Computers are always one of the most requested items on the Christmas list for people of all ages, be it laptops, netbooks or desktop computers. In many cases these computers are gifted to children by parents, with the economical climate being as tight as it is, the budget is now often tighter than previously before.

So with that we’ve produced a short guide with two of the best laptops, two of the best netbooks and two of the best desktop computers that provide the best value that a those on a budget can afford.

Laptops:

Toshiba Satellite Pro L450D-14V:

The Toshiba Satellite is a perfect value laptop. It offers a good balance between work and play. The screen is 15.6 inches wide and offers Toshiba’s very own TruBrite display technology. A 4-in-1 ready built in card reader allows for quick transfer of files and photos. Coupled with a built in web-cam and multi-media functionality, the Satellite is a perfect choice for any parent buying this Christmas. The price isn’t bad either, retailing at a reasonable £300.

Dell Inspiron 15:

Dell are always a safe bet as far as festive money saving deals are concerned. This Dell laptop is no different and comes in at around £329, but this being the season of goodwill and all they’ve chucked in free anti-virus software (worth about £30). The laptop offers a solid processor in the Intel Celeron 900 and offers a reasonably large hard drive of 250GB, a perfect size to store music, videos and pictures. An LCD screen of 15.6 inches makes it great to watch DVDs on. A mobile Intel GMA graphics card makes this a practical choice for not only working on but also for more multimedia based activities such as gaming. With 1 year of access to Dell’s service support, although this laptop might be more expensive than the Toshiba Satellite, the technical service offered means that this laptop is definitely worth the extra cash.

Netbooks:

Acer Aspire One D255:

The Acer Aspire One D255 netbook, powered by the energy efficient Intel atom Processor N450 comes with a 160GB hard drive, meaning that while it’s not a laptop there is still plenty of storage space for video, audio and picture files. Despite a relatively small size, the Aspire One is full of extras including built in Wi-Fi technology for portable internet browsing, three USB ports and an SD memory card reader. All this along with a lightweight shell, a flexible, fun look and a price tag of just £229 mean that if you’re looking for a netbook on a tight budget then you’d probably be hard pressed not to consider this gem.

HP Mini 210-1012sa:

At a slightly more expensive figure of £250, the HP mini is equipped almost in a way to match its laptop counterpart. A 250GB hard drive offers comfort in the amount of storage available and RAM of 1GB means that the running of this netbook is all about comfort. Complete with a built in webcam, microphone and an Intel GMA graphics card, the HP is flashier than some of its competitors. With a moderate price tag, this might be a perfect choice for those with a slightly larger budget when buying a netbook.

Desktop Computers:

Compaq SG3-110:

Coming in at £300, people may easily be put off this Compaq desktop computer and prefer the cheaper netbook or laptop options on the market. It has to be said though that the reason for the extra cost involved is purely down the increased specification. Laptops and netbooks just can’t compete with the power of a PC. With 2GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive and an AMD Athlon II X2 215 Processor the price is immediately justified. With a DVD-Rewriter and Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium operating system this is a perfect desktop computer for the whole family to use.
Advent Firefly FP9004:

The Advent Firefly desktop computer at £330 is a reliable choice that can be trusted. Powered by the dual-core Intel Pentium Processor E5300 and an Intel GMA X3100 graphics card, again this desktop setup is a great choice for the family offering both practicality and versatility. The 2GB of RAM and 320GB hard drive just add to the reasons why you should certainly consider buying this desktop computer this Christmas.

Author Bio: Stephen T Richards Specialist computer hardware available for businesses and households in the UK and Europe, from Desktop PCs to laptops and netbooks.

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: computer hardware, laptops, netbooks, desktop pcs, desktop computer