Sub-£350 powerful laptops discussion

choc101

The dixons laptop mentioned above - the ACER 5742 Core i5 laptop with 4GB memory.

Would this have the new i5? if not how would non computer folk like me tell?

And if not, and I have £500 odd to spend, where should i be looking?

grumpycrab

I think Intel are trying to confuse everybody. The "new i5" has a 4-digit code, e.g. i5-2410M (I'm assuming you want to stick to M for Mobile!)
They are described -> http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/66776.aspx?p=2 (from "Second-generation Core i3" onwards)

Dell are normally pretty quick to get new kit out (but watch out for delivery times!) e.g. http://www.dmxdimension.com/dell-uk/inspiron-15-deals-codes-coupons/
For "£500 odd" to spend the Core i5 2410M for £579 looks good; also take into account whether you will be playing modern games or not as you may well want one with a NON-integrated graphics chip.

If its just processor oomph you're after you can compare benchmarks -> http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

EDIT: Or for £449 there's this from Play -> http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/18362495/Hewlett-Packard-HP-DV6-3120SA-Intel-Core-i3-370M-Processor-4GB-500GB-15-6-inch-Blu-ray-Combo-Windows-7-Home-Premium-64-bit-Laptop-Not/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccat:18362495%7Cprd:18362495&P36=TSXG3U&affid=hotukdeals&awc=buyat&_$ja=tsid:11516|prd:hotukdeals
Has an "old" i3-370M which is ok, lots of memory and disk, HDMI, graphics card (better than integrated but not much better) and Blu-ray drive (but NB. doesn't do 1080p)

J_B

grumpycrab wrote: »

I'm not recommending this but it's a similar spec (smaller disk) for £300 http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5741_988476.html

Just ordered this
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5741Z_1072194.html
which is the same as t'other, but with 6GB RAM!!

Payless_2

Has anyone come across the Fujitsu amilo Pi3560. A lot of places seem to be selling it for around £350, including Laptops Direct and for the price it seems a good deal but I'm sure there must be a catch.

I need a new laptop as I'm changing jobs and so have to give this one back shortly:(. It's just about the only thing I'll miss though. I mainly use my laptop for gaming and surfing but don't want to spend too much.

davstarr

Lenovo's are good build quality, would recommend one of those, seen some good deals lately. These days I'm more into build quality than specs.

candish63

Hi,

I need a new laptop.

Only used for browsing the internet, emails and comping

My old one is so slow!!!!!

I want something with a fast processor.

Any ideas?

grumpycrab

candish63 wrote: »

I need a new laptop...I want something with a fast processor

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=42386572&postcount=1359

megaphoenix

Hi everyone
I am in the same boat looking at laptops, there are a lot of new processor part numbers, and Sandy Bridge (now that they have fixed it) is the latest intel thing.
remember to check the processor included against intel's website , I got confused a while back looking at core i5's thinking they were quad cores like their desktop counterparts.

anyway , I am looking for a 15 inch machine and have narrowed it down to two
oops can't post links, well its a toshibe at pc world for £ 329 amd dual core 3gb ram, and 320 gb hdd
its red and looks cool

but for just a bit more I can get this one an acer aspire 5552 with 3xcore amd, 4gb ram and 500gb hdd

From a company I have not seen before called Lynbo Tech, for £ 347
I know these are not intel, but I have had good AMD machines in the past, and the bottom one has 3 cores!

what do you guys think?

Cheers

pingu

grumpycrab wrote: »

Fitting the thread title to a tee..this Toshiba has a fast processor (benchmark 2349) and is £349. Rest of spec is average.
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_C660-1E2_1044806.html
Extend warranty cheaply here -> http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/product/Satellite-C660-1E2/1101903/toshibaShop/true/tab/2/#2

Similar to previous (but still current deal) @Argos.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5084760.htm?storeId=10001&referredURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.argos.co.uk%2Fstatic%2FProduct%2FpartNumber%2F5084760.htm&jspStoreDir=argos&_%24ja=tsid%3A11674%7Cprd%3A1546795&referrer=COJUN&com.ibm.commerce.context.experiment.ExperimentContext=com.ibm.commerce.context.experimentimpl.ExperimentContextImpl%405fba106d&cmpid=COJUN
This has a bigger hard drive, better battery and, in theory a 2 year warranty in the box (if this is important to you ask or open the box @Argos)

bought from argos on saturday very nice with 2 years warranty 1 and free mcafee

donny-gal

If you are looking at a laptop from PCW or Currys have a look at Dixons, at the moment until tomorrow there is a voucher for 10% off laptops + the normal 3% via Quidco. DG