New laptop recommendations please

[moonwhistle]

My Acer Aspire 5735 is coming to the end of its life and may also be virus ridden at this stage. Im looking around for a replacement so I can move all my stuff over before my Acer goes tits up.

I don't play PC games (only emulators) so it doesn't need to be high end.

What I do want is:
15" screen, good quality display
4GB + Ram
Very good / sturdy build quality, buttons, keys etc (my Acer while fine for performance is made of total crap)
Hdmi out
lots of USBs
Volume buttons, quick launch buttons etc
Possibly metal casing / backlit keys
hopefully less than ?500

That's all I can think of right now for requirements. I have no idea where to start looking or what brands to concentrate on so any recommenations / advice or links would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[QualityChimp]

Will you be selling your Acer?

[charlesr]

Whilst Lenovo aren't as sturdy as the old IBMs they are still pretty bombproof. Simple things like the 2 corner latches operated by a single toggle makes for good screen damage prevention.

[speedlolita]

My girlfriend has a T420 which was ?600. It has a displayport instead of an HDMI port though so you'd need an adaptor. Highly recommended.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-Lenovo-Thinkpad-T420-4236-Core-i5-4g-Ram-320gb-Hdd-Warranty-DEC-2014-/160837552732?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item2572aa4a5c

So cheap..

[charlesr]

Yeah, get that. Looks like a great machine. I have the T400 and the T420s are loads better.

[moonwhistle]

Will you be selling your Acer?

It's worthless so I'm gonna keep it as a back up. The mouse buttons and arrow keys don't work and the power button is on its last legs.

Thanks for the advice Charles and Speedlolita but I want a brand new laptop, 15"6 screen and HDMI out is a must.

I had quick look at Dell's webiste, it's really confusing and it seems they don't even include microsoft office or windows mail / outlook unless you pay extra.

Keep the recommendations coming please.

[Brad]

The only non-Apple laptop I'd buy is a Lenovo. We have loads of laptops at work. All kinds of models and brand and every last one of them is utter garbage.

[QualityChimp]

Sorry for the short message earlier, I was on my phone. I wasn't sure if it was the hardware as well as the software that was on its last legs. I need a new laptop/PC too, but can't afford a new one, so somebody's old one would be a good stopgap!

I really rate Acer and if you liked your last laptop, why not go for another one?

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/28875708/-/Product.html

Acer Aspire 5750 - ?479
I've bolded the things you mentioned, but the case is still going to be similar quality. I've dealt with a few Acers and never had a problem. I think you're looking at an Alienware laptop for fancy glowing keys or something like an Acer Aspire Ethos 5951G, but that's ?616.

• Processor: Intel Core i5-2450M 2.5 GHz
• Chipset: HM65
• Screen: 15.6 inch HD Acer CineCrystal LED LCD
• Graphics: UMA
• Graphics Memory: ---
• RAM: 6 Gb
• HDD: 500 Gb 5400 rpm
• ODD: DVD-Super Multi DL
• Card Reader: 5-in-1 Built in
• Wireless: Acer Nplify 802.11b/g/n
• Bluetooth: ---
• Battery: 6 cell
• WebCam: 1.3 MP HD webcam
• USB Slots: 3
• 3G: ---
• TV Tuner: ---
• Remote: ---
• Colour: Black
• Finger Print Reader: ---
• OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Battery Life: Up to 4.5 hrs
• Weight: 2.6 Kg
• I/O Ports: Multi-in-1 card reader (SD, MMC, MS PRO, xD), three USB 2.0 ports, HDMI port with HDCP support, external display (VGA) port, headphone/speaker jack, supporting 3.5 mm headset with built-in microphone for Acer smart handhelds, microphone-in jack, Ethernet (RJ-45) port, DC-in jack for AC adapter
• Software: Acer Backup Manager, Acer ePower Management, Acer eRecovery Management, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Reader 9.1, Bing Bar, eSobi, Microsoft Office 2010 preloaded (purchase a product key to activate), Microsoft Office Starter 2010, Norton Online Backup, McAfee Internet Security Suite Trial, MyWinLocker, NTI Media Maker, Oberon GameZone, Acer Crystal Eye, Microsoft Silverlight, Skype, Windows Live Essentials, Acer Accessory Store, Acer Identity Card, Acer Registration, Acer Updater, eBay shortcut 2009

[speedlolita]

I've got a Aspire 5920-5A2G12Mi I could sell you QualityChimp. I think the battery is dead, but other than that it's alright. Few cosmetic scratches etc.

[ETC]

I got one of these (from comet at the time for ?430)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B006W7PIG6/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

Just up the ram to 8 and bobs your uncle
although I did recently retire mine for a MBA


It does have a metal keyboard area though, you really need to join the partition when you get it though as its only a 320gb hdd

[ETC]

^^ I can take a pic of you want a close up of one

[JSR]

The only non-Apple laptop I'd buy is a Lenovo. We have loads of laptops at work. All kinds of models and brand and every last one of them is utter garbage.

This! Unless you buy from a business line, everything out there is crap. I've worden on quite a few laptops, and they all feel like cheap plastic toys compared to a Mac. And they are all interchangeable. Acer isn't in any way more durable than a HP for instance. They are built very similarly, and usually made by Quanta or Foxconn. Even Samsung who makes their own laptops, are crap. Lenovo and Asus are allright, but cost more too.

[speedlolita]

I agree with you guys. I'd never get anything but an Apple (Air or Pro) or a Thinkpad.

[koopatroopa90]

Wait what? I thought you hated Apple Speedy!

I used to love my acer 1810tz - yeah it was falling apart after 2 years but it did put up with a load of abuse. Generally I agree that most laptops feel and look like cheap crap...

[speedlolita]

I hate iDevices, but the Air and Pro MacBooks are decent.