Well the time has come for me to get my Very Own computer - preferably a laptop.

Being a complete technophobe I would like some suggestions as to models, power etc please.

At the moment the shared laptop uses BT Broadband, Windows 7, Outlook Express, Microsoft office Word, Pedigree program. I dont do games but would like to go back to using Picasa for my photos which I am used to.

Budget wise I would like to stick to £300-400 if thats possible.

Be grateful for any suggestions.

Well just my opinion but I think you get better value for money with a PC but if you must have a Laptop for space or transportation the you will have to go with the Laptop. I would stick with the operating system you know in your case Windows 7 - the other items mentioned are software except BT broadband known as your ISP (internet service provider) and are unlikely to come ready loaded on your new PC or Laptop. So get your new hardware first and allow enough cash over to buy any software you may need.

Most Laptops come with a wireless capability some PCs do some don't - would suggest that you make a list of what you want, like a wireless ability or if you want Bluetooth and how many USB connections you need, do you want one or two CD/DVD read/writers and how many hard drives do you need and of what capacity then you can start to check what is available with what you want or have one made up to suit.

Nova's right, laptops are not as good value for money as a PC. I've relied on laptops for years because I need my office in a briefcase and one thing you learn very quickly is that the cheaper laptops are substantially heavier. 2.5kg might not sound that much, but by the time you pack all the bits in a bag you've got a lot more to carry.

So if you can afford it, go light, read the online  reviews, maybe se if a netbook is enough for your needs (smaller and lighter). I have been buying Sony Vaios for preference--not the cheapest, but lightweight, well made and long lasting. Realistically I think you'll be paying at least £800-1400 for something that is easily portable and decent, and of course you can sped a great deal more. £800 on a desktop will pretty much buy you a dream machine.

WolfieStruppi, at £400 buy a PC, not a laptop--you can buy a laptop for that, but it will be slow, heavy and poorly specced. You'd need to spend about twice that (by the time you add software licences) to get something useful. Have a look on Laptops Direct for info http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/

Hi,

I've been toying with the idea of a laptop as our PC has almost had it...

The only laptop i would consider and this is being me is a Sony Vaio, obviously many different series of this brand to look at..
They appear to be anything from about £500 upwards depending on the spec you want. Only 2 yrs ago they were selling for around £800.

WolfieStruppi, at £400 buy a PC, not a laptop--you can buy a laptop for that, but it will be slow, heavy and poorly specced. You'd need to spend about twice that (by the time you add software licences) to get something useful. Have a look on Laptops Direct for info http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/ and look up online reviews for any laptops you think sound right for you at http://whatlaptop.techradar.com or http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/index.cfm?prodcatid=5

> Nova's right, laptops are not as good value for money as a PC.

Agree with JAY15 - I think you have to have a rethink about how much you can afford.

Have to be honest, I couldn't wait to get rid of my desktop PC.  Heavy, cumbersome, took up far too much space, just not suitable for me.

I paid nearer £1,000 for an ASUS laptop and would never go back.  You really need to weigh up what is most important to you first.

I have a very basic Toshiba laptop which I bought for less than £450. I use it only for browsing the internet and, to be frank, it does the job I want it to. I have another laptop for work which is a higher spec and that's needed for the job it's asked to do.

If you only want a laptop for browsing purposes then you can certainly bag one for the budget you have set aside. However, if you want to use it for more demanding purposes, then you would be struggling.

Not all PC are huge and cumbersome, mine is light and in old measurements about 8.5" x 8.5" by 12" long shiny black and far more sexy than and I am. But you do need an office if you are using it for work or at the very least a desk, but then if you need to print and scan you need space anyway. Suppose some manage with just the Laptop but I find the fact that you also need to be carting the things that need plugging in like the printer  and extra hard drive and it you are me a wireless mouse and I have not found one yet that I like the keyboard on so I also have one of them in the bag, I would almost be better carrying my PC about. Do use the notebook a fair bit but the battery life drives me mad will not even do a committee meeting so I spend the time warning people not to trip over my main cables.

>Well the time has come for me to get my Very Own computer - preferably a laptop.

I have both - horses for courses - but it's the PC I can do everything on.  It really does depend on what you want to do but I still find a desk, a good sized monitor, a mouse, and a keyboard (in a keyboard drawer) makes me more efficient!

My laptop is for travelling: checking mails, contacting friends, playing about, displaying photographs etc but the PC is for more serious 'sit down' work. 

Have a think about how, when and where you want to use a computer to help you decide what would be the most practical (or fun) option for you

THEN get as much as you can afford by way of memory and processing speed.  Go to your nearest small computer shop for good advice.  If you want a PC they can generally build you one with everything you need, and nothing you don't...

well it depends what you really want it for,but i dont are with jay, i have a samsung r519 and i love it,its ultra fast has windows 7 and everything else i need on it,it has a great screen and it cost just around 400,my brother spent over 1000 on his laptop and its no better,even he says he regrets spending that amount
jo

If you are a student or anyone in your family is still at school/college/university then its worth looking at software4students who do software licences (educational) at much reduced prices. The savings on Microsoft Office alone are brilliant.

Thanks for all the replies & suggestions. I may need to save up a bit more money so will wait til the end of the year & tot up my £1 a day savings to add to the budget and will also need to allow for a printer/scanner in the budget. I would still like to go for a laptop as it will be moved around (at home). If I have another laptop in another room would I need a) phone point b) hub/modem thingy c) anything else?

Asking all these questions I find it hard to believe that in my previous life I first worked in a computer department the size of Harrods ground floor (that was just for the hardware) then I flew/drove round the country upgrading & writing programs for microcomputers as they were known then & back at base was on a helpdesk! Just shows how quickly you can get out of touch! 

You will only need one internet hub/gateway if your Laptops or PCs are fitted with wireless cards or you fit an external aerial. You should also be able to set up a domestic network which means you will be able to share files between the laptops and PCs but make sure it is secure as you do not want your neighbours to have access to your files as well.

Hi joanne 1000, you are right that your laptop is very good value for people looking for an entry type model, but it weighs more than 2.5kg, which could be important if it's meant to be carted round. However, I did check it just now on http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/ and it must be one of the bargains of the year--launch price was £499 and Laptops Direct are offering it at £329 inc VAT with a bundle of software. Maybe you don't need to save up after all!

hi jay, that is a bargin, i know you say about the weight,but i actually think it feels light, although being a novice and only used to carrying toddlers about it would seem light,for me i use it for surfing the net,emails, college work and my little ones use it for cbeebies etc, i would have no idea how it would stand up for serious work
jo

Hi Jo, 2.5kg is fine until you add on everything else and stuff it in a briefcase--for some reason that must be the must uncomfortable way to carry anything, but I got tired of the odd looks I got from clients and colleagues when I used to stuff it all in a backpack. Must be a lesson here...

Hi
I bought a Dell with the new light weight battery, slimline and 4G ram
Its fab. Take it to work every day. Super fast.
Would never go back to a PC but... it was about £600