Advice please - need to buy a new pc around £300 so probably laptop but which one?

[Polgara2]

Our old desktop only works when it feels like it so thought would replace while the sales are on.

Looking at laptops because I thought they might be better value? But am now getting confuddled by which processor and brand of laptop I actually need! And am getting desperate.

Has anyone spotted any good deals out there? Don't make these purchases very often so don't want to buy a dud.

We use mainly or browsing, office and photos

Thanks

Its personal opinion,I have seen some good things written about Toshiba laptops,especially on MN but nothing good recently,I certainly have never considered Toshiba a premium brand.Thisblog.laptopmag.com/best-worst-notebook-brands-2013/3 survey confirms that

Just been having a look at which laptop reviews for you - agree don't touch the Advent! These exact models aren't reviewed -well a Lenovo G505s is - has a good score then they say there are better budget laptops available -but not which one!
So looking at the brands you mention, Which ask customers for their opinion. They all (except Advent -2 stars) get 3 stars ... Asus come 2nd after Apple (Apple get 4 stars - a big difference - always makes me , think if you pay Apple prices you are going to be inclined to think it was worth the money!)
Anyway scores are close
Reliability - Asus, Toshiba, Acer, Lenovo (66-57%),
Customer score - Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Toshiba (75-65%) ...
In the best buy tables there really isn't much difference for these brands in your price range ...
You could get a Which subscription and check it out (think they do a trial for £1 - I have the full thing £8 per month and I keep meaning to cancel...then forget) - also look for reviews on line of your favourites ...
I think I'd head down to PC world and have a look which you like the best! (Don't necessarily buy there ...have a look and then check the prices and reviews online!) Also be aware - some don't have bluetooth (which I now love to transfer the odd photo from phone to laptop) - and one budget (an Asus? might be Acer) didn't have a DVD drive (can plug in an external one but that might be important to you)...
Good Luck...

BTW I don't like Lenovo - DPs old netbook developed a problem with the screen hinges -(was second hand, so cheap) found online it was a common problem from being a year or so old and Lenovo were less than helpful. I have a Samsung I like, no problems for 2 years previously had a Dell (but was a business one -not cheap) lasted for 10yrs -couldn't be further upgraded but case/screen etc withstood being chucked in my 'handbag' and bashed around!

I bought the Acer one linked a week ago. So far very happy with it. Battery life is good. Windows 8 is driving me a bit mad but I think I just need to actually do some research on how to do things.

Lots of useful info there thanks so much! Will go and digest.

I was looking at pcworld only because can get £25 off with dd1 O2 priority moments!

But will of course check prices everywhere before any purchase.

I am determined to get something this weekend

Lenovo have a good reputation. I would probably spend a bit more and get this Lenovo with a Core i3 Processor and Windows 7. If I've read the spec right it comes with Windows 7 preinstalled and Windows 8 disk, so you can upgrade when/if you decide you want Windows 8.

Thanks - didn't know Debenhams sold computers! Have you picked that one because of the win 7 part? There is the same model with win 8 I notice.

Are hp any good these days - I notice pcw have a hp pavilion with i5 processor in the sale also.

HP pavillions are known for their poor fans and tendency to overheat,although they may have improved since I last bought one 3 years ago,that lasted 16 months before the fan went kaput.

I picked that Lenovo mostly for the Core i3 processor, but Win 7 is a nice bonus.

I recently bought an HP laptop. Although it was good value for the money in most respects, I has issues with it's wifi and the plastic case seems a bit flimsy.