[Wiki Guide] Laptop Buying Advice

I wouldn't go for either. I have had bad experience with Acer.

Would you mind elaborating a bit? I ask because I'm in the market for a new laptop for university and the Acer Aspire 7735Z-424G32Mn caught my eye as a good deal.

Many thanks for this thread, btw - it's been very helpful.

One question: I'm hoping to use my laptop primarily as a media centre, for watching movies and, especially, listening to music. I'll buy some fairly decent speakers to plug in to it, but what should I be looking for in the way of soundcards and other hardware within the laptop itself? (My budget for the whole machine is £500 tops, preferably closer to £400)

Okay guys, it's getting down to crunch time for decision for new laptop.
Currently i'm deciding between either the HP HDX16t, or Sony Vaio FW31M

They're quite a similar spec, however, Sony has better CPU (p8600), compared to either T6600 or T7450 in the HP.
The HP has a better GPU (9600M GT compared to HD3470).
The Sony has a better screen, 1600x900 compared to 1366x768

Both have Bluray, 4gb RAM, similar HDD (I don't really care, not gonna need more than 320gb)

Both are similar price (between £600 and £650, depending where I get it).
Also note, they are both worth a lot more in the UK, more than £850 each, however i'm importing them.

I could also spend £80 or so more on the HP to upgrade the P7450 to a p8700, but I'm not sure it's worth it...

They both look very nice, however i'm slightly nervous about the hinge on the Sony, looks a bit flimsy... Perhaps better build quality in the HP...

Anyway, any of your opinions are helpful, also possibly suggesting other laptops with similar spec in the price range
I don't want a studio 15 anymore, after seeing some more in depth reviews I got put off somewhat

+1 for the dell studio.
can you link to reviews you have seen?

I see nothing wrong with the Studio 15s.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/laptops/review/2009/07/21/Dell-Studio-1555---15-6in-Laptop/p1
http://www.trustedreviews.com/laptops/review/2008/09/24/Dell-Studio-15---15-4in-Notebook/p1

Ok well if you're willing to send it off for repairs to the US then go ahead. (I think that is how it works)

get the dell inspiron 1545 laptop, great machine for processing, web searching, music, even a few games!! believe it or not. Just upgrade the battery to a 9 cell .

It must get really annoying being asked the same questions over and over, but I'm wondering whether either of these laptops are generally any good/which is better? :/

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/519391/ACER-4935G-643G32MN

or

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/564699/PACKARD-BELL-TJ61-RB-016

Preferably I'd like to be able to play WoW. I think the specs of these meet the criteria? (http://www.wow-europe.com/en/requirements/technical.html) Besides the graphics cards, that's where I get confused. :L Apparently these cards will work; http://eu.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_GB&articleId=19669&parentCategoryId&pageNumber=1&categoryId=2094 Although I don't know for definate if the cards in those laptops are listed?

I know laptops aren't the best for gaming, but I don't mind having to have low graphics etc. and apparently WoW isn't too demanding? I have always got my desktop in the end though, I'd just prefer only having one computer.

So yeah, I guess I'm asking for your opinion or any other reccommendations that you think might be better?

I know this is long, thanks in advance. (:

Hi laptop helpers! I am looking for a laptop around the £400 mark but can push to £500 if needed.
I don't want the laptop for anything too strenuous, future football managers etc, watching movies, listening to music and basic word processor functions, but I want it to be running as quickly as possible doing any of these things, as well as multiple applications.
The HDD size is irrelevant to me as is the size of the laptop as long as it can be plugged into a HDTV.

So what would anybodys recommendations be? Rep available

HP 550 from eBuyer. On the first page, under the £400-£800 budget.

Would there really be no point in shelling out any extra for a better processor? (Me trying to sound like I know what I am on about, I don't even know if the processor is good or not, just the number is below 2.0 )

Edit: And you might know - but are laptops in Canada generally cheaper to buy than over here? And if my friend bought me one and posted it to me would I have to pay any import costs or VAT.

Between 1.8 and 2GHz is so little you won't notice the difference.

Maybe? Maybe not? But the keyboard and power cord will be different. I don't think so? My parents every now and again get stuff from family (who live abroad) and we've never been charged anything.