Best Student Laptop

[wzix]

Hi,

I need to buy a laptop this week, for mainly coursework related stuff but also to play DVD's etc. Has been a while since I built my PC so I'm not sure whats the best to have at the moment, Ideally don't wont to be paying for than £400-£450ish for this laptop.

I'm looking for something reliable, not the average PC World deal setup.

Any ideas, recommendations, or promotions currently on ?

Thanks

Is this any good ? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158887

[scaryjim]

Frankly (and I've just told my boss the same thing) if it's to see you through Uni your best bet is to go to PC World / Currys etc. and get the 3 year warranty extension. Most laptops in your price range should perform adequately for your purposes, so just pick the one you like, then when they offer the extended warranty make worried noises about the price. You should be able to get them to do it for next to nothing, especially with the economy like it is now. I'm currently regretting not getting an extended warranty as my laptop's chipset has basically fried itself for the second time and the laptop is only 2.5 years old. I know big box retail normally isn't the way to go, but in these circumstance I think it's probably your best bet.

[PeterStoba]

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-net/16...-redeemer.html ?

[scaryjim]

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-net/16...-redeemer.html ?

(sorry, should've said "I think you've moved the decimal point in his budget one place to the right....")

[staffsMike]

The HP is a nice spec and about what I'd be looking for in your position. However, HP warranty is a joke and if this is going to be you only machine dell with their on site warranty is the only way to go imo.

these represent good value
http://www.dmxdimension.com/dell-uk/...codes-coupons/

you can then add 2,3 or 4 years on site warranty with the change

The other option which I think is perhaps a better idea these days is to spend say £350 on a cheaper main laptop (so the lower spec versions from the link above) and then get yourself a half decent netbook with the change. That way you have a spare laptop and something that is portable enough to jsut slip in your bag should you want it in uni.

[Gfinch]

Buy a Dell, excellent customer service and they have somewhat good spec laptops.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

If you intend to move this laptop about get one with a 12.1" or 13.3" screen. Also use a rucksack type carryng case as the over shoulder ones are terrible IMHO.

[staffsMike]

If you intend to move this laptop about get one with a 12.1" or 13.3" screen. Also use a rucksack type carryng case as the over shoulder ones are terrible IMHO.

I think it depends size wise. I had a 15" from my first 2 years and a 13.3" for my last year. I found myself using a external monitor a lot in the last year..

2 laptops makes the most sense to me, that's what I'm doing now and it works very nicely. The 13.3" is a very nice comprimise though, but saying that I spent over £1000 making sure it was top notch with 4 years warranty It's a good thing to do but you will need to spend more than £400 for a worthwhile small laptop imo. Even the new HP DV2 will be £500...

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I do find that 12.1" is enough for my notebook as I tend to have it closer to me than a notebook with a larger screen.

At home if I need a bigger screen I use my desktop. TBH I have had 15" and 14" notebooks before and I find them a pain to lug around even with a rucksack. My 12.1" notebook is quite light and small enough for me to bung it in my rucksack with my other stuff and hence I can use one bag. I find this very convenient.

I did not pay much for my notebook - around £150 although I did assemble it myself and few others for mates(it is a MSI one) a while back. I like the fact it has a magnesium allow body and is easy to work on too. It is only a Pentium M but is certainly enough for general web browsing,word processing and image editing under XP.

I use NHC too and it keeps everything nice and cool.

This Acer is good value for a 12.1" notebook:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159537

Not bad for around £450.

I knew someone who had one of these and they are quite nice.

[staffsMike]

I guess it was more to do with the fact that the extra monitor was there.. might as well use it. It is fine to use day to day, hell i've been using my MSI wind day to day with little or no trouble

If you want value for money though 14-15" is typically the way to go. I wouldn't personally have an acer due to a bad history with them but I'm sure it would probably be fine.

[Singh400]

Dell Studio laptops are the perfect "student" laptop imo. Check em out.

[staffsMike]

Besides being really quite thick and heavy I'd tend to agree with you there, the inspirons are good value for money but the studios are probably the best quality laptops they make. (Check them out in pc world/ curries).

[jim]

A relative of mine ordered a Dell Inspiron over the phone, and he kept refusing to buy a warranty off them. Eventually, they gave him a 3 year warranty for £30 - can't complain really.

I have a Studio 15 personally which I use for 6th Form, but I would highly recommend getting a smaller machine, perhaps 12" or so - this thing is just far too heavy in my opinion to be lugging around all day.

Despite that, it does the job perfectly well, and with all the issues I'm having with my main PC it does a fair job as a desktop replacement - if I didn't have a main desktop PC to come back to, I would stick with the Studio/Inspiron 15, something smaller wouldn't be much fun to use all the time in my opinion.

Hope you find something good.

[Singh400]

Agreed, the Studio line is really bad when it comes to weight (bar that it is great range of laptops). We've got a Studio 1735 and the thing is HHHEEAAAVVYYY. Not something you want to be lugging around with you.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

There is this Packard Bell for £299:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/pro...82/?int=home-2

Here are some notebooks for under £300:

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile...der-299-586450

[MSIC]

I've bought from Big Pockets before, their refurbished laptops etc are pretty good value, although not the newest of course:
http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/cat.php?...aptops&nav=227

You could in fact do something a bit unusual with the budget... buy the biggest screen refurb for £200 (from there, or ebay etc) that you leave plugged in, and also get a £200 netbook for real portability.

Crazy idea? Yeah...probably.