Ideas on value laptop?

[ryanbatc]

Hey guys, my wife and I are looking for a decent value laptop (can you have the words decent and value in the same sentence hehe?)

I'm not extremely familiar with the newer mobile CPU's. Though from what I've read the Athlon II's are decent, however not as good as the core i3.

We found a Gateway at Best Buy, for $499 - Athlon II, 4gb ram, 320gb hdd, with some crappy ati video card hehe

The link is here:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+...&skuId=9972693

This laptop will be mainly for my wife, so just internet browsing, occasional Microsoft word/Excel stuff, maybe a little Age of Empires II we enjoy playing together on the LAN lol!!

We certainly don't want to spend more than $600 - sub-500 preferred.

So, tell me what you guys think? Or if you have any suggestions...

Thanks a lot!

p.s. if the link doesn't work, here's the model number and stuff

Gateway - Laptop / AMD Athlon™ II X2 Processor / 15.6" Display / 4GB Memory / 320GB Hard Drive - Velvet Blue
Model: NV53A24u | SKU: 9972693

[Duke{CLR}]

My neighbor just bought a really nicely loaded 17" Toshiba at Costco for under $700.00. I helped them get the wireless setup and it was a zippy little beast for the $$.

[{CLR} ObiTroy]

I was in BestBuy yesterday and they had a whole rack of laptops on clearence, must have been about 12 different models. You may want to stop my your local BestBuy to check that out.

[Rand{CLR}]

I like Dell Outlet. Lots of refurb (with same warranty as new), returns, and minor scratch/dent stuff there for way below what they otherwise charge. We bought a laptop from there about 3 years ago now and it's been awesome. I still use it for vacations, my wife uses it every night, and it only cost us something like $400.

-Rand

[K PhaNTOM]

For that price you can get the exact same specs but with a Core Duo

As always Intel > AMD(efect)

EDIT: See, just checked my email...

Newegg.com - ASUS P50IJ-X3 NoteBook Intel Pentium dual-core T4500 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel GMA 4500M

[Skud]

ryanbatc,

Here are a couple of charts that lay out the most reliable laptops, according to a study regarding repair/failure rate over a three year period. Asus and then Toshiba have the best rating, if that helps any. I have a Gateway for which one day the power connection simply stopped. Haven't had it repaired yet. The one computer shop I took it to said that often the contact points for the power separate because of the stress of plugging/unplugging, and they don't have anyone who does soldering at the place, lol. So I haven't had it repaired yet, but, also, I've barely used the thing and have always treated it like a baby: so no more Gateways for me.

Anyway, here are the charts. If I ever get one again, looks like it'll be an Asus or a Toshiba. http://www.electronista.com/articles...ple.4th.place/

[ryanbatc]

For that price you can get the exact same specs but with a Core Duo

As always Intel > AMD(efect)

EDIT: See, just checked my email...

Newegg.com - ASUS P50IJ-X3 NoteBook Intel Pentium dual-core T4500 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel GMA 4500M

Hmmm I've read that Asus now makes solid notebooks. But isn't that CPU a "pentium" dual core, and not a core 2 duo like you might find in a desktop build? Or is a T5400 the same thing as a core 2 duo?

Thanks for all the suggestions, especially the chart - never seen that before. MY dad's HP has been running strong for years now, probably more than 5, and HP is at the bottom of the barrel according to that chart hmmmm...

The $700 suggestion sounds nice but too much for what we want. There won't be any gaming on this thing.. age of empires came out in what 1999 lol?

I recall that BB had some Asus laptops - I'll have to do some more research now!!

[K PhaNTOM]

Well if I can visit your link (Not working btw) I would see how fast your processor/other features. I mean if it's the same speed you're better off with an intel (But that's because I'm an Intel fanboy)

BTW look at the chart and how ACER is way up top. I've had a Acer laptop for about 4 years before I sold it to my friend who is still using it. A total of 6 years now. I bought another for my brother and it's going on a year now going hard. Their prices are at least $50-$100 less than most other brands. Unless you count SONY then it's $500 cheaper lol.

As usual do your research and ask the wifey or she will beat you up.

[ryanbatc]

Well I bought the Gateway.... 14 day return policy so we will try it out.

The one I wanted to get was a samsung with i3 330m, but it costs 130 dollars more.

Anyway I will let you guys know how it works out

[Duke{CLR}]

I would also recommend a repair/accidental policy that lasts for as long as you plan on using the thing. Working on laptops can be a huge pain and the parts can be hard to find. I have always bought them and I came out ahead every time. A screen or power brick can easily be the cost of the policy and there is a good chance you will need these at some point down the road. Enjoy your new machine.