How much to pay for new laptop?

[zebedee]

Hi

I have no knowledge anymore of what processors are good (last time I bought a computer it was pentium 100 or 166 - easy...)

I want a 15" screen (cos don't want to make my eyes bleed) - ability to play DVDs (and listen to them obviously), burn CDs of photos and store, view and print lots of photos - well not lots, but a couple of hundred would be fine. Not too bothered about games etc, though GT-R does look pretty good, don't know what spec it needs anyway.

Have seen an ad in the paper for a Hewlett Packard (I think matching the above spec) for upper £500s including VAT - am I likely to get one for less? If so where...

[annodomini2]

try and get a centrino if you can, much faster per mhz than a p4, plus the battery tends to last longer (assuming you're not using wireless).

Centrino's have wireless too (all i think?)

not tried an AMD based laptop so can't comment.

[XM5er]

The price sounds about right for the spec you need.

Go with a named brand and pay a bit more (Sonys are excellent, but generally cost a bit more than HP or Dell). I bought a clone type affair a couple of years ago, thinking I was saving a few quid. It was a complete bago'shite and still doesn't work properly.

[lotusfan]

i can certainly recommend the toshiba sattelite pro's
they come in several flavours, P4, centrino and celeron. The have DVD CDRW 15" screens and 40GB drives and work well.
XP home version (DVD nor CDRW) around £500 and the pro version with CDRW around £600

[zebedee]

sounds bang on (and toshiba stuff lasts for ever!) - any idea where I can get one of those from lotusfan?

[lotusfan]

www.inmac.co.uk

[GCerbera]

I'm suddenly in the market for a new lap top.

So would you say this is excellent value for money?

www.inmac.co.uk/product.aspx?TabID=1&SKU=E523194

Any short comings?

[zebedee]

I bought a Packard Bell laptop from Dixons of all places last night, ex display model (but 12 month guarantee) for £500 (inc VAT and obviously no delivery cos I walked out with it!) with DVD/CD/RW, sound and internal speakers, don't know about spec but it will do me and chuffed with the price

[lotusfan]

GCerbera said:

I'm suddenly in the market for a new lap top. So would you say this is excellent value for money? www.inmac.co.uk/product.aspx?TabID=1&SKU=E523194 Any short comings?

GCerbera, this is the one i currently have on my desk, its not a bad machine and the only gripe i have is i am pretty sure its not as quick as the previous model, the A40, but this might be down to the fact its on a network and has loads of tools and stuff loaded. The machine itself is pretty bullet proof, within reason, and the features are nice.
its worth taking out the 3 year uplift warranty too. next day on site anywhere in the world repair. laptops are prone to failures of the cd as the laser is in the tray rather than the machine so it can be a prob if it fails, plus you dont have to ship it back and wait while they fix it.

[GCerbera]

Thanks for that.

Actually going to go for the model up:
http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/product_page.jsp?service=UK&PRODUCT_ID=96498&toshibaShop=true

PC World oferring it to me for £799 inc VAT

[GCerbera]

GCerbera said:

Thanks for that. Actually going to go for the model up: http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/product_page.jsp?service=UK&PRODUCT_ID=96498&toshibaShop=true PC World oferring it to me for £799 inc VAT

Even better, got it for £699 on the business account at Staples!

Excellent value.

[obiwonkeyblokey]

also spoeak to Andrew at www.hardsoft.co.uk I got all my PCs for work thorugh him and they were great value