Which laptop

[SuRichardson]

I am looking to buy a laptop computer. I have a pc at home but would like a lightweight laptop to use whilst commuting, I use Microsoft Office for most of my computing - and would also like a reasonable size hard drive, and perhaps the facility to watch DVDs during my commute. Ease of portability and a good battery life would be essential requirements.. Has anyone any recommendations? Thanks in anticipation

[ajp153]

I personally think you can't beat a Dell. I have always had a Dell as a Laptop for work. Prices are good because you are buying directly.

[fo3nix]

well you can find loads and loads of laptops to fit those requirements.

what size would you like the screen to be? if you want something really portable, you could take a look at Apple's 12" powerbook. that'll do everything you want, and may persuade you to switch to macs :)

if you want to stick with windows, then have a look at dell

[TEAK36]

Take a look at www.acernotebooks.co.uk they are doing some good deals at the moment.With every laptop purchase they will include a free Vodaphone 3G card which will allow you to access the internet whilst 'on the go'.

[wideboy]

I agree with TEAK36, Acer have some good offers (recently got one for our son) and usually have a large hard disk (how much do you want?). Also can have a better graphics card than most others at the price.

[tomd]

A powerbook would cost around three times as much as a computer that would suit your needs. I'm not knocking the powerbooks in themselves, I have one (though more though lack of choice), but it's hardly worth buying one for Office and watching DVDs.

[SuRichardson]

You have given me some food for thought here. I had originally thought along the Sony Vaio route. I looked up Acer and Dell and there do seem to be some good deals going, I would want at least an 80gb hdd. Some of the more portable models use external optical drives, so I wouldn't want to be dragging one of those everywhere. I don't really want to get an Apple as then it wouldn't interface with my home pc should I require it to do so.

[javelinpc]

Dear Sue

I have purchased many laptop / notebook PCs over the years for staff here where i work including HP, Compaq, Time, Acer, Samsung, RM, etc etc.

For reliability and value you cannot go wrong with TOSHIBA.

They may not be the best spec - i.e. the basic models may not come with BLUETOOTH or FIREWIRE but they are robust, generally come with a DVD/CD writer (some are "DUAL-LAYER" which can store over 9GBs) but i have NEVER had one fail on me, unlike many of the others.

Depending on the price you wish to pay you can get:

Toshiba Satellite Pro L20 Intel Celeron M 360 1.4GHz / 15 TFT / 256MB / 40GB / CDRW/DVD-ROM / XP Pro / Notebook PC �499.99 + VAT from www.misco.co.uk

or:

Toshiba Satellite Pro M40 Intel Celeron M 380 1.6GHz / 15.4 TFT / 512MB / 60GB / DVD-SM Dual / XP Pro / Notebook PC for �619.99 from www.misco.co.uk

or FOR SHEER INDULGENCE (WITH A BEAUTIFUL TRUE TO LIFE "LCD" SCREEN)

NEC i-Select M4610 Intel Pentium M 725 / 15.4 WXGA / 512MB / 60GB / DVD+/-RW / 802.11b/g / XP Home / Notebook PC for �629.99 from www.misco.co.uk (see if XP Pro is an option)

I use MISCO a lot, they are reliable and they carry most in stock.....

Happy browsing and good luck - I hope you'll make the right choice