New laptop time, suggestions ?

[Behemoth]

I've just sold my rubbish Advent 9115 Laptop and am now looking to buy it's replacement. Have looked at a few and have narrowed it down to 3 that I like so far.

Given that I work for Curry's, I generally get to mess about with Toshiba, Dell, Compaq, HP and Acer etc. But in all honesty there's nothing currently in our range that I like thats a decent spec for £350.

I was originally looking to buy a netbook when the I sold the laptop but when I realised just how limited I'd be, and for practically not much more cash I'd get a much better laptop than if I'd gone for the Samsung NC10 that I was going to buy originally.

I really like the look of this one - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152652

Not really had any experience of the brand so am a bit wary of them, but the reviews seem positive.

Then there's this one - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152233

A few quid over my budget but the spec on that one is pretty much similar to that of my desktop PC. I like HP as a brand, my mate has had a few of them and has been quite happy with them.

Then there's the Dell 1545 we sell at work for £399, by the time I have my staff discount on it that beats the price down to £359, which isn't bad for the spec of the laptop, it's just I'll be railroaded into taking the extra warranty on it for £8 a month which I know I can go and just cancel because it's a direct debit, but it's the hassle of having to go through that process.

I don't play games on my laptop, I just generally use it for a bit of web dev on my website, listening to music, surfing the net when I can't be bothered to use my PC, watch DVD's on it when I'm in bed and feeling lazy.

I'd also like to at some point run Linux on it, as I was stuck with a horrible SIS based chipset on the old Advent, I'm sticking with, or at least trying to stick with something thats all main branded chipsets so I can get a distro such as ubuntu or Mint running. Celeron chips are not an option but I'd be happy with an AMD X2 chip as thats what I run in my PC now.

Your thoughts gents ??

[staffsMike]

I was going to say the N500. Lenovo are pretty good, perhaps not quite the IBM they were but still very good all round.

Great spec for the money and the graphics are generally decent enough for HD and has HDMI which is a bonus for getting that content to the TV if that ever becomes a use you wish to explore.

The HP is the better spec I suppose but not the better brand imo as HP can be a PITA to deal with.

[Behemoth]

I was going to say the N500. Lenovo are pretty good, perhaps not quite the IBM they were but still very good all round.

Great spec for the money and the graphics are generally decent enough for HD and has HDMI which is a bonus for getting that content to the TV if that ever becomes a use you wish to explore.

The HP is the better spec I suppose but not the better brand imo as HP can be a PITA to deal with.

I was thinking that myself about HP actually when I had a nightmare trying to get them to pick up a customers laptop, they insisted that from the serial number given from the laptop right infront of me that the warranty had expired, yet it was only 3 months old.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Staples have the Asus X50GL for £350 instore.

It has the following spec:

2ghz Intel T3200
3gb RAM
15.4 inch screen
160gb hard disk
DVD rewriter
Nvidia 8200 integrated graphics
integrated camera
1 year Worldwide warranty

The Nvidia 8200 has good video acceleration features built in and would be good for watching any HD content on the notebook.

[staffsMike]

Deja vu..

Another good deal but it has to same flaw as the HP (for my purposes) in which it has great onboard graphics for blu ray/HD and no HDMI.. which is a real shame.

At 1280 x 800 which it no doubt is, HD playblack is pretty point less. I don't know what Nvidia's is like for gaming but the ATi HD3200 on the HP is certainly pretty good.

[Behemoth]

Knowing my luck when I get paid on Thursday my local staples branch will be sold out. In all honesty though I don't need HDMI etc, just need a work horse laptop really.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I think you can reserve one?! You could always get it on your credit card(if you have one) and then pay it off immediately!!

[Behemoth]

I think you can reserve one?! You could always get it on your credit card(if you have one) and then pay it off immediately!!

Trying to avoid using my credit card at the moment, I'm not too fussy if they sell out because at the end of the day there'll be something else just as good out there.

[Thorsson]

As I said in the next door thread: http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_...spire+5920wlmi

Although I also bought the NC10 at the same time for the missus: http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/2041...c10-black.html which with a coupon cost just £301 inc delivery.

[Behemoth]

Don't really have any need for Blu-Ray just yet to be honest. Pushes the price over my budget a fair bit too.

[Behemoth]

Settled on the HP G70 120 EA that we sell at work, was a bit more than I wanted to spend but it's a cracking Laptop

[ultrakill]

Can you tell me if you have played counterstrike source on this machine, and if so what fps do you get + settings. I am currently looking for a laptop to play games on for my son, but only want to spend a max of £500. Or if anyone else has any suggestions please let me know, Thanks

I am currently looking at the HP G70-120

[Pob255]

bit late now but I can sugest the HP 6735s
We got some of these for work, they are very nice and very swish looking not sure what it'd be like for gameing (I'll have to try for testing purposes )
Should be ok though
AMD Turion X2 RM-72, 2GB memory, 160gb hd, 780g chipset, hd3200 graphics, very nice screen (matte not glossy, but very good) nice touchpad, Black matte case and all the LEDs are cyan.
They really do look lovely.

Misco have them on sale for £367.99
http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/...382&CatId=3119

[Behemoth]

Can you tell me if you have played counterstrike source on this machine, and if so what fps do you get + settings. I am currently looking for a laptop to play games on for my son, but only want to spend a max of £500. Or if anyone else has any suggestions please let me know, Thanks

I am currently looking at the HP G70-120

Not really tried any games on it at all yet, that was never really why I bought it. I can tell you that I have tried AudioSurf and that pumps out around 40 fps, although not used anything to measure it.