Deciding between laptops...

[wellswells]

Hi guys,

I've been instructed by the powers that be (parents) to get them a new laptop to replace the old desktop PC that sits on their landing and looks 'ugly'.

I've been given a very strict £450 budget and so I've been reading around trying to find something semi-decent for that money. I've come up with 2 Acers thus far:

Acer Aspire 5536 @ £419.97
http://www.acerdirect.co.uk/Acer_Asp...74/version.asp

and

Acer Aspire 6930G @ £429.28
http://www.simplyacer.com/Product/id/449059
(minus the 9600GT gfx card - I can find that model but for on the Argos website but its ~ £550)

But I'm having a hard time deciding between the two. I shouldn't really care because I don't think my parents would give a ; but I wouldn't be a good son if I didn't find them the best possible laptop for their money!

Cheers,

Wellsy

PS - If anyone else has any other suggestion I would love to hear it! thanks.

[Pob255]

Depends on what you want it for.
I'll point out that these are both 16:9 ratio
Which I personally dislike, better for watching dvd's on but for more computer uses I prefur haveing height on a monitor, although it's less than an inch heioght difference between 16:9 and 16:10

Hard to pick between the two
Acer Aspire 5536-643G50Mn = athlon x2 2.1ghz & 780G chipset (intergrated ati hd3200)
the 6930G = Core 2 Duo 2.0ghz & ? (I couldn't find out what chipset) & Dedicated 9300GS 256mb graphics
Not sure of 9300GS vs 3200, and while the deicated 256mb could be good it could also be slow GDDR2 and your capped at 256mb unlike the onboard that can use over 1gb of system mem if needed.

We get these at work they are both very nice
The tosh will not be good for games the hp will be better, both are 16:10 1280x800
You can get a good extended life battery for the hp but it's not that cheap if I remember correctly.

Toshiba Satellite Pro A300
http://www.lambda-tek.com/components...ld=#productTop

HP Compaq 6735s
http://www.lambda-tek.com/components...prodID=B151113

[Infinite]

6930G is probably better.

[Bane]

Unless there is a rush for it, maybe tell them to wait until after Windows 7 is released? As the shipping fee a lot of companies are quoting for Windows 7 upgrade is pretty high, e.g. Toshiba. If they aren't bothered about the OS then ignore this.

Edit:
Some features to list to see if they would want them to help selection:
Built in web cam for Skype calls and alike?
Built in blue tooth for mobile phone synchronisation?
Wireless b/g sufficient or want draft N?
Built in numeric pad required?
Minimum sized screen?