The Core

Not pricey, reliable. Not other specific requirements?  Dare I suggest Dell?

I've had a number of dell laptops.  I'm personally not keen on the current inspirons (bit plastic & shiney), but generally have found them no better or worse than other brands I've used, even more expensive ones.  You have to clear all the crap free software off when you buy one, but otherwise they're OK. Not great. Not aweful. Just OK.

If you don't fancy a refurb, we just took delivery of a new laptop from Argos yesterday

Triple core N830
2.1GHz processor speed.
3GB DDR3 RAM memory.
250GB SATA hard drive.
15.6 inch display.
ATI Radeon HD 4250 graphics card with 256MB memory

£299

Other sites are offering this as a refurb for the same price, but this is brand new.

Its far better than I expected.

Thanks for suggestions.

Colin, is that a tosh?

Any recomendations on SSD ones.

Colin, is that a tosh?

Nah - its an Acer - they bought the emachines brand off packard bell (I think).

We have a Hewlett Packard  that is similar spec - I would say the Acer not much different in 'perceived quality', no idea on actual quality, but I have had a series of Acers that I have had no problems with FWIW.

This is a freaking joke. Looking at what to think about buying again and there is a baffling array of things to consider. I get bored and give up quite easily on this one.

Just thought I would moan about it.

Another nod for Lenovo here.  I picked up a new thinkpad a couple of weeks back and so far am loving it.  Combined with a dock it will be replacing my office desktop shortly as well.