Buying A Laptop

[attheraces]

Ok, so my laptop is pretty much finished and not as solid as it once was, it was a HP DV9000.

To be fair this laptop done everything I ever needed it off it so I don't need to upgrade that much! Now I don't know if anybody knows anything about laptops, but if they could check the specifications on that model, and then recommend what outperforms it but is pretty good value on the market today.

My old laptop was 17 inch screen and I'd be more than happy to downsize to a 15 inch.

Budget probably wouldn't surpass 400 if ideal (unless that is a bit stingy??). Mainly going to be used for Microsoft Office work, browsing, streaming, movie playback (preferably HDMI connection) and perhaps the odd Poker application (so I am assuming good multi tasking is needed) or Football Manager game.

Any help at all would be much appreciated if there are any whizkids out there as I don't have a clue!

[Main Street]

Why not just stick with HP, you both seem to get on well with each other.

Even the cheapest models will satisfy your needs and still be a considered improvement over what you had.
for 15.6"
HP ProBook 4530s  £570
or the cheaper model
HP ProBook 4535s  about £490

and just noting your budget of £400,  there are cheaper 15.6" HP models available
HP Pavilion g6-1202sa

[attheraces]

thanks mainstreet, like the look of the 4530s.

one more question if you could help me out, if im looking for speed and performance, does more ghz or whatever you call it matter. or does more RAM matter or the size of hard drive? And if so which is more important.

does because one laptop's specification have a higher figure neccessarily mean it is a better laptop. Sorry for being a complete noob

[Main Street]

There are many factors affecting the price.
In the regular sized 15.6" models, the biggest factor affecting price is the processor, the GHz factor.
There are basically 2 processor brands, Intel and AMD.
At the lower end < £400,  you have the Intel i3 and the AMD A-Series A4-3300M.
AMD is usually a bit cheaper and in this case performs faster and is energy efficient.
You want a processor that does not heat up, causing the fan to go on overdrive, running down your battery.
So the cheaper HP G6- has the AMD  and the dearer HP has the i3 2.1GHz
Hard drives are similar, usually rated 5400 rpm.

I think the G6 is a newer model, check the HP site out.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/series_can.do;HHOJSID=VQzDPG6cGfv91jxvTJ2GLMScDGwJDS5MftWpVQHTthrfvtzM2BSn!1897789120?storeName=computer_store&landing=notebooks&a1=Screen+size&v1=15.0+-+16.9&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/notebooks/leftnav_screen_size_15.0_-_16.9

Is there a HP site for the UK?

You need 4gb memory, thats standard and  graphics are similar in both machines.
Then screen quality matters, check reviews on how this fares, because that's what you will gawking at.
Battery life is another , 4 - 5 hours is minimum standard.
HP have a space for 2nd battery and not a bad idea for those who need it, a second battery is a cost extra item..

Just on a superficial glance, the G6 looks a good deal.

[attheraces]

much appreciated!

[mylestheslasher]

I bought a HP 2 years ago, always thought they were decent. It was a piece of crap. Button went wonky, pad doing weird things and the screen kept flickering. Never go near them again. Acer make good cheap models, I'd look there myself.

[J70]

I've a 4 year old well-specked HP Pavillion DV2000 myself. Still going strong. Excellent laptop. Bought a g6-series one for my mother recently and it seems like a decent laptop for home use too.

[J70]

One thing I hate on the HP I have - the quick-play/volume control buttons are awful.

[Rasharkin Gael]

I have bought a couple through laptops direct.com. They have refurbs and ex display models with pretty good discounts compared to the list price.

[mylestheslasher]

J70 - do you not think hps standards have really been dropping. The last few printers we bought at work were also HP and they are always giving bother. 10 yrs ago I was a fan but I am steering well clear now.

[attheraces]

to be fair i also bought an expensive hp printer/photo copier, the thing didnt work after a month and hp wouldn't fix it under the warranty, jumped through hoops to get something sorted and still nothing, still sitting in the garage! i didn't have any real problems with my laptop, charger wouldn't connect for a while and the battery went dead but it was just a matter of replacing it. as anyone had any experience with samsung laptops?

would you's recommend a refurb or is it likely to lead to problems? I just want the most reliable/decent performance/value for money deal. suppose thats what everyone is after though!

[Denn Forever]

as anyone had any experience with samsung laptops?

Been using a Samsung Notebook for the last 3 years and it's been good.

[attheraces]

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Sony_VAIO_EL1E1E-B_Windows_7_Laptop_in_Black__VPCEL1E1EB/version.asp


guys what sort of deal does that look like, im still having bother biting the bullet and buying somethin, every laptop despite same make and supposed model has different codes and different prices, does these difference in codes make a big difference? Is there any point in waiting until windows 8 comes out?

[Tony Baloney]

I bought a HP 2 years ago, always thought they were decent. It was a piece of crap. Button went wonky, pad doing weird things and the screen kept flickering. Never go near them again. Acer make good cheap models, I'd look there myself.

Bought an Acer last Xmas for about 350-400 quid and it has been good for what we use it for. Well worth investigating.

[tyrone girl]

Mines an Acer Aspire 5536 got it 2 years ago for christmas and never gave me any bother. I love it.