Laptop Replacement

[mrpetemd]

Always a favorite topic here but I need to replace my 5 year old laptop but like most folks my budget is very tight. Current machine is a Compaq Presario V2410US w/ AMD Turion 64 ML (1.9 Mhz) 2G ram (Max.) and 120G HDD running XP. Hooked up to 19" monitor & bluetooth keyboard & mouse. Photos, vids and music on external USB HDDs.

Primary uses are MSOffice 2007, email, web surfing, light photo edit (GIMP, Picasa), video viewing (no stutter or audio sync issues), HD music. Not a gamer. At most Office, email, browser, music open simultaneously.

Budget is max. $500. Prefer 15.6" screen but 14" is OK. 4hrs + battery life min. Should be win7 but able to handle Win8 later. Considering AMD E350/450/A4 or i3 2nd gen. Wireless/Bluetooth/HDMI. USB 3 optional.

Appreciate any advice/direction. Thanks.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834158073

This is as good as you can get.

TigerDirect site has same laptop for 499 dollars, but I am not sure if the service is as good as Newegg's.

 

[crazyalice]

I just bought a Lenovo with Core I5, 6 gigs 750 HDD, 15.6 screen and I couldn't be happier. Bought it at Best Buy for $429 after $150 off for signing up with Best Buy Connect 4g service. This thing is built like the proverbial brick outhouse. Real metal frame, its a great desktop replacement. Could be a little heavy to lug around though. I'm sure that the integrated graphics will not handle the heavy games but if your in the market for a laptop you give this one a long look. ASUS offers one with very similar spec but a smaller HDD. I was really set on ASUS but the lenovo is built a lot better IMHO. On a side note best buy connect really screams, look ma no wires, no usb thingy uses built in wimax.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Wow. An e-350 at $500 bucks is a total ripoff. You should be looking at a sandy bridge i3 absolute *minimum*... maybe an i5 on a hot deal.

Here ya go: $399

Dell 15.6" lcd
i3 - 2330m
4gb ram
500gb
bluetooth

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373503

The only reason I might hesitate on the dell is because I dont think the ram is upgradable. However, if you're not doing heavy multitasking 4gb would be plenty.