recommend a laptop?

[sara3]

my laptop has been written off by Currys! it went in for minor repairs and I'd paid for an insurance that guarantees they will fix it within 21 days, or replace it.

today is day 21. apparently they've fixed it but had problems with their courier so it's not back. they've agreed to send me vouchers to replace it within 7-10 days. so.. I will have �500 to spend.

any recommendations? any make to steer clear of? I only want it for regular stuff so it doesn't have to have too many fiddly bits!

[Ethel]

You need to decide if this is going to be a desktop replacement or if you will carry it about a lot.

If you are going to use it mainly at home, in one place, weight doesn't matter so go for the biggest screen you can afford.
If you are going to carry it around a lot, you need a lightweight one, which will mean a smaller screen. Battery life would be more important too.

I assume you have to buy it from Curry's.

Give us idea of your needs.

[sara3]

thanks Ethel, it is a replacement for the home pc which will mostly be used at home.

I have to buy from Currys or PC World.

I mostly want it for basic internet use, storing photos and music, and the occasional bit of "real" work.. so the usual office features. the last one I had was a Hewlett Packard and it was basically falling apart. the screen wouldn't stay upright, letters were dropping off the keyboard, and the casing was cracking from normal use.

so something more hardy! it was less than a year old, although I did like it.

[ACtheTROLL]

I have never ever seen a cracked case ....
what on earth happened to it ?

from what you've said ... it's not a case (pun) of what you want to do WITH it ... it's more important to know what you intend to do TO it?

something armour plated sounds appropriate

[Ethel]

This one:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_pag e.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0719422738.1241200878@@ @@&BV_EngineID=ccdfadehdmkkgfhcflgceggdhhmdgmj .0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=85 4274&category_oid=

Or if you want a bigger screen, this one:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_pag e.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0719422738.1241200878@@ @@&BV_EngineID=ccdfadehdmkkgfhcflgceggdhhmdgmj .0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=18 5738&category_oid=-27749

[sara3]

thanks Ethel, I'll take a good look at those 2. I wasn't sure about the make Acer, but they seem to be everywhere!

AC, at the point where you'd pick up a laptop, either side of the touchpad, on the left are the slots for various media cards and USB points. it's just a weak point, and the casing has cracked directly above it. I haven't been throwing it around, honest!

[Ethel]

My own laptop is an Acer - it must be five years old now. :)

[sara3]

the Sony one says "not available in store or for delivery", but I like the look of the Acer. it has a fingerprint reader.. that sounds like fun :o)

[Ethel]

I wouldn't hesitate in buying another Acer

[sara3]

thanks Ethel, I'm looking forward to getting my vouchers. I'm sharing my daughter's laptop and it's hard parting her from it :o/

[ACtheTROLL]

now that I can understand ....
I saw
>>for the home pc
and assumed a desktop ... ;-o

lol - I wasn't going to argue with someone who could crack a desktop during normal use ......

stay away from packard bell