It is possible to get too bogged down with specs of a laptop.
Main choice is if you want a 15" size screen or a 17" size screen, also maybe battery life.
Once you have settled on that decide on a price and a good make (Toshiba, Sony, Dell, HP etc) then look round for a good offer.
To be honest, most times price will define the spec of a laptop.
Around �300 is going to be very basic and low end, �350 get you a bit more, �400 should get you a good machine, I would think twice about paying much over �400.
I think this is good deal at just over �400.
http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/403315/dell-vos tro-1510-notebook-1-8ghz-c2/