<><> Budget Laptop <><>

[Rookie1986]

I'm looking to buy my Girlfriend a laptop for when she goes back to do her final year at uni, I've had a look at a few different things but thought I would come ask the "Pros" where I would be best looking.

I'm not after anything spectacular, almost the opposite to be honest. All she will need the laptop for would be iTunes, browsing the web, basic word processing and a Blu-ray drive if possible.

I'm looking to budget between £300-£400 on the Laptop and so far have been looking at the Dell Inspiron 15 range (in the bright Purple because thats her favorite colour). Whats the general feeling about these laptops and would something in that range fit her needs or should I be looking at something else/else where??

Thanks,
/Rookie

[Domestic_Ginger]

I looking too for a notebook in the price range; I have had no responses yet.

There is the dell outlet store butfrom what I can see its not great value. hotukdeals have some 'deals'but I suppose you have to be patient. Acerdirect have a resonably large range.

For reviews, check notebookcheck; they lack any humour but generally have good reviews and CPU/GPU comparison.

[Rookie1986]

No one got any advice in regards to this?

[Domestic_Ginger]

Typing on this one which we chose in the end;Compaq Presario CQ61-424sa Laptop. Its very nice.

[scaryjim]

My Mrs picked up an Acer 5532 from Carphone Warehouse a couple of weeks ago. 1.2GHz Athlon X2, HD3200 graphics, 4GB DDR2, 320GB HDD, 15.6" 1366x768 (16:9) TFT, it's sharp, responsive, does everything she wants without issue. Ignore the "Optical Drive Not Included" on the website, it has the usual DVD multi-writer. Only thing it lacks from your list is Bluray, but then it is only £349...

[Domestic_Ginger]

Missed blu ray bit. There is a refurb on Ebuyer or argos clearance via ebay that looked like it fits the bill. Can't remember exactly and can't face ebay again today I'm afraid.

[Behemoth]

To be brutally honesty, I've got a laptop with a blu-ray player and I've never used it in all the time that I've had it. Mainly because watching a movie on a small screen that doesn't really appeal to me, and secondly because blu-ray is best enjoyed on a big screen anyway.

You will also end up paying more for a laptop with a blu-ray drive in it because ideally you need a laptop with a decent dedicated GFX card either ATI 4XXX series or Nvidia 2xx series, both of which will push the price of your laptop right up.

There's not wrong with the Dell 15 range of laptops at all, well built fast enough for most of the tasks she'll be using it for and very little extra bloatware when you buy it direct from Dell.