What's new in the world of low end laptops or chromebooks?

[ExtraSlow]

A family member has asked me to recommend them a low end laptop, and I'm thinking probably a chromebook is the right choice. Will be used 90% for web, and they are already android/google people on their phone, so I think the Chrome OS is a good fit. If they need a little light spreadsheeting or document editing, Google docs/sheets should be fine. Decent sized keyboard is a requirement.

Doesn't need to be tiny, or at the extreme cheap end of the market, but want a decent value.

I haven't looked at these things in ages, so what's new, interesting, or a good deal these days? Thanks.

[ExtraSlow]

Something like this? https://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX70414

ASUS Chromebook C101PA-DB02 w/ ARM OP1, 4GB, 16GB eMMC, 10.1 in HD, Chrome OS $399

[The Cosworth]

Replying because my chromebook is old and probably could use an upgrade.

[realazy]

I did a bunch of research on Chromebooks last year before I ended up with a used one.

There was a switch somewhere in 2014-2015 to fanless mobile CPUs which really hurt performance on the lower end Chomebooks. I ended up with a used Acer C740 that still had a fanned Celeron xxxxU processor vs. the newer fanless Nxxx ones. The performance is twice as powerful as newer ones based on benchmarks and still lasts a good 8 hours on battery.

I believe some places still sell the Acer c740 new but, they still want close to $300 for it.

Whichever one you choose, make sure to get one with 4gb of ram and it should still be snappy compared to low end windows machines. Also, stay away from any Intel Atom ones if you still see them. I would also avoid any non intel (ARM) processor Chromebooks as they tend to perform poorer.

[Xtrema]

I prefer Windows, more versatile.

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product...12652253.aspx?

And swap that HD out with 120GB SSD for $40.

https://www.amazon.ca/Crucial-BX500-...07G3L3DRK?th=1

I also love Inspiron due to their easy DIY upgrade/service manual: https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/insp...nual_en-us.pdf
There are 2 Dimm slots, so upgrading to 8GB should be easy too.

Although, I have not tested any of the latest Chromebook offerings since they merged with Android apps Play Store.

https://www.androidcentral.com/these...oid-linux-apps

That may bring some life back on some chromebooks.


Also, I would discourage any notebook/laptop that uses eMMC storage. That's almost like running your device on SD Card. Given SSD are so cheap these day, I rather spend $40 on a 120GB SSD than deals with 32/64GB eMMC storage.

[ExtraSlow]

This is some good food for thought everyone. Any ither suggestions?

[Xtrema]

https://www.techradar.com/news/mobil...the-us-1233696

Here's a list of Chromebooks and their prices.

The key is decent size keyboard and that will probably bump you up to $500-$800 range and 12" or larger models.

If you want to compare value as in spec vs price, I don't think chromebooks are cheaper any more compared to windows laptop. End of the day, it's which eco system you are comfortable with.

[spike98]

I am looking for something for my kid for school/homework/youtube. I thought about the chromebook as they use them in school so he is very much familiar with the interface and the google suite. However, to get one on the higher spec level, you are in the $300-$400 territory.

Then i seen this guy: https://store.hp.com/CanadaStore/Mer...mpaign=redflag

According to RFD it goes on sale frequently bellow $600. It is far more capable than any chromebook would be at only $200 more. I would keep an eye on the RFD forums and jump on something that goes on sale instead of cheaping out on a chromebook.

[403ep3]

I had to buy a laptop for the organization I am volunteering for and went with a refurbished Lenovo one. It has an i5, 128 SSD, bt, camera for $398 and includes windows 10.

Not a bad deal

[NissanFanBoy]

Bought the blue HP Stream for my wife from Walmart, don't make the same mistake as me, slow as hell and keeps dropping wifi, very weak wifi reciever.

[ExtraSlow]

looking to stay under the $500 mark, what do you think about the refurbished options?

This HP EliteBook 840 G1 UltraBook w/ Core i5-4300U, 16GB, 240GB SSD, 14.0in HD, Windows 10 Professional (Refurbished) for $499 looks pretty nice.

probably better than the HP Elitebook Folio 9470m w/ Core™ i5-3427U, 8GB, 180GB SSD, 14.0 HD, Win 10 Pro (Refurbished) for $429

If we can get decent specs, windows is fine for OS, I had been thinking Chrome previously because I assumed it would be significantly cheaper, but seems not to be the case.

[Mitsu3000gt]

For that kind of money you can get a "real" laptop and then throw in a $50 SSD which is probably your best bang for the buck. Assuming size/weight isn't a concern of course, since sub $500 laptops are usually porkers.

Dell Refurbished has lots in your price range:

https://www.dellrefurbished.ca/lapto...sc&order=price

Basically the budget is so low that for every little bit of money you spend over, there are huge gains to be had. Even $150 more would put you into current hardware, but obviously then you are kind of abandoning the "cheap as possible" plan.

The HP's you posted are 5 and 6 years old respectively, and thus IMO not a good deal even at those prices. On Kijiji those are probably $100-$200 laptops. A lot of the Dell refurbs aren't really any better though at that price point.

I wish I had bought a new laptop already, I would have sold you my mint Zenbook for well under your budget and would be perfect for the intended use.

These are well reviewed and were very recently on sale for $199 (probably will be again soon) - it doesn't really get any cheaper than that:

https://www.amazon.ca/Acer-Chromeboo...rds=chromebook

Using the Lenovo EPP logins I can see this for $681 which would be a good deal after an SSD swap:

https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/ibmeppf...-currentmodels

Or this for $590 and has an SSD already:

https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/ibmeppf...-currentmodels

At least then you're into a good quality laptop with current hardware instead of 6 years old for only $150 cheaper.

There might be other promo codes as well you can stack on.

[ExtraSlow]

I have a longstanding hatred of Dell, so I'd prefer not them. Weight and size not a big issue, in fact large-ish screen would be helpful. Continuing to research.

[Boat]

It's frustrating that chromebooks have gone up in prices these days. But I would recommend a 1080P model with 4gb ram as mentioned:

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product...edback-wrapper

[The Cosworth]

Saw something really quickly on TV this morning when getting ready for work about a $300 or $400 surface 'go' or something. Says $529 online but swore it said $399 or something on the ad. Might not be the right thing.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/p/su...%3aoverviewtab

[spike98]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Saw something really quickly on TV this morning when getting ready for work about a $300 or $400 surface 'go' or something. Says $529 online but swore it said $399 or something on the ad. Might not be the right thing.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/p/su...%3aoverviewtab

I was looking at a go but all the reviews say to go with the higher model or you will have lag. With pen and keyboard you are getting close to a grand now.

[Xtrema]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Saw something really quickly on TV this morning when getting ready for work about a $300 or $400 surface 'go' or something. Says $529 online but swore it said $399 or something on the ad. Might not be the right thing.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/p/su...%3aoverviewtab

Was at MS Store. It's 10" means keyboard is a bit on the small size.

The only good model is $699. Like Spike said, add keyboard and pen and it quickly escalates to $1000 which unless you have a hard on for the form factor, not a deal any more based on specs.

[ExtraSlow]

Unless I'm misreading things, or you guys can educate me further, this seems like a solid choice on the low end :
Asus
E406MA-DB21 w/ Pentium Silver N5000, 4GB, 64GB eMMC, 14in FHD, Windows 10 Home. https://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX72406

Current processor, cheap price, decent size.

[spike98]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Unless I'm misreading things, or you guys can educate me further, this seems like a solid choice on the low end :
Asus
E406MA-DB21 w/ Pentium Silver N5000, 4GB, 64GB eMMC, 14in FHD, Windows 10 Home. https://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX72406

Current processor, cheap price, decent size.

My thoughts are that anything pentium its terribly slow compared to even a 4th gen "i" processor, eMMC storage is slow, and 4gb will likely not be enough. The Surface Go tablets get away with lower specs because of the optimized version of windows 10.

Two chrome tabs on that machine will slow it to a crawl. You could get away with an N type pentium if you run a SSD and a proper amount of ram but you will be over $600 for something like that and into a last gen i5 for that price.

[ExtraSlow]

So that eMMC is slower than a real SSD, I get that, but it should still be as fast or faster than a spinning disk HDD? right? If so, that's a non-issue to me.