Help me pick a Laptop

Demeyes

I'm looking to pick up a new laptop. I'll probably end up doing a small bit of audio work on it as well as some programming so it'll need to be a good machine. I've settled on at least 4Gb Ram and at least Dual core. I want to get going on Windows 7 too. The size of the hdd isn't very significant as long as it's 250 or more. I'll be keeping bigger stuff on my external drive.
My budget is around 550 ideally, but I could maybe stretch up another 100 if I really need to, but I was planning on putting that into a monitor or something else.
Here's some I was looking at, but I'd love some more suggestions or ideas on it.

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/3955136/art/acer/aspire-5542.html
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=575012
These are 2 similar Acers with different hard drives and a few other slightly different specs.
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=575879
There is also this Acer but it's a bit more expensive and I don't know if it's worth paying more for.
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=572838
Thats an MSI but I know nothing about them so I'd be wary about it.
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/4178736/art/samsung/r520.html
Then there is this Samsung. I've never used a Samsung either but this is fairly well spec'd out it seems.
I haven't looked at Dell since most people I know who had one in the last 2 years had some issues with them but I had a nice Dell before and would try them out again. Have they much going?

What's the best option for me? I'm open to suggestions.

leninbenjamin

Demeyes wrote: »

I'm looking to pick up a new laptop. I'll probably end up doing a small bit of audio work on it as well as some programming so it'll need to be a good machine. I've settled on at least 4Gb Ram and at least Dual core. I want to get going on Windows 7 too. The size of the hdd isn't very significant as long as it's 250 or more. I'll be keeping bigger stuff on my external drive.
My budget is around 550 ideally, but I could maybe stretch up another 100 if I really need to, but I was planning on putting that into a monitor or something else.
Here's some I was looking at, but I'd love some more suggestions or ideas on it.

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/3955136/art/acer/aspire-5542.html
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=575012
These are 2 similar Acers with different hard drives and a few other slightly different specs.
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=575879
There is also this Acer but it's a bit more expensive and I don't know if it's worth paying more for.
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=572838
Thats an MSI but I know nothing about them so I'd be wary about it.
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/4178736/art/samsung/r520.html
Then there is this Samsung. I've never used a Samsung either but this is fairly well spec'd out it seems.
I haven't looked at Dell since most people I know who had one in the last 2 years had some issues with them but I had a nice Dell before and would try them out again. Have they much going?

What's the best option for me? I'm open to suggestions.

Processors on those look a bit weak to me for what you'll be doing. There are a spate of new Intel processors released this month and they'll slowly start to filter through to the market, like this Dell, so you might be able to get a substantially better processor within your budget if you hold off a bit.

Personally, if the price performance ratio is the most important thing to you then the low end Dell's ranges are typically among the best options. Some of the Inspiron's, or the Vostro Range will suffice (under the small business section).

Demeyes

leninbenjamin wrote: »

Processors on those look a bit weak to me for what you'll be doing. There are a spate of new Intel processors released this month and they'll slowly start to filter through to the market, like this Dell, so you might be able to get a substantially better processor within your budget if you hold off a bit.

Thanks for helping. I really don't want to wait too long for a new laptop, I've been without one for about 6 months and it's getting to the point where I really need my own machine to work on. Plus I have some money now and it's going to get spent on other less necesseary things if I keep it lying around!
The Dell you posted is quite nice, better RAM anyway. Am I correct in thinking that processor is a dual core model? I might stretch my budget for it.
Any other suggestions or opinions?

Demeyes

Does anyone have any more suggestions? I'm really having trouble narrowing down the choice for what to get.

meilrichardquin

Check out laptopsdirect.ie good selection I found!