Simple really, but then I thought twice and decided to go for a second opinion.
If I had between 250-500 quid to spend on a laptop for personal use, are there any that stand out? I need it for web browsing (wireless if possible), the usual MS office software, games and DVD films, DVD burning and that’s it really.
I was going to simply plump for whatever Fujitsu-Siemens I could afford, going on experience of using them at home and work (never broken down on me, came with plenty of kit, trusted big brand name) and I’m off Dells for life, but is there anything else I should check out? BTW, I’m not looking for anything by Apple.
I’ve bought about thirty Dell laptops for work in the past two years and so far one of them has developed a fault. I think that’s a pretty good record. I always install Windows from scratch, though, and you should at least uninstall all the crapware Dell put on there.
Otherwise, the HP Compaq range is very nice. I think the bottom end of the nx6000 series is within your price range. I was going to buy a nx6110 before I got a company PC. In terms of build quality they feel like they come from a higher price bracket. IBM ThinkPads feel classy too, although we’ve only had one and its motherboard was faulty. I haven’t tried a one of them since the brand was acquired by Lenovo.
My dislike of Dells came from using desktop models at work and home. My FS never skipped a beat till I tried installing an odd brand name TV card in it, our Dell and Dells at work have been problematic.
I just got a widescreen Fujitsu Siemens laptop from Staples the other day. Intel Centrino Duo processor, 60Gb hard drive, 512Mb memory. It was only £499 IIRC. No complaints at all so far; a damn good machine, and a bargain.
