decent work laptop around 800 quid?

the_r_sole · 11 Aug 2011 at 16:59

but the cheaper the better really!!
i need a laptop that's failry sturdy, not had one since my ill-fated hp pavillion that melted a few weeks out of warranty! anyway,
things i need:
decent screen as it will be taken to client meetings (15 inch+)
will do some cad/photoshop/sketch up - nothing too heavy as that's what the pc is for really!
browsing/movies etc
possibly run an external monitor without melting graphics like previous!
as light as possible, but fairly hardy

800 quid budget but not set in stone, if there's one just a bit over that is amazing it would be considered, just been away from laptops for so long i have no idea what i'm looking at anymore!!

the_r_sole · 14 Aug 2011 at 18:00

anyone know if this Sony Vaio VPCEH1S8E/B.CEK E-Series 15.5 Inch Notebook (Intel Core i5 2.3GHz Processor, RAM 4GB, HDD 500GB) - would do a job, would post a link but might be considered a competitor

full spec
Operating System-Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium with Service Pack 1 64bit
Platform-2nd generation Intel Core i5 processor
Chipset-Intel HM65 Express Chipset
Processor Name-Intel Core i5-2410M Processor
Processor Speed (GHz)-2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.90 GHz
L3 Cache (MB)-3
Number of Cores-2
Power and Performance-Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology, HT Technology Supported
Memory Size (GB)-4
Memory Type-PC3-10600
Memory Specification-DDR3 SDRAM
Memory Speed (MHz)-1333
Memory Composition-4 GB (SO-DIMM) x1
Max. Supported Memory-8 GB
Colour-Black
Hard Drive Type-Serial ATA
Hard Drive Capacity-500 GB
Optical Drive Type-DVD SuperMulti Drive

HummuH1 · 16 Aug 2011 at 12:36

I'd also have a look at the current Dell XPS range.

I just got an XPS 17 with i7 2630QM, 6GB, GT555M and 1TB storage for about £840 inc. I use it hooked up to an external screen and it's a seriously impressive bit of kit weight is surprisingly good too.

Domo · 16 Aug 2011 at 12:39

HummuH1 said:
I'd also have a look at the current Dell XPS range.

I just got an XPS 17 with i7 2630QM, 6GB, GT555M and 1TB storage for about £840 inc. I use it hooked up to an external screen and it's a seriously impressive bit of kit weight is surprisingly good too.

That's a lot of laptop for £840!! Been looking myself. What's the gfx card like + does it have an HDMI output?

the_r_sole · 16 Aug 2011 at 13:03

how heavy is that?
i've been looking about for a few days now, can't decide whether to go for something smaller with more juice, or a big 17! i think useage wise it will probably not be worked really hard as i have a desktop for most of the time, so portability might be an issue... mind changes every five minutes, driving me mental!

HummuH1 · 16 Aug 2011 at 18:56

Domo said:
That's a lot of laptop for £840!! Been looking myself. What's the gfx card like + does it have an HDMI output?

Thats what I thought.

It has an HDMI port on the back. I have it pulgged into a Sony 32" constantly. The GT555M has been great so far, very impressed.

HummuH1 · 16 Aug 2011 at 19:01

the_r_sole said:
how heavy is that?
i've been looking about for a few days now, can't decide whether to go for something smaller with more juice, or a big 17! i think useage wise it will probably not be worked really hard as i have a desktop for most of the time, so portability might be an issue... mind changes every five minutes, driving me mental!

Think it's about 3.4kg. Fine in a a bag.

Mine changed too. I spent months dithering over a Kobalt system, perhaps a Medion or MSI as great spec for the price. This is the 3rd Dell laptop I've had now, never had any issues with the first 2, or this one so far.

At the price, there's not much if any better IMO with good build quality and a bit of grunt for casual gaming. SB Quad core too.