Sub-£350 powerful laptops discussion

Im_A_Mouse_In_Need

Would be great if the original article had an update, seven months is a bit long in such a fast changing market

My neighbours would like me to help them find a laptop in the £300-350 bracket, to be used mainly for email and browsing. I think they might move on to Skype soon too, so an integrated webcam would be a bonus but might not fit the budget

Any suggestions? Thanks for any help

JDPower

Im_A_Mouse_In_Need wrote: »

Would be great if the original article had an update, seven months is a bit long in such a fast changing market

Agreed, it is uncharacteristically out of date for MSE.

brighthair

gamesmad wrote: »

I recently purchased my Samsung R530 and its been a good all-rounder so far, no problems, the graphics power has really suprised me considering the price. Cost me £399 off the high street.

-Will

I've just got that laptop as part of a 3 internet deal - £35 a month for laptop and net. I already had a dongle with them, and my old (9 year!) laptop just died so decided to go for that. I really like it so far, I'm not good with technology and it's easy to use. Plus my new dongle is loads faster and I can forum from more places where as before I had to sit with my dongle in one window!

CompletelyLost

Just wondering if this is worth the money? £329 (minus £50 providing cashback tracks)?? I haven't much of a clue about these things :S Thanks in advance!

Intel® Celeron® Processor 900 (2.20 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic SP2 - English

Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)

1 year of coverage included with your PC

No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English

DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year

15.6" Widescreen WXGA WLED (1366 x 768) TFT Display with TrueLife™

2048MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]

160GB (5,400rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive

Intel Integrated GMA 4500MHD

DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)

4-cell 24WHr Li-Ion primary battery

Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g)

No Bluetooth Upgrade

No Camera Included

Black Colour with Matte Finish


Accessories

Also Includes
N0454501
Inspiron 1545 Order - UK
English - Documentation Inspiron 1545
Inspiron 1545 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
65W AC Adaptor
No Carry Case
1 Meter Power Cord - UK
Internal UK English Qwerty Keyboard
1 year of coverage included with your PC
No Accidental Damage Support
Wireless Label - Celeron
Black palmrest
One free Dell Expert call to help with your PC queries within 60 days of purchase
Datasafe Local 2.0 Basic

JDPower

CompletelyLost wrote: »

Just wondering if this is worth the money?

In short no, simlpy not up to spec. It is probably priced nearly right for the £279 you're effectively paying for it (if the cashback tracks that is) but that doesn't mean you should be bothering with that spec unless you intend to buy a new one in a year or two.

poppy10_2

JDPower wrote: »

In short no, simlpy not up to spec. It is probably priced nearly right for the £279 you're effectively paying for it (if the cashback tracks that is) but that doesn't mean you should be bothering with that spec unless you intend to buy a new one in a year or two.

Yep, that one's going to be slow as a dog, especially running Vista. False economy.

gideon_online

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5083046.htm

Hi there, can any of you experts have a look at this and see if its value?
Just for my old man who generally surfs / emails so no biggie , cheers

jaydeeuk1

gideon_online wrote: »

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5083046.htm

Hi there, can any of you experts have a look at this and see if its value?
Just for my old man who generally surfs / emails so no biggie , cheers

Looks fine to me. For an extra £30 or so, you can get something with a bit more poke, and 4gb ram (and a free carry case).

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172314

gideon_online

Thanks Jayd

found this one on Amazon, seems a lot cheaper, any downsides here?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HIGH-SPEC-LAPTOP-CLEARANCE-SALE/dp/B0034AX4BA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

jaydeeuk1

gideon_online wrote: »

Thanks Jayd

found this one on Amazon, seems a lot cheaper, any downsides here?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HIGH-SPEC-LAPTOP-CLEARANCE-SALE/dp/B0034AX4BA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Single core celeron and low speed, so will be far from quick (would probaby struggle with some HD videos on youtube, BBC iplayer, flash based websites). Shame, as the rest of the specs look good for £300. The laptop you found would be much quicker for just £50 more.