stunning displays, there are models in the Latitude range that are perfect for collaborative classes and solitary studies alike. Versatility is provided by prominent 2-in-1 designs within the range – allowing you the power of a laptop with the convenience of a touchscreen tablet – so you can quickly and easily adapt to the demands of your lectures or seminars. Continue reading…

What is the best entry level laptop?

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Best entry level laptops - HP Pavilion

If you’re looking at buying a new laptop, ITC Sales is the place to be looking. We have a wide range of laptops all available in different price brackets, with the best and latest deals available for you on every purchase. We have something for everyone; you’re guaranteed to bag yourself a bargain with us. So, at IT Clear, what do we recommend that’s up for grab from ITC Sales?

Best laptop under £250

Surely it isn’t possible to get a laptop for less than £250, you may think. In fact, you can have your pick of more than one design and style. In this category, there are several that would qualify as being the best entry level laptop. However, our top choice has to be the Dell Latitude 3330 laptop. It’s only £189 (excl. VAT), which puts it firmly into this category. You can’t go wrong for this price – and it has some pretty nifty stats:

– Intel Core i5-3337U (1.8GHz), 3Mb Cache
– 4Gb DDR3 1600MHz (1x4Gb)
– 500Gb SATA 3GB/s, 7200RPM, 16Mb Cache (Seagate ST9500420AS)
– Intel HD Onboard 64Mb
– HD screen, Bluetooth and webcam.

Best laptop under £300

If you’ve got a little more money in your pocket, you can’t go wrong with the HP Pavilion 15 in Purple. This colourful design comes complete with BeatsAudio and 2 speakers, Intel HD Graphics 4400, 8GB memory, a DVD drive, webcam, Bluetooth and Intel HD graphics 4000. It also has a wide high-definition 15.6-inch screen, which is backlit with BrightView. Continue reading…

Buyers Guide to Finding the Best Dell Laptop Deals

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Finding the best laptop deals

With so many Dell laptops on sale, how do you decide which is the best deal? Buying a laptop or notebook within a budget can be challenging and the endless specifications that are advertised can be difficult to understand if you are a novice.

Here is ITC Sales simple guide on how to choose the best deals and discounts when purchasing a laptop.

Ex Demo Laptops

Choosing an ex-demo laptop is one great technique to finding a cheap laptop deal. An ex-demo laptop is a product that has been displayed on the shelf in a store and has likely been used lightly by passing customers who have tested how it works and will still be in good working condition. Continue reading…

Cheap Server Deals to Host Your Business Website

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Dell Poweredge servers

Have you considered hosting your website in-house? Some of the resources you will require include; a high-speed internet connection, staff responsible for your hosting, twenty-four-hour support and a web server. Remember to search for cheap server deals to find one that suits your needs.

Below we explain some of the fundamental reasons you might want to consider hosting your own website.

It Is a Cost Efficient Option

Purchasing a server to host your website is cost effective because there will be no monthly fee for outsourcing your site hosting. Hosting your site on a server that you own will also eliminate any costs that might occur if there are delays when implementing desired services. We offer a range of cheap server deals this would make hosting your website more cost effective because you would own the server and all original documentation and files that it contains. Owning the server that you are hosting your website on is also beneficial because you will not have to understand or follow anyone else’s procedures and regulations, and you will gain the ability to choose what types of files you wish to upload. Trusted manufacturers supply our servers, and ITC Sales currently have some fantastic deals on Dell PowerEdge servers including the R230 and R410 which are both well-known for being reliable. Continue reading…

How to Choose a Dell Monitor

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Choosing a Dell Monitor

IT Clear offers some of the best deals when it comes to searching for a laptop or computer through our main store, ITC Sales. We offer a trusted place to buy cheap Dell computers, laptops and accessories, and aim to bring you updates on the best value products as they become available.

If you’re looking for a new computer monitor, please read our guide on some of the factors to keep in mind.

Types of Monitor

There are a number of different connections and types of monitor for your computer but the overall purpose of it is to transmit a video signal to display an image onto a screen from a computer.

CRT – These monitors use Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) technology and are commonly used for television screens. A thermionic emission generates an energetic beam of electrons that are used to form an image on a fluorescent display. These electrons travel down the Cathode Ray Tube which hit the phosphor points that are present on the fluorescent screen, resulting in an image being displayed. Due to advances in technology a flat screen CRT monitor is now available to purchase. These help to reduce glare and are better for your eyes. Although one major weakness to CRT monitors is that they tend to be heavy and take up a lot of space.
Continue reading…

How To Save Money On Your New Laptop

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Cheap Laptops

Regardless of whether you’re looking for a new laptop at the higher or lower end of the pricing scale, saving a little extra cash and getting great value for money is always welcome. It can be hard to know where to start when shopping around for cheaper laptop deals, but we have some recommendations based on our experience.

Here are some top suggestions on what to look into.

1) Buy refurbished for the best deals

The reason we offer such a wide range of refurbished laptops, PCs, monitors and accessories is primarily because they’re such good value. There really is no need to buy brand new in many cases, when refurbished alternatives are still in fantastic condition (often like new) and backed by manufacturer warranties. Dell are particularly competitive with the high quality, reliability and warranty schemes they offer, which is why we specialise in supplying their products at great rates. Continue reading…