Best mid range laptop

[Replicant]

the M11x is way too expensive for a decent spec though.

I am tempted to get an i5 based desktop from overclockers and a cheap netbook or notebook for portable use at uni

the better specced 15" Sony E series looks pretty good for £820 too

[robbo]

Will have to wait a few more weeks for my 14" E series to arrive but from when I was looking at reviews I remember them saying it wasn't great but was usable for gaming. These reviews did have the first release batch with i3 and the gpu is slightly better in the newer configs too.

old spec review (April): http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/laptops/ ... eries-14in

ATI MobilityRadeonHD5470 512MB in new config: http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobili ... 698.0.html

[Johnmcl7]

I think the AW is flawed as a general use machine, I'm using my 11.6in TX at the moment and while that's fine for an ultralight I much prefer the slightly larger XPS M1330 screen.

John

[Replicant]

OK, so following on from above - looking for a mid range laptop for uni, will be doing computer science so lots of C++, Java and .NET programming and writing assignments etc - any particular advice as looking at spending as £500 - £700 (perhaps an teeny bit more) on a laptop.

Should I just ditch the lappy and get an i5 based desktop from Overclockers and look at a netbook or really cheap notebook for the basic office stuff?

I have two ideas but would welcome general opinion and any knowledge of decent deals at the minute.

[Advocate]

be careful going the netbook route for uni - you will probably want to be using your own machine for the coding etc when you are in class and I found that a netbook is just too small and underpowered to use effectively for that. I would be more tempted to get a cheapish Vostro or something that is reasonably powered for a work horse laptop with no gaming pretensions and buy a decent desktop. Should work out about the same cost depending on how much you were thinking of spending on a netbook.

[Replicant]

well it looks like the M1330 may be reborn as i have had a quote of £149 to have it fixed. i would do the job myself but havent found a new mobo that cheap.

if this pans out then i will be looking at an i5 based machine from overclockers next month.

[Advocate]

Nice - I think that it would be hard to find a decent replacement for the 1330 at present - my 1340 isn't much of an upgrade and I dont think it looks as nice as the 1330. Not seen much else in that sort of form factor for the money.

I have been trying to lay off looking at desktop components as I will just blow loads of money on upgrading my mobo, cpu and ram when I dont really need to.