Best Sub $500 Laptop?

[Anthony10]

Well I would like a nice laptop for schoolwork, I would like it to be lightweight and 15.6inch please. Doesn't need a big hard drive.

If you have any lower priced suggestions please let me know, as the lower the price the better.

Thanks for the help!

 

P.S. don't want a chromebook because they require internet the whole time and have a weird cloud storage setup

[Guest]

Chromebooks don't require internet the whole time. I can edit google docs offline. Also, all my files are stored locally and it works fine. If you want a dull desktop experience you can sideload Ubuntu

[Anthony10]

Chromebooks don't require internet the whole time. I can edit google docs offline. Also, all my files are stored locally and it works fine. If you want a dull desktop experience you can sideload Ubuntu

Yes I know they don't require it, but they have most of the storage online and the chrome OS looks a bit weird to me, would prefer not to go ubuntu, thanks for the suggestion though.

[Guest]

Is refurb okay or do you want new?

[Anthony10]

Is refurb okay or do you want new?

I'm not too firmiliar with refurb items, is the hardware used? Or is it restored to its original state like new components

[Guest]

I'm not too firmiliar with refurb items, is the hardware used? Or is it restored to its original state like new components

It is not quite new, but not quite used. Laptops that have been returned, open box, or had a defect(will be fixed when you get it) are sold as refurb. Most come with some sort of warranty from the manufacturer

[Anthony10]

It is not quite new, but not quite used. Laptops that have been returned, open box, or had a defect(will be fixed when you get it) are sold as refurb. Most come with some sort of warranty from the manufacturer

I'd be open to that, as long as it's hardware repaired not just aesthetically repaired.

[Guest]

I'd be open to that, as long as it's hardware repaired not just aesthetically repaired.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231549

[Probenja]

Anything with a haswell i5 will be fine for any task:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314150

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834300385

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834313724

[Anthony10]

How's this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314337

[steffen_anywhere]

How's this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314337

That's good for the price! If you really wanted an SSD, you could put on in later anyways.

[Opcode]

Keep your eye out for the CPU being used in each of these laptops.

• Stick to the i5 "M" SKU if you want more horsepower.
• Stick to the i5 "U" SKU if you want longer battery life.

I personally recommend this one as its a good combination of horsepower and staying below $500. If you need a bit more CPU horsepower it will cost you a bit more but you could go with this.

[Anthony10]

Keep your eye out for the CPU being used in each of these laptops.

• Stick to the i5 "M" SKU if you want more horsepower.
• Stick to the i5 "U" SKU if you want longer battery life.

I personally recommend this one as its a good combination of horsepower and staying below $500. If you need a bit more CPU horsepower it will cost you a bit more but you could go with this.

Thanks for the help, but this still seems better to me http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314337

[Opcode]

Thanks for the help, but this still seems better to me http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314337

In my opinion its worth the extra $65.99 for a brand new laptop (not pre-owned like refurbished products) and from a better manufacture (better build quality). Also with the bonus of being faster at CPU related tasks. Other than being touchscreen (con in my book as the screen has to be cleaned constantly) and having longer battery life the Acer has nothing on the Lenovo. Tho if that's what fits the bill for you, then why not. 

[Anthony10]

In my opinion its worth the extra $65.99 for a brand new laptop (not pre-owned like refurbished products) and from a better manufacture (better build quality). Also with the bonus of being faster at CPU related tasks. Other than being touchscreen (con in my book as the screen has to be cleaned constantly) and having longer battery life the Acer has nothing on the Lenovo. Tho if that's what fits the bill for you, then why not. 

Well the preowned is manufacture refurbished, so it's a good deal in my opinion because I save $100 while having it like it would be like in a week of use, the acer is suppose to have great battery life, and the touch screen is just a bonus, I am selling my ipad to get this so I think this will be a nice upgrade. Thanks for your help though. 

[Opcode]

Well the preowned is manufacture refurbished, so it's a good deal in my opinion because I save $100 while having it like it would be like in a week of use, the acer is suppose to have great battery life, and the touch screen is just a bonus, I am selling my ipad to get this so I think this will be a nice upgrade. Thanks for your help though. 

It's not a bad looking ultrabook (heavy for its appearance), tho keep in mind it only has a 90 day warranty instead of the 1 year from the manufacture due to it being refurbished.