Looking for a Low Budget Laptop with 1920x1080 FHD Screen

FarNerdy

Estimable
Dec 29, 2014
17
0
4,560
[USA] Looking for a 13" or 15" Laptop; $300-$500; 1920x1080 FHD screen

Hi all,

I'm in search of a budget laptop in the USA for $300-$500 with a 1920x1080 Full HD (FHD) screen. I'll get something used or refurbished (as long as there is a return policy) to get this from a good, solid laptop. But the FHD screen is a must-have. Please see the laptop questionnaire filled out below:

**LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE**

**Country of purchase:** USA

**Budget range:** $300-$500

**Purpose (netbook, ultraportable, mainstream, gaming, desktop replacement, etc.):** Portable, mainstream, travel laptop

**Screen size preference:** 13" preferred, but 15" is fine. No 11" or 17"

**OS preference (Windows/Mac/Linux):** Windows or Chrome (considering Chromebook due to some other requirements)

**Gaming requirements (list example games and desired fps/settings):** No gaming needs, just want a FHD screen - 1920x1080. No 1366x768.

**Other performance requirements (video editing, CAD, etc.):** I'll be doing some major editing for documents (no Adobe needed though, just Microsoft Office, Google Docs, OpenOffice, and others); want the FHD screen for the detail I need to focus on and the clarity with the better screens; other uses will be streaming movies, playing music through Spotify, offline work while traveling in airplanes, airports, and hotels, and running mind map and outline programs such as SmartDraw and Scrievner.

**Portability requirements (constantly carried, frequently moved, mostly stationary, etc.):** Easy to travel with but will barely be used without being plugged in (only on airplanes, etc.). I'll have it in a backpack most of the time, and will probably purchase some additional protection.

**Brand preferences and reasons (already owned accessories, familiarity, business compatibility):** I really want to try and NOT get an ASUS, please - I've had a bad experience with them. I just want a good brand that will provide longevity and not crash on me once out of the box.

**Any particular style that you like (examples are great):** I love the look of the Dell XPS 13, but it is way out of my price limit (obviously). I'd love something that was thin, but it's not a requirement. I've done a lot of research and am so lost as to what to choose because there really aren't a good options that are easily available, so I'm always trying to find something that doesn't exist. Hence, I'm here, wondering what Reddit thinks is a good choice.

**Which of the following qualities would you prefer? (Choose one or two)**

**Long battery life -vs- Low weight -vs- High performance:** Low weight is the most important of the three.

**Build quality -vs- Low price: I think build quality is higher to me, but a low price is a must as well.

**List any critical features:** Would like it to have at least 1 USB 3.0 port, HDMI output, and a multitouch touchpad.

**Which features would you pay a premium for? (eg. high resolution screen, great keyboard/touchpad/audio, low noise/heat):** The 1920x1080 screen.
 

bootcher

Honorable
Feb 22, 2013
178
0
10,910
HP has a nice offer, now configurable with an 1080p IPS screen:
http://www.gaminglaptopsjunky.com/hp-pavilion-15t-15-6-gaming-laptop-with-skylake-i5-6200u-nvidia-gt-940m-6gb-ram-1080p-ips-display-1tb-hdd/