Laptop suggestions

kodave

kodave

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I've been tasked with finding a laptop for a family member.

The laptop would just be used for web browsing, Microsoft Office products for college classes, iTunes, browsing photo files. No gaming or intense multimedia editing would be going on. A decent hard drive and a CD/DVD drive are necessary as well. A decent battery would also be ideal - not something that's going to crap out to a 30 minute lifespan within a year. Screen size isn't a big factor. Something 13-15 inches is more than enough. Resolution doesn't need to be high but should be decent. It would also be helpful if it was something that seems like it would still function without a shit ton of problems a handful of years from now. No crazy touch screen or backlit keyboards or Beats by Dre sound systems are necessary. HDMI output would be nice though.

I'd like to order the laptop off Amazon since I have Prime.

I don't have a price range just yet but I'm thinking with those light specs it shouldn't be too much.

I'd also like to avoid Apple/HP/Dell/Toshiba. I'm more comfortable with brands like Asus/Acer/Sony/Lenovo.

Does anyone have any suggestions for such a laptop?
 
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Sorry no suggestions other than to look at Warehouse deals and see if there's anything you want, but I'm sure basically anything you buy would handle that stuff easily. I'd just look for a reliable brand/model at a cheap price and get a warranty if you're concerned about something going wrong. Personally I wouldn't bother with a warranty on something like this though.
 
[quote name='MajorSmeg']Frys has a 15.6" Lenovo for $268 right now[/QUOTE]
i think that's instore only

target has one for $329

Acer Aspire 15.6" Laptop PC (V5-531-4636) with 500GB Hard Drive, 4GB Memory - Black

http://www.target.com/p/acer-aspire...hard-drive-4gb-memory-black/-/A-14113050#?lnk


  • Maximum Resolution: 1366 x 768
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Aspect Ratio
  • Display Features: LED Display, Widescreen, Backlit Display, High-Definition
  • Processor Brand: Intel
  • Processor Speed: Up to 1.3 Ghz
  • Processor Type: Intel Pentium B967
  • Cache Memory Installed Capacity: 2MB L3 Cache
  • System Bus Speed: Up to 1066 Mhz
  • System RAM: 4096 MB
  • Memory RAM Type: DDR3
  • Maximum RAM Supported: 8 GB
  • Total RAM Slots Free: 1 Free/2 Total
  • Data Storage Capacity: 500GB Hard Drive Capacity
  • Hard Drive Speed: 5400 RPM
  • Built-In Graphics Card Model: Intel HD Graphics
  • Optical Drive Type: Double Layer, CD-RW/DVD+R, DVD±R/RW
  • Maximum Read Speeds: DVD-ROM 8x, CD-ROM 24x
  • Maximum Write Speeds: DVD+R DL 8x, CD-R 24x, DVD+R 8x, DVD-RAM 5x
  • Maximum Rewrite Speeds: CD-RW 24x, DVD+RW 8x
  • Wired Technology: 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN
  • Wired Connectivity: USB 3.0, USB 2.0
  • Wireless Technology: Wi-Fi Enabled
  • Wireless Standard: IEEE 802.11b/g/n
  • Built-In Card Reader Type: 2-in-1 Card Reader
  • Input Type: VGA, SD Card Slot, Microphone, USB, RJ-45, Headphone Jack
  • Output Type: Headphone Jack, HDMI, VGA
  • Audio Features: Built-In Speakers, Dolby Advanced Audio, High Definition Audio Support
  • Card Slots Supported: MultiMedia Card (MMC), SD Card
  • Built-In Webcam Features: Built-In 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
  • Battery Charge Life: Up to 4 Hours
 
All meet your specs I think, all $550 or less & all work with Prime:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Series-SVE15112FXS-15-5-Inch-Aluminum/dp/B0080EBKCK/

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Series-SVE14112FXW-14-Inch-Seafoam/dp/B0080EBMAA/

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Series-NP305E5A-A06US-15-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0082PZ0EG/

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-AS5560-7402-15-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B006LWUPA6/

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-A53Z-AS61-15-6-Inch-Laptop-Mocha/dp/B007MW13PA/

My Fave:
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Ideapad-1024DCU-15-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B006M9ZWOM/

Downside to the last one is it's an older model (no USB 3.0), but has the best processor of the bunch & more RAM. If battery life is a determining factor you may have to think about ditching the DVD drive though. You can get ultrabooks or smaller notebooks for around the $500 price point sometimes, though they don't have the DVD drive it will basically double your battery life (moreso in some cases). Plus you can buy portable external DVD drives for under $40.
 
Thanks for all of the replies. I gave up on the thread after it didn't get many responses initially, but I see people chimed in after. Thanks, CAG.

I ended up getting this from Micro Center:
Aspire V3-571-6849 15.6" Laptop Computer - Black;
Intel Core i3-2370M Processor;
4GB DDR3-1066 RAM;
500GB 5,400RPM Hard Drive;
15.6" HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit Display;
8x DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive;
5-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader;
Intel HD Graphics 3000;
10/100/1000 Network;
802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™;
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

It also has 3 USB ports - two 2.0s and one 3.0, Bluetooth capabilities, and HDMI and VGA ports too. I think battery life was only estimated at 4.5 hours for a 6 cell, but I think that's pretty standard on these types on laptops.

Micro Center had it for $349. I upgraded the RAM for $25ish just to get that out of the way. After tax and recycling fees it was like $410 out the door.

I almost ended up getting the ASUS BriankLizard93 suggested since it was an Amazon Lightning Deal last Friday, but it ended up being about the same price as what I later paid at Micro Center for a slightly better machine even though I don't have to pay tax on Amazon. There was a similar Acer Aspire to that ASUS at Micro Center with nearly identical specs but it was the same price as the newer and slightly better one I ended up getting.

I think what I got was good for the price and should last a solid number of years for school purposes, provided this family member takes care of the machine.
 
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