You'll be able to get a really good one for £400-£500
Check the Dell site for special offers and the 9 cell batteries. They last for ever (but weigh a ton!)

Dell Site
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:32, 3 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

ARHHHH NNOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT DELL
/used to work for dell
(PsychoChomp, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:33, Reply)

We use them in work
and they seem OK. Bought a cheapy from Comet for home though
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:35, Reply)

I used to do logistics for their returns.
they have a lot of returns.
(I know there's a lot of Dells out there but we're talking 3000 parts/computers 5 days a week)
(PsychoChomp, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:37, Reply)

thanks also
will do a little bit of research.

What sort of things do I need to look out for specswise that are good? The last time I bought a laptop was about 4 years back
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:33, Reply)

Something like..
An i3 processor and 4GB RAM, decent screen resolution and size and good battery life. TO be honest, its quite difficult to buy a really bad one these days
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:37, Reply)

^ This,
Make sure it's a recognised brand and you'll be generally alright, especially for what you'll use it for.
(PsychoChomp, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:38, Reply)

I've had good experience with Acer stuff
as have my mates.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:41, Reply)

I had a motherboard fail on a Dell about 6 years ago so wouldn't advocate buying one

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:36, Reply)

my work Dell is about 4 years old
and seems to be pretty much bombproof
(beanojam isn't really Ricardo Flange, Thu 15 Jul 2010, 11:39, Reply)