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[Chris]

I'm getting a bit fed up of the problems by increasingly aged desktop is having, so I'm starting to think about buying a laptop to replace it (could do with the space in my living room back). The problem is I don't know much about laptops and what's good for the money. So can anyone recommend a couple of good models and online stores to buy from?

My needs:

I have an ongoing boycott of spending large amounts of money in Dixons group stores, so don't tell me to go to PC World. I'm not a moron anyway so I'm outwith their demographic.

This is to be a desktop replacement so I'm not looking for entry level, but my budget is quite constrained. £500 - £800 really. Looking for good performance at a good price really.

I don't play many games these days but would like it to be able to process music and run complex apps. Again I'm not looking for a £1500 gaming machine but I'd like it to have a minimum of 1Gb RAM and a bearable graphics processor for what little games I do play.

I'm not interested in a Macbook or anything running Linux.

I would have reservations about buying a laptop

How about a Dell, you can customise what you require, but don't buy the memory from them, just get it with base memory, then buy additional from crucial, that will save you packets. The other thing about memory is that you may find that the graphics card memory is shared or partially shared with the system memory.

There is also Evesham, though they seem to be pricier than I remember.

[Neil]

Entry level Macbook would fit your budget I reckon, if you fancy "switching".

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Chris

I'm not interested in a Macbook or anything running Linux.

Bugger, should have read that bit. Why aren't you interested in a Macbook? You know you can dual-boot them with Windows XP now, right?

Originally Posted by Neil

Bugger, should have read that bit. Why aren't you interested in a Macbook? You know you can dual-boot them with Windows XP now, right?

Because they aren't that good.

[Chris]

and they're expensive for the performance you get, they're like sony in that respect.

[Alkaline]

Originally Posted by Chris

and they're expensive for the performance you get, they're like sony in that respect.

Laptop wise, yes.

I don't like MacBooks, though Apple's OS tends to be nicer. Just build your own throug a site. Or go to a music based webstore and look at some of the dedicated music systems they've got, having said that though they'll prob be outwith the price band you mentioned.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Alkaline

Laptop wise, yes.

I don't like MacBooks, though Apple's OS tends to be nicer. Just build your own throug a site. Or go to a music based webstore and look at some of the dedicated music systems they've got, having said that though they'll prob be outwith the price band you mentioned.

Yeah I meant to write vaio in there to make it clear I was just talking about Sony laptops.

Components
INSPIRON 6400 Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2050 (1.60 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 (incl Operating System Re-Install CD) - English edit
VISTA UPGRADE MCE to Vista Premium Upgrade on www.dellvistaupgrade.com before 03/31/07 edit
SUPPORT SERVICES Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only edit
LCD 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display edit
MEMORY 1024MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x512) edit
HARD DRIVE 120GB (5,400rpm) Hard Drive edit
OPTICAL DRIVE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW with Software edit
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB ATI® Mobility™ Radeon® X1400 HyperMemory™ graphics card edit
PRIMARY BATTERY 6 Cell, 56Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery edit
Accessories
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card for Duo Processors edit
CARRY CASES Free - Deluxe Nylon Carry Case edit
SOUND SOFTWARE Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy® ADVANCED HD™ Audio- Full Version edit
FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVES No Floppy Drive Option edit
COLOR CHOICE No Snap on LCD Back Cover edit
Services & Software
SECURITY SOFTWARE Free - Upgrade to McAfee® Security Centre™ 36-month Protection edit
MICROSOFT SOFTWARE Microsoft® Works 8.5 - English edit
PHOTOGRAPHY SOFTWARE No Photo Organising & Sharing Software/No Photo Editing Software edit
Also included with your system
KEYBOARD Internal Keyboard - UK/Ire (QWERTY)
Gedis Bundle Reference List N01646 - DHS 6400 (2)
Order Information Inspiron Order - UK
Shipping Documents System Documentation
Adobe Reader English - Adobe Reader 8.5.8
Power Supply 65W AC Adapter
Modem 56.6k V.92 Capable Internal Modem & Adapter
Standard Warranty Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only
Money Off Savings Save £70 (inc VAT)
Dell Internet Order Dell Internet Order.
NETWORK ASSISTANT Network Assist 1.2 - 90 Day Trial
SYSTEM MEDIA Resource CD - contains Diagnostics and Drivers

Its a bit jumbles but it costs £767

1 gig ram
120 gig drive
Core duo cpu
ATI x1400 mobile gfx