Buying a laptop - Need help

[StevenF]

Hello ya'll!

I'm thinking of buying a laptop! It would be used for my college work and should be able to run multiple programs - Photoshop, web browser, text editor, fireworks - without slowing up too much. I would be willing to spend £500. I had a look at a few and I've got these two in mind.
I'm not sure what one to get! Ideally I would like a 2GHz processor, but I can't seem to find any within my budget, so I think I'm going to have to settle for something lower. I went to lots of stores today and found these two which I really like.

HP PAVILION DV6615 Or TOSHIBA A210-17I. I would post links, but I have to have a minimum of 5 posts to do so

The HP has an AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core (1.8GHz, 1600 MHz FSB, 512 kB Cache), where as the Toshibia has an AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-58 Processor (1.9GHz, 1600 MHz FSB, 1 MB Cache). I've never heard of the Turion processors so I'm not sure what they're like.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Steven

[staffsMike]

Dell vostro 1500 would be good.

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

You only get integrated graphics with this one but you can spec with 2.0Ghz and it comes with 3GB of RAM around the right price.

Call them and haggle a bit..you're sure to knock some more off.

There is also a slightly better spec vostro 1400 (14.1") here
stupid links

A slightly differrent 1500 spec
bah

all prices are ex vat

[StevenF]

Thanks for that! Will the integrated graphics card be OK for running vista? 3GB of ram sounds great! That's a little over my budget and comes close to £600 after VAT

[StevenF]

I've found two on ebay which look very good. I would appreciate if you guys could take a look at them and let me know what you think. I still can't post links yet so please add HTTP before the link:

cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-DELL-VOSTRO-LAPTOP-AMD-DUAL-CORE-2GB-120GB-DVDRW-XP_W0QQitemZ120209884573QQihZ002QQcategoryZ177QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dell-VOSTRO-1700-laptop-Core2DuoT7250-2GHz-processor_W0QQitemZ230212983988QQihZ013QQcategoryZ177QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[StevenF]

I think I've found the laptop which I'll buy:

Dell Vostro 1400

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7250 (2.00 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2-cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Business - English
14.1" Wide Screen WXGA (1280x800) TFT Display
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024)
160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
128MB nVidia® GeForce® 8400M GS with 90 watt AC adapter
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including Software
Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)

I would also add either a wireless bluetooth feature, truelife" feature for the monitor or a 9 cell battery. Which would be better? All cost £15-£20 extra.

[staffsMike]

true life without a doubt. Dell's non truelife screen's aren't very good.

My links didn't copy in.. I posted the 1400 link but it didn't come up .. win some lose some lol

[StevenF]

true life without a doubt. Dell's non truelife screen's aren't very good.

My links didn't copy in.. I posted the 1400 link but it didn't come up .. win some lose some lol

True life, ok. I think I'll order that today or tomorrow if I can. The only problem is it takes 4 weeks to be delivered! It seems Dell are having some delivery problems at the moment.

[staffsMike]

They often do with the good deals. Chances are it will be a bit quicker but they are covering themselves.

[StevenF]

I just bought it!

Dell Vostro 1400

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7250 (2.00 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2-cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Business - English
14.1" Wide Screen WXGA truelife (1280x800) TFT Display
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024)
160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
128MB nVidia® GeForce® 8400M GS with 90 watt AC adapter
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including Software
Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)

£486.45 all in, delivery could take 4 weeks though

Thanks for your help, Mike!