New laptop under £400 some advice please

Team Monster · 12-02-2009, 2:20 PM

Hello please can anyone help. I am looking for a laptop under £400 aprox for web browsing,watching dvds,some music,photos and for my 2 kids to play some games on. I have been told a laptop with core duo processor would be the best option. We have a desktop for more complex games.i am looking to buy soon so any opinions or links to offers would be much appreciated.

virtual_boy · 12-02-2009, 2:53 PM

http://www.avforums.com/forums/lapto...ml#post8827596

Team Monster · 12-02-2009, 3:24 PM

Thanks,

Does anyone think thi Dell inspiron 1525 at tesco For £349 would be suitable for what I require

New Dell range - Tesco.Direct.

Or would it be better to spend a little more to get the samsung or a HP.Thanks

virtual_boy · 12-02-2009, 4:15 PM

The dell would be fine depending on what games your kids are wanting to play.

Team Monster · 12-02-2009, 4:38 PM

Thankyou for your swift reply. They would be playing games online on disney website and other game websites.My older son would be on you tube and music websites.So in your opinion it is not worth going for something more expensive.Thanks again

Team Monster · 12-02-2009, 5:35 PM

Has anyone got any further recommendations or comments as i would be very grateful.

virtual_boy · 12-02-2009, 6:02 PM

If its just browser based gaming you could pretty much go for anything, you could spend £300 or maybe even less and get something that will do eveything you require.
My advice is to go for the highest spec'd machine you can with your budget.

Team Monster · 12-02-2009, 7:55 PM

Thanks again.do you think the samsung laptop you quoted is the best spec and value for £400.thanks

virtual_boy · 12-02-2009, 8:06 PM

IMO yes, unless there's something I've missed lol

Team Monster · 12-02-2009, 10:23 PM

Thanks again
If I was to stretch my budget would either ofthe following be better.
Buy HP G60-114 15.6in Laptop. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .
or
HP 6735s Laptop - Laptops at Ebuyer
Thanks for your advice.I just want to get the best I can for the money.

nero0410 · 12-02-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Monster

Thanks again
If I was to stretch my budget would either ofthe following be better.
Buy HP G60-114 15.6in Laptop. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .
or
HP 6735s Laptop - Laptops at Ebuyer
Thanks for your advice.I just want to get the best I can for the money.

virtual_boy is giving me similar advice over on my thread:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/lapto...ls-inside.html

It looks as though I'm working on a similar budget to yourself, and in my eyes as long as the samsung does have that Radeon HD 3470 in it and its not a misprint on that site, I believe it is the better bang for your buck and the one I'd go for (when I get the cash together

)

tris

RICK... · 12-02-2009, 10:59 PM

I was just about to post up asking the EXACT same question, awesome!

Think i'll be going for the HP 6735!

nero0410 · 12-02-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RICK...

I was just about to post up asking the EXACT same question, awesome!

Think i'll be going for the HP 6735!

Be sure to post up your expierance with it and your findings since they are virtually the same machine, though if the samsung does have the HD 3470 in it, it is much better value

(I have emailed the site to find out weather it is a misprint or not

)

tris

virtual_boy · 12-02-2009, 11:21 PM

It is a HD 3470 my brother in law got one a couple of weeks ago after my recomendation.

Team Monster · 13-02-2009, 10:48 AM

Thanks for all your advice. Is the processor in the samsung a dual core?Is the processor in the hp or dell a better one?Or does this not make a difference at this level.

Thanks agin for your help>

virtual_boy · 13-02-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Monster

Is the processor in the samsung a dual core?Is the processor in the hp or dell a better one?

The Samsung and HP have the same dual-core AMD RM-72 CPU (Turion X2 2.1GHz) and the Dell has the equivalent of it by Intel, the Pentium T3400 (dual-core Mobile 2.16GHz)
So they are pretty much the same.

Team Monster · 13-02-2009, 12:56 PM

Hello again,
Thanks for all of your answers so far. I have just made an enquiry about hte samsung and there out of stock. I wanted to purchase the laptop asap and cannot find any other suppliers. Which other laptop woul you advise or do you know any other suppliers for the samsung at that price or similar.Thanks

Hillsman · 13-02-2009, 1:00 PM

Ive just purchased the Medion Akoya S5610 for £412 delivered. Cant coment on it just yet but this was a £600 computer late last year in Aldi and Sainsbury's and has gained some excellent reviews.

By all accounts you would be very hard pushed to get hold of a better laptop for £400

Intel Centrino 2 P7350 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor with 1066MHz FSB. Fastest FSB on Intel laptop processors
3GB DDR2 memory with support for DDR3 memory in the future
320GB Hard Drive
15.4" Widescreen Display
8x Dual Layer DVD & CD Re-Writer
Wireless a/b/g with Draft N for speeds upto 300Mbps
Fingerprint reader for additional security
ATI HD3470 graphics with hardware decoding of High Definition Video
HDMI output
Gigabit Ethernet
Multi-format integrated card reader
e-SATA port
6 Channel audio out
VGA out

Comes pre-installed with the software

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (SP1)
Nero Burning ROM 8 Essentials
Nero Recode 2 Essentials
BullGuard Internet Security (trial version)

virtual_boy · 13-02-2009, 2:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Monster

Hello again,
Thanks for all of your answers so far. I have just made an enquiry about hte samsung and there out of stock. I wanted to purchase the laptop asap and cannot find any other suppliers. Which other laptop woul you advise or do you know any other suppliers for the samsung at that price or similar.Thanks

No where seems to have that spec'd machine, any I can find are the lesser spec'd model for the same price or more.
Also a few places have the higher spec'd model but that is closer to the £500 mark.

Team Monster · 13-02-2009, 3:37 PM

Thankyou for your constant replies I apreciate your advice. Do you think I would be better opting for one of the HP models then and is so which one.The other option is the dell but I am worried thi is to basic. What do you think? I am not sure about the medion advised earlier.

Thanks again.

virtual_boy · 13-02-2009, 4:08 PM

After the Samsung id go for the HP 6735s, also have a look at the basic Dell Studio 15 its an extra £30 but a nice piece of kit, failing that check out the Dell outlet.

nero0410 · 13-02-2009, 4:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillsman

Ive just purchased the Medion Akoya S5610 for £412 delivered. Cant coment on it just yet but this was a £600 computer late last year in Aldi and Sainsbury's and has gained some excellent reviews.

By all accounts you would be very hard pushed to get hold of a better laptop for £400

Intel Centrino 2 P7350 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor with 1066MHz FSB. Fastest FSB on Intel laptop processors
3GB DDR2 memory with support for DDR3 memory in the future
320GB Hard Drive
15.4" Widescreen Display
8x Dual Layer DVD & CD Re-Writer
Wireless a/b/g with Draft N for speeds upto 300Mbps
Fingerprint reader for additional security
ATI HD3470 graphics with hardware decoding of High Definition Video
HDMI output
Gigabit Ethernet
Multi-format integrated card reader
e-SATA port
6 Channel audio out
VGA out

Comes pre-installed with the software

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (SP1)
Nero Burning ROM 8 Essentials
Nero Recode 2 Essentials
BullGuard Internet Security (trial version)

May I ask where you found it at this price? As I can only find it for £599.99

Would'nt mind a gander at this myself

Virtual boy, what do you think it this?

tris

Team Monster · 13-02-2009, 4:40 PM

Thanks again for everyones advice.So just to recap you think the HP 6735 would be the best option.What about the dellinspiron 1525 or the medion just metioned again.Thanks again for your help.As you can most probaly gather i am no computer expert. I just want to get best spec for my money.Cheers

Hillsman · 13-02-2009, 4:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nero0410

May I ask where you found it at this price? As I can only find it for £599.99

Would'nt mind a gander at this myself

Virtual boy, what do you think it this?

tris

Ebay, i bought the last one.

I did notice that someone was selling a used but "virtualy brand new" one..... collection only (Stockport, Manchester) Bid currently at £290.

Theres only one more on ebay at the moment and thats for a brand new one, auction only though.

Mine was a buy now price.

Jamesm12 · 13-02-2009, 4:47 PM

Hi Everyone

There is a really good company I came across called Euro PC who offer Dell, HP, Toshiba and Acer refurbished laptops for really good prices. You get the same warranty as new machines. Here is their website called http://www.europc.co.uk

Cheers

James

nero0410 · 13-02-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillsman

Ebay, i bought the last one.

I did notice that someone was selling a used but "virtualy brand new" one..... collection only (Stockport, Manchester) Bid currently at £290.

Theres only one more on ebay at the moment and thats for a brand new one, auction only though.

Mine was a buy now price.

Personally it's not the sort of thing I'd want to buy from ebay, but thanks for the thought.

RE: the Samsung with the HD 3470, I emailed the site asking some questions and was told this:

Quote:

The Samsung laptop you have enquired about is not available in stock now and was discontinued.

So it looks like that ones out the window

tris

Hillsman · 14-02-2009, 8:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nero0410

Personally it's not the sort of thing I'd want to buy from ebay, but thanks for the thought.

RE: the Samsung with the HD 3470, I emailed the site asking some questions and was told this:

So it looks like that ones out the window

tris

Neither do i normally but it comes with the full warranty etc etc.

Team Monster · 14-02-2009, 9:43 AM

Hello again

Do either nero 0410 or Hillsman have any views on the dell inspiron 1525 at tesco for £349(link provided below).Do you think good value for money or to basic. thanks

Team Monster · 14-02-2009, 9:44 AM

Sorry here is the link.

New Dell range - Tesco.Direct.

nero0410 · 14-02-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Monster

Hello again

Do either nero 0410 or Hillsman have any views on the dell inspiron 1525 at tesco for £349(link provided below).Do you think good value for money or to basic. thanks

For me, it doesn't seem that the graphics are powerful enough, but it will really depend on the games your children would like to play.
If it is just games like on a website it will suit you down to the ground, but if it is going to be more recent games that are more demanding, you dont have a chance.

I still researching into what I can get for up to £400, so I'll let you know my findings

In the mena time, heres what I'm looking into at the moment:
HP 6735s Laptop - Laptops at Ebuyer
Asus X58L-AP004E Laptop X58L-AP004E - Laptops Direct

tris