The Great 'Cheapest Decent Laptop' Hunt

Hillfly

I would suggest these 2 dells offer better 'bang for your buck' as posted on HUKD:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deal/47690/dell-vostro-1400-notebook-2ghz-core

or

bigger screen version:
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deal/48141/dell-vostro-1500-notebook-1-6ghz-co

Acers are good value - I have had 3 now - but the build quality can be poor (1 of mine broke terminally after 15 months - 3 months out of warranty!!).
My next machine will probably be a Dell.

mazz1953

The laptop below will be available from Aldis on Sunday 7 October 2007, and I think it is very good value for money and worth getting. I couldn't find it on their website, but I subscribe to their mailing list and I got this Email this morning :-






• Intel® Pentium® Dual-core processor T2130, 1.86 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache and FSB 533MHz
What is Dual-core?
Two processor cores work within the same physical processor chip to increase the performance of your PC. Dual-core technology means that several demanding applications can be run at the same time, allowing your computer to think as fast as you can multi-task.

• 15.4" TFT WXGA Widescreen Display
1280 x 800 pixels. 16:10 widescreen cinema format for optimized DVD playback and more desktop space on screen.

• 2,048MB DDR II SDRAM
Massive memory for maximum performance.

• 160GB Hard Disk
Ample space for up to 35,000 digital photos or 35,000 MP4 tracks (at 3.5MB per file).

• Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
128MB shared memory based on PCI-Express technology.

• 8 x Multi-standard DVD/CD Burner with DVD-RAM and Dual Layer support
Watch DVDs and even make your own. Reads and writes: DVD±R/±RW/±R DL/DVD-RAM/CD-RW/DVD-ROM.

• Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g
Connect to the Internet without plugs or cables with Wireless LAN technology. Data transfer speeds up to 54Mbit/s (requires WLAN access point).

• Integrated VGA webcam
Great for messaging programs and video conferencing. CMOS image Sensor. Video resolution 640 x 480 pixels, 30 frames/second.

• 2 multimedia speakers
• 6 channel audio out (analogue + S/P-DIF)
Enjoy amazing "home cinema" surround sound with 6 channel audio out (use in conjunction with a compatible surround sound speaker system - not supplied).

• 4-in-1 memory card reader
Transfer photos the easy way.
Accepts the following common memory
cards: SD/MMC/MS & MS Pro.

• Fast Ethernet 10/100Mbit/s on board

• V.90 Modem including modem connection cable




Windows Vista® Home Premium
Operating System - it starts here...

Productivity - Windows Vista® Home Premium helps you accomplish more.

Communication - Windows Vista® Home Premium helps you stay connected to people and information wherever you are.

TV and Movies - Windows Vista® Home Premium unites your PC and your TV for a better entertainment experience.

Gaming - Windows Vista® Home Premium delivers 3D graphics for every level of player and parental controls limit both gaming time and content. Photos - enjoy and share your photos and produce great prints and videos.

Music - sort your music collection your way and connect to an array of portable devices.




Numerous interfaces for multimedia and connectivity:
1 x Express card, 3 x USB 2.0, 1 x VGA out, 1 x TV out, 1 x LAN (RJ45), 1 x modem (RJ11), 1 x IEEE 1394, 1 x line in*, 1 x microphone in*, 1 x line out*, 6 channel audio out (analogue + S/P-DIF)*
*The usage of these interfaces is dependant on the software configuration.

peterbaker

Yes I bought that Aldi laptop last time around about 2 months ago when it had just 120Gb hard drive - not sure about any other differences between mine and this latest one apart from fact mine was £20 cheaper? Anybody?

Tony863, I understand your frustration ... and once upon a time I was pretty clued up but have lost it these last 10 years!

The integrated graphics you are trying to avoid ... it was once the way to go, but thesedays the integrated graphics are pretty impressive. Most laptop innards are of course designed to save space, and integrating graphics is the obvious way for the designers.

If it is of any assistance, I am quite happy with my Medion graphics which are good enough to run Microsoft FSX Flight Simulator with medium levels of detail without stuttering. FSX is quite a hungry graphics animal.

Just one fault I have noticed with the Medion and that is poor levels of feel in the keyboard keys, and one or two prone to sticking (i.e. not working unless pressed deliberately firmly). Easing off the tops of the offending two and simply refitting them (click fit) has improved them.

PS One tiny bonus on the Medion 4 in 1 card reader that I had accepted as something it wouldn't do, but actually does, is that mine also reads Olympus/Fuji style XD cards!

Hillfly

I would still suggest the Dell's are better value than the Medion. The processors are far better and the dedicated graphics cards are DX10 compliant.

A good resource for help on choosing a new laptop is here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

Talon_3

Hillfly wrote: »

I would suggest these 2 dells offer better 'bang for your buck' as posted on HUKD:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deal/47690/dell-vostro-1400-notebook-2ghz-core

or

bigger screen version:
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deal/48141/dell-vostro-1500-notebook-1-6ghz-co

Acers are good value - I have had 3 now - but the build quality can be poor (1 of mine broke terminally after 15 months - 3 months out of warranty!!).
My next machine will probably be a Dell.

In fact after I posted that last message, I found that Vostro 1500 and also a HP Lappy just over my budget. So I was looking for discount codes/vouchers to bring them down

http://www.laptopshop.co.uk/compaq_hp-6720s-hp_6720s_gr665et-laptop-4-n2.htm

I think I'll opt for the Dell. Other than Quidco, can you direct me to any Dell discounts?

Thanks for your help guys

Hillfly

You will probbaly not do better than Quidco on the website.
Also note that if you go for the Vostro make sure you get it form the Dell home section. If you buy via business site different rules apply to cancellations & returns to that of the Dell home section. For example you can't change your mind and cancel within 7 days of receiving the machine (distance selling regs apply to 'Dell home').

A further dsicount tactic is to call and cancel once you getthe machine. Often you can get offered some refund in order not to cancel as clearly Dell woudl be stuck with a collecvtion charge and then a returned spec machine.

You can also phone up to order from Dell and can haggle for some freebies. Firstly ask for 5% discount which you can get from cashback sites like Quidco. Then ask for some free upgardes - sometimes you can get a better wirelss card, Vistaupgarde or free bag or more if the rep you get is good.
I recently tried this . It took 3 calls to get a rep who would haggle - but I got offered a few freebies.

Check out some of the threads on HotUKDeals for previous Dell deals as lots of people have posted what they got for free and their haggle strategies.:money:

BartGirl

Hi.
I'm not sure if this has been mentioned on here before but try morgancomputers.com for bargains around £500 mark. Especially in their bargain basement section. I have owned both a desktop and laptop from them. Highly recomm!!

matty2767

i saw this on ebuyer with a core2 processor.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132347

rainbowangel

Hi sadly I can't afford a £500 lap top as all of these are.... does anyone know of any good ones around the £300 to £350 mark? All my pref are is.. 1gb memory wireless internet and possibly core 2 processor. Many thanks in advance )

Monkeeboy

Try the Dell model I ordered and mentioned in my earlier post. You are always able to haggle. Mine have just arrived so I only need to unpack and check them.

cheers