Selecting a budget laptop

TheBlue · Aug 7, 2014

Well I wanted to buy a cheap laptop, and the best deal I found was a Lenovo IdeaPad G505 laptop, with the following specs:

Processor: AMD E1-Series E1-2100 1.0GHz Dual core 1 MB cache
Display: 15.6" HD LED Glare Wedge 1366x768
Memory: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM
Storage: 500GB HDD
Optical Device: DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
Graphics: Integrated Radeon HD 8210
Ports: 2x USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI-out, 2-in-1 card reader (SD/MMC)

Everything seems good except the processor. I fear its the least powerful from many of the cheap laptops on offer here. They mainly use Intel Celeron's, some with a higher clock speed, for example:

One has also an AMD E1-2500 with 2GB's of RAM, Intel 2957U 1.40GHz 2MB Cache with 4GB's of RAM, Intel Dual Core1000M 1.8GHz with 4GB's of RAM. As far as I heard AMD processors with AMD integrated graphics cards are better at gaming than Intel. But Intel is better while multi-tasking.

I don't play too much demanding games, GTA San Andreas, Flight Simulator, Programming, AutoCAD and Web Surfing(Movies, YouTube). PS: They work really well on my brother's old and junky PC(Intel Celeron 1.7GHz with 128kb L2 cache and 1GB RAM).

Am I good with that Lenovo laptop or should I seek alternatives?

Onus · Aug 7, 2014

I think that CPU will be weak. I personally have a Lenovo X140E, which uses an A4-5000 CPU: http

/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G1E39430
and I find it to be a little slow, but I didn't buy it for speed (two of the reviews there on it are mine). It would be faster than the E-series though. You may or may not want a unit that small though, or missing the optical drive.

TheBlue · Aug 7, 2014

Well, this Lenovo netbook seems the best deal because it features everything I need(Optical drive, USB 3.0 ports, card reader).Those laptops with a weak CPU have the largest RAM and vice versa, stronger CPU lower RAM(Speaking for the budget ones). A fraction of them don't have optical drives/ have only 2.0 USB ports/ no webcams/microphone. But yeah, more suggestions are always welcomed.

iBUYPOWER - Jason · Aug 7, 2014

I'd opt for the better CPU and the difference between integrated GPU's is marginal. You'll probably have a better experience with the Intel Celeron than the E-series.

What's your budget range? Maybe we can find a better alternative!

jaguarskx · Aug 7, 2014

I have ready many reviews of different laptops with AMD's E1 and E2 series APUs and many reviews were disappointed by the performance. They either returned it immediate or eventually spent more money to buy a more powerful laptop.

It recommend that buy the following ThinkPad E545 with an AMD Dual-Core A6 5350M with the integrated AMD Radeon HD 8450G for $395 excluding taxes and shipping.

http

/www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkPad-E545-20B20011US-A6-5350M/dp/B00FU83YWS/ref=pd_sim_pc_27?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TDZA39WBTFBN0N3731D#productDetails

It seems to have everything you are looking for. There's 4 USB ports (3 are USB 3.0), and a DVD burner drive. The Radeon HD 8450G's performance is between that of the Intel HD 3000 and the HD 4000; much better than the integrated GPU in AMD E1 APU can do.

However, the hard drive is only 320GB, but it and the RAM are the easiest thing that you can upgrade on most laptops.

Onus · Aug 7, 2014

Please also be aware that Lenovo's Ideapad lineup is their consumer-models, and the Thinkpad lineup are their more durable, better-engineered business models.

TheBlue · Aug 7, 2014

Well due to a promotion the store has, in which I want to buy the Lenovo (Their 10th anniversary), I can get it as cheap as 180$ while it costs +230$ here. I can save a bit more and buy a decent tablet! It can't be any worse than my brothers computer which does all those tasks smoothly(Intel Celeron 1.70GHz). Thanks for all your help!

turkey3_scratch · Aug 7, 2014

Yes, the only thing I noticed was the CPU. But be happy that the CPU is dual-core because that should boost its performance from what it might seem. A 1Ghz CPU would not be a problem when doing basic stuff such as browsing the web, lalela and so forth. Gaming really depends on the game you are playing, and somewhat the frame rate. Playing on 30FPS requires less CPU power than 60FPS. I would also look at some reviews online of that particular laptop and see what others say.

Also, I think someone above mentions about how integrated graphics are not the best, of course they are not, but if you play pre-2008 games on moderate settings they are just fine, and rarely do laptops come with independent graphics cards, especially budget ones.

Onus · Aug 8, 2014

I can play Guild Wars on mine; I think the settings are maxed. I've not tried GW2; it would probably choke on that.

TheBlue · Aug 8, 2014

I barely play games newer than 2009, I mainly play FS2004/FSX, GTA San Andreas, Half Life 2 and its counterparts. So, if this laptop can't handle them I may as well return it.

Can you guys suggest which operating system to use on this? Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or *wink,wink* the champ XP.

iBUYPOWER - Jason · Aug 8, 2014

I'd say go for Windows 7. It's not outdated and it doesn't require as much technical performance compared to Windows 8.1. XP may be a little too outdated, but it works. However, driver support for XP is almost nonexistent now.

turkey3_scratch · Aug 9, 2014

TheBlue :

It can handle those games. Trust me, they are 5 years old, you'll be fine. Don't use XP it's not even supported by Microsoft anymore. I say use Windows 7.

Search

Selecting a budget laptop

TheBlue

Estimable

Onus

Onus

Distinguished

TheBlue

Estimable

iBUYPOWER - Jason

Estimable

jaguarskx

Champion

Onus

Distinguished

TheBlue

Estimable

turkey3_scratch

Estimable

Onus

Distinguished

TheBlue

Estimable

iBUYPOWER - Jason

Estimable

turkey3_scratch

Estimable

Similar threads

TRENDING THREADS

Moderators online

Share this page