Laptop Advice Please - Any suggestions from this criteria?

Muchacho1979

Standard Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Messages
97
Reaction score
1
Points
28
I bought an Acer Aspire 5551A from Argos for £299.99 for my dad a couple of years ago, but expect with the time that's gone by there'll be a much better spec for around the same price

Here's my criteria:

What is your budget?
Around £300 (can stretch to £400) - I'll still use my PC most of the time, so can't really justify spending too much on it for the sake of it

What size laptop do you want?
What's standard these days? 15"?

What will you be using the laptop for?
Microsoft Office + Outlook
Internet Browsing
Dreamweaver / Web Design

- doubt I'll be doing any gaming. Nothing that will require a superb graphics card or anything like that

Do you require Blu-Ray?
Nope


How long does the battery need to last?
3+ hours would be good - longer if possible

Does it need to be portable?
Yep, I'll be using it when away with work or even just at the local library. I'll either use existing wireless or use my phone for the Internet access

Do you require HDMI output?
I don't think so. I can't see me needing to connect it to the TV or anything like that.

Do you have a preferred brand?
I got my dad an Acer and it seems to run fine, but more than open to go for a different brand - I'll trust you guys.

Would you be happy with a refurbished laptop?
If the company supplying them has a good history then sure.

Additional
Windows 7 instead of Windows 8 - heard from a few tech people that Windows 8 is a pain and they've all downgraded to Windows 7.


Current finds:
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Hewlett_Packard_HP_Pavilion_g6-2148sa_Pentium_B950_Windows_7_Home_Premium_6_B9L88EA/version.asp

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Browse?storeId=10151&langId=110&catalogId=10001&mRR=true&c_1=1|category_root|Technology|33006169&c_2=2|33006169|Laptops+and+PCs|33007795&c_3=3|cat_33007795|Laptops+and+netbooks|33014243&r_001=9|RAM+%28GB%29|6|1&r_002=10|Customer+Rating|4+stars+or+more|1&r_003=11|Operating+system|Microsoft+Windows+7+Premium|1&r_004=12|Screen+size+%28in%29|14.0+%3C%3D+%3C+16.0|2

As you can see, probably most laptops will more than suffice for me, but just trying to narrow it down and at the same time get a good deal.

Any help would be great.

Many thanks.
 
Last edited:
Hi Muchacho,

CPU wise, I'd aim for a 3rd generation Core i3 laptop. Of course finding one bundled with Windows 7 can be a bit tricky now, but not impossible. :) It does narrow your choice considerably however.

Have you tried Windows 8 for yourself? It's far from perfect, but if you could bear it you'd have more choice and could save yourself some money.

I've done some limited searching on t'net and I've found a couple of machines which may be of interest.

Have a look at this Windows 7 machine, which is just a weeny bit over the top end of your budget.

Also, a Windows 8 machine which is significantly less and with a slightly better spec.

Do you see what I mean about the money savings?

The choice is yours though. :)
 
— As an Amazon Associate, AVForums earns from qualifying purchases —
Hi BO, thanks for your reply.

I've not used Windows 8, but my brother in law works with computers (haven't been able to get hold of him, hence why I thought I'd get a head start on here to try and understand it all a bit more) and he said he's downgraded all of his laptops back to Windows 7. I didn't talk to him in great detail but he said it was better. I still have Windows 7 Ultimate on CD so perhaps if you can downgrade from Windows 8 to 7, I could always do that?

That 2nd one you listed does look a decent spec, that's assuming it doesn't have to be pink :D
 
I still have Windows 7 Ultimate on CD so perhaps if you can downgrade from Windows 8 to 7, I could always do that?
If you've got the full retail version of Win 7 Ultimate, then yes, you should have no probs. :smashin:

That 2nd one you listed does look a decent spec, that's assuming it doesn't have to be pink :D
Lol! I assumed the whole unit was silver. I thought that pink tinge was just an artefact of the way the picture was taken. On closer examination however it would seem not. :p I'm quite sure other colours are available. Tartan for instance. :laugh:
 
A couple of laptop choices (to give you a greater range of options)

ASUS EeePC 1225B-RED041M
Acer E1 -Intel Core i5-3110 4GB 500GB Win 8 NX.M09EK.002 - Laptops Direct
Packard Bell EasyNote TE11 Dual Core Laptop - Intel Pentium Processor 8GB RAM 750GB HDD NX.C1FEK.021

Look at more sites like these (tech specialists) to find the best deals

Hi Mandy,

Thanks for your reply.

I'm liking the look of the Packard Bell one, but which would you say wins out of those 3 in terms of value for money, taking into account I won't be doing any heavy gaming or graphics?

What about these 2?
HP ProBook 4545s 15.6" Laptop - 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB, Win 8 Pro - C5C51EA#ABU - CCL Computers

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Fujitsu_AH532_Windows_8_Laptop_in_Black_VFYAH532M35A2GB/version.asp
 
Last edited:
I would say the Acer was the best of the three but the Packard Bell is good too, the Probook you have suggested does have good value but i've never dealt with CCL so I don't know how there customer service is.

In the end its up to you
 
I went with the Packard Bell in the end so thanks for the suggestion.

Not sure how good the processor is but decent amount of RAM and HD space.
 

The latest video from AVForums

Is 4K Blu-ray Worth It?
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Back
Top Bottom