Which laptop is the best choice?

[skolpo]

Hi, I'm really only looking for a decent laptop under $500. The main usages are for watching HD movies and multitasking with minimal lag issues. I've been looking through the Best Buy site because I plan to buy from them even though I know there are better choices on other sites like Newegg and TigerDirect. I just need a few opinions on some laptops I've been looking at:

ASUS
http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Pentium%26%23174%3B+Processor+-+Titanium/9700714.p?id=1218152462975&skuId=9700714


Compaq Presario
http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Compaq+-+Presario+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Celeron%26%23174%3B+Processor+-+Black/9700678.p?id=1218152461763&skuId=9700678


HP w/ AMD Turion II
http/www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Laptop+with+AMD+Turion%26%23153%3B+II+Dual-Core+Mobile+Processor+-+Espresso+Black/9641083.p?skuId=9641083&productCategoryId=pcmcat196200050013&id=1218135732197


HP w/ Athlon Neo (Factory Refurbished)
http/www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Factory-Refurbished+Pavilion+Laptop+with+AMD+Athlon%26%23153%3B+Neo+Processor+-+Black/9677294.p?id=1218145494143&skuId=9677294


Gateway w/ Ahtlon II Dual-Core
http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+Laptop+with+AMD+Athlon%26%23153%3B+II+Dual-Core+Processor+-+Coffee+Brown/9605383.p?id=1218130488875&skuId=9605383


Gaming is not a factor. If I were to play any games on it, the most intense game would be Sims 3. I still have a decent Desktop for games and just relying on this for use in school and work, but still have a decent processor and large HDD. I think the best out of those five I'm deciding on is the ASUS laptop, but the factory refurbished HP looks very decent also. Anyway, any input and opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[leo2kp]

http/www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/laptop-reliability-survey-asus-and-toshiba-win-hp-fails/

Check out this list and consider a machine from one of the most reliable manufacturers. That eliminates Gateway, HP, and Compaq from your list. Asus, Toshiba, or Sony (or even Apple) seem to be the way to go right now.

 

[skolpo]

Whoa, that's an interesting chart. Thanks! I've already personally thought that the ASUS was the best pick and this is pushing it more upwards, but even so, I still want to know which laptop is the best bang for the buck regardless of reliability issues (not saying it isn't important, though).