New Laptop Advice

CJ if you haven't bought office yet look here as it's the same price but allows you to install on 2 PC's :wink:

http://www.software4students.co.uk/default1.aspx
 
I've got an Acer and it's great and amazing value. Make sure you get a Intel Core i3 or i5. Those chips are fantastic - really fast. :thumbsup:
 
Hi CJ,

Haven't bothered reading the whole thread, so appologies if I'm repeating anything or you already know any of the follow, but here's my advice:

For a good balance between quality, performance and cost Acer comes on top. I also find their laptops stylish and sleek. for around £500 you can get one of the i3 processors, which is Intel's new range of CPUs.

Whatever you do go for use this site to get the latest and cheapest prices. I use it for all electronic goods I purchase. http://www.liveukprices.com/

If you want a seperate numeric pad then you'll almost definitley have to go for a larger laptop with a 17" screen. I've never seen a 15" have one.

£100 over budget, but this is a good example of what you can get with Acer: http://www.liveukprices.com/prices/laptops/acer-lxpt402001
full spec: http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_7741G_Core_i3_Laptop_LX.PT402.001/version.asp?refsource=ldawin (click on the "tech spec" tab)

Personally I reckon you should increase your budget to around £600. there's a big gap in terms of performance and features between a £500 and £600 laptop and basically you can get a lot more for another £100.

Some other facts you should consider. Figures i'm using below are what the laptop from link above has:

CPU: It's not all about the speed - the size and type of cache is important - L3 Cache 3 MB (this is quite good)
RAM: It's not all about the size of RAM - the clock speed is also very important - DD3 @ 1066MHz (DD3 is currently the top end and best type of RAM available)

Pedram
 
srhutch said:
CJ if you haven't bought office yet look here as it's the same price but allows you to install on 2 PC's :wink:

http://www.software4students.co.uk/default1.aspx
Click to expand...

Thanks SR. Checked the copy we have of office 2007 and it allows 5 machines so no pros there.


To all - In the end we went with a Sony VAIO EE2E1E/WI Windows 7 Laptop. Costco for £490 inc. 2 year warranty.
Thanks for the directions and comments.
 
You guys are far too kind on your kids. Had to work 30+hrs to put myself through Uni :o

That alongside an engineering degree (9am-6pm lectures everyday) was a massive strain, now working life seems like a walk in the park compared to that. :rofl:
 
chrismann85 said:
You guys are far too kind on your kids. Had to work 30+hrs to put myself through Uni :o

That alongside an engineering degree (9am-6pm lectures everyday) was a massive strain, now working life seems like a walk in the park compared to that. :rofl:
Click to expand...

Tell me about it. Did CMS, DMS and MBA while working and the final dissertation while changing companies, relocating house and bringing up 2 daughters (OK my wife did that bit)

Int he works of Monty Python - 'we had it hard....'
 
cj10jeeper said:
Nothing to do with Zeds but outside my area of knowledge here.

I need a new laptop for my daughter for uni. Budget around £500. I know we need a 15.6 screen and ideally a separate numeric keypad. Aside that they all seem much of a muchness as she'll never uset eh full capabilities.

Front runner is the Sony VPC EE2E1E/W1 with a 2 year warranty from any one of several bricks and mortar retailers.

Interested in any recommendations??
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Sorry have not read other replies am struggling with a mobile phone. Whenever I have bought a laptop I have simply looked for the best combination of RAM, Hard drive capacity, and processor, and limited myself to, say, three makes eg dell, HP, compaq, and see which offers the best for the money. Sony tend to think they can charge more, and the other brands are perfectly adequate and all pretty much the same. A mate of mine recently bought a compaq which is EXACTLY the same as my HP exepet it says compaq on it.

Stick to this simple approach and don't get blinded by science. £350/£400 will easily get you something perfectly good for the purpose.

Final note - try to get a package with windows7 to add a bit of future proofing.
 
I have now read a couple more replies now and I'll add a bit more in that light.

Forget macs. Absolutely no reason whatsoever to pay extra given your stated needs, and despite what the jehovas apple witnesses tell you PCs will have the widest range of comparability. Only would recommend a mac if daughter is doing some sort of design course or photography etc.

I truly believe that at your price point all makes are the same. Just get a decent amount of ram and the best proessor you can and it will be good for 4 years +
 
Thanks but when you get to see ther replies you'll see I have purchased something for her.
Your sentiment about selection is good, however some odd things come into play for an 18 year old.

Brand name over performance
Colour of laptop and lid
Budget of up to £500 somehow implies it has to be spent
 
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