Laptops - which one to buy for business and home?

Question

By business I would generally use Microsoft applications and some small design packages. Home use would be internet and possible to watch DVDs. Anybody recommend one or several?

Price range is as cheap as possible without being so cheap that it's crap!

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You also need to determine if you want a 'desktop replacement' or 'road warrior' model. I have chosen the desktop replacement larger machine. I do take it places, but it is heavy. It is great for my downtime DVD playing though and that is good. I have every feature I want as well and gave up nothing.

Basics if you are going to run Vista or other resource-heavy applications:
Dual Core Processor
Minimum 2GB RAM but if you can get 4GB - do it
80GB Hard drive minimum - upgrade as much as you can afford
combo CDRW-DVD
best graphics card offered in your price range

If you are looking for brand recommendations, I would suggest looking at those you can configure and modify to your needs online - like Dell or their subsidiary, Alienware. I do not like to 'buy out of the box' and do my own upgrades to start with, but that is just me. I am sure others would say something different.

In my experience at work, stay away from Lenovo, PowerSpec, and Acer. I have not had these at home, but they have been work machines that were pretty crappy.

Answer 2

I don't like Dell. You see there adverts on tv or the press, go online and the pc or laptop is like £150 more as the automatically think you want their 3 year warranty and anti virus software. What they are really saying is that you need to buy the warranty cos you are going to need it. My sister buys Dell for the large company she works for and is not impressed with the pc's but laptops seem to be ok.

I personally like Acer, It has a nice silver case which doesn't show the finger marks and has a nice bright screen compared to a matt one.

I bought my son an Acer 5612 last year with dual core processor, 80 gig hard drive, dual layer dvd re-writer, 1gb ram and 224mb graphics. He uses it for web design.

I was that impressed with it I got rid of my 3 year old crap £600 packard bell and bought an Acer 3692 which is the same spec as my sons but with single processor. It was £400
from comet. My sons machine was £600 but is available from currys at just under £500.

Am looking for a cheap laptop for my daughter now and although am very happy with my acer i quite fancy the hp one i have shown on the link below. One of the guys at works has one of these and its as good as my acer.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

I would always recommend Dell. They build to order and don't spend money on shops which means that you get the latest technology at some of the best prices. When you go to somewhere like PC World they could be selling computers that have taken 6 months to get in store and so straight away you are behind on the best available technology for the same price.

Dell do tons of laptops which vary in spec depending on your use. Go to www.dell.co.uk to build you own spec.

Also, if this is going to be used for business you could put it through your company (if it is VAT registered) and write off some of the tax.

I use Dell PC's and Laptops and I have to say that they do seem the best.

Answer 4

Open a business account at pcworld and enjoy some very good discount rates.

Answer 5

Dell or Acer

Answer 6

One can't beat Dell for their extensive line of models and configurations...and very competitive prices.....

Answer 7

Apple seams to be very popular a lot of business's use it

Answer 8

dell company would be better

Answer 9

sony or fujitsu