Well in highly atypical style I have today purchased the following from Costco:
Toshiba Satellite C660 181 - AMD E350 dual core processor, 6gb RAM, 320gb HDD.
It hasn't got all the bells, whistles and gaming capability some machines have but I reckon it'll be fine for what my lad is going to use it for.
Cost £325 inc VAT and 2 year warranty.
Bought a Tech21 impact wrap sleeve at the same time for just over £10 inc VAT just like the one shown below.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tech21-Impac.../dp/B00357XCHS