PC / Laptop buying woes

[SAS]

My 6 year old PC is dying, and I've realise after searching around my PC hardware knowledge is also 6 years old .

Basically I need a new PC or Laptop? But not sure what is the best way to go about it.

At the moment my aging pc is used by 3 people (including me). I've got a small webdesign business setup where a laptop maybe useful. If I replace the old PC then there is a possible problem of accessing it when I need to do some work.

Budget is 400 max, less the better. I know it's not much, but times are hard .

I've eyed up the following so far. If you could take a look at let me know what the pitfalls I should avoid (i.e. amd vs intel) e.t.c I'd appreciate it. Also GFX card wise, what should I avoid?

ADVENT T9408 Desktop PC and TFT Monitor from PC World - Cheap ADVENT Desktop Computers and the latest ADVENT Desktop PC deals.

TOSHIBA EQUIUM A200-1VO Laptops - Cheap TOSHIBA Laptops.. Buy the TOSHIBA EQUIUM A200-1VO laptop at PC World.

*£50 Cashback Dec* HP 6820S Intel Celeron 530 1.73 GHz 17" WXGA 1x1GB 120GB DVD+/-RW, Wifi, BT, ATI Mobility Radeon X1350 384MB, Windows Vista Home Premium (Office 2007 Ready) - Ebuyer

dabs.com - Acer Power FH C2D 1GB 250 DVDRW VHP (PS.PFHC3.U02)

 

[Kryten]

I think for your purpose a laptop may be the best of both worlds - you're not really missing out too much on anythign that a desktop would provide you, with the obvious bonus of portability. And of course should you need to "upscale" things a little, they're easily connectable to larger monitors (i.e. your current one perhaps), keyboards and mice, speakers, tv's etc.
Obviously the budget isn't going to be getting you a huge amount, but again for your purposes you wont be too dissapointed with what's on the market.

Generally you want to avoid AMD for laptops for energy and speed reasons, and if you can find one in the price, a Centrino/Core2Duo laptop will keep things up in the speed stakes. The celeron's aren't much to write home about, but they're still quite likely to be quicker than what you're using currently.

Graphics won't matter *too* much in a laptop but do you intend on doing any/much gaming or anything else graphically intensive? The ATI X1350 upwards will be fine, as will the Geforce Go 8xxx series.

I don't mind the Toshiba Equium range, used to have one myself a few years ago, it was sturdy enough to withstand my enthusiastic keyboard battering and being dragged around the car with diagnostic software on. Acer's tend to be a bit flimsier - I had a couple of the new ones at work a fortnight ago, both were bent clean in half! But then again I don't think that was done by hand Specwise they're probably going to offer you the most for the money.

Having a quick look around though:

Find a Notebook, Desktop, Server, Printer, Software, Service or Monitor at Dell.

Inspiron 6400, dual core, Vista (i know, XP is an option though), and if you buy before 9th of jan i think, its only 339.