Laptop ~$300. No gaming, just web surfing/document writing

[Mauri]

So i found this laptop for 280 USD: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K2O4VLS/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=

 

And thought it would fit my sister's needs just find. However, i was wondering if there was another laptop out there that i might not know about that is a better deal than this.

 

Main requirements are ~300 USD price point. If possible, I'm hoping the laptop thickness is under 1 inch, since she doesn't really want a monster for a laptop. Screen size 11.6-14 inches please. Thanks in advance!

 

Edit: No chromebooks please.

[evilarceus]

If it's just web surfing and document writing, I would get a Chromebook. http://bit.ly/1PP6VZ8It is a pretty solid looking laptop and even has Verizon LTE.

[Dougaroo]

If you're not wanting a chrome book like the one above, there is this dell one that's nice and is within the 300$ limit. There is also things like protection that I'd suggest also getting but it would send you over budget.

 

-Update-

Forgot link: http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15-3551-laptop/pd?ref=PD_Family

[Mauri]

If you're not wanting a chrome book like the one above, there is this dell one that's nice and is within the 300$ limit. There is also things like protection that I'd suggest also getting but it would send you over budget.

Do you have a link or model #? 

[Dougaroo]

Do you have a link or model #? 

Oops I'm a scrub

Meant to link it and didn't

http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15-3551-laptop/pd?ref=PD_Family

[vembutech]

The acer seems to be decent choice for web surfing/document writing. There are still cheap laptop available but it seems to be fine with display and also fairly wide viewing angles with good performance.

[ThE_MarD]

Heyyo,

 

If you're not wanting a chrome book like the one above, there is this dell one that's nice and is within the 300$ limit. There is also things like protection that I'd suggest also getting but it would send you over budget.

 

-Update-

Forgot link: http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15-3551-laptop/pd?ref=PD_Family

Wow, looks like Dougaroo just won this thread lol.

Bigger screen and slightly better CPU than that Acer. The battery life probably won't be as good as the chromebook though since it's an Intel Quad core with a 4-cell battery vs the Chromebook with a smaller screen and only a Samsung Exynos 5250 SoC and 3-cell battery.

But still, I'd go for that Dell over the Chromebook for better program compatibility.

As for purchasing Microsoft Office? Both the Chromebook and Dell notebook would require purchasing of either a boxed set or Office 365.

For example:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.word

Sign in with a free Microsoft account to create or edit docs on devices with a screen size of 10.1 inches or smaller. A qualifying Office 365 subscription is required to unlock the full Office experience. Office 365 is also required to create or edit on tablets with a screen larger than 10.1 inches. Qualifying plans include: Office 365 Personal, Office 365 Home, Office 365 Solo, Office 365 Service, Office 365 University, Office 365 Business, Office 365 Business Premium, Office 365 Small Business Premium, Office 365 Midsize Business, Office 365 Enterprise E3 and E4, Office 365 Government E3 and E4, Office 365 Education E3 and E4, Office 365 Nonprofit E3, Office 365 ProPlus, Office 365 ProPlus for Students, Office 365 ProPlus for Faculty, Office 365 trial subscriptions.

If you don’t have a subscription, you can buy Office 365 Home or Office 365 Personal within the app. With an Office 365 subscription, you get the full Word, Excel and PowerPoint experience on Android tablet, phone, iPad and iPhone, and you can install full Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote on PCs or Macs.

Chromebook = 11.6" screen. So it's bigger than the 10.1 inch for the basic free version.

[Aniallation]

Heyyo,
 

Bigger screen and slightly better CPU than that Acer. The battery life probably won't be as good as the chromebook though since it's an Intel Quad core with a 4-cell battery vs the Chromebook with a smaller screen and only a Samsung Exynos 5250 SoC and 3-cell battery.

 
The N2840 is a very power efficient chip. The Dell won't last as long as the Chromebook, but still does 6 hours with it's 40WHr battery. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2472014,00.asp
 
If OP is looking for better battery life, the HP Stream 13 offers noticeably better battery life, getting 9 hours in the same test http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2472573,00.asp
 
Cheaper as well, but you give up some RAM and quite some drive space, but it shouldn't be that big of a worry for just schoolwork, and it should be snappier then the Dell as it is an SSD.