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Need new laptop - £400-500, any suggestions please?

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a new laptop because my current one is driving me mad(!). I use my laptop a lot (few hours a day) and need something capable of running several programs at once. I don't do any gaming at all but often watch DVDs or use image/video editing software, as well as internet, email, word processing etc

The kind of spec I'm thinking of is 3GB RAM, 320GB - 500GB hard drive, reasonable battery life (3 hours or so), and ideally white with an island-style keyboard - I'm fussy, I know!

I can't seem to find anything with that spec with my budget of £400-£500. Sony VAIO laptops seem to have the sort of spec I want but pushing the budget slightly and the reviews aren't great.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, I'm in two minds whether to wait for the January sales but I think I'm reaching the end of my tether with my current laptop! Does anyone have any experience of laptop-buying in the Jan sales? If I knew I could save a decent amount I'd probably have more motivation to wait.

Thanks!
BSW89

PS If anyone knows where I can get a good deal on MS Office that would also be much appreciated!

Comments

  • Knarf44
    Knarf44 Posts: 557 Forumite
    Not too many white laptops around apart from the Sonys you mentioned and, of course, Apples.

    However, did find an HP Pavilion DV6 - 3031 which fills your colour, Hard disk and RAM requirements. It also has a dedicated video card and an island style keyboard. Not a bad price either at £429.

    I'm not sure laptops will come down in price in January as the VAT will increase to 20%. However, some manufacturers/retailers will I'm sure retain their lower prices especially on models that are already or soon to be obselete.

    On MS Office, if you have a student or schoolchild in the family then Software4Students is the obvious choice.
  • BSW89
    BSW89 Posts: 89 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the suggestions - will definitely consider that HP one.

    Thanks also for the Software4Students tip! Definitely worth knowing about. I graduated earlier this year but have sisters who are students so hopefully can sort something out through them :)
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 13 November 2010 at 12:11AM
    backup data and reinstall windows
    or upgrade the ram in your existing laptop
    or post your installed ram, commit charge from task manager/performance, and a hijackthis log
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
This discussion has been closed.
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