The Great 'Cheapest Decent Laptop' Hunt

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Overall the Dell is better - but the Argos has dedicated graphics memory whilst the Dell shares some of the RAM for the graphics

diabolikal

silvercar wrote: »

I thought the link led to the model.

Dell: Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T4200 (2.0GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)
15.6" Widescreen WXGA CCFL (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)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 - English

Argos:
Intel Dual-Core processor T2390.
1.86GHz processor speed.
1024Mb cache.
2Gb RAM (2x 1024Mb DDR SDRAM).
15.4in screen size.
Resolution 1280 x 800 pixels.
Widescreen.
160GB SATA hard drive.
Multi format, dual layer, optical drive.
Intel GMA X3100 graphics.
350MB graphics memory.
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 operating system installed.

Would also recommend the Dell. Main criteria being the processor.

Like the previous post said though, the dedicated gfx memory is nice, but you can change the BIOS setting on a Dell to use more graphics memory if need be. If you're looking for something for internet, office, youtube/iplayer, solitaire kind of stuff, then the Dell.

Taffyscot

Hi there,
I found a sony vaio ns20 computer on Marks and Spencer website a few weeks ago at £449 Specs looked good at 3 gb, 250 gb and 2.18 mh. That's what my friend told me to look for anyway. I called them up today and there are none left because they are getting newer models in. I asked about the specs on the newer model and they are exactly the same except the newer model has a better internal camera (big deal) but the newer model is now £499. the new model is vaio ns20E and is not in yet. The manager said that they do have a floor model of the older one with no box and no booklets of instructions. He said he will sell it to me for £400. What do you guys think please? Is it ok to buy a floor model or not? What should I look for and what should I ask? I am a senior and even tho I can use a pc quite easily I am not good with all the techie stuff, born a few years too early methinks. Would you lot buy a floor model Sony that is discontinued now but with exactly the same specs as the newer model? Any help on here or private messaging would be greatly appreciated. thanks Taffy

Taffyscot

Sony VAIO VGN-NS10L Laptop
Oh this was the model that they no longer have. Any comments on this model please? Also if it is discontinued and now a newer model and it was a floor model with no instructions, box etc would it be possible to ask for more of a discount than from £449 to £400 or is that a decent offer. He offered me that without hestition and made me wonder if there was room to negotiate more. I am not much good at negotiating but would sure love to hear if anyone has any tips at all about getting the price lowered. It will have the normal warranty do you think? Thanks all,
Taffy

AirCooledHeaven

silvercar wrote: »

Can someone do me a big favour and compare the £349 dell with the sony vaio NR38ES that is also £349 (at Argos).

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-1545?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn&dgc=EM&cid=22689&lid=530199&acd=9F3BTM-YB6PY-IPZNB3-BMJ4WY-D9DFE-v1


http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5080702.htm

Technically the dell has the edge, but personally I would rather own the Sony. The NR38ES is a discontinued model and surprisingly Argos is the cheapest place to buy one (having researched it last week). For general use you won't see any difference in performance.

Taffyscot

Hi This Sony has not been available now for about 3 weeks where I live and does not look as if they are going to get any more in. Does anyone really have any in their area as I have asked my relatives in Wales too and some in England. Taffy

AirCooledHeaven

Taffyscot wrote: »

Hi This Sony has not been available now for about 3 weeks where I live and does not look as if they are going to get any more in. Does anyone really have any in their area as I have asked my relatives in Wales too and some in England. Taffy

Why not just call them and ask? 0845 640 1010

doingmybest_3

Taffyscot wrote: »

Hi This Sony has not been available now for about 3 weeks where I live and does not look as if they are going to get any more in. Does anyone really have any in their area as I have asked my relatives in Wales too and some in England. Taffy

You could try and negotiate and see what happens. I bought the ns20e a few weeks ago from Amazon for 457. I am really pleased with it but it's up to you. The shop floor one would be okay but make sure they give you a guarantee, you would be able to get the instructions online but to be honest when I got mine I just switched it on and we were away. Very easy to set up and use. Her is the link to Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-NS20ES-15-4-inch-Laptop-2-16Ghz/dp/B001PO5UG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1237496355&sr=1-1

Tysa

Hi,

I've finally found two laptops that I like but I'm torn between the two. It will mainly be used for surfing and watching films with the odd bit of gaming. I've always been a Pentium man so please help.

Thanks

Here's the first one:

http://www.staples.co.uk/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?Description=UK_CL_Laptops+-+Toshiba&CatIds=21797,35750,90634&webid=398661&affixedcode=WW+

and the second one.....
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.205-9535.aspx

GooWorld

I think Sony is the best brand of laptop