Best laptop under $500...I need help

R

rvdrock

CAGiversary!
This will be my first laptop purchase ever, I am 29 and just looking for something to surf the internet, watch netflix and hulu. I'd prefer an hdmi port, but I have no idea if that is doable under 500. Any ideas fellow CAGs? Brands to stay away from?
 
I bought this gateway computer a couple months back from Best Buy and it seems to be pretty good. As far as Best Buy goes, stat wise, it's their best laptop that I'm seeing under $500 (listed at $479). My only complaint is the battery life, but seeing how I'm not really on the move, it's not that big a deal for me. Also, and I forgot to add this earlier, was it collects fingerprints like crazy. Especially on the lid cover.

What is nice about it, it has a 500GB hard drive (although this may not be a big deal for some as you can buy cheapish externals now a days - I recommend Western Digital if you go that route). 2.0 GhZ dual core, 4 GB RAM (which having double+ the ram needed is always recommended for your operating system).

Few other tidbits, it has an HDMI slot as you requested, 4 USB slots, and a built in webcam (which is of decent quality) and a built in microphone (which doesn't work as well but may just be me).

Regardless of what you do get, I recommend NOT getting an HP / Compaq. I've had them for a few of my previous computers (my dad's current and former desktop, my former laptop). His desktops are both very slow (though part of that at least on his current comp is partly because of stats), and my former laptop died in iirc two years (maybe a little less).
 
Costco has 2 year warranty standard on all laptops, return to store for 90 days for any reason.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...ang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10590-Cat56670&topnav=
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...ang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10590-Cat56670&topnav=
Here's a list of $400-$500 on Newegg, look for a dual core CPU or better, discrete graphics if possible, at least 3gb memory, N wireless, win 7 64 bit, at least 2 hrs battery life (they overrate them),
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006740%204020&IsNodeId=1&name=$400%20-%20$500
I would stay away from Dell, Emachines, Compaq, and generics you never heard of.
 
What are some good websites to compare laptops?

I like cnet and pcworld but they don't review that many laptops. I dont really trust alatest and a lot of Newegg reviewers seem biased.

Looking for:
10" - 15.6" display
>2 GHz processor
>2gb ddr2
250 - 320 GB HD
HDMI port
good graphics card
priced under $800


any help?

PS, here's one for op minus the hdmi....15.6" Asus from BBuy
and others with hdmi.... 1.6 GHz Asus
hp notebook

acer
 
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[quote name='tivo']What are some good websites to compare laptops?
[/QUOTE]

I'd like to know this too... I'm in the market for a latop as well. I've been looking for good battery life (hoping for 4-6 hours at minimum), extremely fast web-surfing/streaming and good download speed... something that will last 5 years without needing an upgrade. And pretty- as sad as it is, looks matter... especially becuase I don't know nearly enough about computers to know what does what I want. :oops:
 
I try to find the best computer for the specs I'm looking for at the best price, weighing spec vs price, and then look up reviews for that computer both user and site reviews, they will then tell you how it compares to other computers.
 
yo, to those who cared (I always hate finding threads w/o decisions being made):

I ended up buying the Lenovo Ideapad Y460 0633 for $832 off their website.
Specs include:
- Intel Core i5-520M
- 4 GB DDR3
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 w/ 1GB Video Mem / Intel HD Graphics
- 500 GB HD w/ 5400 rpm
- 14" display at 1366x768
- 1x Hdmi

I think it fits my need for moderate gaming but also good design and performance, good batt, great price etc.
Decent Detailed Review at: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5733&p=2

It beat out the Asus N82 JV or N82 JQ in my mind (2 other 14" gaming laptops) and is a big step up in performance from the ones I posted earlier. Best price to performance i've seen. Now to wait until it arrives...

PS. I found good laptop reviews at the above notebookreview.com but also at notebookcheck.net which also compares individual processors and graphics cards and shows the fps of laptops playing different games.
 
I have an Acer aspire 5050 worth about $400 and the only problem I have had with it was the jack came appart, but it was nothing a soldering iron and superglue couldn't fix, but then again I run Linux Kubuntu 7.10 which would probably be why it has lasted me 3 years.
 
[quote name='tivo']yo, to those who cared (I always hate finding threads w/o decisions being made):

I ended up buying the Lenovo Ideapad Y460 0633 for $832 off their website.
Specs include:
- Intel Core i5-520M
- 4 GB DDR3
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 w/ 1GB Video Mem / Intel HD Graphics
- 500 GB HD w/ 5400 rpm
- 14" display at 1366x768
- 1x Hdmi

I think it fits my need for moderate gaming but also good design and performance, good batt, great price etc.
Decent Detailed Review at: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5733&p=2

It beat out the Asus N82 JV or N82 JQ in my mind (2 other 14" gaming laptops) and is a big step up in performance from the ones I posted earlier. Best price to performance i've seen. Now to wait until it arrives...

PS. I found good laptop reviews at the above notebookreview.com but also at notebookcheck.net which also compares individual processors and graphics cards and shows the fps of laptops playing different games.[/QUOTE]
Devil's Advocate, check out this Acer (I didn't check all the Costco laptops so they may have an even better deal than this one)

90 day return, 2 year warranty, free technical support
$699.99 next day shipping

Processor and Memory:
Intel® Core™ i5-430M Processor(2.26GHz)
3MB L3 cache
4GB DDR3 Dual-Channel 1066 MHz

Drives:
500GB (5,400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
4x Blu-ray/ DVD±RW Super-Multi double layer drive

Graphics and Video:
15.6" HD widescreen Cinecrystal LCD display; 1366 x 768 native resolution; 16:9 aspect ratio
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 with 512MB of dedicated DDR3 VRAM

Communications:
802.11b/g/n Wifi Certifiedâ„¢
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

Audio:
2x Built-in speakers
High Definition Audio Support
Personalization:

Color: Mesh Black Design
Integrated microphone and webcam

Expandability:
Multi-in-1 digital media card reader accepts Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, MultiMediaCard and xD-Picture card

Ports:
3x USB 2.0 ports
HDMIâ„¢
Headphone/Speaker/Line-Out
VGA
Microphone in
RJ-45 (LAN)
DC-in Jack for AC adapter
Kensington Lock slot
Operating System:
Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Additional Software:
Microsoft Works 9.0
Power Supply:
6-cell Lithium Ion Battery (4400 mAh)
Additional Information:
Approximate Weight: 5.74 lbs.
Dimensions: 15" W x 9.9" D x .98-1.3" H
[Model AS5741G-6983/AS5339]
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...ng=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10590-Cat56670&topnav=#

closest model reviewed
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-Aspire-5741G-334G50Mn.28781.0.html


Here's another one, an HP dv7t $899.99

Processor & Memory
Intel® Core™ i5-450M Processor (2.40GHz)
3MB L3 cache
6GB DDR3 SDRAM (2 DIMM)

Drives:
500GB (7,200RPM) SATA Hard Drive
SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW double layer drive

Graphics & Video:
17.3" diagonal LED BrightView widescreen display; 1600 x 900 native resolution
1GB ATI Mobility Radeonâ„¢ HD 5650 Graphics
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...g=en-US&Sp=C&hierPath=84*56670*78129*&topnav=
 
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