Looking For a Budget Laptop

jbkillable

Estimable
Jul 3, 2015
16
0
4,560
Hello, I'm looking around for a good budget laptop, doesn't have to be anything super powerful.
I'm most specifically looking for a fairly sufficient processor, four or more gigabytes of RAM, and fairly sufficient graphics. Also, fairly good battery life.

As for how I plan on using it, I haven't really got all that much to say about that. Just looking for a portable computer I can have some general use on. I don't intend on intensive gaming (possibly just some lower requirement stuff)
More specifically, I just want a laptop that isn't the equivalent to a brick. I plan on carrying it around with me, so battery life is fairly important.
I also really don't want all that many gimmicks. (For example, touch screen. Sure, it can be neat and useful at times, but I really don't see a reason to have a potentially raised price for that.)
Also, operating system doesn't really matter. Windows 7, at least, I'll most likely upgrade to 10 if it's not already on it.

TL;DR: I'm not totally broke, but that doesn't mean I can throw money around.
Specs must be: alright processor, alright graphics, 4+ RAM, good battery. I'd say something in the range of 200-300 dollars. (It can be more than that, but keep it under 500)

EDIT: By "general use" I really do mean general use. Web surfing, downloading, and the likes.
Storage space isn't an issue, I don't need to worry too much about that.
I want something portable, not so small it's awkward to use, but not too bulky and heavy (I plan on carrying it with me for school, and maybe when I go places)
The specs don't need to be super high, but I'd like something that will hold up well for multitasking, and won't just deteriorate after a while.
I don't plan on super heavy use, mostly just for when I'm out of the house. Maybe a small bit of gaming (nothing heavy at all, so that point is a bit useless) and definitely schoolwork. I also do plan on getting a graphics tablet at some point, so I'd like it to work well with some design software.

TL;DR: something working for general use, schoolwork and so on. No demanding games, I'm keeping that for my desktop. Portable (not HUGE, not super heavy), good battery life—don't want it to die on me.

Also, there's currently some sort of deal on Newegg, "on purchases of two hundred dollars or more, get twenty five dollars back when using select card holders" or something like that. I did check, and my card is eligible. So, if I can find it for a good price on Newegg, that would be preferred.

Thank you in advance!
 

bigboy101

Estimable
Nov 1, 2015
33
0
4,610
You can take a look at this one. The specs aren't too bad (i5 processor, 4GB RAM), but it only has a 250GB HDD.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XLZWN8S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00XLZWN8S&linkCode=as2&tag=toxislay-20&linkId=NRSTM4HX7CS6M3Z5

You could also take a look at this one. The processor isn't as great, but it does have a 750GB HDD to store more stuff. Both laptops are the HP brand.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWGELXY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00AWGELXY&linkCode=as2&tag=toxislay-20&linkId=TCQEHG6DCLKYBJ5O
 

jbkillable

Estimable
Jul 3, 2015
16
0
4,560


As I said, I'm really not looking to do much as far as gaming goes. Nothing demanding at all. (My desktop is going to be my gaming thing. As far as gaming on the laptop goes, I'd like it for very light games)

But, on the topic of used, I really would rather not have a used one, I've always been a little iffy with used technology.
But, if I must, what've you got in mind?
 

jbkillable

Estimable
Jul 3, 2015
16
0
4,560


Storage space isn't a big issue, 750 is a bit much. 250 seems like a good hot spot, as I'm REALLY stingy with storage space. (Meaning, if I don't need it, I will find it, and I will destroy it.)
Would you happen to know anything about the battery life of either of them?
I'm honestly looking for something good sized, not too incredibly heavy, and that will last.
Nothing too intensive on it, but I'd like to be able to multitask, and not be held up too much. (We have a laptop, but we NEVER take it anywhere. It's pretty much what my mother uses all the time for everything. It's not too horrid, I don't think, but when I, for example, try to open VLC Media Player, it takes a depressingly long time.)
 
If you do not want used, then consider the following Asus laptop with a Core i3-5010u & 1080p screen for $350 which is above you budget, but it is the best performance you can get at such a low price and probably the laptop with a 1080p screen.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011KFQASE/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687502&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00HNWLYSK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0X5VXXCJN03B183JH4SR


At around $300 you are basically looking at laptops with Intel Atom CPUs such as the Pentium N3540. While they can get the job done, they have pretty low performance compared to a Core i3 CPU. Generally below $250 the laptop will not have a hard drive, instead it will have 32GB of eMMC storage (slow solid state storage) and your only expansion option would be a 64GB SD card. RAM will be limited to 2GB or at best 4GB and will not be upgradeable.

The following Acer laptop has a Penitum N3540 and a 500GB hard drive for $311. For an additional $39 I would rather buy the Asus laptop for $350 which will give you a 1080p screen, the more powerful Core i3-5010u CPU as well as the more powerful Intel HD 5500 graphics core.

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-ES1-512-P84G-Pentium-Diamond/dp/B00TQ843VO/ref=sr_1_17?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1446773622&sr=1-17&keywords=pentium+laptop
 

jbkillable

Estimable
Jul 3, 2015
16
0
4,560


Going over my price range isn't all that bad, I don't mind. I'm also not really in a huge hurry for this (I currently get paid at the end of each month, so patience is pretty much my life right now)
As far as the two you listed, the Asus seems slightly overkill for what I plan on using it for, but it's an option.
Thank you, and if you've got any more recommendations, I'd gladly take a look at them.
 

jbkillable

Estimable
Jul 3, 2015
16
0
4,560


I actually am considering this, I never really thought about those detachable tablet/laptop types. Storage is a bit low, but that's fairly easy to combat with a microSD.
I like that it's smaller, I don't really need a huge one, and seeing as I'm planning on getting into design, this may actually be pretty good to start off with.
Thank you, once again.