I am looking to buy a laptop and would like some advice on the best make to buy etc!

I have seen a one that is £449 and the make is advent, does anyone know if this make is any good?  I am looking for a laptop that has a webcam built in it!

do you know the spec of the advent one ?

most makes are pretty much ok.... part of it depends on exactly which one is it... each company will do a lot of different modles... different model laptops by the same company can vairy a lot....

plus it really depends on what youre getting for your money (processor, ram, HUD, screen size etc...)

is 450 about what you want to spend ?

its not so much about picking the best make laptop, as picking the best laptop possible for your budget !

Quote from: knightydo you know the spec of the advent one ?

most makes are pretty much ok.... part of it depends on exactly which one is it... each company will do a lot of different modles... different model laptops by the same company can vairy a lot....

plus it really depends on what youre getting for your money (processor, ram, HUD, screen size etc...)

is 450 about what you want to spend ?

its not so much about picking the best make laptop, as picking the best laptop possible for your budget !

This is what the advent laptop comes with:

Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor T2330
(1.6GHz, 533 MHz FSB 1 MB Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista(R) Home Premium
2 GB Memory
160 GB Hard drive

I dont really want to spend anymore than £500 for one.

Avoid the Advent stuff like the plague.  

Buying a lappy depends what you want it for.  I Just picked up a HP Pavillion G6031 from Staples.  £399 got me 2Gb RAM, 120GB Hard Disk, 1.7Ghz Turion Dual Core, and a screen that looks brilliant.  

What it doesnt have is Bluetooth, Infrared or a card reader.  Though some people want them ive never had a need.  

Personally I would steer clear of the T2330 chips as well.  If my memory serves they are the old 32Bit chips, and you can pick up a similar spec for £100 less than that.  

the built in web cam is the problem....

had a quick look around and all the ones with a built in webcam have it as a bit of a gimmick and theyre pretty crap otherwise.... or they are the very high end ones that cost a fortune

laptops arnt really my area... give it a day or two (always quiet on the weekends here) and Im sure someone will find you a good one

Question 1. Do you want to play 3d games on it? If so then you will need a good graphics system with dedicated memory for it. Most share memory with the main processor.

Question 2. What do you intend to do? If its just word processing, email and web then pretty much anything will do. If you intend to watch video/movies then you will need at least 1GB RAM for Vista. Using more powerful software will increase the need for speed and RAM.

Question 3. Will you be using it away from the mains for extended periods? If its intended to be used as a desk top replacement then you dont need a long battery life. If you are going to be away from power sockets then you need it.

While having an inbuilt camera may seem nice they are usually pretty naff, VGA resolution at best. I would get a separate camera with the ability to plug it in, these only cost a tenner or so.

Advent are exclusive to the Dixons group and not very well built. Others provide more for the money.

Quote from: SeriousQuestion 1. Do you want to play 3d games on it? If so then you will need a good graphics system with dedicated memory for it. Most share memory with the main processor.

Question 2. What do you intend to do? If its just word processing, email and web then pretty much anything will do. If you intend to watch video/movies then you will need at least 1GB RAM for Vista. Using more powerful software will increase the need for speed and RAM.

Question 3. Will you be using it away from the mains for extended periods? If its intended to be used as a desk top replacement then you dont need a long battery life. If you are going to be away from power sockets then you need it.

While having an inbuilt camera may seem nice they are usually pretty naff, VGA resolution at best. I would get a separate camera with the ability to plug it in, these only cost a tenner or so.

Advent are exclusive to the Dixons group and not very well built. Others provide more for the money.

I just want it for word processing, internet and watching movies. I wont be away from the mains for extended periods.

Think I should maybe just shop around a bit more and see what I can find.

Thanks to everyone who has given me some advice.

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Quote from: Miss_blueeyesI just want it for word processing, internet and watching movies. I wont be away from the mains for extended periods.

Think I should maybe just shop around a bit more and see what I can find.

Thanks to everyone who has given me some advice.

If thats all you want, then the advent will be fine TBH.

Most Laptops by 3rd parties are usually made by 1 of 2 companies based in Kunshan or Shenzhen China, rebadged & boxed. I doubt if anyone employed directly by advent has been anywhere near the laptop. MSI, Acer, Tiny, Time, pretty much any high street brand come from there.

Unless you go for a Fujitsu, Toshiba, Sony, Dell,  or IBM, youll more than likely to end up with a laptop made in China. - some of those mentioned may also be made in Kunshan or Shenzen. HPs are mostly from Kunshan IIRC

Toshiba was advertising laptops on the radio - cant remember the price, but it came with a 3yr warranty & if it went faulty in them 3yrs, they would refund the full price of the laptop & repair it for free!!!

Dell IMO

But to get back to serious matters, i always say to people wanting to buy a laptop "go through a magazine and show me adverts and ill tell you the difference"

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