Which laptop?

haven't_got_a_clue!

Hi

My in-laws have very generously offered to buy my daughter (16) a laptop for Christmas, but don't have a clue where to start. I don't have much more idea than them. I've read up on the site and forums, but the processor bit is confusing me the most! The laptop requirements are:-

Laptop (not notebook)
Will only be used at home
Webcam
Will mostly be used for: homework (Word, Excel), hotmail, msn, facebook, storing photos, internet browsing and watching DVDs
No gaming requirements

Please could someone give me advice on what spec to look for (there is so much detail on the specs that I don't know which bits are the most important) - processor, RAM and anything else that I should be looking for. EG, is 4gb too much for our requirements, etc?

Also, are you supposed to have the charger plugged in all the time you are using the laptop or only plug it in when the laptop needs charging (ie, are you supposed to let it lose it's charge)?

Many thanks

[Deleted User]

Core i3, 2gb min of ram, office software (around £60 extra so keep this in mind)

Will do the job above and beyond. A decent pentium will work as well. As long as its from a decent retailer it will be more than adequate as they will be supplying newish models of the listed chip.s

Reg. the battery charging, charge it fully once, and then remove it and leave it plugged in for extended periods. Then whack the battery in when you require portability.

haven't_got_a_clue!

Duhh! I forgot to put the price - max of £370 - do you think we will be able to get what we need for this price? If so, any suggestions would be hugely appreciated as I have spent hours looking at various websites and am getting nowhere fast! Just want to get the thing now.
Thanks :j

haven't_got_a_clue!

Won't let me post a link as I am a new user. Can anyone confirm if the following would meet all the requirements posted above?

Inspiron 15(N00N5320)
on the Dell website - £349.00

haven't_got_a_clue!

Or this one on HUKD?

Compaq Presario CQ-56-110sa

Could anyone please give me advice on which of the above would be better and why?

Many thanks

Liquorice_Twirls

What about this?

A good spec and comes with 2 year hardware warranty. Although it looks way over your budget if you buy through quidco before 3rd Dec you will receive 10% discount and 8% cashback which I think brings it down to something near your budget.

Spec
3Gb RAM
i3 processor
320gb harddrive

Get your Microsoft Office software for a student through RM Basement. This costs around £39

haven't_got_a_clue!

Thank you so much Liquorice Sticks! Do you have a link or can you tell me the website? :rotfl:

Liquorice_Twirls

So sorry - I meant to add it!

http://h40059.www4.hp.com/uk/homelaptops/product.php?id=XF230EA&experience=direct

G_M

Processor: i3 and the like will push up the price as they're newish. Good, yes, but provided you get a dual core processor you don't have to get the most up to date.

RAM. More the better. Min 3GB

Hard drive memory: More the better but remember you can always add more later. Min 250

Office : Increasing numbers of manufacturers are pre-installing 'Office Starter' as a freebie. You get a cut down version of Word and Excel, but not Powerpoint. It also has some advertising. It's not obtrusive and saves you £60 - £80 for the full Office suite (though students can get reduced Office too I believe)

CurrentWorker

Latest version of office: http://www.software4students.co.uk/Microsoft_Office_2010_Professional_Plus-details.aspx

Which is 40 pounds, very worth it.

[Deleted User]

I'd suggest this:

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=N00N5320&dgc=AF&cid=5212&lid=122756&acd=c4e3cb6ef8f95b96b0f4989d244503f9

Win 7
T4500 2.30 GHz CPU
3GB RAM
320GB HDD
15.6" High Definition (1366x768) WLED Display with TrueLife
Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Word Starter, Excel Starter)
1 year Collect & Return Hardware Support included with your PC
£369.00

Can't find better for the price.