Laptop Recommendations please?

[Gingermum]

I touch type constantly and was really pissed off when the keyboard on my Toshiba Satelite R830 faded after less than a year (grrrrr). Anyway, I'm looking for something with a 15 or bigger inch screen, a large keyboard, and not one that overheats or takes nine hours to switch on and warm up. That's about it really - I don't play games on it and I'm not bothered about super-duper music systems. But I'm bewildered by the choice out there. Willing to pay up to £600. Any recommendations from writers out there? xx

[emilywrites]

Gingermum, would you consider paying a little more to get a Macbook? I love my 13 inch Pro, and was surprised to find that I love my 11 inch Air even more. I resisted buying one for years, insisting that my PC was great, but have found that the Macbooks work so much faster/better, AND I have not had a virus since going Mac, despite no (costly!) antivirus software. Also, neither of my Macbooks have noticeably slowed, despite being 2 and 4 years old. The extra money was worth it. I think I saved money in the end because I have not had to pay for any of the antivirus software or repairs that my old PCs needed.

[Guilianna]

I've got the 11 inch Air too, Emily - got it after I asked same qu as Gingermum but on twitter! what I was after was a really robust keyboard as I'm heavy duty on them - Lenovo also had good reviews for durability from what I remember. In the end I was seduced by looks!

[Guilianna]

I forgot, the other need I had was battery life and so far so good

[emilywrites]

Did you also hesitate about getting the 11 inch Air, Guilianna? I was worried it would be too small, but find now that it is perfect for work, and I use it all the time at home as well. Oh, and it is super durable! I've dropped mine off beds, desks, and dressers. It looks slender and cute, but it is really an indestructible little beast.

[Guilianna]

yes I did! it was going to be my out and about machine but like you, I use it all the time and have also dropped it, you can easily scoop it up in a pile of paper it's so thin. Op you're after something bigger but I'd look at Mac

[ImperialBlether]

Do not get the Hewlitt Packard one that's a wine-red. The keyboard is terrible.

[twofingerstoGideon]

If you don't have a £700 budget for a Mac, OP, you might like to consider an Acer Aspire. Mine cost around £300, is nearly four years old and I haven't had to replace anything or have it repaired. It's got a good battery life, too. As well as writing, I do transcribing, so hammer the life out of my keyboard 7 days a week, typing around 70 wpm for between 6 - 7 hours a day. The 'N' is only just starting to rub off the 'N' key which is pretty good, given that I've destroyed keyboards in a matter of months in the past.