Laptops / Netbooks

[Dazza1004]

I need to get a new PC for familiy use, mainly interweb browsing but also kids homework etc, no gaming.
I am either going down the Laptop or netbook route for portability, where's the best place to get one, anything thing in particular I should look out for.

I don't want to spend any more than £400 (which I know is not a lot for this sort of thing) but I would go to £500 if it was worth it.

cheers

[_tom_]

You can probably get a better specced desktop for that price, I think Dell are currently doing a full computer setup with monitor for about £379. Spec looks good as well, but not sure about AMD processors as I've always been led to believe Intel are better, hopefully someone more knowledgable can chime in.

If you're dead set on a laptop I still recommend Dell as we've always used them in my family and never seem to have problems. If not, there's always Mesh at www.meshcomputers.com

[tomjackson]

I'd just go to any highstreet store, prices are all pretty much the same nowadays
When I hot mine the guy at Currys Digital said they made about £10  on a laptop as they have to compete with the lowest online proces.  So you are as well to go there or PC world as anywhere else, at least you have somewhere to return it if there is a problem.

Any £350 - £400 Laptop will fulfill your needs so just go for a reputable make, Dell as _Tom_ says are good, Compaq, HP etc.  Just don't be tempted to go for the real cheapies, the specs might be the same but the cases won't and buttons / keys etc don't seem to last very long.

AMD processors are usually a bit cheaper that the equivalent Intel and just as good so don't worry there.

[Nadz1lla]

Dell are good for desktops but their laptops, especially for your budget range, are absolute pap. Everyone I know who's had one only has bad stuff to say about them, they constantly go wrong and if you get a silver one, the finish wears off in a matter of months where you rest your palms / wrists.

I'd go for a Toshiba, and Acer are really good value for the money too.

[_tom_]

hmm.. had my Dell Inspiron for about 3-4 years now I think and it's still alright. Bit slow in its old age though, but the specs are pretty cr@p compared to what you can get now for the same price. Still silver as well!

[Nadz1lla]

You're one of the lucky few, Tom.    Must have exceedingly good luck.  :D

[PhilKing]

I've had an Inspiron 5150 for over 7 years and an 8600 for 6 years.  Both have travelled, and I have only had a couple of little problems with them (I replaced the video card in the 8600 and now I have to replace the power connector in the 5150). 

[AndyR]

Another happy Dell user here...

I've been using this Inspiron 1100 for must be 6 years now. Never had a problem with it. The lead on the power supply is on its last legs now though, and you can't get replacements with that plug anymore... but I'd happily buy another Dell laptop.

[gwEm]

my samsung nc10 hackintosh has been great - i recommend it (if you want a netbook that is)

[Johnny Mac]

I've had my Fujitsu laptop for over 3 years and had no problems with it. I've got an old Tiny desktop that's 6 years old and can still do ok.

[JDC]

not keen on dell's myself, one I was using for a bit last year felt a bit cheap

one of my mate's work place uses a lot of laptops and the problems they've had were all fujitsu ones, basically they don't buy them no more

if you're interested in netbooks for family use my main concern is how well they handle flash video ala youtube, not got any first hand of experience of such matters though

for vista or windows 7 you want at least 2gb ram minimum, but you can never have enough ram! :D

[Dazza1004]

thanks for the advice

[mikeluke]

Might sound a bit strange but...

Aldi (if you have one near you) run PC specials every so often - they have a 17" laptop at present for £500

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2827_12760.htm

Good spec for the money

[Nadz1lla]

Oh and avoid anything with Windows Vista. I'd go for something that either has an option to downgrade to XP, or something that comes with Windows 7. As I understand it, Microsoft are washing their hands of the resource-hungry atrocity that was Vista.  :lol:

[shobet]

As I understand it, Microsoft are washing their hands of the resource-hungry atrocity that was Vista.  :lol:

You don't half talk some shitee. If Microsoft's past form for ending official support for their operating systems is anything to go by  then Vista will be supported for good few years to come. There are commercial entities who will have committed to business versions of Vista and those will continue to get security updates well into 2017 according to Microsoft. They typically end support for consumer versions before enterprise and I wouldn't be surprised to see support being terminated for consumers around 2012.