What do you think about this Acer Aspire 5 (8250U, 8GB, 256GB SSD, MX150, 1920x1080 LCD)? $569

[VirtualLarry]

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=34-316-369&Tpk=34-316-369

This caught my eye.

Currently using a Lenovo B50-45 with an AMD A6-6310 APU. I've upgraded to 8GB of DDR3 (2x4GB SO-DIMM), and an SSD. It gets the job done, pretty well actually, but I wonder if I would get a better experience with something newer? Oh yeah, I really wish that I had a 1080P screen on my laptop. (Current one is 1366x768.) Current one also is a tiny bit flaky, and only has 2.4Ghz wifi. (I actually have two of them. Paid only $200 ea., a few years ago on BF-ish on ebay, and added more RAM, and an SSD. Altogether, probably cost me less than $400. Running Windows 7 too! No real gaming on them though.)

The only thing that gives me pause, is Acer's consumer laptop build quality, which is in my past experience the pits. My Acers have fallen apart at the seams, pretty-much literally. My Lenovos are business-class, and seem to be built fairly durably.

One thing that I like about those Acer Aspire 5 units, is that they are advertised specifically as being upgradable, in the RAM, and HDD / SSD areas, with access panels. That's one thing that I really like about my Lenovo business-class units as well.

Here's a similar Asus laptop, with a GTX1050 rather than an MX150.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-K570U...-i5-8250U-8GB-Memory-256GB-SSD-W/292590220591

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I suspect you're probably on-target w/r/t build quality. Acer isn't going to be too terrible, but most Lenovo stuff is going to be a bit better.

Generally speaking, upgradability in a laptop is a bit of an artifact of the past.

The Lenovo you have is really only "business" class in the sense that it was designed to be sold cheaply to institutional purchasers. (Schools.) There's nothing about it that's in any way "premium" in the sense that business notebooks usually are.

Have you considered this?: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834850876

Also, my housemate just got one of these: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-inspiron-15-7000-laptop/spd/inspiron-15-7570-laptop

If you can find a coupon code or something, even the base model is a nice configuration in your price range (not to mention what you've probably got in your spares bin.)

It supports a 80mm long m.2 drive, in addition to a 2.5" SATA drive (you may have to buy a bracket separately) and the RAM is upgradable.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Have you considered this?: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834850876

That one's not bad either. Thanks!