dell do have some cosworth models. alienware.
But the basic ones are solid and stress free.
Currently on offer
Inspiron 15 Laptop Available with Touch Screen Details | Dell UK
Stick an extra 4Gb of ram in with what's left of your budget and you will have a laptop that will last for years.
Nothing fancy the OS won't get dumped.
Nothing special with the graphics but you will be able to watch films.
Screen is a decent resolution unless you want to edit photo's.
As you say boring but will get you from A to B with little hassle.