laptops -in the longrun which would I regret more

[ABitterPIL]

Not getting a touch screen or not getting 8 gb ram?

We have a budgetof under 400 and it is an either or situation.

We only need it for web surfing. Netflix. Kids gamies ie cbeebies and a few word docs.

Also are there any brands to avoid?

Any advice appriciated

not getting 8gb ram,I could quite cherfully live without touch screen but having used a pc with not enough ram consider it to be one of the most important points when buying a new pc.
Brands is a matter of personal choice,my current laptop after much research is a lenovo after many years using HP,but somebody else might tell you that they are crap,then the Mac brigade will come along and tell you that Apple is the way to go.

Is it definetly a laptop you are after and not a desktop,you can get more for your money with a desktop,my teens currently have a zoostorm desktop,and for a budget PC ,I am well impressed

Ah thanks so much. I suspected it might be the ram i want but was just a little fearful that i may be kicking myself for not getting a touch screen because that is the way all the tec is going. A desktop would probably be an option a few years down the line when we are sorted at home. We moved not so long ago hence the budget. Old laptop is nearly 7 so about 70 in computer years.

Windows 8 runs perfectly well with a mouse or trackpad,it is different but perfectly usable once you get used to it, you just need to accept it is a learning curve.If you install classic shell it will give you the start button and start menu,this just makes things a bit easier.There are a lot of horror stories regarding windows 8,none justified in my opinion.

several laptops with 8gb ram in your price range [[http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Browse?storeId=10151&langId=110&catalogId=10001&mRR=true&c_1=1%7Ccategory_root%7CTechnology%7C33006169&c_2=2%7C33006169%7CLaptops+and+PCs%7C33007795&c_3=3%7Ccat_33007795%7CLaptops+and+netbooks%7C33014243&r_001=11%7CRAM+(GB)%7C8%7C1&r_002=7%7CPrice%7C250.0+

Thank you!

You want the ram, and a physical keyboard is way better than a touchscreen most of the time anyway.

Thank you!

m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/direct/hp-dm1-touch-a48500-blacksilver/329-5002.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=329-5002

I found this which appears to be touch, 8 g ram but only a 500gb hard drive. Is there anything stopping me just getting an external hard drive if this one fills up?

You realise that laptop is only 11.6 in,so not really a laptop more of a netbook and whilst the ram is good,the processor isnt so good,it would be ok for a second machine but not if its the main machine for the family.
better buy

I noticed that just after i posted. Thanks for the link. I like thay one a lot!

I woukd look at Ram and Processor. Those are the things that can be hard to upgrade. Touch screen not necessary, if you want a tablet buy a tablet.

Good point. Well made!