Recommendation for a 12" screen and back-lit keyboard laptop /notebook

victor43

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Aug 6, 2011
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Hello would anyone share which laptop or notebook which has the following requirements ? I would like to buy from Staples.com or Bestbuy.com. The screen size and the back-lit keyboard are essential. Need for surfing and webmail and Outlook email and watching videos.

1. 12" or about display
2. HDD 160GB or higher'
3. Back-Lit Keyboard
4. 4GB RAM
 
Solution
Unfortunately, you will not be able to get a laptop that meets all those requirements for less than around $300. It's possible to purchase a refurbished 12" laptop for less than $300 that will have everything you want except a backlit keyboard. I am not aware of any inexpensive 12" laptop with a backlit keyboard. Also, most if not all new 12" laptops will have low end CPUs from Intel's Atom series CPUs, but they are good enough for what you want to do.


The Thinkpad X230 is an example of a very good 12.5" laptop that could fit your needs. A refurbished version could be purchased for $305. It uses an Intel Core i5-3320m CPU that is definitely more powerful than Intel Atom series CPUs. But it does not have a backlit keyboard. While it...
Unfortunately, you will not be able to get a laptop that meets all those requirements for less than around $300. It's possible to purchase a refurbished 12" laptop for less than $300 that will have everything you want except a backlit keyboard. I am not aware of any inexpensive 12" laptop with a backlit keyboard. Also, most if not all new 12" laptops will have low end CPUs from Intel's Atom series CPUs, but they are good enough for what you want to do.


The Thinkpad X230 is an example of a very good 12.5" laptop that could fit your needs. A refurbished version could be purchased for $305. It uses an Intel Core i5-3320m CPU that is definitely more powerful than Intel Atom series CPUs. But it does not have a backlit keyboard. While it has a SSD (which has much better read / write times than a standard hard drive; the laptop should boot up in 15 seconds) it is only 128GB. The ThinkPad T, W, and X series are semi-rugged laptop that meets the Dept. of Defense's specifications (MIL-Spec) which means the laptop can stand up to rough handling.

https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Thinkpad-X230-i5-3320M-Windows/dp/B00UI4FTKE/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1478180520&sr=1-2&keywords=thinkpad+x230


Another option could be a refurbished Dell Inspiron i3148-6840sLV 11.6" laptop for $316. It has a Core i3-4010u CPU which is again, better than an Atom series CPU and it has a 500GB hard drive. But again, it does not have a backlit keyboard.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-i3148-6840sLV-11-6-Inch-Convertible-Touchscreen/dp/B00NJNEDSU/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1478180980&sr=1-2&keywords=dell+inspiron+12


For a new laptop, there's the Dell Inspiron i3000-10099SLV 11.6" laptop selling for $358. It has a Pentium N3700 which is an Atom series CPU and it also has a 500GB hard drive, but there is no backlit keyboard.


https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i3000-10099SLV-Touchscreen-Moonlight/dp/B019TTJ418/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1478181209&sr=1-9&keywords=11.6%22+laptop



You may need to simply settle for a laptop with no backlit keyboard and purchase a USB laptop light.

https://www.amazon.com/Dimmable-Multiple-Applications-Outdoors-Travelers/dp/B018T5P8AY/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1478181463&sr=1-2&keywords=usb+laptop+light
 
Solution