New Laptop Challenge

[Rowee]

Hi all

I'm looking around for a new laptop and have found the following spec at www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Chassis: Enigma III 540 15.6" LED
Intel Dual Core Mobile i5 (2.5GHz) processor
8GB Samsung 1333MHz DDR3 RAM
nVidia GeForce GT540M 2GB DDR3 graphics card
320GB Sata 3 Gb/s, 16MB Cache HDD
DVDRW
SD reader
1x USB 3.0 + 2x USB 2.0 ports

Price: £589 delivered

Couple of things - the small HDD is because I will mainly be using an external drive for image storage.
The SD reader is not a requirement as I use CF (EOS 40D).
The screen is not too important as I will be using a monitor.
I don't want a desktop as my flat is not big enough for one

So here's the challenge. I'd prefer to buy from a known manufacturer, and be able to actually see what I'm buying, however, I cannot find this sort of spec laptop for the same price anywhere. Does anyone know of any places that could potentially match this sort of laptop and its price tag?

 

[arad85]

Unless you game, you don't need the graphics card. The i5 onboard graphics will have enough oomph for picture editing. You'd also find an SSD a big performance boost if you don't care on HDD size IMHO

If you actually want to see what you're buying, that probably leads you to Currys/PC World who won't have as good value....

 

[RobertP]

I recently bought a 17" Sony 2nd gen i5 with 6gb / 640Gb HD /Blu ray drive for £410. it was 'refurbished' which usually means a return that has been reset but is otherwise as new.

I'd never have found it by looking for it myself as it came from a catalogue returns site (bargaincrazy). All I did was watch the computers section of hotukdeals for a couple of weeks and then buy going first via quidco.

 

[gramps]

Have you looked at Novatech, they have a branch in Portishead where you can go and discuss/play - www.novatech.co.uk