Budget laptop?

[MrHumbuck]

I want to get a laptop that's good for sitting back with to watch videos, type documents, etc. It needs to be on the smaller side (maybe 14") and have a good screen and decent speakers. 

 

I'm thinking of spending around £300 - £500 (UK). Enough power for some light gaming would be a nice bonus, but it's not vital. I'm going to put Linux on it, if that matters.

Any suggestions? 

[Needfuldoer]

You'd get a lot for your money if you get a used business-class laptop like a ThinkPad, HP ProBook, or Dell Latitude. They're usually made better than creaky plastic consumer laptops, too.

[AndreiArgeanu]

6 minutes ago, Needfuldoer said:

You'd get a lot for your money if you get a used business-class laptop like a ThinkPad, HP ProBook, or Dell Latitude. They're usually made better than creaky plastic consumer laptops, too.

I worry about the speakers side though. My thinkpad l340 I got a while ago has some prety teeny speakers. Other than that they are a solid choice though.

[BiotechBen]

Something LIKE this if you can find in the UK. Great machine, speakers are okayish, would def recommend some earbuds/headphones for music listening. Doesn't need to be anything super expensive or fancy, budget earbuds/headphones have gotten shockingly good for the price.

 

[MrHumbuck]

1 hour ago, Needfuldoer said:

You'd get a lot for your money if you get a used business-class laptop like a ThinkPad, HP ProBook, or Dell Latitude. They're usually made better than creaky plastic consumer laptops, too.

I have some allergies that make second hand stuff a bit of a nuisance, so I'll have to think about it. Do you know of any new laptops that would be worth looking at?

[BiotechBen]

8 hours ago, MrHumbuck said:

I have some allergies that make second hand stuff a bit of a nuisance, so I'll have to think about it. Do you know of any new laptops that would be worth looking at?

Also obligated to do the "if everything you are doing is App/browser-based: why not get a chromebook?"

https://www.amazon.com/HP-Chromebook-Display-Graphics-14a-nf0050nr/dp/B0CZSVH5H5

[MrHumbuck]

Thanks everyone who made suggestions!

If anyone's interested, I've ended up getting an unused (open box) HP Probook 445 G10 for about £350. For the price I'm really pleased with the build quality and specs. The keyboard feels lovely. The speakers are more tinny than ipad speakers, but they're loud and clear (and upwards firing!) so not bad. I'm happy with the brightness and clarity of the screen, but the laptop's one major issue is that the colours are very washed out. Haven't had much time with it yet, but I think it'll be a good device.