Really don't know what's best to go for. I know she's been wanting one for ages but hasn't said much as she knows we're saving, however, I've had a word with my folks and we're going to go halves on one for her birthday/Christmas pressie :)

 

She doesn't really want it for games, more just to use the internet, watch movies (ideally blu ray movies if that's not going to throw our budget!), listen to music and do the accounts on. I know her only major pre-requisites are, if possible, that it should have a large screen (maybe a wide-screen?) and have a numeric keypad on the right hand side as you'd find on a normal keyboard (which seems daft but she touch-types the accounts and is used to using one! :)).

 

Really could use your help guys as to what model to go for and where best to get it from as I'm clueless when it comes to laptops! We can go up to £500 (possibly a touch more...but just a touch!) on this one.

 

Thanks in advance! :)

 

Leigh.

Pcworld is a good place to go and look at nearly all of the latest ones on display in the new style shops.

 

heres a couple from the website that I would recommend

 

Packard Bell £499 don't be put off by the packard bell name they are made by Acer now.

 

Acer with Windows 7

 

I wouldnt get one of the cheap HP G series or compaq CQ series as build quality is quite ropey.

 

Don't think you will get BD capability with a £500 in mind. Ideally if your not bothered about graphics go for the fastest cpu for the money.

Bargain here mate

 

http://www.aceroutlet.com/PRD_PRoductDetail.aspx?ProdID=4038&CID=522&Product=Extensa-5630---2gb---250gb---Vista-Premium---15.4---Webcam---Intel

you'd be better off buying a cheapish laptop for 350,,then get a bluray standalone player...you can pick them up for under 150 quid these days...

I thought that the title meant you wanted to swap her for one!!!!! :rofl::rofl:

Bargain here mate

 

http://www.aceroutlet.com/PRD_PRoductDetail.aspx?ProdID=4038&CID=522&Product=Extensa-5630---2gb---250gb---Vista-Premium---15.4---Webcam---Intel

 

But that doesnt have a large screen or numeric keypad. :nono:

stay away from Dell mate. Bought one for the wife a few weeks ago and 3 of the keys have fallen off already. And the touch pad is crap

i'd have thought your notebook style would be ideal, its more woman friendly and despite the smaller screen it does the job for less most women i know prefer them over large laptops etc....with the savings get a blue ray or take her for a weekend away :D

Stay Away from Dell and Acer... Dell just sh*t goes wrong and Acer's are just built of sh*t components and will be Chugging in no time! Asus are just as bad! Just low tech crappy components.

 

Best really are Samsung and Toshiba to be honest and there are a fair few for under 500 smackers!

had a quick browse on 1 of my most preferred sites (ebuyer.co.uk) and came across this (LINK CLICKY) which has everything except the Larger keyboard but most laptops dont have that on them anyways!

This one has 2.0ghz Duel Core Processor, 4gb Ram (Plenty with decent Speed too) 500gb HDD (Tons) big 15.6inch screen (Most around this mark or a tad smaller) other functions like Inbuilt webcam (handy) 3in1 card reader (useful if camera doesnt connect via USB) has Vista on it and is Windows 7 compatible

 

Hope this helps and happy huntint!

Edited October 20, 200916 yr by Munny975

I take it the Asus eee PC is no good then, with it's 7" screen!

 

Personally I've had no issues with either Dell (4+ hard years and still going strong - touch wood!) or Acer (2 years), but it's a matter of luck.

 

The main thing to watch is good battery life (which is important to me). If you want 3-4 hours, then your talking £6-800 for a Toshiba/Samsung, where as you can get that kind of life out of an Acer or Dell for £4-500.

Stay Away from Dell and Acer... Dell just sh*t goes wrong and Acer's are just built of sh*t components and will be Chugging in no time! Asus are just as bad! Just low tech crappy components.

 

Best really are Samsung and Toshiba to be honest and there are a fair few for under 500 smackers!

had a quick browse on 1 of my most preferred sites (ebuyer.co.uk) and came across this (LINK CLICKY) which has everything except the Larger keyboard but most laptops dont have that on them anyways!

This one has 2.0ghz Duel Core Processor, 4gb Ram (Plenty with decent Speed too) 500gb HDD (Tons) big 15.6inch screen (Most around this mark or a tad smaller) other functions like Inbuilt webcam (handy) 3in1 card reader (useful if camera doesnt connect via USB) has Vista on it and is Windows 7 compatible

 

Hope this helps and happy huntint!

 

Have to heavily disagree with the Acer/Asus statement there they are some of the best made on the market for the price, Toshiba however have gone really bad in the last 3-4 years. I say this as I work in laptop repairs and Toshiba are by far one of the worst for failing.

My past 2 Lappie's have been Toshiba 1 is now around 8years old and the other 1 is 4years old and they both work as if i bought them fresh yesterday!

I even used to use the Second lappie for 3d Rendering which would rape the processor for hours and it still runs clean and precise!

 

Perhaps i just got some good ones! All the guys at Uni keep buying the same sort of laptop and they all seem to be Toshiba or Samsung and most of the Nerdy guys spend uber amounts of time researching them! But i guess Beermonster this is why we all have Opinions :) I say this, and you say that :) guess you have more 'hands on' time with them so id assume you would know best :)

 

*Although everyone knows im right* ROFL!!!

I thought that the title meant you wanted to swap her for one!!!!! :rofl::rofl:

 

lol! Don't tempt me...I could use a new computer!:rofl:

 

Cheers for the replies guys. As far as the numeric keypad is concerned if push really did come to shove I guess I could buy her an external USB keypad for when she needs it? Not ideal but I imagine it could widen the selection a bit...

 

I've just been recommended another Acer unit, one from their 2008 range:

 

http://www.buygreendot.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1400

 

http://www.trustedreviews.com/laptops/review/2008/07/17/Acer-Aspire-8920G-18-4in-Blu-ray-Notebook/p1

 

...and I have to say it looks pretty impressive. Full HD, 16:9 ratio, Blu Ray player...and a numeric keypad (! :wack:) and all for about £400! The new model, the 8930G is apparently out now but is coming in at about £720-800 :( Mind you, although there's no way we could afford that, I "could" put it to my other half that if she could somehow kick in some cash we might just be able to do it between her, me and the folks...it's not ideal as it would spoil the suprise but if the newer model is worth it (or if there's another model that might be better?) then maybe it should be an option? Hmmmm....

Etch a sketch - good chance she will never know....

Etch a sketch - good chance she will never know....

 

LMAO! :slap: :D ;) :rofl:

I brought a Emachines G720 for £319.00

 

17" screen, numeric key pad, ive upgraded it from 2GB to 4GB, 4x USB's

 

Theres no fancy card readers or HDMI slots on it but for the money so far its seems a good laptop for what i want.