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As I've now started college I'm hoping to get a laptop for my work, games etc. However, I know almost nothing about computers apart from the very basics. I can use one just fine, but the moment someone mentions any jargon my mind goes blank. I'm hoping to spend about £300-£400 on one, and can anyone advise me on what one I should go for, or what I should be looking for when I get one?

Thanks,

(And please use layman's terms for any jargon you use, thanks)

If you gave more information than "work, games etc." You'd get better advice.

For example what games do you mean? Current up to date releases, online games etc.

How much work are you planning to store on it? What is the work? Just word processor documents or large graphic files?

And give more examples rather than just "etc." Knowing the amount of things people do on computers it could mean anything.

Sorry I should have been more specific. I'll be mainly using word documents, graphic files and the basic microsoft package like powerpoint, excel, publisher. Regarding games, it wouldn't be the most up to date games, although I might give online ones a go.

I take it by graphic files you aren't talking huge photoshop or illustrator files then. Just photographs etc?

Yeah just photographs, small basic images, nothing too complex like photoshop.

In you case I'd go for a cheaper laptop, it doesnt sound like the actual specs are going to be much of a concern for you, as pretty much every new laptop is going to do what you require of it.

My recommendations would be to find a name brand laptop that you like the look, feal and price of and go with that. I stringly recommend Asus, HP or Sony they are my brands of choice in that order.

Ok thanks for the recommendations.

Honestly, just go to Dell, get the most expensive laptop you can stomach, that seems the most appealing to your needs. They do a pretty good job of tailoring these things to a consumer audience, and since you don't have any strange constraints, it should be fine.