Toshiba and Sony are good laptops, basically choose your specs and you're up and running. £1400 will get you a good laptop, some places throw in a printer (Dixons sometimes has an offer like that). You can also buy direct online from Sony and I think Toshiba, too (if not directly from them they will tell you where). Mizco (not sure if that's spelled right) has great prices on computers and etc.

I just bought a new machine from Dell Outlet - perfectly good Dell machines at reduced prices. They do laptops too.

Thanks for the help folks, it just so happens a Misco catalogue appeared in the post this morning, they have a load of those acer machines, which have great specs at a low price. I don't know if I feel comfortable recommending them though.

If the laptop is for a voluntary organisation, I presume they won't have much money for Tech Support etc. So I would recommend an iBook. Macs are very easy to use and, in my experience, they are more stable than other PCs. Here's some info on Macs if you are interested - http://www.apple.com/uk/switch/

Good luck with the search!

I would love to get them a power book.
I would be forever tortured with queries I couldn't answer though.

Ahhhhhh.... Powerbooks....... sorry, having a "Homer Simpson with Doughnuts" type moment there ;o)

I'm posting again because I've found some additional info that you may or may not find helpful. I'm not trying to be a pest or anthing about my Mac laptop suggestion - hope I don't come across as some mad Mac-prosletyser.

Anyway, as far as I remember the local NI Mac User Group are involved in finding Macs for Charities and they give help with Tech Support too. And some of the NIMUG members have started up an Apple Authorised Reseller that takes on Maintenance Contracts too - I think their rates are reasonable but I don't know how they would be for a Charity.

Anyway here's the URLs:
www.mac-sys.co.uk/
www.nimug.org/

Best wishes
Michele