Help with new laptop

antc

antc

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Anthony
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Hello again,

after the superb help i recieved regarding my digi photo frame in my other thread i thought i would ask about laptops.

Its mainly going to be for editing photographs with a little movie watching for when im away with work. Also will be used for web browsing and some footy manager.

Anyways i have set myself a budget of 600-700 pounds. I had looked at macs but at this price range they are out of my budget, as i would really like a 15 inch or bigger screen. So far the below two laptops i have seen look rather tasty.

SONY VGN-FW11E

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/471020/SONY-VGN-FW11E.CEK/tab/specification#spec

or

HP DV6855

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/st...m=null&tm=null&sku=390412&category_oid=-35054

Both seem to have good spec, both look nice, both are within my budget. What i am really wanting help to work out is are these the best laptops i can get for my budget? Am i overlooking anything or missing something?

Help me please :thinking:
 
I can't really comment specifically on those models but here's a few things to keep in mind, from my experiences:

1. Neither store is likely to be the best place to get a good deal.
2. I bought 2 identical HP laptops about 5 years ago, one for me, one for the ex. Both had identical keyboard failures which HP refused to repair under warranty until I complained at head office level (they initially said it was user damage).
3. John Lewis has not only an excellent range of laptops, but also often offer a 2 year warranty period when other stores offer only 1 year.
4. Toshiba laptops are, in my experience, really good workhorses.
5. Avoid Packard Bell...
6. Consider if the laptop has a docking station option. You might not want it now but nice to have the option. I had a great Samsung laptop but it had no docking facility.

HTH. :)
 
I recently purchased a Dell laptop on recommendation from various members here and it is a great machine (Studio 15) but, it has just gone back for a new screen and keyboard. The keyboard I could have lived with as the space bar squeaked when pressed but the screen had a strange liquid like area about 2" x 1/2" on it when the machine was moved (ie I breathed or typed etc). Their help has been excellent and if the machine comes back in a perfect condition I would still be happy to recommend them
 
i'd look at the sony over the hp as generally hp are a bit pants.

if you can find a lenovo in budget then they're really solid as well(ibm thinkpad rename)

stay clear of fujitsu siemens and advent as a rule unless you're buying cover for when they break
 
hypnotic said:
Buy this months copy of Photoplus ... Good review on a selection of good laptops for us togs ... :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I will have a look for this magazine, cant say i have seen it anywhere before.

hepburn said:
I can't really comment specifically on those models but here's a few things to keep in mind, from my experiences:

1. Neither store is likely to be the best place to get a good deal.
2. I bought 2 identical HP laptops about 5 years ago, one for me, one for the ex. Both had identical keyboard failures which HP refused to repair under warranty until I complained at head office level (they initially said it was user damage).
3. John Lewis has not only an excellent range of laptops, but also often offer a 2 year warranty period when other stores offer only 1 year.
4. Toshiba laptops are, in my experience, really good workhorses.
5. Avoid Packard Bell...
6. Consider if the laptop has a docking station option. You might not want it now but nice to have the option. I had a great Samsung laptop but it had no docking facility.

HTH. :)
Click to expand...

John lewis is a good idea regarding the extra warrenty. Wont be going anywhere near packard bell hahaha. Toshs are very good, my current laptop which i am replacing is a 4 year old tosh and served me very well.

Not too fussed about a docking station.

Kerioak said:
I recently purchased a Dell laptop on recommendation from various members here and it is a great machine (Studio 15) but, it has just gone back for a new screen and keyboard. The keyboard I could have lived with as the space bar squeaked when pressed but the screen had a strange liquid like area about 2" x 1/2" on it when the machine was moved (ie I breathed or typed etc). Their help has been excellent and if the machine comes back in a perfect condition I would still be happy to recommend them
Click to expand...

Been looking at the dell studio 15s and 17s and the xps m1530. Not sure whats best and when speced up with the led screens and 9 cell batterys they do become quite expensive.

alexkidd said:
i'd look at the sony over the hp as generally hp are a bit pants.

if you can find a lenovo in budget then they're really solid as well(ibm thinkpad rename)

stay clear of fujitsu siemens and advent as a rule unless you're buying cover for when they break
Click to expand...

Im not sure hp are that bad, i have plenty of mates with hps and they all seem to rate them, i think they seem pretty well built, nice designs and well specced. I like the sonys for exactly the same reasons.

Fujitsu and advent i wont be going anywhere near for the same reason i wont be looking at packard bell.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.


To throw a wild card in is it worth looking at 2nd hand macbook pros. I did look at the base spec macbooks but was put off by the small 13 inch screen. :bang:
 
Also just found that on a lot of forums people are recomending the dell xps m1530. What do people think about these?

Quite like the look of the dell 15 and 17 inch studios too.
 
Well, i picked up my copy of photo plus today and i have been enlightened. It seems they really like the acer aspire gemstone 5920. Its rated above the apple macbook too!!

Thats some review if thats the case. What are peoples thoughts on this?

Sorry for so many questions, i just want to make sure i get something thats upto the job.
 
I got my Dell Inspiron 9400 from the Dell factory Outlet shop on Ebay about 2 years ago now.

I 'built' the exact same laptop spec up on the Dell website and it came in at £2200. I paid £940 for it in one of their auctions. It had the minutest graze on the case and that's it. Came with a full factory return 12 month warranty at Dell too.

They put like for like items on in batches every 24 hours (i.e servers, desktops, laptops etc). You just have to wait for the laptops to come along.

Their Ebay user ID is 'dellfactoryoutlet'.

Guy
 
This might be an option but PC World have an offer whereby you get a discount of £300-450 ish off a laptop if you take broadband or mobile broadband. If your broadband is up for renewal then about £400 off would bring a 15" Macbook pro into your price range. Alternatively it will still bring down the price of many other laptops.

Just thought it was worth a look :)
 
The Dell Studio's are top machines, although they are a little expensive.
Those Acer gemstones are well specced for the money, but I personally hate the design and feel of them.

cowasaki - to get £400 off a laptop you are looking at a £40 18month contract on mobile broadband.
 
Gazza_DJ said:
The Dell Studio's are top machines, although they are a little expensive.
Those Acer gemstones are well specced for the money, but I personally hate the design and feel of them.

cowasaki - to get £400 off a laptop you are looking at a £40 18month contract on mobile broadband.
Click to expand...

They did have an offer with broadband it must have finished.
 
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