I agree with boeingbus2002. I bought a gericom from Aldi about 20 months ago and it has been great.
I had never heard of gericom but I am told it is a popular German manufacturer.
I don't know much about laptops but several people I know who use laptops a lot have said it is one of the most impresive they have seen for the price.
The battery is beginning to struggle a bit now after heavy wireless use but a new one from Watford Electronics cost me £50.
Don't know what gericom after sales service is like but I couldn't have faulted Aldi's store manager who sold it to me, he was extremely helpful.
I have used Dells at work and they are very poor compared with the gericom.