Help me pick a decent laptop

[abcdema]

My laptop has lasted me 6(!!) long years but is finally at the end of its life. Need a new one ASAP. DP bought a rubbish notebook type thing last year which was a waste of £170 and I don't want to waste money again hence asking for advice.

Requirements

• proper full sized laptop
• decent spec that I can use Microsoft on, watch movies on etc. But certainly won't be used for gaming or anything too fancy
• £300-£400 bracket

I guess the type of laptop that would be needed for uni.

Any recommendations?
Thanks!

i have a lenovo ideapad and it has served me well so far :)

Have look at this search output from PC World.
I chosen for you 15.6 in screens and 8 GB RAM (don't get tempted by 4 GB laptops, less life in them)
Laptop search

the choice is between Lenovo and Dell, take your pick

I had a Lenovo and it was horrible. Very heavy, OK if you do weights. Never could get the touchpad to work properly. Got rid of it in the end as it was so bad. Googled touchpad problems and I wasn't alone with it, never found a solution in spite of trying everything.

Lenovo are hit and miss. Thinkpads are well thought of. I bought a decent spec laptop of theirs and it was the slowest thing ever (even down to curser speed). Hard drive went bang after about 18 months and we replaced with a similar spec from other supplier - which performed much more akin to expectation

If you can handle a refurb from an older generation, these Thinkpad T430s are still excellent machines:
www.bargainhardware.co.uk/refurbished-laptops/lenovo/thinkpad-t430

You need to pick from the dropdowns to spec it up, they're not actually £7.00 unfortunately! I'd suggest:

Chassis&CPU: i5-3320M (£150.30)
Memory: 1 x low voltage 8GB DDR3L (£35)
Hard drive/SSD: SSD, 240GB Major Brand New (£45)
AC adapter: 1 (£7)
Operating system: Windows 10 Home 64bit (£22)

£259.30+VAT and delivery so £320ish. Damn decent machine for that money, far sturdier than you'd get from a new machine. I'd add another one or two AC adapters if you're likely to use it different places, that price is a steal. Maybe a second 8gig RAM, to max it out.

I would also go with Spoon's suggestion, better value for money and it will last longer.

Check out the dell outlet. Some genuine bargains to be had.

Thank you all.
I'm not particularly against reused, as long as it will last me a few years, so I'll have a look through there.
Will also check out the dell outlet.