All I want for Christmas is a new laptop

[Ivor]

I'm getting ready to write my list to Father Christmas and top of the list is a new laptop, my netbook really struggles to handle all the applications and the screen lacks a lot to be desired as images processed on it tend to have a red colour cast on other monitors. As I've been such a good boy this year I'm pretty certain I'll get one but before steering him to a suitable model I want to make sure I've done my research.

Requirement

Machine capable of running PHD, AA5, APT ... concurrently (I'm looking to support 2 imaging cameras and 1 guiding)
Minimum screen size 15.6
Screen colour range wide enough to support image processing
Budget £400
Long battery life

Specification

Windows 7 64bit
4 GB RAM (min)
I3 core or equivalent power
500GB HD
Missed anything?
3 USB ports (min)
HDMI port (nice to have)

Now the bit I'm not sure on is how to know if the graphics chip is good enough for the job, can anyone advise as I'm out of touch this side of things?

[RobertM]

You could try dell outlet, good spec machines come up from time to time at good prices - about 1/2 to 1/3 of list.  They also have 1 year warranty which helps.

Robert

[Mike]

Go for at least an i5 or better still an i7.

Graphics - anything with at least 1Gb ram.

Also fit as much system ram as you can afford.

[JonH]

Right now, and I mean like this week is a great time to get a good deal at PCworld or similar. They are shifting all the windows 7 models before the windows 8 come threw next week so loads of clearance and display laptops going cheep!

[Ivor]

I'm watching the dell and asus sites and it's a good point about windows 8.

Regarding the graphics/screen I'm conscious of the memory requirements however I was wondering more about the differences between the graphic chipsets like amd radeon hd 6310 and intel hd 3000.

[Mike]

Regarding the graphics/screen I'm conscious of the memory requirements however I was wondering more about the differences between the graphic chipsets like amd radeon hd 6310 and intel hd 3000.

Unless you're going to be using it for gaming it won't maker much difference. Just get one with plenty of memory. However, if you are using software that has been optimised to use a certain feature of the chipset it should say so in the specs.

[RobertM]

I'd agree with Mike.  You're much better off having a Core I5 than I3, even the integrated Intel graphics option is good enough for most things these days and you won't notice unless you're gaming.

Robert

[Ivor]

Thanks for the advise, I did a little further research last night and PCWorld wasn't any cheaper than my normal choice ebuyer. Currently the sites I've got an eye are

www.ebuyer.com
http://www.simplylaptop.co.uk/asus/asus-laptops.html
http://www.dell.co.uk/outlet/

I use this site to get a ranking for the CPU http://www.cpubenchmark.net/

Can anyone recommend any others?

[JonH]

I found had to actually go in-store as was nothing cheep online at pcworld.
The stor had maybe 5 or 6 display laptops going very cheep, including i7's at under £500! 

[Rocket Pooch]

Hi,

My recommendation would be;

Min 6GB ram - 8GB is better
Dedicated graphics
i5 or similar AMD or above
Windows 7 64bit

This is pretty close, don't get Windows 8 yet though, its too early.  This is very near the budget.

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=n0015m31&model_id=inspiron-15-3520&c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1

Oh and my Dual Core 4 year old dell with Windows 7 64 and 4GB of RAM does exactly what you need so anything above that will be ok.  But it does have a very good graphics card in it and I know how to set the things up.

I would also always for a good brand, Dell, ASUS, Samsung, IBM, Tosh etc.

Have a look at Teco I bough my last two Dell's from there, it was cheaper than Dell, I got points and that bought the shed for the observatory.

Chris



P.S. Never buy a Mac waste on money.....  It's a PC in disguise.  I know we also have Dell's running MAC OS.

[JonH]

I just bought a Mac, like heck am I going back to windows!

[RobertM]

Don't forget the business laptops, I think they are often better value.

http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=3&c=uk&cs=ukdfb1&l=en&s=dfb

Using that link you can use the check boxes on the left to narrow the search.

It's also worth checking quidco as I managed to get an additional 15% off plus cash back of £50 when I bought a Lattitude.

Robert

[Mike]

Also check out eBuyer, they usually have some nice deals too....

I know a number of us have used them before and they are recommended.

http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Computer/cat/Laptops

[Rocket Pooch]

I just bought a Mac, like heck am I going back to windows!

[Mac]

I just bought a Mac

Hey, Im not for sale,
although i am for hire
Mac.