Caught between a rock and a hard place...

[arete80]

My desktop's died on me so decided to go mobile. I'm looking for a solid performer, not really bothered about games but work a lot in Photoshop. Essentially a desktop replacement but not so heavy it breaks my back!

I'm stuck between these two: http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx...X&v=2#infoarea and http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...InMerch=1&v=2#

The Core Duo would offer better CPU performance but then the HP has got double the memory, a larger harddrive and better graphics. What would you buy?

[trashcanmonkey]

Is that your top budget? Good luck getting a solid performing desktop replacement for £500, Id go for the HP but are you sure you couldn't scrape some more money together?
If you wan't a performer for that budget have you considered 2nd hand? from ebay perhaps.

[Bluecube]

Using Photoshop on a 15.4" screen? You're a brave man. If you're a didicated Photopshopper then you could build your own decent desktop that would be far superior to a laptop. A proper dektop replacement will set you back over a grand easily but will come with a superior sized screen and probably break your back

To answer your question though, I'd go for the IBM as the build quality is far superior.

[fredered]

For photoshop and that kind of stuff as the resolution of the screens are both very low at 1200*800, that is the same resolution that most 12" laptops have and whilst it will be fine for general work for photoshopping you will probably be short of space, but if you are going to use an external monitor then that will not be a problem.

[arete80]

Ah, perhaps I should have said I use Photoshop but not for anything terribly technical - retouching photos, making cards, manipulating images for internet etc. It is a hobby not my main reason for having a laptop, which is mainly space constraints/portability. I've struggled with a desktop and 19" monitor in small accomodation for too long!

And I suppose its not exactly a desktop replacement I'm after - basically I want something with enough grunt to feel responsive in Windows doing a couple of tasks at once (thus think I'm going to go for the Dual Core), I don't need something ultra-portable and I have a very limited budget.

[Bluecube]

Try eBay. There are some very nice Centrino laptops going for good prices. Take your time though and do your research but you could end up with a bargain. Failing that have a look at Dell who always have something pretty good for around the £500 mark.

[kalniel]

For 500 you can get a very good Dell, yup.

[DanceswithUnix]

If you just want desk space rather than portability, have you considered a shuttle with a flat panel display?

[dave87]

I would follow the general concensus of this thread, youd be best of finding a dell with a 19" flat screen - it will perform far better than a laptop of the same price

[geezerone]

From experience with less than year old Dell workstations (not XPS) I wouldn't touch 'em as motherboards have failed with overheat errors and not boot up. The laptops seem ok as long as it doesn't go on fire!

I was looking at getting a lappy a while ago and the Lenovo C100 always got good reviews for build, fairly good performance and excellent battery life for about £500.

Just my tuppence worth.