The Great 'Cheapest Decent Laptop' Hunt

chateauneufdupape

I am thinking of getting a Toshiba laptop, either the Satellite U400-14B or the Satellite A300-1J1 but can't decide which one. I can't see why the U400 is more expensive when it has a smaller screen and doesn't have the Kardon speakers. It is a kg lighter though. Any thoughts / comments?

U400-14B Spec:-

Operating system
Genuine Windows® Vista® Home Premium Edition
Technology
Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology featuring Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor T5750, Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN network connection and Intel® GM965 Express chipset | clock speed : 2.0 GHz | front side bus : 667 MHz | 2nd level cache : 2 MB System memory
3,072 (2,048 + 1,024) MB | maximum expandability : 4,096 MB | technology : DDR2 RAM (667 MHz) Hard disk
320 GB DVD Super Multi drive (Double Layer)
Display
13.3 " | Toshiba TruBrite® WXGA TFT High Brightness display Graphics adapter
Intel® | Intel® GMA X3100 Battery
maximum life : currently no official Windows Vista® battery benchmark result available Physical dimensions
weight : starting at 1.9 kg | W x D x H : 314 x 229 x 27.5 (front) / 35.0 (rear) mm Wireless communication
Wireless Technology : Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/Draft-N) | Wireless Technology : Bluetooth® Warranty
1-year international warranty. Upgrade your standard warranty with Toshiba warranty extension, uplift and all-risks insurance packs. Toshiba EasyMedia
Integrated Bridge Media Adapter | McAfee® Internet Security Suite - Toshiba Edition | Google Software (Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Google Desktop, Picasa, Google Earth) | USB Sleep'n Charge | Toshiba Face Recognition | HDMI-CEC | S/PDIF | Internal HD 720p support | Dolby® Sound Room™ | Toshiba ConfigFree™ | Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR | Diversity Antenna | Built-in camera & microphone | Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/ Draft-N) | Easy Keys | Toshiba Flash Cards | Smart Display Support Special features
SM BIOS compliant | integrated 1.3 Megapixels Web Camera for Video over IP | Multimedia Bar with 6 feather-touch Easy Keys (on/off function of white LED illuminated Touch Pad, Satellite logo and Easy Keys plus Rewind, Play, Stop, Forward, CD/DVD launcher) | Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep® Technology | integrated microphone for Voice over IP | HD Audio support
A300-1J1 Spec:-

Operating system
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition (pre-installed, Toshiba-HDD recovery)
Technology
Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology featuring Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor T5750, Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection and Intel® GM965 Express chipset | clock speed : 2.0 GHz | front side bus : 667 MHz | 2nd level cache : 2 MB System memory
3,072 (2,048 + 1,024) MB | maximum expandability : 4,096 MB | technology : DDR2 RAM (667 MHz) Hard disk
250 GB DVD Super Multi drive (Double Layer)
Display
15.4 " | Toshiba TruBrite® WXGA TFT High Brightness display Graphics adapter
Intel® | Intel® GMA X3100 Battery
maximum life : up to 2h45min (Mobile Mark™ 2007) Physical dimensions
weight : starting at 2.78 kg | W x D x H : 362 x 267 x 34.5 (front) / 38.5 (rear) mm Wireless communication
Wireless Technology : Wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g) Warranty
1-year international warranty. Upgrade your standard warranty with Toshiba warranty extension, uplift and all-risks insurance packs. Toshiba EasyMedia
Dolby® Sound Room™ | Google Software (Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer, Google Desktop, Picasa, Google Earth) | USB Sleep'n Charge | Toshiba Face Recognition | Smart Display Support | Toshiba Flash Cards | S/PDIF | Internal HD 720p support | Harman Kardon® Stereo Speakers | McAfee® Internet Security Suite - Toshiba Edition | Toshiba ConfigFree™ | Integrated Bridge Media Adapter | Diversity Antenna | Built-in camera & microphone | Easy Keys Special features
SM BIOS compliant | integrated 1.3 Megapixels Web Camera for Video over IP | Multimedia Bar with 6 feather-touch Easy Keys (on/off function of white LED illuminated Touch Pad, Satellite logo and Easy Keys plus Rewind, Play, Stop, Forward, CD/DVD launcher) | Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep® Technology | integrated microphone for Voice over IP | HD Audio support

stamford

chateauneufdupape wrote: »

I am thinking of getting a Toshiba laptop, either the Satellite U400-14B or the Satellite A300-1J1 but can't decide which one. I can't see why the U400 is more expensive when it has a smaller screen and doesn't have the Kardon speakers. It is a kg lighter though. Any thoughts / comments?

I bought a Satellite A210 back in March from these people. Its got an AMD Dual Core processor. Very pleased with price, build & reliability except for battery life which isn't up to much

http://www.cclonline.com/product-categories.asp?category_id=311

**woody123**

http://www.staples.co.uk/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?Description=UK_CL_Laptops+-+Toshiba&CatIds=21797,35750,90634&webid=397643&affixedcode=WW

The one above looks a decent toshiba for the money.

tkblueyonder

**woody123** wrote: »

http://www.staples.co.uk/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?Description=UK_CL_Laptops+-+Toshiba&CatIds=21797,35750,90634&webid=397643&affixedcode=WW

The one above looks a decent toshiba for the money.

i have seen this model in Staples store at the weekend looks nice build quality etc as expected with Toshiba the link below is cheaper than Staples and i have used Laskys before (good Supplier i have found) free standard delivery

http://www.laskys.com/computing/laptops_and_pdas/laptops/toshiba_sat_l300_1bw.html

tkblueyonder

or this one......? £297.85 and loads of stock

http://www.macwarehouse.co.uk/catalogue/item/HPN0154

or bundled with Optical Mini Mouse, 2GB USB Drive and 15.4" Carry Case! ........ £319.45

http://www.macwarehouse.co.uk/catalogue/item/WB149243

Never dealt with Macwarehouse though.......anyone?

Magenta

flashy wrote: »

If you want a cheap laptop, http://www.bigpockets.co.uk are doing used Dell latitude D610's, which are a good spec, and will out live most laptops on the market today.

I have seen many Sony laptops come and go, all have dead batteries within a year or 2, then the LCD's fade!!

Dell's on the other hand, i have a 5 year old Latitude on its original battery running like new. Been dropped many a time, and it has never missed a beat.

Just my 2p worth!

Just had alook at the site and most of the laptops are sold out unfortunately.

stamford

Magenta wrote: »

Just had alook at the site and most of the laptops are sold out unfortunately.

Used HP core 2 duo 6 months warranty £239.99 -

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?product=SOLV092

edwinac_2

Spudnik wrote: »

Hi guys,

I'll need to buy a laptop for use from next summer..

Beware! This is Spudnik's real identity.

What he plans to do with his new laptop should sicken all right-thinking people. :eek:

jiblets1

My father is asking me if this is a good laptop to buy for my mother. I'm not very good at knowing what's needed, so could someone check it's ok for me please? She uses it for the internet and word processing mainly. Her old laptop has gone incredibly slow, so as long as it has a little pace she'll be happy.

Many thanks.

Garetha

jiblets1 wrote: »

My father is asking me if this is a good laptop to buy for my mother. I'm not very good at knowing what's needed, so could someone check it's ok for me please? She uses it for the internet and word processing mainly. Her old laptop has gone incredibly slow, so as long as it has a little pace she'll be happy.

Many thanks.

Not bad for the price - reasonable memory, small hard drive, processor OK
Have a look at Dell Outlet as £100 off and free delivery (ends 11th)