Need advice on buying a laptop - under £800

neverloggedin

Thanks for all the replies again.

I would love to have a SSD but it is really expensive, especially when Dell is charging £320 more for having a 256gb ssd than having a 750GB HDD. So I'll go with the hard drive.

No one seems to like the HP Envy 15 although it looks really good! (macbook like) and is slim. Are there any reasons why most people dont go for it?

So for me atm, I'm stuck between the N55 and XPS 15. Whilst the XPS is more bulkier, it has a better trackpad and display. Aaaargh *scratches head*

macman

Any gaming machine you buy now will be outdated within a year or so, as more powerful graphics cards and processors emerge, and games require ever more powerful hardware.
So you'd be wrong to think that buying a high rated system now will future-proof you for several years. It will for just about everything else, but not for games.

neverloggedin

Well that's true but still I would like a decent graphics card to survive atleast 2 years playing games with atleast low settings, and I think the GT 540M will be sufficient.

I just looked up the Envy 15 on youtube and I feel tempted to buy it. So for me it's either the Envy 15 or Dell XPS 15. Anyone know which one is better?

Lifeforms

I can only recommend the XPS 15, because that's what I have. But it was a tough decision for me because I swore never to go dell after previous problems. However the laptop itself is fine, and they do have reasonable customer services. Be worth checking to see what customer services are like for HP too, then take an over look and see which overall is better. Weight isn't a massive problem unless you're lugging it around constantly. it's not a laptop you'd use on your lap without a tray or similar anyway.
The adaptor is annoying on the XPS, but they all are imo. plug to Brick, then Brick to laptop.

If it's looks you want, go for the prettiest one If the specs match up dead on, go for the looks I guess (if you're happy with any potential customer services) If not, go for the best spec, despite the looks. I didn't bother with their fancy lids, but did shove a laptop lid skin on mine. shiny aluminium will mark.