Student Laptop

[klarrix]

Doing a search for the best lower-end deal (under £450) and wanted to know if I was on the right track. Just like to point out that it'll be purely used for MSOffice, surfing the net and playing music/films. Additionally, I have no experience buying notebooks.

http://www.cclonline.com/product-inf...ufacturer_id=0

http://www.cclonline.com/product-inf...ufacturer_id=0



I also was looking at a Dell Inspiron 1501, but it was getting a bit too pricey when I added in the damage warrantee, carry case and anti-virus software on their website..

Any advice?

[staffsMike]

Have you checked out the dell vostro 1000

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/pr...dt1&l=en&s=bsd

very good value for money.

Just a tip.. if you want 2gb of ram choose the most expensive model to configure as it works out the cheapest.

[klarrix]

Ahh nice. The only problem is that it doesn't seem to mention anything about virus protection or office tools. Would they be included in any form?

[staffsMike]

You can configure office 2007 to be included under "accessorise my dell".

The idea of the vostro is it comes without any aditional software as it one of dell customers major complaints.

I'd recommend Kaspersky internet security

http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/product_in...oducts_id=3728

it doesn't use too many system resources and is very good protection.

Or the latest version here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kaspersky-An...7690505&sr=8-5

If you order over the phone they may allow you to configure it with AV software though. they normally use norton or mcafee

[peterb]

If you don't want a named brand laptop, you could look at places like Novatech or scan. Get one within your budget with whatever flavour of windows you prefer. As a student you can buy MS ffice at a discount (or downloafd open office for free - it is Word compatable) and for AV try F-Prot or AVG, both of which have freeware versions for private use. Otherwise PC World (!) often have some good prices in September, although they are pretty much packaged as what you see is what you get - customising can push the price up.

The advantages of a non branded laptop is that you often get more bang for your buck, and usuing OS software again leaves more for the hardware.

[staffsMike]

you should check out the price of that vostro before you say pc world and supermarkets are cheaper

EDIT: you can get AV software included under "protect my dell" my mistake.

[KuchKuch]

For a laptop around your budget I highly recommend the Zoostorm 52-4201 Home Laptop.

Specifications: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100, 1GB RAM, 120GB Hard Disk, DVD +/- RW DL, 15.4 Screen, Expresscard/54, 802.11a/b/g, Windows Vista Home Premium.

The cheapest I have seen it for is £487 including delivery from PC Next Day, which may be slightly over your budget, but from what I have heard its well worth it. You may be able to find it for cheaper if you know the right places to look.

[peterb]

you should check out the price of that vostro before you say pc world and supermarkets are cheaper

I didn't say they were cheaper - I just pointed out that they often have products at good prices at this time of year - and it doesn't hurt to have a look!

[klarrix]

Thanks guys.
My dad's been flicking through some laptop magazines and he said the Amito Li1718 was recommended. Would it match up to the ones already mentioned?

I'm off to Reading Festival, so I'll be making a decision some time next week

[staffsMike]

The vostro would be cheaper for higher spec. The fujitsu looks thinner and lighter.

The choice as they say.. is yours

[klarrix]

Ended up impulse-buying a Toshiba Equium L40 10X for £399, it all seems fairly decent to me.

Thanks for the advice anyway, I'm sure someone else will stumble on this thread and find it useful

[chunut]

^ Klarrix, I'd be interested to know how the Toshiba is working out for you... I've been looking at that model as my first laptop purchase, but I'm always a bit nervous with just choosing something without hearing how other people have found it first! Thanks in advance

[klarrix]

It's been fine. I've been doing basic things on it without any complaint as of yet.

However, if you're planning on doing anything more than surfing the net and using word processor then I'd advise getting something more powerful. I have seen it strain a bit when several videos/programs were running at once.

I don't know if it's good value for money, but it's completely stable and does everything I need it to

[EDIT]: I forgot to mention that there is one problem- the battery life is quite short. At best, you'll be looking at just under 90 minutes of juice (and this is on the 'power saver' mode)