Laptop recommendations please

[Guest chucky.egg]

Anyone bought a laptop recently, or have an opinion on what I should get?

I've not spec'd a laptop for myself before, and I am struggling a little.

I'm looking for a "desktop replacement" laptop - this will become my main machine, with my PC being an occassional use thing. I will use it "on the road" quite extensively, so battery life is important and so is the screen (I use 2x 17" TFTs on my desk so I want a big desktop).

Size and weight are not that important

I want Next Business Day (NBD) support in the UK mainland.

I need to be able to backup and produce CDs

I will be running 3-4 apps at a time almost constantly: Word, Excel, IE/Firefox, Outlook, Access

I won't be carrying that much data around

I won't be using it for games (well, not much and nothing heavy duty)

The spec I've come up with so far is:

Dell Latitude D820

2.0GHz Core 2 Duo

1024 RAM (1x 1024)

15.4" 1920x1200 TFT

8x DVD+/-RW

XP SP2

60Gb 5400 HDD

Bluetooth

WiFi

9 cell battery

This comes to around £1000 + VAT.

I'm likely to go with Dell because (1) I can get NDB repair/replacement, and (2) I can configure it the way I want it. Other people have recommended HP, but the screen res is XGA (1024x768) and you can only buy a boxed unit - you can't configure it to your own spec.

Any recommendations for particular brands?

Any good tips on working out the processor/RAM requirements?

Anyone know where I can configure a machine online (and order online) other than Dell?

[Guest richard_d]

Anyone bought a laptop recently, or have an opinion on what I should get?

I've not spec'd a laptop for myself before, and I am struggling a little.

I'm looking for a "desktop replacement" laptop - this will become my main machine, with my PC being an occassional use thing. I will use it "on the road" quite extensively, so battery life is important and so is the screen (I use 2x 17" TFTs on my desk so I want a big desktop).

Size and weight are not that important

I want Next Business Day (NBD) support in the UK mainland.

I need to be able to backup and produce CDs

I will be running 3-4 apps at a time almost constantly: Word, Excel, IE/Firefox, Outlook, Access

I won't be carrying that much data around

I won't be using it for games (well, not much and nothing heavy duty)

The spec I've come up with so far is:

Dell Latitude D820

2.0GHz Core 2 Duo

1024 RAM (1x 1024)

15.4" 1920x1200 TFT

8x DVD+/-RW

XP SP2

60Gb 5400 HDD

Bluetooth

WiFi

9 cell battery

This comes to around £1000 + VAT.

I'm likely to go with Dell because (1) I can get NDB repair/replacement, and (2) I can configure it the way I want it. Other people have recommended HP, but the screen res is XGA (1024x768) and you can only buy a boxed unit - you can't configure it to your own spec.

Any recommendations for particular brands?

Any good tips on working out the processor/RAM requirements?

Anyone know where I can configure a machine online (and order online) other than Dell?

That spec will easily do you for your stated needs. I've been very happy with my Dell Inspiron - seem quite a good company. Buried on the Dell site is a Dell Outlet sub-site that's worth a look - pre-configured machines from cancelled orders mainly, but if they've got what you want you can save a bit.

[Guest goochy1]

www.laptopsdirect.co.uk

try there

[Guest chucky.egg]

Thanks for your help folks

I've tried LaptopsDirect (can't configure - can't even see the detailed spec in many cases) and the Dell Outlet (nothing suitable, but I'll keep checking)

Any other thoughts?

[Guest richard_d]

Thanks for your help folks

I've tried LaptopsDirect (can't configure - can't even see the detailed spec in many cases) and the Dell Outlet (nothing suitable, but I'll keep checking)

Any other thoughts?

www.Novatech.co.uk - no real configuration other than software and accessories though.

[Guest awarner (MVP)]

I've never liked Novatech and their systems are not that good spec/price wise, even though they are on my doorstep I would not use them.

Apart from Dell try Acer they give a good service and I've been happy with my Ferrari 4000 for the past year. They also have a good warranty.

[Guest MisfitKiwi]

That looks pretty good, the only thing I will say is it seems to be lacking slightly with hard drive capacity (which you're not worried about too much) and RAM, have a look around on dell's site if I remember they're offering double memory on selected notebooks 'free'. In a new machine personally I would go with 2gb, it's not exactly needed but it's always best to have it now than upgrade later and if you plan to run vista it can be a bit of a memory hog.

Also, as somebody else suggested acer notebooks are quite good, the only thing I will say about them (well the cheaper ones anyway) is the screen is terrible, if you use it near any direct source of light the glare is too much and you can't see a thing, kind of takes glossy screens to the extreme, though with any brand if you plan to use it a lot where there will be direct light you'd be best with a matte screen.

Edited November 6, 2007 by MisfitKiwi

[Guest Monolithix]

Er, bit random dreging this up! Think he probably made desicion in the year since his post ;)

[Guest MisfitKiwi]

Oh, sorry, for some reason it showed in what looked liked recent posts, I'm new, excuse me, shoulda checked the dates :S

[Guest jimbouk]

I wonder if he regretted only having 1gb ram... ;)

[Guest Monolithix]

:( no probs misfitkiwi. Perhaps a retropsective review of how the final laptop got on is now in order, chucky? ;)

[Guest chucky.egg]

Well, thanks for your continued interest folks! ;)

I ended up with almost the exact spec I started with, but with 2Gb, and bought through the Dell Outlet for about £700

The big problem with the Outlet is that you only see a fraction of the full spec when you purchase, and you dont see the rest until the machine is delivered!

Nice machine, nothing earth shattering, but nice.

2Gb is fine, but I'm not sure that it's made any real difference. As you say - if I end up with Fister then it'll come in handy.

"Ernie" (yes, he has a name) will be sure to include you all in his christmas card list in future

[Guest jimbouk]

I am sat here importing video from home movies for a client and I wish I had 2gb...

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

3GB FTW ;)

P