I want to buy a Laptop but don't know where to start

[crystaltips]

Can anybody help ?

I need a laptop - for a bit of work and also for digital photography.

I have no idea where to start and what to look for ..... can anybody give me some pointers please ?

Thanks

I went to Dixons who talked me through all the options, and put no pressure on me to buy. Would that not work for you?

DELL.

you need to buy a copy of what laptop and work through it.
seriously - what is around changes literally from week to week so any advice you get here is unlikely to be up to date. And most of the best laptop deals come from direct sellers (like dell, rockdirect,e tc) so dixons won't help you there.

whatlaptop is a fab magazine, splits everything up in terms of budget, what you need it for etc... give it a go!

Which? magazine recommended going to manufacturers directly (via their web sites). DELL, Mac and Evesham all did well in their surveys. I'm writing this on a DELL laptop I ordered directly from DELL, with no problems. The same report (some time this year, I think) gave advice on what kind of machine to get for different kinds of user requirements.

TVM!

Doh .... and I am a Which? subscriber

I have an Acer which is really good but if I had to buy another one I'd swap to Apple and buy one of those. Probably I will end up with another Acer though!

Just personal preferences though. I have a lot of photographs stored as well as music.

We found an ad in our local newsagent for a computer person who, for a reasonable fee, will help you buy and maintain a laptop. I often see cards from other people who offer computer support for home users. Perhaps worth a look and paying for a hour of his/her time to advise? The guy we used helped us to sort broadband. When we come to change our laptop I'm sure we'll go back to him for advice.