Looking for a new basic laptop - suggestions welcome

SoozyJ22

I'm looking to buy a new laptop and have always gone for basic Dell models but so much has changed since I last bought one and I'm getting confused so some help would be gratefully received.

I use the laptop for web browsing mainly (including iplayer, youtube music videos, but nothing big like streaming movies), plus a bit of email and basic photo editing, plus occasional documents using Open Office.

I'd prefer a 15"ish screen and would prefer to spend up to £350, though could go a bit higher if needed. I've seen a touchscreen Inspiron 15 on offer on the Dell website just within my budget, but I have no experience of touch screens and don't know whether it's paying the extra to have one? I'm also happy to consider other makes of laptop if they have something that will do what I want, though I've never had any problems with my Dells in the past.

Thanks in advance.

grumpycrab

For your light usage an Argos/Currys refurb or Dabs (all on Ebay) may do for sub-£300. This I posted yesterday... JohnLewis do 2 year warranties on laptops. The disadvantage is that the specs are low for the price. This is the best of the bunch. Reasonable processor compared with others at same price.
http://www.johnlewis.com/lenovo-g500...black/p1157211
EDIT: get the best processor you can for your money. Compare at cupbenchmark.

EDIT2: refurb i5 with 12months warranty £309
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/refurbished-laptops/hp-pavilion-15-n096ea-refurbished-15-6-laptop-21835837-pdt.html

Anne_Marie_2

I initially turned my nose up at touchscreen on a laptop, but have had to change my mind. Although not essential for using with Windows 8, I think that it enhances it and makes it a better experience. If you can afford it, I think it would be well worth considering.

A few of us clubbed together to buy an Asus Vivobook 14" touchscreen last Christmas as a gift, and I was really taken by it. It's not really generally available now unless at silly prices, but consider looking at the 15.6 Vivobook x550CA, just a little more than your budget at £379.99 for the core i3, 6GB Ram and 1TB hard drive.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00H52J2WI/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&psc=1&s=computers

SoozyJ22

Thanks very much for the recommendations. Having spoken with a colleague who's already had to have his touchscreen replaced twice in spite of not using it much and now being of the opinion it's not worth the extra money, I've decided against getting a touchscreen. Once Quidco have finished their website maintenance I'll be ordering the HP laptop linked to by grumpycrab (though in a different colour).