need a laptop but which one?

nicky7200

hi, i am looking to buy a laptop from Currys or Dixons, basically a well know high street shop, I dont mind buying it online as long as they are well know and have a high street shop, (hopes that makes sense). My budget is no more that £400 but I want the best possible laptop that i can get for that, although tbh I dont really know that much about computers for specifications.
I arent sure really where to put this, but as its for college I thought i would put it here, if you can think of another thread i will try and move it.
Thanks for your help.
xnicky

mjr600

Nicky

£400 is enough for a great laptop, but DON'T buy it from Currys, Dixons etc !!

Buy a Dell, you will get a better quality product from a worldwide brand leader, follow the instructions on this site which specialises in Dell deals.

http://www.dmxdimension.com/blogcategory/dell_uk_inspiron_1501.html

My suggestion would be the Dell 1501 at £351, inc vat and delivery, I suggest upgrading the battery to a 6 cell for another £11.75 and if you want a better quality screen get the TrueLife display for £35. You'll still be below £400 and there will no laptop from the highstreet anywhere close.

seaweasel

You could also get a second hand or refurb laptop that's better quality than a Dell, such as an Apple, Sony, IBM or Toshiba. Have a look at the Apple store on Wednesdays when the refurb store is open.

RichyRich

I've just bought this one.

eBuyer don't, to my knowledge, have a high street shop but the laptop came when they said it would and runs perfectly, aside from the fact that I can't get MSN to work, which I'm working on . My last laptop was from Currys. Worst customer service I have ever encountered. I have made a vow never to buy anything of such importance from a Dixons Group shop again.

arrowsmith

mjr600 wrote: »

Nicky

£400 is enough for a great laptop, but DON'T buy it from Currys, Dixons etc !!

Buy a Dell, you will get a better quality product from a worldwide brand leader, follow the instructions on this site which specialises in Dell deals.

http://www.dmxdimension.com/blogcategory/dell_uk_inspiron_1501.html

My suggestion would be the Dell 1501 at £351, inc vat and delivery, I suggest upgrading the battery to a 6 cell for another £11.75 and if you want a better quality screen get the TrueLife display for £35. You'll still be below £400 and there will no laptop from the highstreet anywhere close.

This is good advice and a great deal (I bought the same model myself today!), but if you join up to quidco first of all you will get an additional 4.5% off.

There is also a carry case that comes with this laptop at the moment. I'd avoid the TrueLife screen as these are very reflective and can be a pain until you get used to them, but it depends on your taste.

Impet_Limpet

Mine was from dell and it has been fantastic as well as better value for money than the high street DSG monopoly (it seems)!

Kilty_2

Don't go near DSG or, to be honest, any high st. retailer.

Look at the Dell Inspiron 6400.

Currently going for £390 when you turn off the expensive support package. That's a cracking deal since they have Intel Core Duo (not Core2Duo but a damn good CPU in it's own right) processors (which are more efficient than the AMD Turion in the 1501), plenty of RAM and a large hard drive.

I paid £350 for a Dell Inspiron 1300 almost a year ago now and it's great. The 6400 they are selling for £40 more would kick it around in comparison

Solid build quality although a little plasticky (no metal alloy here, you need the £800 Latitudes for that), beats the Acers, Advents and Packard Bells of the world by a mile.

Second hand / refurbished is a mugs game as far as laptops are concerned - too many people expect that £700 laptop to be worth what they paid for it 4 years ago.

minimoi

Hi guys

Avoid dell computers at all costs. They only use refurbished componments and the warranties usually cause a problem.

I have had major problems with Dell. Their customer service is awful!!

Matt

melancholly

my OH bought a hewlett packard on ebuyer that's great - something to factor into the price is that they give you £50 'cashback' if you fill out a form and send it back, so really it is £50 less (even if it takes a few weeks to get the cheque)

Kilty_2

minimoi wrote: »

Hi guys

Avoid dell computers at all costs. They only use refurbished componments

Care to back that up with some evidence?

TeaBoy_2

'dell only use refurbedished components' thats a new one on me. think someone is pulling your leg.

I already use dell. If i was buying laptop it would be the first place i'd look.