New Laptop for University

PrChaos

PrChaos

PrChaos

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27 Apr 2010
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161
Hey guys. I'm back at university in about a weeks time or so and I'm thinking of getting a laptop to help me with revision as well as coursework etc.

I'm studying for a degree in computing so it does involve software development. It will need to be capable of running Tools such as Oracle, Microsoft Visual Studio and NetBeans without lagging.

The only problem I seem to be having is finding a good deal on a cheapish laptop yet powerful enough to meet my requirements. I don't have much experience in buying laptops so I was wondering if anyone could offer any recommendations or point me in the right direction.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Get a 13" laptop is the only advice I can give you. The extra portability over the standard 15" is massive. That portability will make the difference between taking it in and leaving it at home in a lot of situations (one bag rather than 2).

You can attach it to a monitor in your room for extra screen estate (and a good 13" laptop should be able to get you a high resolution screen anyway.
 
I've got the sony vaio 14" - I think this is a good option as the 13" ones seem to be really expensive and it is definitely more portable than the 15.6

I got the old model VPCEB3 just as they bought the new one in and I paid about £500. It's been really good so far. I think they have some pretty good refurbished ones available now? Maybe try that- maybe PC world? They might give you something free for being a student.
 
Hi again.

The max I'm prepared to pay is about £350-400.

Preferably under £400 though as I am a student and I need to make my student loan last. Something around £320-350 would be ideal.
 
Something like a Dell XPS L502 off the outlet should be OK I'd think.
Optimus means the battery life will be relatively decent, whilst you should be able to get a moderately capable spec for £400.

A 17" would be too big unless you're to be in only a few places, but a 15" or even smaller will offer you lower weight and carryability.

You see this sort of spec going around your price range on the outlet:
XPS L502x
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
Processor: Intel Core i5-2410M processor (2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz)
Hard Drive : 500GB Serial ATA II (7200 RPM) Hard Drive
4 GB (2x2GB)1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory
8X DVD +/- RW DRIVE
Display : 15.6" HD WLED True-Life (1366x768) with 2.0 Mega Pixel Integrated Camera
Graphics : 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M Graphics card
Battery : Primary 6-cell 56W/HR LI-ION
LCD Back Cover : Silver WWAN
Wireless: Intel Wireless-N 1000 Card

I would say opt for the 9cell battery if you can get a machine with it though, it'll weigh a bit more but it'll allow you to get more mobility out of it, dragging battery life on desktop with screen brightness and sound down into the 3-5hr region.

To get the better machines to show up and filter out the dross, I tend to get all laptops to show on the outlet, then click to only show laptops with 512 or higher graphics, as it means you only get machines with dedicated graphics, and generally equivalently better specs elsewhere although it varies.
 
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Hi Alexrose1uk

I was just looking on the Dell website and saw that I could pick up an i3-380M laptop with 4GB ram and 500GB HDD for about £400.00

Are you sure you can get a laptop with an i5 processor for about £400-450?

The cheapest I've seen them is about £500
 
HP Pavilion DV3-4300SA Core i5-480M 4GB 750GB W7HP

13.3"



hp-pavilion-dv3-4300c.jpg


Be quick and you'll find it for £350 ;)
 
last day for the HP probook 4320s @ £299 (i3, dedicated graphics, 13" screen, corporate build quality)

otherwise, you can get the sony vaio s series in a 13" with i5 and dedicated graphics at £899 (inc 2 years warranty)
 
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