Re laptops, I'd appreciate any recommendations for any good laptop suppliers ( i.e. knowledgeable sales personel, good after-sales service , etc, not just good prices ) in the London area.
Hmm... very difficult in London. Most places in common areas (local high streets, Totty Road etc.) are staffed by the usual muppets. Anywhere on Totty Road, plus Pissy World and the usual suspects are definitley to be avoided !
The recession will not have helped matters, because largely only the volume box shifters will have survived in the bricks-and-mortar environment.
For Mac, it obviously has to be the Apple Store on Regent Street. (I was about to also recommend Computer Warehouse, but having just checked on Mr Google, they sold out to Square Group after encoutering financial difficulties during the recession, so I doubt service will be the same any more. Great shame, because they were an amazing independent !)
Its a lot tougher to suggest somewhere on the Windows front that's not staffed by sales reps. Perhaps John Lewis / Peter Jones is your safest bet.