WHat Laptop?

[jogi730]

As I know even less about laptops then I do about cars, I need some advice. Am in the market for a new laptop. Nothing too extravagent. Will be used mainly for office stuff, maybe the odd game
Ideally, looking for something with good battery life. Want to spend about £400 -£500 max. PC world has an HP for £469 - 17" with blu-ray and also a Dell 1545 Inspiron for £399. ANy of these any good? Other recomendations? Is it worth considering refurbished?
It's such a minefield, any advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks
Chris

[HPmuirt]

As I know even less about laptops then I do about cars, I need some advice. Am in the market for a new laptop. Nothing too extravagent. Will be used mainly for office stuff, maybe the odd game
Ideally, looking for something with good battery life. Want to spend about £400 -£500 max. PC world has an HP for £469 - 17" with blu-ray and also a Dell 1545 Inspiron for £399. ANy of these any good? Other recomendations? Is it worth considering refurbished?
It's such a minefield, any advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks
Chris

Very pricey, but the best business lappy by FARRRRRRRR is the Dell D630. It always scores very highly in reviews and whilst new they cost around £1K, there are loads for around half that if you google for them (such as here)

It has a 1440x900 widescreen display which is great and best of all, virtually all the connectors are on the back (Why the F@CK do so many laptops have the primary connectors on the sides? )

My mate has a new Toshiba (I always used to buy Toshiba laptops and still have 2) but if you gently pick his up the system panics and the HD locks up, whereas I wonder around the office with my Dell all day and it has never once complained in 18 months.

If you don't want the best business machine but something with a few more toys then my advice would be buy the best machine from the best brand you can afford and stay well clear of cheaper brands, let alone ones you have never heard of.

Cheers n

Si

[mikeraz1]

Typicaly i'd go for HP or Dell. Haven't come across a bad one of either. Even there cheaper one's are well put together.
The only one I'd really avoid is Packard bell simply because I never used one I'd want to own.

[aelred]

I found Acer are pretty good in performance. quality of finish could be better though.

[jogi730]

This just a bit more than I really wanted to spend - where have I heard that before
It seems a good price compared with anywhere else I can find.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/sto...ory_oid=-27749

Thanks
Chris