I am looking to replace my Acer Aspire 9301 laptop (6 years old) which tbh has been superb. It has succumbed to the well known "tight hinge" problem with ensuing damage to the hinge fixing points.

Long term reliability is very important and although I am super careful in using and handling it will get a lot of daily use, as did the Acer.

Screen size of 17" is needed. No gaming apart from Chess. High performance graphics I don't think are a priority as I only watch the odd weather forecast and don't play DVD's and so on.

It will be used extensively for processor intense applications such as electronic CAD and running electronic circuit simulations and layout designs. These are all things that run OK on the Acer but can take some time.

Two laptops I have spotted are a Sony and a Toshiba but with a price difference of some £320 I wonder what practical advantages the Sony offers. At not far off twice the price it would have to be a substantially better piece of hardware.

The two are, http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/sony-vpcej3t1e-b-cek-17-3-laptop-11884760-pdt.html

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/toshiba-satellite-c870-11g-17-3-laptop-black-12520785-pdt.html

Above all though, I want trouble free hardware that will last when looked after.

Thanks for any input.