The Great 'Cheapest Decent Laptop' Hunt

jbreckmckye

Hi I've been researching and browsing these pages and need to buy a laptop for my son for christmas like many others on here!!

Usage would be internet, webcam, email and possible dvd/cd burning...

Looking to spend LESS than £350.

I've been endlessly searching and with my very very very limited knowledge best I could find was this Compaq CQ61-312SA M100 2GB 160GB 15/6" windows 7 at £339 which with clubcard points and quidco brings it under £300. What do you guys/gals think is it a good deal and is there anything out there better???

Depends. If you're only looking for a machine that can surf the internet and burn discs, you're not going to need an exceptionally potent machine. If it's to be used 'on the move', you might want a machine with a newer battery, but you could also buy a replacement battery for an old machine.

The thing is, most lightweight Linux distributions can do all that you're asking, and will run on pretty spartan hardware specifications. Puppy Linux will support most generic webcams, and does everything else fine, but doesn't need more than 128 Mb ram - in fact, it can be run without a hard drive if *really* needs be. Of course, hardware support for Linux will never match Windows, thanks to the difference in market share, but there's a dedicated and helpful community.

Getting a laptop with over 128Mb RAM would be easy. You could even pick one up via FreeCycle, though finding a new battery (if needed) might cost ~ £35. Of course, if you want to play games, Linux isn't going to be your choice - but then again, if you want to play games, I'd strongly advise against ever choosing a laptop. They aren't powerful, they can't be upgraded and they're built for minimal power consumption before anything else.

Aces

Hi been looking at this topic and the help offered - can anyone tell me if the Asus X5DIJ Windows 7 15.6 Laptop (from Argos) would run FM10 (I don't bother with all the 3d match stuff!) Outlook and say a cd or internet radio station together please?

WaxiesDargle

I've been looking for some time now for 2 laptops for my daughters...both sony and both £500..one pink one silver..
Sony Vaio Laptop, VGN-NW20EF/P, 2.1GHz with 15.5 Inch Display, Pink
Sony Vaio Laptop, VGN-NW20EF/S, 2.1GHz with 15.5 Inch Display, Silver

it seems to me that a lot of companies are now out of stock...not just the models I want but most laptops...John Lewis are nearly all out of stock and when I rang them they said they had no idea when they would be back!...Tesco's the same.

Christmas...dont ya just love it!

JDPower

WaxiesDargle wrote: »

I've been looking for some time now for 2 laptops for my daughters...both sony and both £500..one pink one silver..
Sony Vaio Laptop, VGN-NW20EF/P, 2.1GHz with 15.5 Inch Display, Pink
Sony Vaio Laptop, VGN-NW20EF/S, 2.1GHz with 15.5 Inch Display, Silver

Ok if you don't mind paying £100 over the odds to have the Sony badge on the laptop.

WaxiesDargle

JDPower wrote: »

Ok if you don't mind paying £100 over the odds to have the Sony badge on the laptop.

One of the reasons why I picked Sony JD was that 554 forum members picked them in the poll at the top of the page...can you recommend another with the same spec for £399?...don't forget the pink one...Thanks

linzi268

Have you thought about Laptops Direct? I got my Acer Aspire there earlier this year - 4GB RAM, Intel Core Duo Processor, CD/RW,Blu Ray, integral webcam. etc. for £439. Supposed to be minor cosmetic damage but not a mark on it. I think you can also get cashback at either Quidco or Topcashback. co.uk. Good luck!

WaxiesDargle

Thanks linzi...I give them a try

JDPower

WaxiesDargle wrote: »

One of the reasons why I picked Sony JD was that 554 forum members picked them in the poll at the top of the page...can you recommend another with the same spec for £399?...don't forget the pink one...Thanks

I would say a large portion of the laptops recommended on last few pages are similar spec to those Sonys and considerably cheaper. The problem with Sony is they trade almost entirely on name and looks and people are seduced by it and still believe Sony is a byword for quality when its only on a level with most others out there (at best), but that's the power of a strong brand. I'm not saying you shouldn't go for those if they're what you set you're heart on getting for your kids, but I would feel guilty if I didn't point out the premium you are paying for the Sony name on any product.

Not sure about pink, pink laptops a little out of my area of expertise lol, but you can always get some of them laptop sticker things that cover the lid of the laptop as a last resort (like these though I have no experience of how good they are). But if pink is that important to the present to be worth an extra £100 then go for it

paul2louise

I dont really want to spend more than £400. I want a laptop that is quite light and good for storing photos. I have a desk top computer as well so this is mainly for convenience.


http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5082346.htm

akrot1

Anyone got any good recommendations for a laptop for my grandma. Her requirements are that it is cheap (ideally under the £400 mark) and just as importantly is that it has to be a 17" screen to help her see it. All comments will be greatly apppeciated.

Many thanks