Staples is not usually associated with value for money but the retailer is currently selling the Fujitsu AH530 for £299.99 with free next day delivery (worth around a fiver elsewhere).

The device comes with a 1st generation Intel Core i3-380M processor (two cores, four threads, a 2.53GHz clock speed and 3MB cache), a whopping 6GB of DDR3 memory, a 500GB 5400RPM hard disk drive, Bluetooth, HDMI, a 1.3-megapixel camera, anytime USB charge functionality, a 15.6in LED 1,366 x 768 pixels display, a flat cap spill-resistant keyboard, a weight of only 2.5Kg and according to Staples website, a battery life of up to seven hours.

At 37mm it is slightly thick but the this can be overlooked given the intrinsic value of the laptop. It comes with Windows 7 Home Premium (as expected), an Intel HM55 chipset, three USB ports, a VGA one, Ethernet, Expresscard, a DVD writer, a numeric keypad and a SD card slot.

Note that a similar Fujitsu Lifebook laptop - with a slightly different processor - is on sale for the same price at Laptopdirect. Note also that you can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for only £15.

Source : Staples