Laptop Advice

[momomo]

Hi all

Looking for some advice/recommendations for a new laptop for a family member. I have been using macbooks for quite some time now, so dont really keep up or know much about laptops which are currently available and what to go for.

They do have a budget of around £350-£400. I know its not much (or is it?) but they would like the best possible buy within their budget.

Laptop will be used for surfing/watching movies/office etc, nothing too demanding.

So im looking for the best quality laptop with the best specs with that budget. Any experiences or recommendations guys?

TIA

 

[spinaltap]

Given that your family member requires little more onerous than surfing/watching movies/office....

For the budget, I suggest an iPad - which will allow surfing/watching movies anywhere around the house/garden with a wireless connection. Add iWork apps for word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet for $6 each and you have an attractive 'system'.

Alternatively, buy an AppleTV with the addition of aTVflash. Buy or rent movies and surf the web for £189 (refurbished from AppleStore).

 

[Sp!ke]

The request was for a laptop, not an iPad?

Try doing spreadsheets and other office tasks on an ipad

For your budget you have a reasonable choice of hardware. If it were me I'd be looking at Dell or Acer with a view to getting something with a dual core CPU as a minimum. I wouldn't worry about memory or hard disk size as these can be upgraded cheaply and easilly if needed later.

Laptops are one of the few items that I like to insure either through some manufacturer promotion or on the house insurance as they do tend to get broken. (usually spillages or drops)

 

[Gridlock]

iPad will be great, if you're happy to only watch films when (and for how much) Apple want you to. This is its niche, movies, photos, web and email (and other services) for people who couldn't give a crap about CPUs and Operating Systems.

If it were my money I'd buy something from Samsung, and avoid anything Vaio.

 

[momomo]

Thanks for the replies guys. Hmm iPad wont be right for them, a traditional laptop would be best i think. I have had a quick look around but not had much time to compare different models, specs and brands, just tooo many similar laptops in that price range!

Would someone be able to give me a starting point with a nice all rounder? And where would you generally look for laptops and such, i have been looking on ebuyer, pcworld, laptopsdirect etc. all the usuals.

 

[crockers]

if it were my money i'd buy something from samsung, and avoid anything vaio.

+1

 

[Piff]

Please with our recent Acer purchase, bought from ACER LAPTOPS | Best Deals on Acer Aspire Laptop in UK
Beware models with the same "model number" vary on spec depending on where you buy from.
Processors, hard drives, etc. seem to vary - it seems Acer build a batch for one shop and the next batch they build for a different retailer has a slightly different processor.
As we use for watching movies occasionally we were keen on as larger screen as possible.

 

[timk]

I'm looking for a laptop in the same price bracket - have so far picked out the Compaq CQ61-427SA, seems to have a good spec for the price (£400)

 

[momomo]

That looks very good timk, ticks all the boxes, thanks for that. Am still going to look around a bit more and compare similar laptops. Have got around 2 weeks to buy one.

 

[moonloops]

Samsung as above, or the safe bet a Dell.

iPad is a dead product even before it's launch - could even turn out to be a laughing stock.

Avoid Asus, we have had 10 fail with backlights not working

 

[momomo]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I bought this the other day

Buy HP Pavilion Laptop, DV6-2112SA, 2.3GHz with 15.6 Inch Display online at JohnLewis.com

Its quite nice and is more than what was needed. Got it for £440 with 2 year warranty. I got a special deal