Laptop suggestions (budget sub £500) please help???

[annekarob]

Hi all, its my first time into this section so please go easy on me as I'm a bit of a newbie! 

Basically we've just got married and our gift list was at John Lewis. We received quite a lot of money, gifts and also vouchers to spend here so we're looking at investing in a new laptop. Been looking at their Samsung, Toshiba and Sony Vaio range but am unsure which would be best suited. Lot of HP on there but someone has warned us against them for some reason?

Would really be for everyday surfing use, watching YouTube, videos etc, with a little bit of downloading films, music etc (legitimately of course  ).

I've been looking at the following items and was after some advice if they're any good or to avoid.

http://www.johnlewis.com/231577581/Product.aspx

http://www.johnlewis.com/231577630/Product.aspx

http://www.johnlewis.com/231577615/Product.aspx

Any more suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Rob

[Ridg]

does it have to be John Lewis as those are all crap for the money.

for example http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/sony-vpceh3n6e-w-cek-15-5-laptop-white-11884770-pdt.html

[annekarob]

Doesn't have to be John Lewis I suppose but we received about 1k in vouchers alone and didn't really need anything else. New TV would be nice but only just changed it 6 months ago. That Sony one does look good though, thanks. Good price as well.

[R32UK]

Dell sell some refurbished units like brand new but about 30% cheaper than they should be. Not only that, but they only come with OS you select and office. So no crap to bloat and slow things down.