Laptop - where to start?!

kiwi_gal

So, I'm usually pretty reasonable with technology, but I've just moved here from NZ which means all my price references, go-to-companies, comparison points etc don't work. I also haven't bought anything in several years, and the last couple of purchases I made were in entirely different categories, so I don't know who are the reliable brands for this sort of an item.

I'm looking for a versatile laptop, 13-14". It must be light, preferably under 1.7kg. (It needs to be portable, as I will likely be carrying it around a fair amount.) I don't mind what version of Windows it runs, as long as it's Windows (not Mac, not Linux etc). Not touchscreen!
It doesn't need to be super high spec, as I'm not asking it to do anything much - really, I'll mostly be using it to run Office, a few referencing programmes, and Chrome. It will get a lot of use each day, but as long as it does those smoothly that's fine, no need for complex graphics or anything! I won't be storing vast amounts of images, videos etc on there - probably about 10GB max total data. I'd really like it to last at least a few years!

Does anyone have any recommendations either of:

• brands (who are the good, reliable makes for this category of computer?)
• specific laptops to look into
• companies that are generally reasonably priced to purchase from
• good starting points for research for here in the UK

Any other suggestions or advice (e.g. regarding warranties etc) is also appreciated, but I've been putting this off for a couple of months because I just don't know where to begin!

Thank you

Edit: as was pointed out, I foolishly forgot to include my budget! I'm aiming for about £400-500, but if there was something really worthwhile could go up to £700 absolute maximum.

debitcardmayhem

Best start with your budget (in GBP not NZD )
Samsung, Asus, Dell.Also look in the forum and see what others have recommended in the last 3 weeks specifically for laptops.
Edited: Oh and what are you contacting us from ?

kiwi_gal

Oh, of course, how silly of me! I intended to include it, and then got so focussed on the other details! Ideally I'm looking for closer to £500, but if there was something really fantastic I could go up to about £650, £700 at a push...