Cover Girl has it in a 'nutshell[or should I say a clamshell case?] This Thursday past I accompanied my daughter with My flexy friend to John Lewis to select a laptop for her work. Having been around and building computers for 20+ years I consider my self to have a bit on acumen. So whilst she prowled round the displays- I did so independently looking at the specs and prices and not influencing her decision in any way.

Essentially I came to this conclusion. There are two processor manufacturers- with a selection of specifications. There are possibly 4/5 motherboard manufacturers/ 2 shared facility screen manufacturers/3 hard drive company's for all and any number of case moulding and keyboard suppliers. So what is the difference between an HP/Acer/Compaq/DEll/Toshiba, etc of a similar specification? In my opinions the colour of the case and the badge. So take your pick.

Oh what did she go for in the end? An Acer.