Best cheap laptop?

[MissJasmine]

I'm planning to get a new notebook within the next few days as my 5 year old Dell is on its deathbed.
Does anyone have any suggestions on a good laptop under $500 for basic email, docs, browsing & video streaming?
There's so much to choose from... thanks!

 

[Aeiyah]

I've been happy with the Dell Inspiron I bought 2 years ago and I like the 15 inch monitor for viewing video. They have a pretty good sale going on to the end of the week.

 

[twoblues]

I do usually suggest Dell these days with the warranty (2 years or so). Seems to be the easiest and best solution for family and friends.

 

[*emmanuelle]

Get an iPad. It's only a few bucks more, but unlike a cheap Dell, won't have to be dumped into the growing pile of e-waste in a few years. Not to mention the facts that a) you can browse the web anywhere/anytime, and b) it's way sexier than a clunky pc laptop.

 

[hmm3030]

b) it's way sexier than a clunky pc laptop.[/QUOTE]

You in that bikini is way sexier than anything I can think of the moment....

 

[threepeat]

I'm planning to get a new notebook within the next few days as my 5 year old Dell is on its deathbed.
Does anyone have any suggestions on a good laptop under $500 for basic email, docs, browsing & video streaming?
There's so much to choose from... thanks!

Tablets have their place, but IMHO only if you already have a computer -- their main benefit is portability.

For a low-end laptop, I vote for the pure nerd street cred of a laptop with an AMD A6 Fusion processor -- best-in-class video, decent processing speed, and top-shelf battery life. Most are over $500, but here is one that is only $449... http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...spx?path=2fa2835e4db639024138a227d6310e52en02

This one would be decent too... better processing ability, video not quite as good, battery life excellent: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=63291&vpn=PSK08C-02K00T&manufacture=Toshiba&promoid=1377

 

[badbadboy]

Check out the refurbished MacBooks on Apple.ca.

There are some smokin hot deals to be had IMHO.

$699 incl 1 year warranty plus you can buy additional years Apple Care too.

http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FC505LL/A?mco=MjM2MDg2NDg

 

[MissJasmine]

Thanks to everyone for the input... I actually already have a Macbook Pro as a primary laptop, which is awesome.
I still want a replacement for the Dell Inspiron 1501, but wont be buying the same model since it crapped out on me early on and more than once.

 

[badbadboy]

she prefers under $500

After tossing away the $500 Dell after two years (maybe) the $699 refurbed Mac would be a steal.

I have owned Dell, Toshiba, Sony, Compaq and HP. NONE have lasted two years of regular use.

My MacBook is now in its third year - problem free.

 

[Banger77]

I'm planning to get a new notebook within the next few days as my 5 year old Dell is on its deathbed.
Does anyone have any suggestions on a good laptop under $500 for basic email, docs, browsing & video streaming?
There's so much to choose from... thanks!

Should check-out the Asus EeePAD Transformer Tablet with docking keyboard and uses the Android 3.1 OS; all together, it's within your budget but, without keyboard it's $400.
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/asus-asus-transformer-10-1-16gb-tablet-with-wi-fi-docking-station-tf101-a2-cbil-tf101-a2-cbil/10176145.aspx?path=fa4121151bb58fe706c05bf8ba68cd3 aen02
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/asus-asus-transformer-10-1-16gb-tablet-with-wi-fi-docking-station-tf101-a2-cbil-tf101-a2-cbil/10176145.aspx?path=53a64b5f08c4f940d6967069863ea9a ben02

 

[wilde]

Sorry to go off topic for a sec., I for one, do not understand this public fascination with tablets and Ipads. A buddy of mine recently bought a Lenovo X-220, it is billed as a tablet but really a laptop. It cost just over a grand but the specs on this thing is spectacular. With a 12.5'' display it is very portable. Why anyone would pay $500 to $800 for an over glorified web browser continues to baffle me...

 

[doctorkoma]

Jasmine,
I am on my 3rd dell laptop because they have been excellent and their support is fantastic.
I'd stay with a Dell. They have online specials. Take a look on line.
They have a good assortment of features and models and you can build your machine online with
the features you want.

 

[Purrr VertIcal]

It's soooo true.

Size matters.

 

[Tugela]

You mention that you have a MacBook Pro, so what exactly do you use the old Dell for? Just as a portable computer for traveling (while the MacBook stays at home)? If you are just using it only for things like e-mail, web stuff and looking at pictures/video, then a light tablet such as an iPad 2 or the new Samsung Tab 10.1 is probably best. With a good folding case (both tablets have excellent cases available) they are easy to carry around. A 7 inch tablet might be better if those are the sorts of applications you need it for since they are easier to slip into bags than the bigger ones, allthough I don't think there are any yet with slim profiles (Samsung are supposedly coming out with smaller versions of the Tab 10.1 though).

If you also need it for any sort of application software (such as wordprocessing, spreadsheets or presentations) then go for a 14 inch Windows laptop. They are reasonably cheap and powerful. Pretty much any current laptop will kick the snot out of every tablet in terms of performance. Tablets that are currently on the market are basically giant smart phones without the phone part.

 

[twoblues]

Sorry to go off topic for a sec., I for one, do not understand this public fascination with tablets and Ipads. A buddy of mine recently bought a Lenovo X-220, it is billed as a tablet but really a laptop. It cost just over a grand but the specs on this thing is spectacular. With a 12.5'' display it is very portable. Why anyone would pay $500 to $800 for an over glorified web browser continues to baffle me...

I don't know...I have a powerful desktop, a netbook for travel, and just got an iPad very recently. The iPad is purely a reading device that I have on my coffee table. I read the morning news, magazines, etc...on it.

It's definitely less clunky to read with because you don't have a keyboard to worry about and it's pretty lightweight and easy to handle.

It just works. It's not a fascination with tablets that made me buy it, just another neat piece of tech that fit well into my lifestyle.

 

[twoblues]

You'll be able to do all that on your Big screen TV within the year.

Well, I do have an HTPC attached to my tv as well...but reading on that tv from the distance of the couch is anything but a good user experience. It serves its life better as a dispenser of porn

 

[wilde]

I don't know...I have a powerful desktop, a netbook for travel, and just got an iPad very recently. The iPad is purely a reading device that I have on my coffee table. I read the morning news, magazines, etc...on it.

It's definitely less clunky to read with because you don't have a keyboard to worry about and it's pretty lightweight and easy to handle.

It just works. It's not a fascination with tablets that made me buy it, just another neat piece of tech that fit well into my lifestyle.

Well, in your case, an over glorified book reader that you could have gotten for $200.

 

[twoblues]

Well, in your case, an over glorified book reader that you could have gotten for $200.

Well, I have a Kindle for that.

Yes...I have an addiction

 

[Purrr VertIcal]

I've had one of these for some time, and am quite happy with it. VERY portable because of its size. Cums in many colors (mine did, anyway - the Acer Aspire One, now discontinued/superceded)

The thing is, the size convenience means there is no internal disc drive, which can be a challenge at times.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+Mini+Netbook+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Atom%26%23153%3B+Processor+/+10.1%22+Display+/+1GB+Memory+/+250GB+Hard+Drive+-+Blue/1853531.p;jsessionid=783ED619FB4C95D4CC04E3F0D37CD4D2.bbolsp-app01-10?id=1218297024339&skuId=1853531

The above link is the newer version available at Best Buy, and finer SP stores everywhere....

 

[the old maxx50]

I like the whole touch screen idea ,As yet have no got one .. just not sure about not having keys to push... I am thinking of getting one soon .. maybe even a touch screen phone I will also get a portable key board ...

But evaluation is what it is all about and I will try to adapt.... Ipad started it all but the Samsung galaxy tabs look better and android seem to have some benefits that apple does not ... No matter what you buy it is all ready out dated and ill be eclipsed in a 3 months
Who uses their computer full capabilities I don't some Email . some photo storage. some posting and accessing the internet... And some online ordering and banking .... But when it come down to it that is not using very much of the computers programs abilities

In fact the computing power of an Iphone is about as much as most people need if they don;t play games on line... Most storage of info and picks can even be done on line i off line storage sites .. Places like our email servers or different picture hosting sites sensually can handle most of our needs if we manage what info we keep .. Who need to down load porn on your computer when you can access your favorites any time you want and most of it just gets boring after the 100th time of watching it ... I know i chick and same hundreds of pics of the net .. but i may not look at them very ofter .. and i won't miss them it they are lost one day .. They are still on the net some where for now any ways .. I can live with out all of this .. I only had a computer that works right for the last 10 yrs .. even though they have been around for 30 yrs ...

Touch pad Vs lap top hmmmmmm not sure

Yes DVD drive that is a question but we down load most programs and Usb stored programs or sd card seem to be by pass that also... The DVD is on its way out just like the 8" Floppy and 3 1/2"

Next they will have computers with out a screen .. just a 3d projector