Time to buy a new laptop - which is best for around £1K

[Harmonic]

I'm a bit biased because I spent 11 years and three companies in permiedom using ThinkPads, both IBM and Lenovo and I'm one of the few who prefers the Trackpoint to a touchpad. I then had to put up with a Dell which was a solid lump of steaming horse manure, weighed a ton, slower than a slouth with a sore foot and flakier than the pastry on a Ginster's pasty. I also had an HP netbook that was beautifully put together but died completely six months after it's warranty ended - apparently a known motherboard issue. After looking around for a couple of weeks, I've just ordered an i5 ThinkPad Edge but my budget was a bit lower than the OP's.
In the end I think picking a laptop is a very personal thing. It can be difficult to do when you're only shopping online because without grabbing hold and getting a good look and feel of the thing it's hard to tell if you'll enjoy using it. Maybe I have too close a relationship with my technology but I think better to spend some time and find the right one than be back looking again in six months time.

[Support Monkey]

I am not saying their crap I am just not a fan, the Dells have always been more solid with less bloatware for me but for others like the previous post its the opposite, we all have our preferences and for me I have never had the issues with Dells like i have with lenovo, and don,t get me started on Sony Vaio

Like others say generally you would blast the drive and reinstall without the rubbish, unfortunately the Public sector have their own way of doing things

[Notascooby]

I've been humming and hawing about getting a new laptop for a while, so took a look at pc specialist (as advised on here), had a play and then pressed GO!

Didn't bother with an OS, will install at home so will be uncorrupted with crap.
Bring it on!

[VectraMan]

Looking at the Dell outlet site, I'm tempted by some of their refurbed XPS 15z Macbook clones. Pretty good spec and reviews. I'm just not sure I can live with a shiny screen.

Does anyone know if I buy something with Windows 7 Pro, but no media, and want to reinstall (possibly onto a replacement SSD), I'll be able to use my (legit) Windows 7 Pro retail CD but use the code and licence that comes with the laptop?

I've been burned before doing the same with XP.

[quackhandle]

I've been quite tempted by the toshiba portege z830, but latest reviews have been saying its so light (1.1lbs) that it seems a bit flimsy and I'm a clumsy fooker at times so I can't risk it as I know I'll drop it after six months.

Dell Business have sent me a catalogue of their latest offerings so I may get in touch and see what deals they have, may go for a high spec latitude. They don't like to haggle though do they? 6% discount was the most I got last time.

qh

[Vanilla]

I got a cracking deal on the Dell outlet, not strictly a business laptop but good for games & movies when I'm out and about.

Ordered;

Dell XPS L702x refurb
1 x 500gb hard disk
Anti Glare screen
6Gb Ram
Windows Home Edition
I7 CPU

£600 all in

Received;

Dell XPS L702x refurb
2 x 500gb hard disks
6Gb Ram
3d Screen (gives the option of 32gb ram)
Windows Ultimate Edition
I7 Cpu

Specced on the Dell site came to around £1400. And it's 3:15pm when the deals appear

[quackhandle]

Now whittled it down to three; Dell Latitude E5420 / Lenovo Thinkpad X1 / Thinkpad x220.

Anyone purchased/using one of these recently? Thoughts/recommendations?

qh

[northernladuk]

Now whittled it down to three; Dell Latitude E5420 / Lenovo Thinkpad X1 / Thinkpad x220.

Anyone purchased/using one of these recently? Thoughts/recommendations?

qh

Can't comment on buying a new one but I have only ever had a Thinkpad supplied by work from back in the T20 days. I find it very strange using anything else. Good solid work horse in my opinion. The client I am with switched from T400's to some 17" Dells and all people do is complain about them. Happy with my T400 thank you.

[Spacecadet]

Can't comment on buying a new one but I have only ever had a Thinkpad supplied by work from back in the T20 days. I find it very strange using anything else. Good solid work horse in my opinion. The client I am with switched from T400's to some 17" Dells and all people do is complain about them. Happy with my T400 thank you.

17" Dell what? there is a huge range in quality in the Dell range

[eek]

17" Dell what? there is a huge range in quality in the Dell range

+1 anything business that is not Latitude 6 series is not worth touching with a

Likewise Inspiron quality is on a model by model basis and which the 15z is cheaper than an apple mac book you can tell.