HI, daughter needs laptop for schoolwork,whats good/reliable but wont break the bank,models/spec seem enormous,rewriter/dvd is probably a must,best place to buy? cheers MAL.

 

I have always used Toshiba laptops and cannot fault them. My suggestion is to go a local computer shop (somewhere like PC World) and tell them exactly what you (your daughter) want. Be warned PC World will try and sell you the top end laptop which (by the sounds of it) you don't need. Once you have their suggestion go and try and buy it over the web for cheaper. PC World prices are stupid!!

Hope this helps
Darren

 

I have a dell, excellent laptop, can;t fault it, have a good shop round and don't go for the first one you see, it's also not really recommended to just go for the cheapest one, have a really good think and don't go diving into anything.

 

I don't use one myself but I've heard a lot of good things about Dell laptops aswell. I use an ordinary Dell PC at work, that's great and touch wood! has been quick and 100% reliable for the last six months. We did have some delivery issues though, ie the monitors had a three week tour of Belgium for some reason

Bob

 

I've just ordered myself a new Dell from their factory outlet. You save a lot of money if you go through them - and the laptops they sell are perfect (I'm using one now)

Go to www.dell.co.uk, and click 'dell outlet'

 

I have a really well-specced Dell Laptop for sale, Pentium 3. Drop me a line if you are interested.

Mike

 

Just make sure it will do at least everything you want, and are likely to want during the time you expect to be using it. If it doesn't meet your requirements then you may have problems upgrading to meet them. They don't upgrade easily like desktops.

 

I can highly recommend the IBM ThinkPad range. I've got a well-specced T21 and I've never had any problems with it. Build quality is excellent and it feels solid and robust. I would also recommend Toshiba too. One thing to be aware of, especially with the laptops with thinner, flimsier screens, is that they are very easily damaged by things like the external power supply, etc, if the laptop carry case is not sufficiently padded.

 

I am running a dell inspiron 8000. A friend recently bought an 8100. Both seem very similar. The best thing about them is that they are upgradeable. ie graphics cards/modems/network cards/cd drives etc are all easily available and changable. The media bays at the front also give multi use. for floppy/cd/dvd/extra battery, all just plug in. Top quality gear, highly reccommend it.
If you are looking to buy, I can give you details of the person my mate bought is 8100 off. He sells nearly new stuff ( unused, he buys in bulk from dell or something ) www.interdell.com
Inpsiron 8100
P3 1Ghz
20 gig HD
256 Meg RAM
ATI Rage 128X Graphics 16meg
built in CD/CDRW
media bay DVD
media bay floppy 3.5
15" UXGA screen
56K modem

He is in N Ireland, but does sell on ebay ( be very careful if buying there ) A computer of this spec he would be selling for under £1400

[Edited by ustolemyname??stevieturbo - 6/6/2002 1:44:51 AM]