The Great 'Cheapest Decent Laptop' Hunt

nicholataylor

also, never buy a fujitsu. They always overheat, i left mine on my bed for 10 minutes and it over heated. It might have been a little silly but i think it is still not good enough. If you can get a 2nd hand lenovo or a cheap one go for it!! Last ages!

JDPower

nicholataylor wrote: »

also, never buy a fujitsu. They always overheat, i left mine on my bed for 10 minutes and it over heated.

That is all dependent on the individual laptop really, one model may suffer overheating and every other may be fine, so wouldn't write off a manufacturer based on one laptop. I had a Tosh that suffered terrible overheating yet they are second from top in the poll at the top of the page.

confuzzled?

is there any major difference between the ASUS Eee PC 904HD BK003X and the Acer Aspire One A150?

am thinking about going for the asus as it has a 2 year warrenty (as a used display item) and the acer only has 90 days (as a refurbished) any thoughts on this?

superstar_2

Ok, need some help. I have been planning to get a new laptop to replace my old one. I am not that expert with computers, so help is appreciated!

My budget is around 300-400, the less the better, of course. Its for basic net surfing, and office works. Some photos and some songs. Not much for gamings etc.

Any suggested laptops? I have been looking at Toshiba or the HP 550 as recommended here. Also, what is the minimum processor level that should I get? Been thinking about around 120GB, is that a good amount? Anything else that I should pay in attention when getting one? How about the RAM?

Help is much appreciated!

flossy_splodge

superstar wrote: »

Ok, need some help. I have been planning to get a new laptop to replace my old one. I am not that expert with computers, so help is appreciated!

My budget is around 300-400, the less the better, of course. Its for basic net surfing, and office works. Some photos and some songs. Not much for gamings etc.

Any suggested laptops? I have been looking at Toshiba or the HP 550 as recommended here. Also, what is the minimum processor level that should I get? Been thinking about around 120GB, is that a good amount? Anything else that I should pay in attention when getting one? How about the RAM?

Help is much appreciated!

Look at Sainsburys current in store offers. They have a good spec Toshiba and also a Compaq both under £400.
Sorry can't remember the exact spec of either.
If you can't get to a store, post back and I'll take a note when in my local Sainsburys tomorrow.
Here is the link to their online store:
http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/shop/technology/computing_and_gaming/laptops/list.html?sort=default&hnav=4294966698
The two I saw are featured end of third row down and beginning of 4th row.
Hope this helps.:p

superstar_2

flossy_splodge wrote: »

Look at Sainsburys current in store offers. They have a good spec Toshiba and also a Compaq both under £400.
Sorry can't remember the exact spec of either.
If you can't get to a store, post back and I'll take a note when in my local Sainsburys tomorrow.
Here is the link to their online store:
http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/shop/technology/computing_and_gaming/laptops/list.html?sort=default&hnav=4294966698
The two I saw are featured end of third row down and beginning of 4th row.
Hope this helps.:p

No nearly Sainsbury for me. If you do go there, do take note for me. Have been looking at the HP 550 too.

flossy_splodge

Ah well, you might want to take a look at ebuyer website. They've got a load of HP 550's with different specs and it appears you get a years free WiFi through Cloud if you buy an HP 550 through them.:p
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164845

flossy_splodge

superstar wrote: »

No nearly Sainsbury for me. If you do go there, do take note for me. Have been looking at the HP 550 too.

here's the spec for the Compaq CQ60-313SA 15.6in 2.1GHz Laptop

This medium-sized laptop from Compaq offers an amazing set of features for the price. Great for users who want a more computer on a smaller budget. This model boasts a 15.6-inch screen and a fast, dual core processor, in addition to a range of other features.

The 15.6-inch widescreen (1366x768) is brilliant for seeing everything you need to, and is also great for watching movies. The 2.1GHz AMD Athlon" X2 Dual-Core Processor for Notebook PCs is fast enough to run most programs quickly, while the 3GB of memory will let you run many more powerful programs, or watch downloaded content more smoothly.

The 160GB hard drive is big enough for lots of programs, music files and videos. The optical drive reads and writes DVDs and CDs, and is also a LightScribe drive, which lets you print directly onto LightScribe DVDs or CDs with silkscreen quality. Just burn the disc, eject it, flip it upside down, put it back, and LightScribe does the rest. Messy labels are a thing of the past.

An integrated SD/MMC/xD and Sony Memory Stick reader takes care of a range of different media reading, while three USB 2.0 ports take care of the rest. A VGA port, LAN connector, telephone plug and headphone and microphone jacks are also built in. It even has HDMI out, so you can play HD content onto an HDTV.

The unit has a built-in modem, so even if you're not in Wi-Fi range, or close to a LAN cable, you can connect by simply plugging into a phone cable.

Altec Lansing® speakers give great stereo sound, while a built-in microphone and webcam let you chat or video conference wherever you are. All this in a notebook weighing less than 3kg, and for such good value, is an amazing deal.

Comes with Windows Vista Home Basic installed.
Product features

Height


35.1cmWidth


25.2cmDepth


37.8cmWeight


2.96kgBrand


CompaqProduct name/number


NG457EA#ABUManufacturer's guarantee


1 yearQuick start guide


NoCountry of origin


ChinaAccessories included


NoneBattery life


6-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteryhoursBluetooth


NoBuilt-in TV tuner


NoCache
The holding memory - the larger this number the smoother downloaded content will appear.

1MBCard reader compatible with


5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure, Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory, Stick Pro, or xD Picture cardsColour


Black & ChromeFireWire port


NoGraphics card details


Up to 1407 MB Total Available Graphics MemoryGraphics memory dedicated


NoGraphics memory shared


YesHard drive
The larger the hard drive size, the more content it can store.

160GBHard drive type


160 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 5400 rpm, up to 9 GB partition for system recoveryIncludes keyboard


YesIncludes monitor


YesIncludes mouse


YesIncludes spare battery


NoIncludes speakers


YesIncludes webcam


YesIntegrated microphone


YesIntegrated speakers


YesIntegrated webcam


YesKeyboard type


Built inMaximum screen resolution


Resolution: 1366 x 768Memory


4GBMemory card slot
Takes the card from your camera or camcorder and enables you see the content on screen

YesModem included


YesMonitor wall mountable


NoMouse type


Built inNetworking capability


YesNumber of front USB ports


3 USB 2.0,Number of rear USB ports


3One-touch back-up


NoOperating system
This is what you'll see as you operate the machine. Microsoft Windows, Linux or Apple Mac OSX are examples.

Windows VistaOptical drive


YesOptical drive BluRay compatible


NoOptical drive LightScribe compatible


YesPrint server included


NoProcessor
This is the heart of the machine - generally dual processors make for faster machines, but they tend to cost more.

amd athlon x2dual core processor for notebook pcs ql-64 2.10 ghzProcessor bus
The higher the figure, the faster the machine.

2.10 GHz,MHzProcessor model number


AMD AthlonÖ X2 Dual-Core Processor for Notebook, PCs QL-64Processor speed
The higher this number the faster the machine will perform.

2.10GHzRemote control


NoScreen contrast ratio


15.6" Diagonal High Definition HP Brightview DisplayScreen size
Diagonal measurement of the screen in inches.

15.6"Software pre-loaded


microsoft , internet explorer, windows mail, adobe readerSound card


YesStylus


NoTechnical support


Tel 0844 3690369Touch screen


NoWiFi


NoWidescreen
Useful for watching movies in their intended format.

No

flossy_splodge

Toshiba Satellite L300-1FS 15.4 Inch 160GB Laptop Black
Toshiba's Satellite L300-1FS is a great mid-point between price and performance. The laptop still delivers a range of features normally only found on higher end models, and offers respectable computing power. With a large, high resolution 15.4in widescreen (1280x800), this portable laptop has Toshiba's TruBrite technology for enhanced viewing.

The pacy Intel Dual Core, 2.16GHz chip keeps computing quick, while the 2GB of memory is enough for most computing tasks such as web browsing, document and spreadsheet creation, and playing multimedia. The 160GB hard drive gives you enough space for all your programs, and leaves plenty of extra space extra for media if you want to watch movies during your commute.

The laptop also features a full range of extras, such as WiFi and LAN to connect to networks or the internet, a VGA port for an external monitor, microphone and headphone jacks. Great for travel it also has an internal modem so you can connect to the internet through a phone line - ideal for access to email in regions with no broadband or WiFi. Also has a useful number of USB ports (three).

Integrated speakers let you watch movies, or listen to music on the go, while the integrated webcam and microphone let you chat online or video conference without needing a headset.

Another bonus is the DVD-RW drive, that also works on DVD double-layer discs, so you can back up huge amounts of data (about 8GB) to one disc.

Comes with Windows Vista Home Basic installed, and a one year guarantee applies.

Product features

Height


13cmWidth


30cmDepth


40cmWeight


3.86kgBrand


ToshibaProduct name/number


PSLB8E-06M007ENManufacturer's guarantee


1 YearQuick start guide


YesCountry of origin


ChinaAccessories included


NoneBattery life


2 Hours 10 MinutesBluetooth


NoBuilt-in TV tuner


NoCache
The holding memory - the larger this number the smoother downloaded content will appear.

1 MBCard reader compatible with


2 Memory Slots, 1 Express Card SlotColour


Mist GreyFireWire port


NoGraphics card details


Mobile Intel GMA 4500MGraphics memory dedicated


NoGraphics memory shared


YesHard drive
The larger the hard drive size, the more content it can store.

160GBHard drive type


5400 rpm S.M.A.R.TIncludes keyboard


YesIncludes monitor


YesIncludes mouse


YesIncludes spare battery


NoIncludes speakers


YesIncludes webcam


YesIntegrated microphone


YesIntegrated speakers


YesIntegrated webcam


YesKeyboard type


Built inMaximum screen resolution


1280*800Memory


2GBMemory card slot
Takes the card from your camera or camcorder and enables you see the content on screen

YesModem included


YesMonitor wall mountable


NoMouse type


Built inNetworking capability


YesNumber of front USB ports


3 x USB 2.0Operating system
This is what you'll see as you operate the machine. Microsoft Windows, Linux or Apple Mac OSX are examples.

Windows VistaOptical drive


YesOptical drive BluRay compatible


NoProcessor
This is the heart of the machine - generally dual processors make for faster machines, but they tend to cost more.

Intel Pentium Processor T3400Processor bus
The higher the figure, the faster the machine.

667MHzProcessor model number


T3400Processor speed
The higher this number the faster the machine will perform.

2.16 GHzScreen contrast ratio


Tru Brite WSVGA TFT DisplayScreen response rate
This is the speed with which the screen refreshes.

85HzScreen size
Diagonal measurement of the screen in inches.

15.4"Sound card


YesTechnical support


https://www.toshiba.co.ukTouch screen


NoWiFi


YesWidescreen
Useful for watching movies in their intended format.

Yes

sixtyplus

Today bought a Toshiba from Morrisons for £299.00. 2GB memory, but they only had 6 in stock and it was first come, first served. Looks very good and have been pootling about with it, but haven't got Wifi yet so can't access the world wide web - need a router. Only problem so far is that it won't let me type the [EMAIL="'@'"]'@'[/EMAIL] symbol, no matter what I try. Anyone got any ideas please?