Looking for a basic student laptop - simple usage

kanucks25

Estimable
Mar 19, 2014
12
0
4,560
Hello,

I'm looking for a laptop for a friend. I would appreciate any suggestions. Here are the details:

Usage:
Very simple: Microsoft Office and Web-browsing (for homework and social media).

Budget:
$300-$550 Canadian

Size:
11-14 inch screen. Lighter the better, for a girl to carry around the city.

Additional Info:
- would like it to last as long as possible; usage requirements will never change
- longer battery life would be nice, but not a top priority
- HD doesn't matter
- screen resolution doesn't matter
- company doesn't matter (just looking for quality)
- color doesn't matter
- touch-screen not needed
- drives not needed



Thanks! :D
 

corroded

Distinguished
Sep 5, 2011
197
0
18,660
Is your "student" already enrolled somewhere? you can get the "Academic" version of MS Office for about 50% of retail...

I've been able to get it at College Bookstores for about $100 US.

As to the laptop itself... Toshiba has some nice simple laptops in the price range (AMD APU's) I just look at Dell and did not like what was there...
 

kanucks25

Estimable
Mar 19, 2014
12
0
4,560


Software isn't a problem :p


She actually already bought a Dell and didn't like it, returned it after a few weeks.



I did look at Toshiba, this one kind works, but it says only 4 hours of battery life :(

http://www.toshiba.ca/productdetailpage.aspx?id=2147498203




Looking for more suggestions :)
 

kanucks25

Estimable
Mar 19, 2014
12
0
4,560


Yeah, I was also looking at that Lenovo. Might be a bit big but I'll keep it in mind.


Is there a huge drop-off from the Intel Core i3-4010U (1.7GHz) to the Intel Pentium 2117U? I found an ASUS similar to the one you linked except the downgrade in processor and it's like $150 cheaper: here



Also, how is ACER for laptop quality?

 

kanucks25

Estimable
Mar 19, 2014
12
0
4,560
Okay. I guess that ASUS you originally linked seems like a good fit. Is there any you would recommend that is like one grade lower in price?

With tax and Canadian exchange, that one ends up being about $600 :(
 

kanucks25

Estimable
Mar 19, 2014
12
0
4,560
Is there anything missing from the RT version that you think is essential? I googled the differences and to me it seems like my friend wouldn't really notice anything was different considering her extremely simple needs.

Also are you sure it runs RT? I saw a couple reviews that says it's the full version, and some says it is the RT.

Here's the one I'm looking at: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231431&AID=10657534&PID=749547&SID=rfdcb-d725&nm_mc=AFC-C8junctionCA

I can get it for $320 US / $360 CAN
 

kanucks25

Estimable
Mar 19, 2014
12
0
4,560


Yeah, the one you linked and the one I linked were different. I found the one you linked on BestBuy for $350 US, I might just go with that.

Thanks dude :D great help