New Laptop - £500ish

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Wed 09 Jul, 2008 18:54

Please keep the answers simple - I'm new in this area

I need a new laptop - price range about £400-£500.

For email/internet/itunes/photos and basic home office stuff.

Fast enough to do a few things at once, large enough memory for loads of pic/songs - but doesn't have to be one step down from SkyNet.

Oh - and not a Mac, cos they don't work with XBox 360s

Many thanks
Rob

daverave · Post by **daverave** » Wed 09 Jul, 2008 19:51

Hi Rob
To be honest you probably don't need to spend that much. depends a lot on what size screen you want and how fast you want it.
I get most of my PC stuff both for home and work from ebuyer.
Got a great little laptop for my daughter last month for under £300 and does everything you would need.
Its THIS ONE
Look for one that has got at least a four star review rating and you probably wont go wrong.
For a complete list try this LINK

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Wed 09 Jul, 2008 20:25

Thanks DR,

That machine is actually recommended as best sub-£400 laptop by What Laptop magazine.

It's only got 1GB memory and 2 USB ports though - or does it come with an extra 1GB free? And I fancied a 17" widescreen

Just worried it might run out of juice/memory after a while.

Also worried that I'll buy waaaaaaay more than I really need

Any thoughts?

estocks · Post by **estocks** » Wed 09 Jul, 2008 20:37

I'd plump for 17" if you are using it mainly in the house. Also go for an Intel 8000 or 9000 CPU, as they are built on a 45nm process which will mean less heat and less energy consumption. I expect for your budget in 17" you'd do well to find an 8600 CPU with an NVidia GeoforceGo 7400. Rams are like £25 a GB so don't get too het up on that. Unfortunately you will be forced to get Vista, so 2GB would be the target. Maybe Dell can sell you a Vostro 1710.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 09 Jul, 2008 22:47

RobBruce wrote:Oh - and not a Mac, cos they don't work with XBox 360s

Not quite true it would seem - this software enables them to talk to each other.

However you won't get a Mac Laptop for £500, certainly not a 17" one (those are high-end specced).

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Wed 09 Jul, 2008 22:53

And_101 wrote:
RobBruce wrote:Oh - and not a Mac, cos they don't work with XBox 360s
Not quite true it would seem - this software enables them to talk to each other.

However you won't get a Mac Laptop for £500, certainly not a 17" one (those are high-end specced).

You're not making it easier you know!!

Shame Macs are a bit more pricey

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 09 Jul, 2008 23:38

RobBruce wrote:
And_101 wrote:
RobBruce wrote:Oh - and not a Mac, cos they don't work with XBox 360s
Not quite true it would seem - this software enables them to talk to each other.

However you won't get a Mac Laptop for £500, certainly not a 17" one (those are high-end specced).
You're not making it easier you know!!

Shame Macs are a bit more pricey

Sorry, I wasn't trying to influence you into buying a Mac (though you'd probably not regret it)

They are more expensive than a budget PC laptop, but they are state of the art, latest/fastest processors, easy to use, reliable, longer useful life compared to a PC (ie you'll still be happily using it in 4 years time, and it will still run the latest software).

And the best thing about a Mac.... They just work!

You don't need to be a techie to sort out any issues, its all common sense and plain english. Though if you really, really want to you can install XP or Vista and have the choice of running that or the Mac Operating System.

As they say though.... The choice is yours....

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 08:13

I do like the look of the Macs, but I cant justify the extra cash.

I quite like the look of this one:
LINK

SWMBO has a Toshiba, and it's been pretty good so far. And this one seems to tick all the boxes. There's an HP for similar money too, but not much info on it. Hmmmmm...........

Rob

Bloke · Post by **Bloke** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 09:56

Dont get that Tosh, it has Dual Core processor, old technology, latest is C2D ( Core 2 Duo)

Bloke

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 10:50

Dell everytime mate.

Give me a call, you owe me beer anyway

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 11:46

Will do - trade you a beer and Lemans Tshirt for a sticker! (and a steak)

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 14:42

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/196710/dell ... -1525.html

Inspiron 1525 with C2D T5750, 2GB RAM and 120 GB HD 4USB ports and a multi card reader - for £400 quid?!?

That sounds pretty damn good for my needs?

daverave · Post by **daverave** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 15:08

RobBruce wrote:Fast enough to do a few things at once

I didn't think we were supposed to be able to multi-task

RobBruce wrote:I fancied a 17" widescreen

The Inspiron 1525 you mention only has a 15.4" screen.

If you want to go for Dell then why not try the Studio 17 Have no experience of it but it looks to fit the bill and about the right price depending how much you want to change from the base model.

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 15:18

RobBruce wrote: That sounds pretty damn good for my needs?

No. Unfortunately it comes with a pornography blocker which can't be bypassed.

Bloke · Post by **Bloke** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 16:05

Add some more ram for your money and it will be ok,

Only caveat, Dell are crap customer service wise for home users, Busineess wise they are okish,

Otherwise, looks ok.

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 16:13

daverave wrote:
RobBruce wrote:Fast enough to do a few things at once
I didn't think we were supposed to be able to multi-task

RobBruce wrote:I fancied a 17" widescreen
The Inspiron 1525 you mention only has a 15.4" screen.

If you want to go for Dell then why not try the Studio 17 Have no experience of it but it looks to fit the bill and about the right price depending how much you want to change from the base model.

I did look at them - they are the 'unofficial replacement' for the Ispiron. But as soon as you put a slightly better cpu in, whoosh goes the price.

And do I REALLY need a 17" incher? (cue Spokeyism)

And I can't multi-task - thats why I need another PC

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 16:16

Giles wrote:
RobBruce wrote: That sounds pretty damn good for my needs?

No. Unfortunately it comes with a pornography blocker which can't be bypassed.

Hmmm - that's not in the specs list - how do you know that?

Giles · Post by **Giles** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 16:28

RobBruce wrote:Hmmm - that's not in the specs list - how do you know that?

Spokey told me.

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 17:07

Giles wrote:
RobBruce wrote:Hmmm - that's not in the specs list - how do you know that?
Spokey told me.

Only be cause you asked me why you couldn't read "goatfisting.com".

estocks · Post by **estocks** » Thu 10 Jul, 2008 17:42

Dell Vostro 17" widescreen with T8100 low power 45nm Core2Duo, 2GB RAMs, 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GS, 6 cell battery, 250GB disk, £544. Keep an eye out for the Dell free delivery deals.

Sony Vaio T5450 60nm CPU, 2GB RAMs, 200GB HDD, 17" widescreen, NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GT £550

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Tue 22 Jul, 2008 17:31

Thanks for all the tips guys.

After a fair bit of research I went with the Dell 1525 Inspiron, and so far I'm really pleased with it.

Unfortunately it came with Windows Fista - but I'm sure I've got my XP discs somewhere..........

Cheers
Rob

daverave · Post by **daverave** » Tue 22 Jul, 2008 19:11

Wot no 17" screen

If you need an XP disc I know a man who has one

garyw · Post by **garyw** » Tue 22 Jul, 2008 20:49

Just purchased two Sony Vaio with pretty much top spec.. including an XP disc

Has Vista Business on as standard.. less than £500 each

It was the disc that did the deal...

RobBruce · Post by **RobBruce** » Tue 22 Jul, 2008 21:25

daverave wrote:Wot no 17" screen

If you need an XP disc I know a man who has one

Yeah, I know - but do I REALLY need one? No......

And that spec at a whisker under 400 notes was a great deal. I thought of Sony, but I know too many people who have had sh1t customer service from them - even worse than Dell!!

zroadster.net

New Laptop - £500ish

New Laptop - £500ish

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Re: New Laptop - £500ish

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Re: New Laptop - £500ish

Re: New Laptop - £500ish