Sub $500 Laptop Recommendations

don

don

Well-Known Member
The Dell XPS Ultraportable I have had for a while seems to be finally crapping the bed. I've been running Ubuntu on it which seems good performance wise but it's just been flaky.

Anyway, looking for just a good laptop for cheap. I know $500 isn't much but the newer specs should be better than my XPS which did well for me. And with Black Friday just next week thought there might be some deals cooking right now. I don't need an ultra-portable as when I do travel with it I want a decent size screen.

Any thoughts on this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Fa...ategoryId=pcmcat219300050014&id=1218267292013

Is DDR3 much better than DDR2? Is the Intel Core2 Duo chip outdated?

Thanks in advance!

Add-on - If something is out there that is a smoking value for more than $500 - please feel free to show it.
 
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don said:
The Dell XPS Ultraportable I have had for a while seems to be finally crapping the bed. I've been running Ubuntu on it which seems good performance wise but it's just been flaky.

Anyway, looking for just a good laptop for cheap. I know $500 isn't much but the newer specs should be better than my XPS which did well for me. And with Black Friday just next week thought there might be some deals cooking right now. I don't need an ultra-portable as when I do travel with it I want a decent size screen.

Any thoughts on this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Fa...ategoryId=pcmcat219300050014&id=1218267292013

Is DDR3 much better than DDR2? Is the Intel Core2 Duo chip outdated?

Thanks in advance!

Add-on - If something is out there that is a smoking value for more than $500 - please feel free to show it.
Click to expand...

Yes, that computer is outdated and refurbished. If you can spare a few more bucks you could look at something along these lines. Same size screen, faster memory, better processor with same shitty 5400 rpm drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157439

Also, check out http://www.microcenter.com/

They've been advertising a lot of great deals if you're willing to do an in-store pick up.
 
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Also look at the Dell Inspiron 15R with i3 processor and the Inspiron 17R with the i5 processor. Both start in the 600-750 range.
 
Jason - thanks! I'll peep out the newegg, microcenter sites.

Jeff - that Lenovo looks very nice - like the fact that is has the 7200 rpm HDD and the price point is spot on. Windows 7 Pro doesn't hurt either.
 
toshiba satellite

picked up the toshiba satellite last week at micro center $349

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5063 - Black

also bought an external mouse $7. nice unit but imho a bit more ram might be better as it has windows 7, when i watch instructional flash videos, the program crashes if i try an open ie.

it has 200 gigs drive, so you can put stuff on, but i still have an external hd so i don't need everything on the laptop:popcorn:
 
DDR3 won't get you noticeable performance over DDR2 on a motherboard, so I read, maybe 2% increase. I didn't even realize that DDR3 was coming out for main boards yet, its been about 2 years since I built a computer.

The Core2 Duo isn't "really" outdated yet, but it is for laptops. It's a desktop processor and it kind of bridged the gap between the Intel Celerons and the Atom/i Line of processors coming out for laptops.

I am a fan of Dell's laptops though, and they seem to be using AMD processors on their sub/slightly above $500 laptops which I am very supportive of. Every AMD processor I have owned has been a real trooper that I overclocked to high heaven on the stock cooler (I know, I should have gotten proper cooling). Take a lookskee at the Inspiron Line from Dell.
 
Let's face it. You not going to get any good performance out sub $500 laptop unless you just check your email and browse internet.
 
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