Out of interest I'm about to do a clean reinstall on a works laptop this afternoon so we can then go and sell it if that's of any interest to you?

Purchased in April 2010.

Thanks for the input everyone, negativo on the purchasing a new one though, gf doesn't count computers as being important.

(while I don't buy mobile computers full stop )

(hence my 2004 Nokia phone)

You're selling a laptop.
What spec and how much?

Thanks again everyone, I'm sure you are all dying to know what happened.

The sound card was just dying, it's now constantly choppy and everything sounds like it's un-un-un-derwater, same at any volume, on any speakers, think it's a cheap DAC chip problem or something, just worn out - buy premium, people!

One thing I did notice, Flash is terrible in terms of CPU usage efficiency, VLC can play blu ray resolution, Flash over-burdens the CPU with 480p (even after it has fully buffered). So I'm wondering how much iPhone/Android battery life is wasted on inefficient web video playback.

Maybe EU regulations are required to force Flash to be more efficient (like Washing Machines are etc) I'm serious!

Flash sucks. We've been saying it for years!