laptop suggestions - c. £500

[Miles_stylus]

I've just discovered that repairing my Sony VAIO laptop will cost £4-500 which is the cost of a low end laptop!

I would prefer Dual Core, Intel and do mainly office work and some DVD watching on the train so the following are inportant

weight
battery life
number crunching (MS project can eat processing power)
Bluetooth (it's my phone backup system)
WIFI

I would like:
Good screen (DVDs)
simple volumn controls (DVDs)
it to look nice

not really important:
Hard disk space
Packages bundled

I've seen the DellInspiropn 6400 /640M for sale at around this price, what do people think?

Many thanks

Miles

[hut49]

What software (e.g. MS Project?) is included in the 400-500 budget? Is used/reconditioned an option?

[Miles_stylus]

I need no software to be included as I have all that I need from the last laptop which has done fut!

Thanks

Miles

[Fiddlemesticks]

Acer are ok. I thought it would be cheap and nasty but mine is fine.

Bought mine from Laptopdirect.co.uk and they were fine also.

[Miles_stylus]

Ran out of time so I end up with an HP Pavilion DV1665eu which seems OK. Basically a siposable item so when it goes bang I'll get a new one.

Miles

[rfisher]

Chaps (+chapettes).

I'd be very interested to hear (?read) any further opinions as I'm also thinking of replacing my Acer travelmate 210t using the criteria above except I may spend a bit more and would want Windows Xp included.

Ta.

[thepassenger]

Have a look at some of the cheapish dell laptops. Not wonderful but they are pretty good at getting the job done on a budget.
You might find different options avaliable at more local box shifters (like Novatech).

[hut49]

I just ordered a Dell 6400 Inspiron with Duo Core T2050 processor 1024 MB (free upgrade from the standard) 15.4 Widescreen WXGA plus TrueLife upgrade (+50 quid), extended life battery (+11 quid); DVD +/-RW (+35 quid) - 674 quid incl VAT total (plus a few freebies, case etc)

Tried for an Acer Aspire 1642ZWLMi or a 5612WLMi from Misco but both out of stock. Actually I think I prefer the Dell product/spec

[nrayner]

Worth looking on Ebay - more bang for your bucks, but with obvious risk.

I bought a nice toshy tablet for 400 quid last year. HD went on me early this year, but 50 quid bought me a new one.

Apple also sell refurbs, but not sure if price drops to that.

[tinman0]

nrayner said:

I bought a nice toshy tablet for 400 quid last year. HD went on me early this year, but 50 quid bought me a new one.

hmm, toshiba portege p3500? on my 3rd hard drive in 2 years.

[Dogwatch]

My neighbour is looking for a laptop in a similar price range. I have pointed him towards Ebuyer.Com
I am typing this on an Acer (£999 eighteen months ago) which has given good service to date.