laptop suggestions/bargains? (non-gaming)

[suicidal_monkey]

has anyone come across any particularly tasty bargains on laptops recently?

main uses: office applications, web-browsing, general stuff. Will have main pc for any serious graphics work and/or gaming. i.e. cpu/ram much more important than gpu... multi-core cpu would be nice so it doesn't freeze up too much

OS/software: can get cheap software through work so OS-free would be an interesting option! Hardware must support Windows XP (if not Vista these days)

£500-ish limit, cheaper is better! Deals must be around at this time of year. Not too fussed about brand but a non-plasticky finish would be nice.

light/portable definitely a desirable feature as it will be taken out reasonably frequently, though will often reside at home on the couch too...

coolish-running and good battery life desirable but not vital as will often be used near the mains. optional 2nd battery desirable.

approx 15" wide screen (i.e. decent enough keyboard) - flexible if it's still light, though wouldn't want to go too much smaller. Widescreen not vital but would be nice. Should have a decent enough resolution (1280x800+) but doesn't need silly-small pixels

I've seen a few decent offers around but there's so much choice you can easily get lost in it... anything else I should think about?

thanks in advance

[T-Bag]

I've always fancied an Asus Eee PC. It's around £210 and runs on Linux (but can support XP), Solid State HDD. Probably doesn't fit the bill of what you want exactly.
Something like this matches more:
Maybe

[Sithvid]

Would the maybe option Laptop Run CS ?

[T-Bag]

Would the maybe option Laptop Run CS ?

Yup, an X1100 express would handle it, I ran on a 9600. Probably best you only play plugged into the mains so you get the most out of the CPU.

[Gorion]

Probably best you only play plugged into the mains so you get the most out of the CPU.

unless you can do that without the battery attached to the laptop, dont do it.
 
you will simply be using a bit of the battery and then trickle charging it- in time, your battery wont keep a good charge
 
atleast thats what ive been thought during A+

[Sithvid]

Would the link below... PC run CS with  X3100?
I guess 2RAM could compensate the lower G card ? But I no little on this really.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/339848

If it does I'm getting it, my budget is about £400 not £700 or £900 but about £400.

OOPS I THINK i HIJACKED THIS THREAD SORRY

[Jabbs]

If you're not bothered about graphics - look at the latest HP stuff - they look good (metalic finish).  Mine runs Vista nicely. And the quality seems to be there.  For the record I had an ASUS about six months or so ago - it was ok but I di have a weird graphics problem - the screen kept going yellow *-)

[T-Bag]

Would the link below... PC run CS with  X3100?
I guess 2RAM could compensate the lower G card ? But I no little on this really.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/339848

If it does I'm getting it, my budget is about £400 not £700 or £900 but about £400.

Be aware thats a Dual Core Mobile processor NOT a Core 2 Duo (which are faster) so might not be ideal for gaming. The lack of graphics card (it includes Intel graphics) are another downside.
For an Extra £25 the one I reccomended before has it beat considerably on spec (even with the lower Ram). Even on a budget it's worth spending the extra 6.3% to get a better laptop in my opinion.

[Note that the screen size, Hard drive, DVD burner etc are all the same. You trade better CPU and GPU for 1 GB of Ram. And Vista for Windows XP]