What's the best laptop for less than $500?

[cidley69]

On a limited budget and need a new laptop.

Looking at these so far:

$399 for a Samsung 355V5C-A04CA

$449 for a Lenovo N581


Which of these is better?

Anyone know other ones that are better deals?

[carson86]

Lenovo G580 59344046, 15.6-inch, it adopts the third-generation intel core I3 3110M processor, 4GB ram and Intel HD 4000 GPU $428

[carson86]

Look at this article , it listed some models under $500

[EK69]

I find sell laptops when they have their sales are usually a good deal
But it depends what specs ur looking for. Big hard drive, 7200rpm vs 5400 vs ssd. Then graphics if u plan on gaming at all or not (dedicated video card vs intel shared). And then size of the laptop too. Whichever u choose, spend the extra for a bigger battery if it wont increase the size past what u want....many ppl complain abt how long battery lasts especially when some I've seen only come with 3cell battery to begin with... And if u go ultrabook u lose cddrive usually I think. So decide if that's important or not. It's hard to just give u a laptop for under 5 bills without knowing some more information abt what ur looking for and what u plan on doing with it. Then there's "extra" stuff like touch screen too to consider. Other companies to check out include asus and Sony in addition the ones already suggested. Some want big hard drive some want ssd specifically.

[cidley69]

Thanks for bringing up those good points.

It seems in the 500 price range getting around 750 gb hd and 6 to 8 gb ram is possible.

Requirements are email, fb, downloading/watching tv and movies. No gaming. Being able to use big screen to watch media would be great (either wifi or hdmi).

Thin, Lightweight and being a better colour than black/grey also desirable.

Does this help narrow the choices?

[revelations]

Dont cheap out on a laptop, you get what you pay for.

Its almost better to find an older laptop for a good prices used on KIJIJI.

eg.

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ438451134

[cidley69]

OK, good point Revelation.

The budget has been upped a few hun, with a ne may of $$700 ish.

Been looking at the tablet/laptop hybrids.

They seem like best of both worlds.

Anyone got one of these?

Lenovo Twist or Yoga seem fair.

Got any other thoughts of ones in this price range?

[jwslam]

Originally posted by cidley69
Anyone got one of these?

Lenovo Twist or Yoga seem fair.

X61t owner here. Since 2008. The hinge is still holding up strong, very impressed. I loved the thing up to the day I got the Asus Transformer. But that was also when I graduated and didn't need windows applications for school use.

[cidley69]

Thanks for the reply.

Of the current crop of tablet/laptop hybrids, which would you recommend in the under $700 range?

[jwslam]

Originally posted by cidley69
Thanks for the reply.

Of the current crop of tablet/laptop hybrids, which would you recommend in the under $700 range?

Originally posted by cidley69
Requirements are email, fb, downloading/watching tv and movies. No gaming. Being able to use big screen to watch media would be great (either wifi or hdmi).

From this, I would look into an Android Tablet. Specifically, I love my Asus Transformer. Rated for 16 hours with the keyboard dock, and does exactly what you have listed there. Mine is 1st generation, I think it's on 4th now?

If you're keen on windows, maybe hop on the surface bandwagon? Or I do strongly recommend the build quality on Lenovo. Especially the business line with the outdated boxy styling.

If you're not gaming, you really don't NEED an i5 or better, or SSD, or any of that performance related stuff.

[jwslam]

dp. oops

[cidley69]

Do any tablets come with hdmi outputs?

Or To play media on tv does the tv need to have wifi?

[jwslam]

Originally posted by cidley69
Do any tablets come with hdmi outputs?

Or To play media on tv does the tv need to have wifi?

Most do.
My TF101 has mini-HDMI out. I believe lenovo tablets should be the same. Quick google says MS Surface has micro-hdmi out.

Mini and micro will require adapters or the special cable.
I have a micro-HDMI cable i have no use for anymore...