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Sub-£400 Laptops
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Laptops come in many shapes and sizes, and choosing one can be a challenge. This is a round-up of the most powerful laptops available for under £400. All of them are capable of running the latest programs, and will provide a degree of future-proofing too.
I felt it important to have something in the way of a minimum spec, since Windows Vista (bundled with all those below) is a very hungry operating system. Thus, those included have at least a dual core processor, built-in WiFi (802.11g), and 2GB of RAM.
Note: due to the size of this site, deals listed here can sell out at speed.
Asus X58L Dual Core £341 delivered
This Asus (pictured) is currently reduced by just shy of £150 at ebuyer. The cash gets you a 2Ghz Pentium dual core processor, 2GB RAM, and a 160GB hard drive. Other features include a 5-in-1 media card reader, 4 USB ports, a Firewire port, and a fully-featured DVD re-writing drive.
Other features include a 4-in-1 card reader and a 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery, good for around 2.5 hrs of untethered use. And it all fits in a rather smart-looking slimline case.
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core T3200 2 Ghz
RAM: 2GB (4GB Max)
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA (super ATA - faster than conventional drives)
Optical Drive: DVD±RW supermulti
Display: Widescreen 15.4" TFT (Resolution WXGA 1280 x 800)
Graphics: Intel X3100, shared up to 358MB
Included Software: Vista Home Premium
Warranty: 1 year return to depot
Lenovo 3000 N500 £349.99
This Lenovo from Dabs offers a lot of spec for the cash. With an older 2 Ghz dual core pentium processor (exactly the same as the ASUS'), 2GB RAM & a 250GB hard drive, it's likely to satisfy most people's needs, though onboard graphics mean gamers should look elsewhere.
Other features include a 4-in1 card reader, 1.3 megapixel webcam, Vista Home Premium, a versatile DVD-RAM/R/RW drive, and a 6-cell battery good for around 2.5 hours on a full charge. Lenovo is noted for good build quality, so it should last awhile too.
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core T3200 2 Ghz
RAM: 2GB (3GB Max)
Hard Drive: 250GB SATA
Optical Drive: DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM writer/re-writer
Display: Widescreen 15.4" TFT (Resolution WXGA 1280 x 800)
Graphics: Intel X3100, shared up to 358MB
Included Software: Vista Home Premium
Warranty: 1 year return to depot
Fujitsu-Siemens Esprimo Mobile V5535 £370 delivered.
If you want more speed, this reduced Fujitsu-Siemens (was £470) from ebuyer's also worth a look. It packs a 2Ghz Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB RAM, as well as a huge (in laptop terms, anyway) 250GB hard disk for storage. For a limited time, you also get an extra 1GB RAM module free, to install yourself, bringing the total to 3GB.
Other features include a 3-in-1 card reader, DVD-RAM drive with full +/- RW writing capabilities, the usual wireless & wired network connectivity, and Windows Vista Home Premium, and a 6-cell battery with a stated life of upto 3hrs (expect around 2). On the downside, while the spec is great, Fujitsu-Siemens seem to get a lot of stick over
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 2.16 GHz
RAM: 2GB + 1GB free (4GB Max)
Hard Drive: 250GB SATA
Optical Drive: DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM writer/re-writer
Display: Widescreen 15.4 " TFT (Resolution WXGA 1280x 800)
Graphics: SIS Mirage, shared
Included Software: Vista Home Premium
Warranty: 1 year pick-up and return.
Sony Vaio NR38-E. £380 delivered
The smartest-looking, if not fastest laptop in the list, this Sony Vaio from Play offers a big 160GB hard drive and 2GB RAM to go with its svelte looks. Processor-wise, it's lagging behind, based as it is on an older Pentium Dual Core processor running at 1.86 Ghz.
Since it's a Sony, you get all manner of Vaio-specific audio, video & editing software bundled, as well as Vista Home Premium, and the obligatory high-speed Sony Memory Stick Pro/Duo reader built-in.
Reviews of this have also praised its build quality, but on the downside, its RAM's already maxed out at 2GB, and the older processor is more power-hungry than newer ones, which doesn't bode well for battery life.
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390 1.86 GHz
RAM: 2GB (2GB Max)
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA
Optical Drive: DVD +/- writer/re-writer
Display:15.4" 'X-black' LCD (Resolution WXGA 1280 x 800)
Graphics: Intel X3100, shared up to 358MB
Included Software: Vista Home Premium, MS Office 60-day trial, Various Sony programs
Warranty: 1 year return to depot.
HP-Compaq 6735s, £389.98 delivered.
If you don't have your heart set on an Intel processor, this HP-Compaq, also from ebuyer, is unbeatable for the money. With a 2.1 Ghz Turion X2 processor (AMD's equivalent of an Intel Core 2 Duo), a massive 4GB RAM, and dedicated 512MB ATi Radeon HD 3200 graphics card, it'll handle anything you throw at it (software wise, that is!).
Other features include built-in Bluetooth, and SD card reader, a lightscribe DVD-RW drive (which can 'print' labels on lightscribe-compatible CDs/DVDs), and a fast charger, which can apparently recharge the battery to 90% in 90 mins when the laptop's switched off. You also get a free 60-day MS Office trial an in-built webcam.
Processor: AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core 2.1GHz
RAM: 4GB (4GB Max)
Hard Drive: 250GB SATA
Optical Drive: DVD±RW lightscribe
Display: Widescreen 15.4 " TFT (Resolution WXGA 1280x 800)
Graphics: ATi mobility Radeon HD 3200 512MB
Included Software: Vista Home Premium
Warranty: 1 year pick-up and return.
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Seen a great Dual Core laptop deal we've missed? Please post it in the forum discussion and we'll add it in to this note.
Want to upgrade laptop memory?
Big, cheap memory retailer Crucial has a handy tool on its site for selecting the right type of RAM for any laptop; you just need to input the name and brand.
It's prices are often the most competitive too, though it's always worth searching elsewhere too (once you've found the right type) to make sure you've got the absolute best price.
Want software too?
Unfortunately grabbing some good hardware's only half the battle; big software manufacturers will happily relieve you of any left-over cash in exchange for their wares.
Yet you can avoid them if you know where to look; there are now so many great, free-to-use equivalents of office suites, graphics programs, and other software you may never need pay for one again. See the updated Free Office Software article for a complete run-down of the best.
The same goes for Anti-Virus/Spyware and other security software; don't be scared into buying big corporate programs, check out their no-spend equivalents in the Free Anti-Virus & Safety Software article.
Don't care for demanding, power-hungry operating systems & programs?
If you're just looking for a portable laptop for basic things like emailing, word processing and web surfing, you may well be better off considering one of the new range of smaller 'netbook' laptops available. They won't replace a 'proper' desktop or laptop PC, but they'll certainly complement it. Read Cheap Netbooks for the latest top picks.
Following Asus's EEEpc range, a number of manufacturers are making small machines which lack serious number-crunching ability, but make up for it by being small, longer-lasting, convenient, and cost-effective. Many eschew Windows Vista in favour of versions of the lighter, open source operating system Linux, which can actually make them much simpler to use for those new to PC's generally.
You've only included laptops from big suppliers. Why?
The power of this site means we can only feature laptops which are in plentiful stock. You may be able to beat these headline prices by going to local & smaller computer retailers and asking them if they can beat the deal you've seen here. Give it a go, but make sure you're getting the same spec, as most models are available with various options.
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