Laptop advice

[Bhavlo]

I'm looking to buy a new laptop for approx �700 (�800 max.). The only problem is that I'm not an expert and could do with some tips on what to look out for.

I'm currently a student and only need to use MS word, excel, access etc. It should have space to store music but not neccessarily films if it has a DVD burner. What kind of processor should it have?

Please help!!!!

[bloodycheap]

Pentium IV is arguably the best processor. If you are looking to potentially double your battery life then I would consider one of the many mobile processors on the market (e.g. Centrino) You must ask yourself if you need your laptop to be "wi-fi" enabled for wireless access to the internet.

[boobesque]

for a start amd is a much better processor. i use an amd athlon. beautiful. 2nd, you want a cheap laptop right? when you go to buy a laptop, or indeed a desktop computer, a large portion of the expense will be in the bundled software. instead of windows you could use linux, saving a few hundred pounds already. and how much does microsoft office put you back? open office (for linux) is free. for �800 you can get a bog standard laptop with all of the pre installed programs that you dont need, or you can get a good laptop and install only the programs that you need. (linux is part of the gnu project. meaning that its free to use. a very large portion of progs made for linux are also a part of the gnu project. meaning they are free too. so on top of the initial outlay, maintaining a top end computer will remain cheap. sweet.)

[vehelpfulguy]

boobesque, this person says they are not an expert, so you suggest installing linux on a laptop. Not good advice.

First, I am not sure if it is possible to buy a laptop withing windows pre-installed, secondly, installing linux on a laptop for a non-expert is not easy, thirdly, you can get free office software for window as well.  

Dell make good laptops and you should be able to get a reasonalbe one for about 500 - 600 pounds.

[wideboy]

If you are going to go to �800 you can get a superb laptop in the Acer range (see postings further down Answerbank) (my son has just got one and he wanted lots of room for music too - we got a 100Gb hard drive). The machine had everything and good graphics too. You'll have to shop around to get this spec. so I won't give the exact model but it was in the 5020 range. Of course there are cheaper ones. Look for shopacer.co.uk and acernotebooks.co.uk. Also look at Savastore.

[Bhavlo]

Thanks for all your help.

I think the Acer range of laptops seem to fit what I'm after.