Sub $650 Laptop Recommendations?

[joytron]

The lady is looking to invest in a new laptop and I am totally lost as to what is out there right now. She needs it for school, web browsing/blogging, something fairly portable with a decent amount of RAM. Here is one I have been looking at but I am not really sure what else compares ([url="http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i15N-2728BK-15-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0081ZDWZQ/ref=zg_bs_565108_3"]http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i15N-2728BK-15-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0081ZDWZQ/ref=zg_bs_565108_3[/url])

She is also open to the idea of getting an ipad but I don't really see the benefit compared to some of the tiny laptops on the market. Amy advice is as always very appreciated.

[Chreees]

We just got my grandma an awesome HP laptop from Walmart for $698 plus tax. Has 8GB/750GB, Beats audio, everything your girl would probably need. If I needed a new laptop, it's probably what I'd go for.


Tapatalk'd via iPhone

EDIT: Now that I'm on a computer and have re-read your post, I just want to say that every Dell I've used has pretty much sucked (especially after they're about two years old). I hate Dell, lol.

[Stuie]

[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1347934491' post='556592']
The lady is looking to invest in a new laptop and I am totally lost as to what is out there right now. She needs it for school, web browsing/blogging, something fairly portable with a decent amount of RAM. Here is one I have been looking at but I am not really sure what else compares ([url="http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i15N-2728BK-15-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0081ZDWZQ/ref=zg_bs_565108_3"]http://www.amazon.co...=zg_bs_565108_3[/url])

She is also open to the idea of getting an ipad but I don't really see the benefit compared to some of the tiny laptops on the market. Amy advice is as always very appreciated.
[/quote]

I had that dell. Only one problem with it for me... Massive Hands, tiny keyboard don't mix well. Ended up selling it for a Toshiba Satellite. As far a tablet, not so great for productivity... yet. Think we are about 1 or 2 generations away.

I am loving the Aspire Lately
[url="http://www.officemax.com/technology/computers/laptop-computers/product-prod3810494?R=23260016&ssp=true"]http://www.officemax.com/technology/computers/laptop-computers/product-prod3810494?R=23260016&ssp=true[/url]

[Pavo21]

erica just bought this
[url="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246489"]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246489[/url]

and to be honest its pretty epic, well frys was having a deal buy it for 400 get 50$ rebate and windows 8 upgrade for free, and since lenovo is IBM's down grade you knwo ur getting some quality, but have her go check out frys and keep up to date on thier adds. its a pretty awesome computer its gotta full keyboard even a number pad. its like typing on a regular keyboard which is nice, because like stuie i got big hands and small laptops just are annoying

[DrSmokes]

Keep on eye on slickdeals.net. You'll find some pretty good deals there.

If she really wants a tablet, I heard that the Nexus 7 is amazing. You can then buy a keyboard for it in the event you want to do some typing. I'm not big into tablets so I'm not sure about all the apps with it but I'm sure there is an app for something similar to ms office. I'm going to assume you can print from them now too. Heck, I think the nexus even comes with a stylus in the event she needs to take notes or write out her grocery list or something. All the meanwhile costing you around $300, so the amount you save you can put into buy apps and addons for it if need be.

I'm a desktop guy and not fond of tablets...not yet anyways. HP laptops have treated me well. I'd make sure that if you get a laptop, but sure to get an i7 processor or the new trinity chips from amd (has cpu and gpu in 1 chip, saving you on battery, heat, etc). I haven't seen many with the trinity chips and have been waiting for them to make mass production on laptops since they came out a few months ago...looks like I'll have to wait for xmas season.

[gramps]

Not a big fan of Dell computers. I've had good luck with Acer. Unless you're a gamer, or you're into photo or video editing, an inexpensive computer will suffice. The one I'm using right now is a $500 machine with decent specs.

Plus, I travel a lot and I wouldn't want to have an expensive laptop lost, stolen or damaged.

[Rani]

[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1347934491' post='556592']
The lady is looking to invest in a new laptop and I am totally lost as to what is out there right now. She needs it for school, web browsing/blogging, something fairly portable with a decent amount of RAM. Here is one I have been looking at but I am not really sure what else compares ([url="http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i15N-2728BK-15-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0081ZDWZQ/ref=zg_bs_565108_3"]http://www.amazon.co...=zg_bs_565108_3[/url])

She is also open to the idea of getting an ipad but I don't really see the benefit compared to some of the tiny laptops on the market. Amy advice is as always very appreciated.
[/quote]

While you're checking Amazon, if you look a little deeper they also have an outlet. I picked up a screaming fast computer (used but guaranteed) with 300G hard drive for less than $200. They also have laptops. Because it's an outlet the offerings can vary, but they have some pretty amazing deals on there depending on your timing and what you're looking for.

'Rani

[Rani]

[quote name='Rani' timestamp='1347985788' post='556661']
[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1347934491' post='556592']
The lady is looking to invest in a new laptop and I am totally lost as to what is out there right now. She needs it for school, web browsing/blogging, something fairly portable with a decent amount of RAM. Here is one I have been looking at but I am not really sure what else compares ([url="http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i15N-2728BK-15-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0081ZDWZQ/ref=zg_bs_565108_3"]http://www.amazon.co...=zg_bs_565108_3[/url])

She is also open to the idea of getting an ipad but I don't really see the benefit compared to some of the tiny laptops on the market. Amy advice is as always very appreciated.
[/quote]

While you're checking Amazon, if you look a little deeper they also have an outlet. I picked up a screaming fast computer (used but guaranteed) with 300G hard drive for less than $200. They also have laptops. Because it's an outlet the offerings can vary, but they have some pretty amazing deals on there depending on your timing and what you're looking for.

'Rani
[/quote]

Forgot to mention...... Computers are one of those items now being recommended to buy used and/or refurbished because the technology is moving so fast that if you buy the latest and greatest, it's still going to be out of date in 6 months. So why spend that kind of money up front for new, when you could buy used every year and keep more current overall?

'Rani

[Chreees]

[quote name='Pavo21' timestamp='1347956188' post='556621']
erica just bought this
[url="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246489"]http://www.newegg.co...N82E16834246489[/url]

and to be honest its pretty epic, well frys was having a deal buy it for 400 get 50$ rebate and windows 8 upgrade for free, and since lenovo is IBM's down grade you knwo ur getting some quality, but have her go check out frys and keep up to date on thier adds. its a pretty awesome computer its gotta full keyboard even a number pad. its like typing on a regular keyboard which is nice, because like stuie i got big hands and small laptops just are annoying
[/quote]

That's pretty sweet... I like Lenovo. A coworker has one and it's really slick. I want to buy it myself! Haha. Nah, I have this old Dell that I'm going to fix the motherboard on and hopefully sell, then maybe I'll get a Lenovo or HP laptop.

[Stuie]

You could also get a MacBook Pro...$1,199....nevermind.

What about a MacBook Air... $999....nevermind.

What about a Mac Pro....$2,499....nevermind.

What about a iMac...$1,199....nevermind.

What about a Mac Mini....it's $599, then you have to buy a keyboard, mouse and monitor....nevermind.

[joytron]

Thanks for all of the great ideas.

Stuie, she cant get enough of the aspire, sounds like looks are a pretty huge factor for her.

Chris could you send me a link of the laptop you were referring to?


Any idea of what GB range I should be looking at?

[Chreees]

My grandma got this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-Midnight-Black-15.6-Pavilion-dv6-7029wm-Laptop-PC-with-AMD-Quad-Core-A8-4500M-Accelerated-Processor-and-Windows-7-Home-Premium-with-Windows-8-Pro/20976910

It really has too much RAM and hard drive on it for my grandma's needs, but I recommended it to her because the higher specs should mean it'll last her longer. Plus she could afford it.

If your girl is looking for a simple laptop for general use, not for things that need a lot of memory space, then I'd go with a cheaper option, like the Lenovo laptop on Newegg Pavo linked. If it were me, though, I'd try and get higher specs if possible, weighing the options of specs vs. price, and try to find a happy medium. The HP linked above is a happy medium to me, but may not be for her. Really it depends on what your girl's needs are and what your budget is.

[ChicagoRSX]

Sony Vaio, have only good things to say about the vaio brand, I'm using one right now.

[Pavo21]

[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1348004285' post='556681']
My grandma got this one: [url="http://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-Midnight-Black-15.6-Pavilion-dv6-7029wm-Laptop-PC-with-AMD-Quad-Core-A8-4500M-Accelerated-Processor-and-Windows-7-Home-Premium-with-Windows-8-Pro/20976910"]http://www.walmart.c...-8-Pro/20976910[/url]

It really has too much RAM and hard drive on it for my grandma's needs, but I recommended it to her because the higher specs should mean it'll last her longer. Plus she could afford it.

If your girl is looking for a simple laptop for general use, not for things that need a lot of memory space, then I'd go with a cheaper option, like the Lenovo laptop on Newegg Pavo linked. If it were me, though, I'd try and get higher specs if possible, weighing the options of specs vs. price, and try to find a happy medium. The HP linked above is a happy medium to me, but may not be for her. Really it depends on what your girl's needs are and what your budget is.
[/quote]

if shes only gonna use it for school and not games honestly the one erica just got is perfect its actully pretty fast, personally im a desktop person because i utilize sooo much of my computer and desktops just do it for me. but jsut go walk around frys and dont buy anything unless she feels its rightand she wont ever use up a whole TB on a computer, erica got it for what she needs it for cherry bomb fabric stuff the web...thats it maybe chatting and what not but its perfect. but if she wants to use it for school find someonth that offers like school discounts ohh shit...i just remembered [url="http://www.journeyed.com/"]http://www.journeyed.com/[/url] sign up for that shit if ur in school. because we got photoshop cs5 for 150$ lol tons of shit for CHEAP!! if ur a student check out the site. u just gotta register ur school email and ur pretty much set up for tons of discounts like on office and everything. and when you actully sign up the prices drop more then what just shows on the website. just a hint.