[Help!] Need a laptop before Christmas (£300-400)!

[Conzy]

Howdy!

If you helped out in my other desktop-related threads, I'm sorry if you feel I wasted your time. I, after much debate, have decided to get a laptop but am pleased that I took the time to research computer specifications and feel that I am now much wiser when it comes to making an objective decision.

I'm looking for a laptop in the price range of £300-400. I will be using it for school work (Word etc.), web browsing, watching videos and listening to music. I plan to make it last a good 3-4 years.

I've been looking at the official HP website and have found two laptops that were recommended to me by members of another forum; please take a look at them and tell me whether they would be suitable for my requirements!

http://h40059.www4.hp.com/uk/homelap...erience=direct
http://h40059.www4.hp.com/uk/homelap...erience=direct

Also, which would be the best out of those? A lot of people recommended the HP G56-106sa but isn't the Compaq Presario CQ56-110sa exactly the same but with a 70GB larger hard drive?

Some other well-known websites that I've heard positive comments about are:

http://www.comet.co.uk/
http://www.toshiba.co.uk/uk/
http://uk.asus.com/

Thanks in advance, and please help me quickly! Most websites have a next-day delivery cutoff at 4pm (36 minutes left)!

Yours sincerely,

Conzy.

 

[Conzy]

17 minutes left!

 

[Conzy]

I've been looking round whilst I was waiting for a reply and found two good deals, am wondering if you guys can tell me whether they're better than the HP ones:

1) Dell Vostro 3500 (£389):

PROCESSOR
Intel® Core™ i3-370M (2.4GHz, 3MB)
OPERATING SYSTEM
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional with XP Mode Installed 32 bit
SECURITY SOFTWARE
Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services, 15-month
MEMORY
Memory : 3072MB 1333MHz DDR3
LCD
15.6” 40 cm High Definition (1366 x 768) Wide LED Anti-Glare Display
HARD DRIVE
Hard Drive : 320GB Serial ATA (7,200 Rpm)
GRAPHICS CARD
Graphics : Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator HD
OPTICAL DRIVE
Optical Drive : 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY
Wireless : ROW Dell Wireless 1501 (802.11n) Half Mini Card
BLUETOOTH
Wireless : Dell Bluetooth 365 Card
PRIMARY BATTERY
Battery : Primary 6-cell 56W/HR LI-ION
CAMERAS
Camera : Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Camera
Power Supply
Power Cord : 3 Wire 65W AC Adpater
Standard Warranty
1 Year Collect and Return

2) ThinkPad SL510 (£449.75 - slightly out of my budget):

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo processor T6670(2.2GHz)
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
System graphics: Mobile Intel Express Chipset with ATI Mobility Radeon 4570 256MB graphics, Gigabit Ethernet
Total memory: 3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 320 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Battery: 6 cell 2.2Ah Li-Ion Battery

 

[WR2]

Your HP links aren't working.
The Dell Vostro 3500 is a very good choice.
The Thinkpad is an OK choice if you need to do any very light, very low graphics setting 3D gaming.

 

[WR2]

My advice is to wait a bit and take advantage of the 'after Christmas' sales.

Dell Vostro 3500 review:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Vostro-3500-Notebook.30323.0.html
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/dell-vostro-3500-692773/review

 

[Conzy]

My advice is to wait a bit and take advantage of the 'after Christmas' sales.

Dell Vostro 3500 review:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Vostro-3500-Notebook.30323.0.html
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/dell-vostro-3500-692773/review

Thanks man!

http://h40059.www4.hp.com/uk/homelaptops/product.php?id=XH209EA&experience=direct
http://h40059.www4.hp.com/ uk/homelaptops/product.php?id=XH209EA&experience=direct

(They're both the same link, I've just added a space in the second one in case the first one doesn't work again).

Unfortunately, I need the laptop as soon as possible as I need to be working on coursework and the laptop I'm currently using will definitely break within the next few days.

Would the Dell Vostro 3500 be a better choice than the HP?

Also, might be a stupid question but the Vostro's processor is dual-core, right?

 

[WR2]

The Dell Vostro 3500 would be a better choice IMO.
More powerful dual core CPU. Better build quality / more rugged laptop in the business class Vostro too.

Compaq Presario CQ56 (but not an identical model)
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-HP-Compaq-Presario-CQ56-Notebook.42285.0.html

 

[WR2]

Google: UK Dell store coupons
See if you find find a coupon code to shave a bit off the cost of that Dell.
You might be able to find HP coupons too.

 

[Conzy]

Google: UK Dell store coupons
See if you find find a coupon code to shave a bit off the cost of that Dell.
You might be able to find HP coupons too.

Found a 5% one but just realised the price was excluding VAT, it's now up to £457.08. FML. Is it worth the extra £100 for the Vostro 3500?

Also, I've noticed the OS on the Vostro is only 32-bit as opposed to the 64-bit on the HP - does this matter?

Thanks for your help so far!

 

[WR2]

Is it worth the extra £100 for the Vostro 3500?

IMO, no.
Until you add 4GB or RAM to the Vostro the 32bit OS doesn't really matter. Vostro includes 2GB at that price.