Looking for a decent notebook for travel...

[Rob_B]

I'm after something about 13" but certainly not a netbook, HDD is no big deal, it's only going to be used for Skype & web browsing/odd bit of media playback, I'd like Win7 and the only other thing I do need is a built in webcam

Something like this is what I'm looking at for now, price wise it's spot on & seems the best spec I can get for that sort of money?

Any other suggestions? I don't mind going refurb but would like to go new if possible

Cheers!

Rob

NB/ For those with no ebay access the link I'm looking at is for £279.99

Viewsonic 13.3" ViewBook 130

CPU Type: Intel Core 2 Duo ULV SU7300
CPU Speed: 1.3 GHz
Screen Size: 13.3"
Card Reader: Yes
Screen Size: 13.3"
Resolution: 1366x768
Memory: 2GB
Wireless LAN: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Memory Type: DDR3 SO-DIMM
Integrated Camera: Yes
Memory Speed: DDR3 - 1066
Storage Drive Capacity: 320 GB
Colour: Silver
Operating System: MS Windows 7 Professional
Dimensions: 300 x 18 x 221 mm (WxHxD)
Graphics Chipset: Intel GMA 4500M
Weight (Inc. Battery): 1.45 kg

* 1 x 10/100/1000 (LAN)
* 1 x D-Sub
* 1 x DC-In Jack
* 1 x Express Card/34
* 1 x HDMI
* 1 x Line In
* 1 x Line Out
* 3 x USB 2.0

[Molotov]

A friend of mine got new vostro and is very happy but that's totally different price range :S

[Cheapy]

Have a similar notebook to the specs there but with an SU 2300 (less cache than the SU7300) and the Intel GMA 4500MHD instead. Only thing it struggles with is the HD iplayer but other than that it handles everything you want it to do.

Reviews seem to say battery life is about 4 hours for the viewsonic and the build quality is a bit of an unknown. If the 4 hours is long enough for what you want then like you said you will struggle to find better for the price.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

get a dell xps 15

[Rob_B]

Waaaay over budget I'm afraid

[shbris]

huge price jump between 10" and 13" laptops, you sure you need it that large for skype? i'm perfectly happy with the size of my 10" dell inspiron 1012 (except when i'm bricking it during bios update, see other thread in hardware )

[Rob_B]

I probably could go to a 10" screen, but I don't want to enter netbook territory.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Waaaay over budget I'm afraid

why not use a dell streak then? can fit in your pocket mate. if not. a tablet like an ipad 2 or the new htc one?

[usxhe190]

You need to check if you need decent battery life.

There should be lots of 11.6 or 13.3 inch CULV laptops although not sure if you can get something for sub £300.

[Rob_B]

why not use a dell streak then? can fit in your pocket mate. if not. a tablet like an ipad 2 or the new htc one?

I want a 'proper' OS and keyboard really for comfort. I think C2D CULV would be the lowest CPU I'd want to go for, the Viewsonic looks great for the money (albeit average reviews) but nothing else is comparable in specs/price that I've found.

Seems like I might not have as many options as I first thought?

[j.o.s.h.1408]

nope u dont. not at that price point

[MaddAussie]

Might be a little over budget but I love my Dell Vostro V130

[abaxas]

Keep your eyes on ebay us for a reconditioned ibm X200.

More money, but much better spec and build.

In computers you tend to get what you pay for in laptops.

My ibm 240 (99) is till happy, my X40 (2005) still works, lasses X40 (2005) still works. etc etc

[scaryjim]

Best option around your price range is probably an AMD fusion netbook like a Toshiba NB550D. A quick google suggests it's widely available from a variety of shops @ £250 - £300, so shop around. The 1GHz dual core should be at least as good as an Atom and the graphics will, obviously, be considerably better. Only issue I've read about is some potential stuttering when viewing HD flash video online but that should be sorted in drivers fairly quickly. Otherwise £300 is firmly netbook terrtory if you want a < 15.6" screen size.

[Rob_B]

Best option around your price range is probably an AMD fusion netbook like a Toshiba NB550D. A quick google suggests it's widely available from a variety of shops @ £250 - £300, so shop around. The 1GHz dual core should be at least as good as an Atom and the graphics will, obviously, be considerably better. Only issue I've read about is some potential stuttering when viewing HD flash video online but that should be sorted in drivers fairly quickly. Otherwise £300 is firmly netbook terrtory if you want a < 15.6" screen size.

It seems like the viewsonic is a pretty good bet then...I certainly don't want a netbook nor anything comparable to one (I do have standards!)

I've played around with an Atom netbook & am totally un-impressed, I'll scan around HUKD before buying though, I asked Scan whether they had reductions in mind for the Viewsonic as they're selling it at £500! but no answer...