A good friend of mine is in the market for a new laptop. He wants something that is well built and reasonably well specced. It's his first ever foray into the world of computing too.
So far he's found:
-Sony VGN-NW20EF/S for £580 with ATI 4570 and 4gb RAM (as opposed to 3gb), and a T6500.
-Sony VGN-NW11S/S for £500 with Intel video, 3gb RAM and a T4300.
-Packard Bell TJ68-AU-031 for £430, with a similar spec to the NW11.
He looked at Dell laptops and decided he wasn't so sure on build quality. I assume he only managed to look at the Inspiron, which isn't the greatest of their laptops. I did initially try to steer him in the direction of the Dell Studio range, but I think that fell on deaf ears. He seems aware that he'll be paying out his arse if he buys a Sony, but I think he needs a little more convincing that it's not really necessary to foot the premium Sony commands, and that other brands are worth a look too (providing they have decent build).
I'm asking you lot because I'm at a loss as to what to recommend TBH. I only have a Dell D610, and am really not at all clued up on what can be had from where and at what price.
So, what's the best he can expect to pick up for ~£600? The Sony NW20 spec seems nice, but I'm sure something equivalent can be had cheaper?
So far he's found:
-Sony VGN-NW20EF/S for £580 with ATI 4570 and 4gb RAM (as opposed to 3gb), and a T6500.
-Sony VGN-NW11S/S for £500 with Intel video, 3gb RAM and a T4300.
-Packard Bell TJ68-AU-031 for £430, with a similar spec to the NW11.
He looked at Dell laptops and decided he wasn't so sure on build quality. I assume he only managed to look at the Inspiron, which isn't the greatest of their laptops. I did initially try to steer him in the direction of the Dell Studio range, but I think that fell on deaf ears. He seems aware that he'll be paying out his arse if he buys a Sony, but I think he needs a little more convincing that it's not really necessary to foot the premium Sony commands, and that other brands are worth a look too (providing they have decent build).
I'm asking you lot because I'm at a loss as to what to recommend TBH. I only have a Dell D610, and am really not at all clued up on what can be had from where and at what price.
So, what's the best he can expect to pick up for ~£600? The Sony NW20 spec seems nice, but I'm sure something equivalent can be had cheaper?