Recommend me a Laptop

[sleepyhead]

Simple

Budget of £400.

Laptops are a mystery to me when it comes to whats good and whats not.

It's purpose:general stuff, media playback (possibly with internal/external blu ray drive), online web browsing and possibly online gaming if I hook it up to a separate monitor/mouse/keyboard.

Reason: Current pc is in bits with a mystery ailment and with it's spec (look at "my system" bit), I could better use it for things like folding and getting back to what I enjoy doing; making AMVs.

I did have a second PC in the making but...I kinda broke it during storage. Oops.

[staffsMike]

Dell studio 15

http://www.dmxdimension.com/dell-uk/...rison-coupons/

Decent range or C2D's, Ati HD3450's, HDMI out, blu ray option (always useful later), great screens and not too big

[sleepyhead]

Nice Thanks Staffsmike. The thought crossed my mind of rebuilding my PC with new bits but I could just get a complete laptop instead. lol.

Do I have to wait for it to be built or is it ready off the shelf to buy?

The one selling for £449, sounds good.

Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 1.83 GHz
2GB ram
256MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3450
Vista Home Premium

I just hope it has a 10/100 or gigbit RJ45 connection. (Is it RJ45? I forget in this day and age of wireless pap...I am purely wired at home out of choice.)

I'm glad it doesn't have pre-installed firewall or AV, I have a spare user license of KIS

I'll be screaming for help when it comes to using Vista

[staffsMike]

Oh I hated vista with a passion but if it comes with SP1 you will be happy as a dig in ****. It's fantastic!

Upgrade it to SP1 if it isn't. Vista was a total dog on my Dell before but now its a peach

Yeah they have normally ethernet connections

Good review of a basic (integrated gfx etc..) 15 here
http://www.notebookreview.com/defaul...Dell+Studio+15

[sleepyhead]

OK, my mate just showed me this laptop for even cheaper...

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146353

Now I am totally confused as it's hard for me to see what the differences are to accomodate the price gap. I know it has sucky shared VGA but beyond that...urgh...maybe I am scrapping the bucket too much with that.

The Dell does come with Vista SP1. I wonder if they are open on Saturday....

[staffsMike]

Fujitsu.. That would be a no no for me Im affraid.

Rubbish battery life, the build quality on them is lack luster, the screens and keyboards are sometimes OK but never good.

Obviously it's your money but remember you are stuck with what a manafacturer gives you. Dell gives you quality and peace of mind (well they give you quality and give me peace of mind... something like that lol)

Long term with the HD capability and decent graphics card the Dell is going to earn it's keep I'm thinking.

[sleepyhead]

Trouble is, this is the kinda money I was going to spend on a 26-27" monitor.

But, I do like the idea of a laptop, saves me lugging my whole PC around

Tell you what Staffsmike, you talked me into it. I'll call them tomorrow (Dell) and see what they can offer/do for me and if it's all good...well...it'll mean I'll be back up and running again.

[staffsMike]

Well if you can't get them to give you a deal there is always refurbs on MCSCOM

Get a lot for your money (ex VAT) with something like this
http://www.mcscom.co.uk/product.php?xProd=5781&xSec=71

if you do just want a cheapy dual core though these are nice
http://www.dmxdimension.com/dell-uk/...al-comparison/

[sleepyhead]

Good lord...what are you, hardware maniac??!! LoL!

You sure are helping a guy suffering from internet withdrawl symptoms (it's been over a month since I logged in at home).

[staffsMike]

Well I know what that is like lol

I actually prefer laptops to desktops.. so I tend to know as much about them as I do desktops

[Muzzzz]

dell... which ever one fits your budget, make sure you check the discount / voucher websites.

[Behemoth]

Dell all the way. That Fujitsu Siemnes is awful, it's just as bad if not worse than my Advent 9115, especially if you plan to run Linux on it, it won't it will crash before it even boots a Linux dostro, the Sis chipset is awful, AVOID like the plague.

[sleepyhead]

Well I ordered and went a little over budget. lol.

Why can I just not buy something that will suit me...I got the one I quoted but added on more RAM and a carry case (no idea why I did it, just seemed like a good idea at the time).

Still, been given an order delivery time no later than 29th August!!

[TheReaFireblade]

... added on more RAM

I'll wager you could've bought twice as much yourself, for whatever the upgrade cost you!?

For example... when I bought my XPS M1730, Dell wanted £70 to upgrade it from 2GB - 4GB.
I bought myself 4GB (2x 2GB) Patriot Signature PC-5300 instead - for just £65 (delivered).
So I've ended up with 4GB of top brand RAM in the laptop, plus I've got the 2GB Dell had fitted as well... for less than they wanted for a 2GB upgrade

[sleepyhead]

I could have gone the same route as you, but I'd rather get a complete machine, have no worries of invalidating the warranty and carry on happy as larry.

I'm willing to pay for this as I don't plan on ever modifying the laptop.

[TheReaFireblade]

I could have gone the same route as you, but I'd rather get a complete machine, have no worries of invalidating the warranty and carry on happy as larry.

Only upgrading hardware which involves taking the laptop apart invalidates your warranty?
Upgrading the RAM yourself does neither.