[Spec me] What laptop for £700?

[Mr Jack]

I'm after a laptop for work. I'll be using it for software development, so I need a reasonable processor (at least dual core), a good chunk of memory and a reasonable graphics card. Either 15" or 17". Vista Business (or Ultimate) is required. I expect to mostly use it within reach of a plug socket so while a longer battery life would be nice, I can live without it.

Currently I'm looking at the Dell Vostro 1710, with 4Gb, Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1Ghz), 250Gb HDD and the GeForce 8600M GS (256Mb) graphics card. Which comes in at £680 (inc. VAT).

Any of you clever folks got a cunning recommendation? I have around £700 to spend.

 

[Aod]

nope, i'd have reccommended the Vostro aswell
remember, it'll probably come with Vista 32 installed, so if you want to utilise all 4GB or your ram you'll need 64-bit Vista.

that said, if you just download 64-bit media, your license code from dell WILL activate the 64-bit install

 

[Illusion]

that said, if you just download 64-bit media, your license code from dell WILL activate the 64-bit install

I have a HP laptop that came with 4gb ram and 32bit Vista, will I be able to do this? Does installing a retail version of vista cause problems with oem license key etc?

Thanks

 

[Mr Jack]

Ordered the Vostro today. Fortunately, as had I ordered it on Wednesday, the same spec would have cost me £80 more!