Reasonably priced portable laptop reccomendation

RonnieL

Hi!

My old laptop gave up the ghost so I'm in the market for a replacement, and I'd love some recommendations from people in the know. The laptop will be used primarily on the couch for surfing the internet. It's other main use will be for skype. So, I don't exactly need a top of the range machine, but I do want something that will last well.

Probably easiest if I list my requirements:

• Cost: No more than 650 euro, but ideally around 400
• Memory: The more the better!
• CPU: The faster the better!
• Screen Size: My old laptop was a beast with a 15.6 screen. My work laptop has a 14.1 inch widescreen, which I find ideal, so something around that size would be nice.
• Weight: Again, the old one was big and heavy. We don't travel that much, but we do tend to bring the laptop with us on holidays etc. So, I'd like something portable. Maybe around 3 or 4 kg?
• OS: Windows - I've never really gotten into Macs, and my wife and I are both used to windows.
• Webcam: High quality if possible since we do a fair bit of skyping to the my daughters grandparents.
• Hard Disk: Doesn't have to be huge because we have a 1TB NAS drive at home. I guess an SSD would be nice?
• Interfaces: All the standard stuff like USB, and maybe an SD card reader. A HDMI is required.

I like the look of the Acer Aspire S3, but it seems pricey anywhere I've looked, and I probably don't need something quite SO portable. Also, a review I read pointed out the lack of mouse buttons which sounds like it would be annoying.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply :-)

Ronan

Torqay

The Acer S3 is what they now call an Ultrabook and they're all ridiculously overpriced and well beyond your budget.

If you want a solid state disk, you'll have to upgrade yourself. No laptop in this price range comes with a SSD. The 120 GB OCZ Agility 3 costs 130 Euro and another 20 Euro for a nice caddy to use with the original platter hard disk. That will leave you with 500 yoyos which will buy a Core i5 laptop at best then.

Card readers are standard today, ditto webcams, usually 0.3-1.3 MP, which is nothing to write home about but OK to skype, if you want really "high quality" you'll have to use an external webcam.

Jarren

The budget would have to increase if you are really hoping to get an Ultrabook.


http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/HP_ProBook_4330s_1134728.html


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Aspire-Timeline-4830T-Laptop/dp/B006UCNYAA/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1334317060&sr=1-1

http://www.dell.com/ie/p/inspiron-n411z/pd

Google dell discount codes to get 10 % off



http://www.dabs.com/products/lenovo-ideapad-z370-i5-2430m-4gb-750gb-13-3--dvdrw-w7hp-black-7R5B.html?refs=389120000&src=3


http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_L730-121_13.3_Core_i3_Windows_7_Laptop__PSK08E-0C300HEN/version.asp

RonnieL

@Torqay: Thanks for the reply, particularly about the SSD. I think I'll forget about that. Also, I don't think I want a HD camera or anything, I just thought I'd mention it since we do skype a bit. The webcam quality isn't a deal breaker, but I will keep an eye out for laptops with decent ones (towards the 1.3 end).

@Jarren: Thanks also. Some great links there. I might pop into a pc world over the weekend to get my hands on a 13.3 inch laptop and see how it feels. Then I'll resume the search online.

Any other suggestions more than welcome :-)

Torqay

At Komplett, there is this ASUS with a Core i5 2450M, 6GB RAM, GeForce GT610M (2 GB) and a 2 MP webcam for €599 incl. VAT & delivery.

RonnieL

Hi Guys,

I popped into PC World at lunch, and I definitely want to go with a a laptop with a screen size between 13.3 and 14 inches.

With that in mind, I went back over the stuff recommended so far, and the HP Probook Jarren pointed me towards seems like a great fit, and a good deal. http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/product/id/1134728

I reckon I'm going to go with that. Anyone else know of anything better before I click buy?!

Thanks,

Ronan

PS: I read the fine print, and the HP Trade in thing only applies to mainland UK and northern Ireland. Oh well.

Jarren

Well , in this case I would recommend you getting this Asus.

http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/11_14_inch/80003599/asus_13_3_u30sd_rx174v_i5_2430_6gb_640gb/details.aspx

If you still want a smaller size lappy of course .

RonnieL

Jarren wrote: »

Well , in this case I would recommend you getting this Asus.

http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/11_14_inch/80003599/asus_13_3_u30sd_rx174v_i5_2430_6gb_640gb/details.aspx

If you still want a smaller size lappy of course .

Interesting! Just wondering what would make you go for this over the HP?

Main difference between the Asus and the HP would appear to be the 2GB extra RAM with the Asus? Are Asus a good brand etc? The HP seems to have a better quality webcam, which was one thing I kindof wanted, but I suppose that shouldn't be a huge deal. Also, the Asus is probably about 50 euro dearer.

Jarren

The only reason why I would for Asus is reliability issue,




Specs wise the HP is better but if I was to recommend a lappy the Asus would be my preferential choice:)

RonnieL

Jarren wrote: »

The only reason why I would for Asus is reliability issue,




Specs wise the HP is better but if I was to recommend a lappy the Asus would be my preferential choice:)

I guess that answers my question about Asus being a good brand. The laptops where I work are from HP, and there have been a fair few issues, even though they are all new, so I'm starting to lean towards the Asus now!

RonnieL

Hi Guys.

Quick follow up on this. I went with the Acer U30SD from Komplett that Jarren kindly pointed me towards. Had it a few days now, and I'm happy out with it. The speakers seem a little puney, and I did want a higher quality webcam, but the one it has is just as good as my old laptop, so that's no biggie. In every other respect, it's perfect.

Thanks again,

Ronan