Laptop help please

CupofTea

Another laptop thread. It's difficult to find one as there are so many conflicting views but here's what I need:

A laptop, screensize doesn't matter. I have a 15.6" one and if it's a little smaller I don't have a problem. Same if it is bigger.
I don't use it for gaming or anything, but I do a lot of multi tasking. Should be good for multimedia, maybe even photoshop, sony video editing software.
Avoid intel celeron, as from the time I started looking for the one I currently have, that is what I was told I need to keep up to date really.
I'd prefer a reliable laptop and not bothered about what it looks like. I have been told by a laptop person (not in store but honest view) that I should go for Asus as they top reliability? Is their build quality much better? if so, i want to stick with them and avoid Acer like the plague. I dislike the part where you put in the charger cable into the laptop, have had to get it fixed in the past or replaced.
The laptop will be moved around so when travelling but if it's heavy it doesn't matter.

My budget? I don't really want to spend £500 on a laptop so looking at £300 - £400. However, I do have £80 on Amazon so that can be added to the cash if need be, and I can wait for the price to drop by using camelcamelcamel

I've looked at so many laptops and really I want to buy one that is reliable. I use it instead of the computer and want it to last me a few years like the current laptop (except that it now needs fixing and I don't want to keep spending on it).

I guess i5 is one of the top out there now but I won't get one for my budget? I don't mind a run through on that as well so I can start understanding laptops again.

Help is much appreciated.

closed

What needs fixing on the current one

http://www.dmxdimension.com/

i5's are available in the £300-400 price range, especially if you use coupon codes and cashback

CupofTea

It's the screen. The screen doesn't come on like it should anymore (sometimes it lasts half an hour and then turns off again but this is sometimes). I've been told it could be one of two issues and one is cheap, the other is expensive, but I don't want to spend £s on a part from ebay that might not even work, I'd rather get a new one. I've also been told a screwdriver to open it and see if a part is lose might be the trick, but I've never opened a laptop before like that.

I've checked your link and see it's dell. I thought we should avoid dell. Are their laptops not overly bulky/heavy?

Lastly, thank you for replying.

closed

what machine have you got? when the screen goes off, does it go dim, or does the whole machine power off, ie no lights on keyboard.

Dell sell a range of sizes/weights like most manufacturers, the weight largely depends on the size of the screen

CupofTea

closed wrote: »

what machine have you got? when the screen goes off, does it go dim, or does the whole machine power off, ie no lights on keyboard.

Dell sell a range of sizes/weights like most manufacturers, the weight largely depends on the size of the screen

Acer Aspire 5735Z

The keyboard is fine. It's the screen. If I flash a flashlight onto the screen, I can lightly see what's on the screen, so I suppose it is dimmed out very badly. Sometimes I'll turn the laptop on and it comes on perfect for a second, 30 minutes or a few minutes then will flick off (or dim down to the lowest it can). But it is working, just that it's so dim I can't see, so I use a external monitor.

closed

probably a backlight/inverter or possible loose connection, inexpensive part, but fiddly to replace. Worth trying if you have a couple of hours spare

page 90 http://tim.id.au/laptops/acer/aspire%205735%205735z%205335.pdf

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/pcfxonline/Laptop-Screen-Inverters-/_i.html?_fsub=2301881018

CupofTea

closed wrote: »

probably a backlight/inverter or possible loose connection

Do you know the cheapest way to fix it? Last time it needed a new power socket and I got great advice here. Paid £35 compared to £75 the shops were asking for.

closed

cheapest way is diy, instructions and part linked above £15 (It could just be a loose connector, which should be apparent if you take it apart)

CupofTea

closed wrote: »

cheapest way is diy, instructions and part linked above £15 (It could just be a loose connector, which should be apparent if you take it apart)

Thank you. I guess i should try that instead of making myself want a new laptop. It's funny though, I don't have a screwdriver either.

closed

supermarkets, pound shops, maplin etc sell precision screwdrivers, the ones with chunky plastic/softgrip handles are better than the metal handled jewellers screwdrivers.

CupofTea

closed wrote: »

supermarkets, pound shops, maplin etc sell precision screwdrivers, the ones with chunky handles are better than the metal handles jewellers screwdrivers

Thank you. If this works it will be great. How many other faults can potentially occur with this laptop, I wonder?