What Laptop?

[Roseblue]

Looking to buy a laptop for a 16 year old grandson. Would very much appreciate your recommendations.

[LSainsbury]

Need some more info!

Is he off to college / Uni? What does he want to do with it? Surf the net? Email? Games?

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Need some more info!

Is he off to college / Uni? What does he want to do with it? Surf the net? Email? Games?

Not to mention budget!!

games if its more than solitaire and popcap games that puts the price up over £500 imo

[LSainsbury]

Popcap games? What are those?

[funkyCable]

example - bejeweled 2.

Addictive aracde style games.

[LSainsbury]

Ahh - Flash engine games then...

[Roseblue]

I think the usual stuff a 16 year old wants to do on a computer, games, downloading stuff and surfing the net. The budget would be around £500 max. Though he’s willing to chip in a little to get a half decent one. Decent graphics card a must I suppose. He’s into World Of War Craft if that helps. Still considering whether he wants a laptop or a desktop computer. He has been sharing the family one till now. Personally I thought a desktop comp would be better, less chance of it getting knocked around. Not off to uni or anything. Appreciate your help. I’m afraid he’s still at the stage the bigger and shinier the better. Dad’s not around and Nan hasn’t a clue hence the need for some good advice.

[SnoopZ]

If he's into playing games then i think a desktop is the way to go. You also get more for your money and it's upgradable.

No question if he wants to play games a desktop is the way to go

Im selling one in for sale and wanted lmao lol lol

[CHiLL]

I'd avdice the Acer brand. Good solid laptops imo.

[alferret]

As CHiLL says Acer are great, my wife has one, just make sure you dont get one with the integrated Intel graphics chip.

I have a HP DV6 1131ea £540 from Tesco. Excellent spec IMO good for a lot of games excluding latest ones, superb HDMI output, reasonable battery life 3hrs+ surfing.

[Roseblue]

Got his eye on this one and is willing to use a monitor of mine until he can add a flat screen later. Your thoughts on this?

http://www.mynewcheap.co.uk/products...#prodOptions_a

---------- Post added at 11:48 ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 ----------

Originally Posted by zing

No question if he wants to play games a desktop is the way to go

Im selling one in for sale and wanted lmao lol lol

Hi! I took a look. I'm not sure what a Media Centre PC is and how it differs from a desktop but he seems to have his heart set on the one above that we found on the net earlier.

[Rob]

Arghh, HP In any case that shows as out of stock, and a monitor would be extra.

Most of the big mass producers of computers can often use non standard components. They work well, but aren't easily replaced or upgraded. Also many of the manufacturer's don't supply the software but instead use restore discs which can make it difficult to adapt the PC to your specific liking. On the other hand it should work well out of the box.

If the computer's main use is likely to be gaming, then consider checking out your local computer shop. They may well be able to build you something from standard components that will outperform the big high street store offerings. You'll be looking for good graphics, a decent CPU and ideally for Vista 4 GB of RAM. You can always add more hard disc space later, so you could compromise a little on cost there, but hard discs these days are quite cheap.

Look for a 64bit version of Vista rather than 32. 64 should make better use of the modern CPU if you have enough RAM, and would be a tad more future proofed.

[SnoopZ]

I think you may qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out as Windows 7 RTM date is July 13th.

You might want to checkout Dell as you can build it up to the spec you want and their prices are reasonable. Also checkout websites like www.ebuyer.com www.dabs.com