Help: notebook for watching DVDs and internet TV

StarTech

Senior member
Dec 22, 1999
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My daughter is thinking about buying a low end notebook for WEB access, email, and low end office (MS word, Excel), iTunes library, DVD movies and internet TV channels viewing.
To me, the last two uses seem to be the most demanding.

My question is if the current low end processors and integrated graphic controllers can handle the movies and TV requirement properly.

Any advantage going Intel or AMD? It seems to me that most are Intel.

She is thinking about a budget of $500, but she is in Taiwan and I have no clue if they are cheaper there or not. If really needed, she may be able to stretch the budget to 600-700.

Any brands / models ? I guess since she is in Taiwan, she may have access to more brands or to some not too widely known here like ASUS.


 

alimoalem

Diamond Member
Sep 22, 2005
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asus laptops can be purchased here and are very fine laptops, but i doubt she'll be able to find one in her budget. they're one of the best manufacturers for gaming laptops, especially, so getting one just for her needs may be difficult.

intel does have an advantage at this point but if you find a good deal on a Turion X2 processor, don't hesitate to get it, especially if it's $500. current budget graphics and any dual core cpu should suffice for your daughter's needs.

i'm not sure on the inventory in taiwan or what prices may be, but she could check some things out there. what i would do if i were to purchase it here is look in the Hot Deals forum for laptop deals or go to deal sites that post the "deals of the day." there was a 15" hp the other day for $570 iirc, and it had some pretty good stuff. dell's e1501 (i think) can still be purchased with a 24" LCD screen for a total of ~$1070...so if either you or she needs a nice LCD screen, you could go that route...or just sell the screen on ebay for $500.

just look in Hot Deals or deal sites and you should find one within a week