Microsoft To Launch 250$ Windows 8 Powered Laptops.

[GoodBytes]

Microsoft work with Acer and Toshiba to offer 250$ laptop running Windows 8 (not-RT).

The Acer Aspire ES1 laptop features a 15.6-inch screen, 2.16GHz Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD.

The Toshiba model is 11.6inch laptop, no info on the CPU, but will have 32GB SSD, and be 2.4lb. While 32GB is small, keep in mind that Microsoft has a develop a technology to run Windows directly from the ISO disk image, with little no performance drop. More details on this: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/138444-microsoft-details-hidden-feature-in-windows-81-update-1/

Microsoft is directly pushing to competing against Chromebook.

In addition Microsoft announces that that HP is planning to release 7 and 8-inch versions of its new "Stream" PCs, which will be even cheaper at: $99, and be available this holiday season.

Source: http://www.theverge.com/2014/7/14/5897641/microsoft-launches-a-price-assault-on-chromebooks

[flibberdipper]

My dad has an ASUS laptop that has Windows 8, cost ~$320 USD, and has a 500GB? HDD and 4GB of RAM, as well as a Celeron (think it's in the 2GHz range).

 

These are bad.

[beebskadoo]

My dad has an ASUS laptop that has Windows 8, cost ~$320 USD, and has a 500GB? HDD and 4GB of RAM, as well as a Celeron (think it's in the 2GHz range).

These are bad.

how are they bad?

[flibberdipper]

how are they bad?

You can get better for a little more.

[Guest]

I hate it when a laptop has a small hard drive... *ahum* Macbook Air *ahum*

[seiny]

These are actually awesome

[harrynowl]

You can get better for a little more.

Same with anything though

 

Like that netbook you got

[Dietrichw]

I hate it when a laptop has a small hard drive... *ahum* Macbook Air *ahum*

that is because it is PCIe based SSDs and starting at 128GB isn't that small for an SSD

[Guest]

These would be great for school or something where you aren't using mass storage and just need something cheap and portable.

[GoodBytes]

My dad has an ASUS laptop that has Windows 8, cost ~$320 USD, and has a 500GB? HDD and 4GB of RAM, as well as a Celeron (think it's in the 2GHz range).

 

These are bad.

I am sorry, but I am certain that the Chromebooks in the same price range aren't really better, especially considering the OS limitations.

In addition, if you expect a MacBook Pro quality/performance, or Surface Pro quality/performance, then you are dreaming. But for sure it's not a "if you open the box and it's not in peaces, then it's a manufacture error, as it's supposed to be in peaces" level of quality

Chromebooks are simply the new Netbooks. And Microsoft is jumping in before Google takes it over, like they have with Android.

[flibberdipper]

Same with anything though

 

Like that netbook you got

You have a point, but then again, look at how long this thing has lasted me. It's gotta be coming up on 6 years of abuse. And it was.... A ~$330 USD ASUS computer.

[TopWargamer]

$100 and $250 Windows machines? Chromebooks, you had your run, but I think your time in the spotlight is finally over. 

[Scionyde]

My dad has an ASUS laptop that has Windows 8, cost ~$320 USD, and has a 500GB? HDD and 4GB of RAM, as well as a Celeron (think it's in the 2GHz range).

 

These are bad.

 

Aren't those basically the same specs as the Acer laptop in the OP, except yours is $70 more expensive?

[Guest]

that is because it is PCIe based SSDs and starting at 128GB isn't that small for an SSD

 

I know... But it's still small.

Oh, and they used to have 64GB versions.

[flibberdipper]

Aren't those basically the same specs as the Acer laptop in the OP, except yours is $70 more expensive?

Bigger hard drive, DVD RW of some kind, either a 500GB or 750GB HDD, and I think his Celeron has a higher clock speed. I don't know how many USB ports these have, but I think his has 3 or 4 (forgot the combination of 3.0 and 2.0).

[harrynowl]

Cheap laptops that don't suck = good.

[Snickerzz]

Might get one, been wanting a chromebook but havent gotten one due to the os limitations

[Builder]

I hate it when a laptop has a small hard drive... *ahum* Macbook Air *ahum*

The SSD (not hard drive) in the MacBook Air is incredibly fast. I'd rather have fast and small than big and slow.

[kuddlesworth9419]

I just can't wait until HDD's dye out on the consumer side. I really hate HDD's but we still have to use them because they are cheap.

[TAK]

.

[mr moose]

They are Acer, for one.

Acer certainly aren't robust, They won't handle anything harder than light use. However if you need to save some $$ (and there are plenty who do) and you can baby it, they will last quite a while.  I have one here that is 6 years old with vista and still going strong.

 

I work with a lot of people low on the SES,  for me it's great news to see more products that can do everyday tasks and not cost much comparatively.

[onionring]

K lets be honest, most people here will not buy these for gaming or heavy productivity.

 

this is a netbook, it s great to take notes, browse the internet and read messages and has decent bettery life.

 

Shure my gaming laptop is more powerfull, but it also last 30 min on a battery... There s a place for every kind of laptop. This one would be more than adequate for my parents.

 

i might even get one for general purpose laptop things my hulking gaming *transportable from outlet to outlet* pc can t do...

If you can upgrade the wifi to wifi AC and swap the hdd, it d be perfect for Splashtop/etc (i got some parts left over lol)

[razor767]

More competition for low cost laptops is good. 

[JAKEBAB]

Bigger hard drive, DVD RW of some kind, either a 500GB or 750GB HDD, and I think his Celeron has a higher clock speed. I don't know how many USB ports these have, but I think his has 3 or 4 (forgot the combination of 3.0 and 2.0).

The toshiba is bad but the acer has pretty much all this at only $250 which IMO is great.

[onionring]

The toshiba is bad but the acer has pretty much all this at only $250 which IMO is great.

dont forget the 99$ desktop pc they re talking about too...