Moving from a desktop to Laptop

[steve-5snwi]

Since iPads were invented we hardly ever use the desktop and it's only used for storing music, pictures and doing the home finances.

The current pc is approaching 6 years old and it's starting to do a few quirky things although Windows 7 update that removed the usb access for keyboards and mice is the biggest issue.

So we are looking at a laptop,

It Won't leave the house so weight isn't much of an issue
Heat is as it will sit on someone's lap
It will be used for

Excel
Word
Pictures
Flac/MP3 storage
Surfing the web
iTunes

Budget is around £500, ideally I would like to try before I buy so ideally currys or John Lewis although I have no problems buying from someone else (not keen on buying from Amazon though)

Screen size around 15" and it will eventually be paired With a nas.

Any recommendations?

[steve-5snwi]

I use an iMac at work and I just don't get on with it.

Nas WA for pictures and music unless I can get AV amps to look for the cloud instead of a Nas

[steve-5snwi]

I do intend to keep the current monitor (Samsung 22") I'd probably go up to £600 maybe more but it just don't get on with the MacBooks.

Are ssd drives worth it even though they are smaller in capacity ?

[steve-5snwi]

Thanks, I'm aware the dsg group get there own product codes to get special prices and so others cannot price match. I think our version of office is many many years old .... Possibly something like 2003 :lol:

I think an i5 or i7 is the way to go, and then either 1tb or 256 if ssd, 8gb memory .... John Lewis is my preferred shop for the 2 years warranty you get from new.

[steve-5snwi]

There wasn't anything in the outlet when I looked, data wise I think I have 900gb

[steve-5snwi]

Lenovo 510s with 256mb ssd and i5 at £599 seems a good buy at the moment, just trawling through the dell site too.

[steve-5snwi]

Thanks, if spending £600 what would you go for ? I'm assuming it would cope with multiple large filed excel spread sheets being open ? The wife is an accountant and everything we do is recorded and matched off on a spread sheet somewhere

[steve-5snwi]

Having had a quick play with laptops at pc world on Saturday we think we have narrowed it down to a Lenovo 510 (13/14"screen) although looking online it seems the 710 is a slightly better machine at £699 but I cannot find anyone who stocks it. JL have it listed but as awaiting delivery. Currys have a 710 but it's the yoga not think pad. Strangely enough the 710 yoga isn't on Lenovos website so I'm assuming it's a currys special and the 710 although listed has no option to buy but you have to search by Google to find it..,,,

[steve-5snwi]

And it's idea pad not think pad ....,