Advice on a cheap laptop & buying abroad

[Andeh13]

My dad is heading abroad for his job and so he is after a laptop. What im planning on doing is helping him buy a cheap, but reasonable laptop to use for 6 months, then when i go out to join him & the family for the summer, build him a PC there. Now, iv never bought a laptop and so i dont know what to expect. I know they are going to be a lot more expensive then similar spec'd desktops but thats about the limit of my knowledge.

Can anyone recommend me a good laptop/brand that is cheap, yet can run a word, power point, broadband internet etc without any problems?

Second question is on price differences when it comes to buying components/PCs here and buying them in south africa. Iv found a dell website that sells in SA, but i cant tell how these prices compare to UK prices, can anyone give me a rough idea if they are cheaper/more espensive/similar?

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/pr...=za&l=en&s=bsd

cheers guys.

[UltraMagnus]

similar specced laptops are abit more expensive than comparable PCs, especially where graphics are concerned.

if you only need it for basic things (like, it seems you do) the cheapest option would be to get a low end laptop, possibly second hand, and install linux onto it, open office and firefox should be able to handle everything you say you want it to

hope that helps

[Andeh13]

luckerly graphics arnt a major concern for him, however he does want a new one. Good point about firefox, ill make sure thats all sorted for him.

Iv heard good things about Acer, are they can good?

Still interested in how those Dell prices compare with UK ones.

[Clunk]

I just checked the Dell website and the laptop that I bought 2 weeks ago is now over £300 dearer, so maybe not a good time to buy from Dell.

[Marcos]

I wouldnt go less than the £400 HP widescreen 15.4" from Staples.

DVD burner and great altec lansing speakers, solid build quality, nice design. my sister has one and i want it

[Andeh13]

was looking at getting one from the internet, in therory they should be a bit cheaper then a high street store. Ill have a look at some Hps though, thanks.

Anyone else with a laptop have any tips or advice, the budget is around £300-500, cheaper the better.

thanks again.

edit: I have found these 2; however im unsure about the specs(my knowledge is fairly limited) & if they are good value. Only reason iv gone for Acer is the fact iv got a few friends at Uni who have them and they have been impressed up to date.

http://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/Acer_...71/version.asp
http://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/Acer_...37/version.asp

[Marcos]

I was looking at acers when i was looking for a laptop for my sister, but i was warned about them from a few shops and forums.

If you handle them at the shop, the HPs are clearly a lot more solidly built and better looking, better laid out. And toshiba too