Help to buy a new laptop

[carrielou2007]

I bought my first computer 2 years ago and it was just the cheapest in PC World. All I do is when dd is in bed come on MN, sell bits and bobs on ebay and generally bits of online shopping.

This laptop is on it's last legs, won't connect wirelessly so I have to hold a cable in and I have had enough! Is there anything I need to look for or again just a cheapo from Currys/Comet etc are they all just much of muchess!!

This is going to make me sound like such a geek. I have only ever bought one laptop in my life. I decided to go against my nature (am flighty creative type) and buy and read 'What Laptop?'. It was brilliant. It helped me explain all the jargony crap I needed to know, and gave a great run-down of what computer offered what at what price.

Once I'd bought my laptop I chucked the mag - pity as I'd gladly have sent it to you (though it would be seriously out of date by now).

I must say, though, having swotted up I was most impressed by my ability to discuss crap like NVidia and all sorts of other geeky nonsense with the barely post-pubescent manboy at JohnLewis!

I also asked whether they had an ex-display model - which they did. I bought it with £100 off!

Good luck!

does it have to be a pc? I recently changed to a mac and am now an irritating born again mac type. happy to help but totally understand if my born again advice may turn you off!

Ooh, thought was in wrong section so also posted in produts

Just want a laptop that I can plonk on ehlf next to me, new baby due so I can feed then type with one finger without havingto hold cable in!! I don't know diff in pc and mac, just want to get something tomorrow and be ready!!

PCs are functional and can be cheap.

Macs are beautifully designed and bloody expensive.

That's about all you need to know at this stage!

Hmmn, I'm on SMP at the mo so cheap is in!! What's a notebook (they seem cheaper) or is 300 quid what I'm after to just get another cheapo tomorrow??

Notebook? No idea. Sorry.

Macs may be more expensive but they are worth every penny.

No viruses, stylish looks, very reliable/well built and extremely user-friendly.

I've worked (and played) with Macs for around 20 years and can't rate them highly enough.

Notebook is really just another name for laptop - a netbook might be what you're looking for if you just want it for the internet. They are generally smaller, around 10-12" screen, & reasonably cheap - one thing you might find a drawback is that they don't usually have a DVD/CD drive.