Advice on an inexpensive laptop - DPChallenge Forums

01/02/2012 12:05:41 PM · #1

I need to get my husband a new laptop. The current one is a pos and I don't want to waste my time trying to fix it. He browses the internet, watches youtube videos, listens to streaming audio. That is pretty much it.

What would be a good option for him? We are talking inexpensive...$250 or less. Is this doable?

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/02/2012 12:16:19 PM · #2

I don't think this is possible... Sigh... I guess I need to do some work on his current laptop...

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

01/02/2012 12:20:11 PM · #3

I bought my son one for xmas. An HP, 17" with 500Gb harddrive and 4MG memory, webcam & microphone. Perfect for what he does (he's 12). It was a thanksgiving special at office depot for $350. I know there are a bunch of clearance sales going on at tigerdirect.com or circuitcity.com. You could check out there.

Brent_S

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

01/02/2012 12:21:20 PM · #4

I can't recall ever seeing a laptop advertised that inexpensive before. But it seems places like BestBuy and Fry's electronics have price leader laptops once in a while that are at least close to that price range. You could also look for a used one in decent shape.

If all he using a computer for is what you describe, have you considered getting him a tablet? iPads start at double that price unfortunately, but maybe some other tablets would do the job in that price range?

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/02/2012 12:21:43 PM · #5

You will struggle for that price but there are some for 300-400... Check NewEgg and the refurb section. Have a look for linux laptops as it's cheaper without windoze on top and sounds like that's not a requirement.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/02/2012 12:23:10 PM · #6

//www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=4936

fldave

Pentax K5II

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

01/02/2012 12:29:15 PM · #7

My wife just bought a Toshiba laptop for $267 at Bestbuy. Electronics dealers are clearing out last years models for the new models, so they often blow out last years' stock. Since they don't have many left, they don't advertise...

edit to add that this was a $500+ laptop 2 months ago, and they added free antivirus, and has full warranty (unlike open box or lease return), just shop around and ask to see last years stock.

Message edited by author 2012-01-02 12:34:50.

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/02/2012 12:45:22 PM · #8

If you can possibly raise the budget a little bit (up to $380 or so), you can afford one with an Intel i3 chip. It'll be a refurb but you'll be getting the best value. TigerDirect usually has a decent stock of refurb units. Like this HP here
//www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=19198&CatId=4938

or checkout the slickdeals or fatwallet sites for sales
//slickdeals.net/newsearch.php?forumchoice[]=9&q=i3+laptop&showposts=0&archive=0&firstonly=1

Getting one with i3 will suite you better in the long run.

Message edited by author 2012-01-02 12:48:26.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/02/2012 01:02:57 PM · #9

Thanks for the advice... I just balk at buying a PC. I refuse to spend a lot of money on anything other than a mac but we cannot afford a mac laptop right now and my husband is NOT tech-savvy at all and really doesn't know how to take care of the computer. I just don't want to spend a lot on something that is going to be bumped around and dirtied. It looks like the inexpensive laptops aren't much better than what he has now... I think I will wait until the current pos gives up the ghost... haha.

I WOULD consider a tablet for him but I don't want to hear the sighs and groans of someone who isn't quick to pick up on new technology... and this is why i don't want to get him a mac either... can you imagine the pain of a new os!?!?!?

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/02/2012 01:09:35 PM · #10

I am frequently tossed into the role of supporting inexpensive laptops that others have purchased and the experience is usually bad. Inexpensive components and manufacturing frequently lead to a short short life and/or lots of maintenance. Given your husband is primarily a browser and viewer, have you considered something like an iPad? I guess this wouldn't be considered cheap from a purchase standpoint, but they are easy to use and require about zero maintenance. With the latest iOS you don't even need laptop or desktop to do updates.

If not, [user]Techno[/user] pointed out www.tigerdirect.com and I agree that they have great prices on hardware.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/02/2012 01:15:00 PM · #11

Originally posted by slickchik:

I WOULD consider a tablet for him but I don't want to hear the sighs and groans of someone who isn't quick to pick up on new technology... and this is why i don't want to get him a mac either... can you imagine the pain of a new os!?!?!?

My parents (I'm 47) picked up a couple of iPads over Christmas and instantly fell in love with them. Instead of watching TV in the evening they sit next to each other playing games and saying "did you know you could..."

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

01/02/2012 01:54:51 PM · #12

Would the laptop be his main device for browsing? if so, getting a full fledged PC/Mac or whatever would be better. Don't forget the iPad does not render Flash at all. Many streaming video/audio sites still use Flash as well as many photographer portfolios, in case you might want to borrow the unit. Android tablets do run Flash but have a limited version running compared to Windows/MacOS devices.

If his current laptop works but has become bogged down, perhaps a quick format and re-installation of the OS is just what the Dr. ordered ;) most laptops these days have a seperate restore partition (hardware manf. do this instead of shipping out a CD these days). Make sure to first backup all important data first.

Message edited by author 2012-01-02 13:56:38.

01/02/2012 02:01:37 PM · #13

I would get him an iPad because I want one but he says he won't use it... and I did think about the Flash issue as well. The majority of programs he listens to have an app of the ipod/ipad. I just don't know if he can handle typing out searches on the iPad. Seriously, I don't want to hear the complaining...

I have a desktop I could set up for him but he likes sitting on the couch...

I don't know... Maybe I will just stay out of it until the current laptop totally bites the dust. It's not like I have to use it for anything hahaha.

Or maybe I will buy an iPad anyway and make him use it.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

01/02/2012 02:02:41 PM · #14

And I do think a re-install of the os may be in order... There is NO DATA on this laptop so a reformat would be pretty easy.

ETA: SIGH SIGH SIGH I hate working with PCs now that I have an iMac.

Message edited by author 2012-01-02 14:03:49.

Brent_S

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

01/02/2012 02:25:40 PM · #15

Well if you have been wanting an iPad anyway and can increase your cost limit a bit I would suggest having your husband try one out in a store. Have him do the same things he has been doing on his laptop and it sounds like an iPad will do them just fine. Inability to play Flash with an iOS device is becoming less of an issue all the time as Flash is going out of favor. And you would be hard put to find an OS that is easier to learn or stay out of trouble with. Typing on an iPad really isn't so bad if he touch types and in my experience hardly harder at all for someone who hunts and pecks.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/02/2012 02:33:25 PM · #16

Plus you can get a really inexpensive dock for it that has a physical keypad, best of both worlds.

This one's a hundred bucks but it is GREAT, it's a case too.

There's a BUNCH of products like this in the $30 range...

Message edited by author 2012-01-02 14:36:14.