i am starting to spend more time out of the country with work and would like to buy a cheap laptop for use abroad. all i really want to do for the moment is use skype with a cam to talk to my family, internet for checking email and news etc, and maybe watch the odd dvd.

i don;t think a netbook will work for me as i'd like to have a dvd drive and whilst their size and weight is a plus, i don't think it will do everything i will expect if i end up away from home more than i am at the moment. been looking at the usual suspects, pc world, currys, dixons, asda (?!), tesco direct etc as i want to buy from a shop rather than online [my own personal preference - easier to make a fuss under warranty if necessary], for a 80gb 1gb ram 'ish machine running windows.

does anyone know of any current deals around the £200 mark, give or take £50?

tia

 

Im not sure I can be of any help, But I have been trying to buy a Laptop.
Ive been looking on the DELL website, but all I notice is the prices going up!

Shocking really, wished I had purchased one now back in August .....

Saying that Ive got two Dell laptops and they have been excellent and faultless.

 

i have a dell machine i use as a media server on my home network. been very pleased with it, but the laptop would be something entirely different - scaled down but not quite "rally spec", so the budget option is my preferred route. thanks for your input though - interesting to note prices going up!

edited to add.....going up just in time to show headline price cuts of 20% or more just before xmas. call me cynical!

 

Think you'll struggle for 200-250 and not be a netbook, even budget laptops tend to start 270ish

 

yes i know - seen a couple of deals though. an ei 1211 at currys for 249 and an acer 51315-201 at comet for 249, so although as you say it will be a struggle as they're aren't many out there in that price range, i know it's acheivable.

obviously you get what you pay for, so i'm not expecting the earth for £249!

 

Also think of the weight, 2.5/3 kgs is the norm in the lower/med price range,with bag and a couple of bits and bobs it can get a bit close to some carry on limits.

 

true. thanks ray, well worth pointing out