Student Laptops

dalumsden1

Hello. I'm going to be ordering a student laptop in the next 2 weeks but it's hard reading through the mumbojumbo for a person who doesn't quite no how much of this and that he needs whilst at university. I was hoping people could help me and maybe others who read this. These are things I'll be running and at a budget of only 350-400 I would hope someone has good advice.

Skype
Msn Messenger and Gadu-Gadu
Microsoft Office
Firefox and Thunderbird
DVDs to watch movies (not an essential though)

I have a 500GB external hard drive so this may play to what I get. I would also like to connect a keyboard, mouse and second monitor to it if possible.

Cheers.

melancholly

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=520573

this thread may help - and the techie board may have more people who can giev techinical advice.

dalumsden1

cheers, feel stupid for not seeing this before now.

bamboozled2

I know its a bit more than what you said, but aldi occassionally do a laptop, for about £450, good spec., lots of everything and a 3 year guarantee, they did one on 9th August, so it might be worth going to your local shop and asking, if they haven't got one they'll phone around other shops.

Remember, if its got a t.v card in, you'll also have to get yourself a t.v
licence.

dalumsden1

Got a good one for 375 from Dell

jt_2007

I find that the high street isn't a good place to buy computers, as usually they sell older technology for higher prices. I'd personally buy online.

Perhaps you could buy a copy of Computer Shopper? This has loads of different retailers and their websites.

Just a few retailers off the top of my head:

Dell: Good for cheaper laptops but the prices inflate with higher spec.
Mesh Computers
Ebuyer: Cheap, but not sure about their aftersales or whether they have quality issues.

I'd also read up on the differences between all the various Intel processors, as it can be difficult to know which is best.

rash.m2k

try mesh computers they are excellent value for money.

jazz_vendor

Go for ebuyer, I've never had any problems, and they are hardly ever beaten on price. Fast delivery as well.

Had a look at the latest eBlast (offers email) and there is a decent HP laptop on there for £349.94 (free delivery). It will run all the stuff you ask for, will play and write DVDs, has wireless (a must for most uni's, as you can probably get free wireless access on campus as a student).

As with most laptops, you will be able to use a second screen by plugging it into the VGA socket on the side (checked the pics, it has one).

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=128684&_LOC=UK
(if link doesnt work, search for: 128684 )
Model: HP 530

Only other thing, DEFINITELY get a Kensington lock that locks into the laptop frame (this laptop has the hole for it). I paid about a tenner on eBay for an official brand new Kensington one (beware, they can be £40 in the shops!).

Hope that helps,
:money: