Best Toshiba laptop for less than £500?

[NoopyS]

I am looking for a new laptop as my Acer Ferrari 4000 is on its last legs after 5 years of solid use (and two drops!). It is still intact, without any cracks/dents, which I think is largely thanks to the carbon fibre lid. However, it doesn't charge properly anymore and has to be continually plugged into the mains.

After solid research I have decided to go for a Toshiba.

However, I don't know which model to choose from as there are so many!

I would like it to match the following criteria:
Price - <£500
Screen size - 15.6"
Processor - intel i3
RAM - min. 3gb
Graphics card - preferably integrated
Battery - min. 6 cell
Must be brand new, not refurb.

Any advice would be most welcome!
Thanks

P.S - defo not looking for a Dell, Lenovo, Acer, HP

 

[dc8900]

£429:

TOSHIBA Satellite C660-108 at cheap prices | PC World

 

[vickster]

John Lewis, smaller HD than the other but an extra year warranty

Buy Toshiba Satellite C660-174 Laptop, Intel® Core

 

[turk3y]

I like the way JL stick all the system memory under gfx ram making it look alot more graphically capable than it is.

how come you are so sure on a tosh and excluding all others so certainly?

 

[NoopyS]

Thanks for the links.

I've managed to find this:

Toshiba Satellite C660-11K 15.6 inch Notebook (Intel Core i3-370M Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Windows 7 Home Premium): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

4GB RAM and only £405.

@Vickster

Although I like to purchase from John Lewis because of their brilliant customer service and the extra 1 year warranty, it is a £25 more expensive with only 3GB RAM.

Thoughts?

@turk3y - I feel from the research that I have done that the Toshibas have superior build quality within the price bracket that I am looking at. To be fair I would consider Samsung and Asus as well.

I like the Dell 15 XPS, but it is outside of my price range and I would feel like a sucker paying >£500 for an i3 when they had the i7 on special offer for £496 not so long ago.

HotUKDeals - Dell XPS 15, Core i7-740, 4GB Ram, 500GB Hard Drive, 2GB nVidia GFX, Mobile Broadband, Windows 7 Home Premium £496 - Expired

I am also aware that Lenovo has a good reputation, but their laptops just don't excite me.

However, if you think that I am overlooking a great laptop within the £400-£500 price bracket, please do tell!

Thanks

 

[anibap]

Thanks for the links.

I've managed to find this:

Toshiba Satellite C660-11K 15.6 inch Notebook (Intel Core i3-370M Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Windows 7 Home Premium): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

4GB RAM and only £405.

Great price. However, it does not have HDMI. If you don't need HDMi, then it is a good bargain.